MY DAY OFF

I will work with Jen Weinstein most of the day learning lines–or, I should say, re-learning lines.

Later today is Oliver Elfman (Bridget Fonda and Danny Elfman’s son) turns 6 and is having a tea party that I will go to.

Right now, though, I send kudos to Paul Krugman for his column “Climate of Hate” in the New York Times. He says that though the shooter responsible for the Arizona massacre appears to be mentally unstable, “that doesn’t mean that his act can or should be treated as an isolated event, having nothing to do with the national climate.” And later, “…the purveyors of hate have been treated with respect, even deference, by the GOP establishment.” Asking whether the massacre will make our national discourse less toxic, Krugman answers, “it’s really up to the GOP establishment. Will they accept the reality of what’s happening to America, and take a stand against eliminationist rhetoric? Or will they try to dismiss the massacre as the mere act of a deranged individual, and go on as before?”

All of us need to pay attention. If GOP leaders and the right wing media that fans the flames of radical calls for armed resistance do go on as before, we need to make them responsible for the consequences.

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31 Comments

  1. I’m glad you’re here.

  2. Hello Jane, enjoy you part dayoff.
    I was thinking that you must be working a 7 day week , form all the things your doing.
    The act of a single deranged individual,we all are responsible for the environment that has beeen have created. “In order to act you must be somewhat insane. A reasonably sensible man is satisfied with thinking.” – Georges Clemenceau. Maybe we have been thinking to much and not creating change by are actions.

  3. We know that silence equals consent when atrocities are committed against innocent men, women and children. We know that indifference equals complicity when bigotry, hatred and intolerance are allowed to take root. And we know that education and hope are the most effective ways to combat …ignorance and despair ~~ Gabrielle Giffords

    Thank you always – your words inspire too. We need to pay attention – be aware be very aware… Accountability definitely!

  4. “Hatred will not cease by hatred, but by love alone. This is the ancient law.” -Buddha

  5. I totally agree that we need to pay attention.I know that some of us believe that we don’t have the power (or whatever) to make responsible parties accountable, But WE DO!!!!! we have to, it’s time. I also believe that the propaganda that helped instigate this crazed individual was written by people that aren’t far away from being that kind of crazy themselves.

  6. I believe all Americans need to accept responsibility even the liberal for allowing this inflammatory crap to go on and make money or fame out of it aka Palin and Beck. Google Pauline Hanson Australia and see what damage she wreacked astonishing such racism even got votes and money here in Oz.

  7. I agree with you 100%.Something has to change. I’m so frightened of the country my grandchildren will grow up in.

  8. Is this column from the same Krugman that wanted to “Hang Sen Lieberman In effigy?” Is that the “Climate of hate” he is referring to?

  9. No question that this rhetoric needs to stop but there are other issues that will remain if the conversation does not turn from who caused what and a serious discussion does not take place about those core issues. The state of the treatment (or lack thereof) of the mentally ill is sadly deficient. We have a system that chooses to react rather than act which means we are always behind the eight ball. I haven’t heard anyone talk about the need to regulate guns and ammunition and I can only imagine what would have happened if this kid had gotten that second clip loaded.

    I think 9/11 made us all a little mentally ill and alot of this is stoked by our own fears. Golda Meir once said “you cannot shake hands with a clenched fist”. I think it’s time for all of us to unclench our fists and try to strike a balance of compromise.

  10. If someone’s looking for a climate of hate, look no further than the ongoing wars which kill Afghans and Iraqis as well as the ongoing drone attacks on Pakistan. Lives are being destroyed. The tragedy of Fallujah remains unexplored by US media despite medical studies. When Paul Krugman writes about any of that, I’ll take him seriously again. Until then, he’s another American who spoke big once and then quickly turned his back on my brothers and sisters who continue to suffer and die.

  11. Jane-
    With your busy schedule…wow…thank you for taking the time to talk on this most important subject. I saw you in NY and it was a beautiful theatre experience!!!

    Take Care,
    Bill

  12. All I have seen from right wing discourse concerning this tragedy is denial.

  13. Great article. Thanks for sharing. Interesting new data that shows that people who are mentally unstable are not more prone to violence than others. Underlines that this is a much bigger societal ill that we are all responsible for, really.

  14. Jumping to conclusions, aren’t we Jane? There is absolutely NO evidence that anyone on the “Right” was responsible for this mentally ill shooter’s actions.

    Historically it is the Left that has called for violence when opposing governments, and Jane knows it. Violence is the Left’s tactic, in words and actions, like when Barack Obama said, “If they bring a knife to the fight we’ll bring a gun.” Would Jane care to comment on that?

    I’ll be that if the Honorable Congresswoman had been a conservative we wouldn’t have heard a peep out of you. Am I right, Jane?

  15. Fear is a strong catalyst for action. We all use it to get what we want. If we want a child to behave, we essentially threaten her. If we want a million votes, we propagate a Doomsday scenario. Motivation through fear is intrinsic to us. It’s instinctual. The question is: How do we overcome ourselves?

