No more fame for Fonda

Re "State Hall of Fame adds more icons" (Capitol & California, Dec. 16): I'm appalled at the special recognition given to Jane Fonda by Maria Shriver and the California Hall of Fame Board. What is it about "traitor" that these social cronies and others do not understand? Fonda visited North Vietnam while our men were being held prisoner and tortured there. She sat in the turret of an anti-aircraft gun and turned over notes to the enemy, sneaked to her by American prisoners. Some of these men were consequently punished for being caught in attempting to get messages out of the internment camp.

While a civil servant, I recall Fonda standing outside of the Travis Air Force Main Gate during the Vietnam conflict. I didn't agree with that war, nor do I agree with the Iraq debacle for that matter, but I support, as every American should, our military who are in harm's way. Fonda is no less a traitor to our country than Tokyo Rose. This award to Jane Fonda is a slap in the face to all American veterans, to all Americans lost in battle and to their families. Shame to Shriver and to the Hall of Fame board.

– Joe Marquez, Pollock Pines

Fonda unworthy of recognition

How could you, Maria? First lady of this state and you name Jane Fonda as a Californian worthy of recognition. This is more than a mere slap in the face to every Vietnam veteran who served, and worse to families who lost loved ones while Fonda danced with the enemy. You have belittled the contributions of our true California heroes and history makers.

Had I known this was taking place, I would have been outside the museum reciting the names of every California vet who served with pride.

I, for one, will never visit this museum. You have defiled the names of all of those who have been inducted for their true and positive contributions to our state.

– Joanne Davis, Sacramento

What, no mementos from Hanoi?

As a new inductee to the California Hall of Fame, Jane Fonda offered her Academy Awards and a pants suit. Bravo. So, I guess, photos and videos of her wearing a combat helmet and manning an anti-aircraft gun in Hanoi in August 1972 were unavailable?

– Richard Beck, Sacramento

Budget compromise required

Re "GOP seeks deep cuts" (Page A1, Dec. 16): The Republicans in the Legislature have accomplished the seemingly impossible. They have proposed a budget solution less anchored in fiscal reality than those previously advanced by the governor and the Democrats.

The current budget disaster results from a combination of economic downturn, interest group initiatives, the two-thirds vote requirement, political dogma, past legislative gimmickry and public inattention. It will not be solved by any sleight of hand or quick fix. The Republicans are correct in calling for longer-term solutions but are unwilling to consider the revenue side of the solutions. The Democrats will consider revenue but will not take on constituencies with vested interests in maintaining current funding.

Any workable solution will increase some taxes, offend unions, alienate interest groups, demand sacrifice and require compromise by all. We need both a short-term response and a long-term structural solution. But this will only occur when voters communicate to the entire Legislature that the collective welfare trumps both individual ideology and interest.

– William Vizzard, Sacramento

Will GOP Scrooges see the light?

Right in time for Christmas, Ebenezer Scrooge has arrived in the form of Republican lawmakers who want to balance the state's books with cuts in education and social services. Now, our children won't only have to deal with our $10 trillion national debt and overheated environment, we'll also bless them with reduced skills and opportunities to compete in the emerging global marketplace. Splendid! And while we're at it, let's throw the poor and mentally ill under the bus as well. What's next, poorhouses to shelter those who lose their homes to foreclosure? Ebenezer eventually saw the light after visits from three ghosts. What will it take to get these Republican Scrooges to undergo a similar transformation?