  16. Jane,

    You are wrong about what happened and both sides use harsh rhetoric – DEMS and REPUBs. Even your boy Obama has used harsh retoric -” If they bring knives we will bring guns”, “Get in their faces”,….. Sandra Bernhardt – “Sarah Palin should be gang raped”. Yet you don’t acknowledge this.

    The shooting in Arizona had NOTHING to do with politics per the FBI and the Democratic Sheriff of the town. The shooter was mentally disturbed – period.

    So stop being lazy and learn the facts before you open your mouth!!!!

    You and you alone are creating an environment of hostility.

  17. I looked up the column that you mention and began to read and then I realized I was reading a hateful right wing commentary on the original column on some website decorated with patriotic drawings. It is right wing crap of the often seen stripe recognizable by who is excused and who is praised. I then located the actual column and thank you for calling your loyal readers’ attention to it. A man who is sadly now my congressman recently defended his choice of a hateful female talk show rightie as his (now no longer employed-9 days total) top aide. She is the one Rachel dug up and broadcast the dirt on (“If ballots don’t work, bullets will”). You are one of my best sources of good information and have led me more than once to fine writings by those you admire. Thank You.

  18. First, Happy Birthday to Oliver! 6 is the big time! You have to use BOTH hands to show how old you are!
    As for the play, it looks like you folks put in a lot of time and days to practice. I can only imagine how much time is put in when the play is new to everyone. I sure would love to see it. I read all of the reviews from a couple years ago and am very impressed . . . . of course not surprised with the talent in it.
    Finally, the climate in our government needs to change fast. How is anything supposed to be done in the House and Senate when there are such extremes with no flexibility. All of the ways we get our information these days doesn’t help either. So much false information is given out to build up so much tension between groups. Well, in my personal opinion gun control really needs to be addressed. Some “solutions” out there are crazy. I don’t think allowing everyone to carry around guns is the answer!

  19. Louder, dear jane. LOUDER. We need more & louder voices of SANE resistance to those who see no harm in fanning the flames of craziness – or who simply chose to ignore their responsibility. No we can’t go around shooting people! Yes we need to work together, live together, come to terms together. We’re all we’ve got! Thank you, jane fonda, for once again speaking up and out into the darkness. God willing people like you are heard. xox moon&ladyb

  20. Just bought tickets to see you at the Ahmanson Valentines weekend the 12th! So, excited, because I really wanted to see it in NY. Very glad it’s going to be here now. Break a leg.

  21. I am so sorry to hear about your brother, Peter. He was a great guy. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
    Cindy

    • Cynthia, what did you hear about my brother? He is fine

      • Just read that your brother FOUND a dead body, not that he is dead! Thank God!! I am so glad! Sorry for the misunderstanding!

  22. Hi Jane, I want to buy your two exercise tapes. I have had my right knee as well as my left hip replaced. Will these exercises be safe for me do you think??? (I’m 60 BTW)

  23. I agree with you 100% It’s about time someone had the guts to say it, aka the Sherif in Tucson. Someone should be held accountable for the vitriol and the lies.

  24. Jane, You and Krugman must be on another planet. Surely you must listen to Olbermann, Shultz, Matthews, Mike Malloy, Daily Kos and others in that world. Before and after this tragic event, they have spewed hatred, violent talk and even wished death on certain individuals…the hypocricy here is very thick… please look within, then write another blog. thanks, Tom

  25. I agree to disagree….I used to be a Democrat until 2008 when I changed registration to Independent because I was disgusted by what I heard from the party I believed in. Both parties are now interchangeable….as Gore Vidal once said “There is one party, two wings.” (see the entire quote at the bottom. Lest we forget and this from the Democratic Party, the names given to Sarah Palin “A F’kable the C word”. Sen. Hillary Clinton ” A Dried up old the C word”. The Clinton’s are racist. “If the bring a Knife we bring a Gun.”(our POTUS) ” I would like to F’k. Sarah Palin on sheets of Obama while my wife reads the constitution.” “Hillary should taken into a room and beaten with a two by four until she drops out of the race.” (K. Olbermann)So ugly, vile and hateful rhetoric comes from both sides….

    Now the quote……….
    “There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party…and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. Republicans are a bit stupider, more rigid, more doctrinaire in their laissez-faire capitalism than the Democrats, who are cuter, prettier, a bit more corrupt–until recently… and more willing than the Republicans to make small adjustments when the poor, the black, the anti-imperialists get out of hand. But, essentially, there is no difference between the two parties.”

  26. Susan, if you actually took the time to read all the comments over time, you would see that I do post ones that are hostile. You seem to have plenty of that yourself for someone who signs with ” namaste.” pity for you

  27. Something my friend Cate pointed out to me after reading my comment…The ugly nasty things said about women running for office, whether we agree with them or disagree with them, seeps into the culture and into the minds of young men who then grow up thinking it is okay to call a woman a “W” word, a “B” word a “C” word (Well the grownups said it so it must be okay)…..These women could be our Mothers our Sisters our Daughters our Nieces our Best Friends….

    Now all that said….Good luck with the show…We saw you on Broadway in 2009 and it was indeed a magical night at the theatre.

  28. Thank heavens for writers like Paul Krugman! And thanks to you, Jane, for passing it on.

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