Assembly’s Vote on Tom Hayden

During World War II, our own home-grown Tokyo Rose served a long prison term for broadcasting Japanese propaganda, even though she had become a citizen of that country in the course of the conflict. Britain executed “Lord Haw-Haw” for the same offense of treason--though he, too, had taken out citizenship in his adopted land. In either of these cases, conviction on the grounds of treason seems at least somewhat questionable because of the accused’s switch of nationality.

However, what possible defense can there be for Tom Hayden and his wife, Jane Fonda, who broadcast for the enemy over Radio Hanoi in time of conflict without bothering to become citizens of North Vietnam? Yet they were never even brought before a jury of their peers.

The California Assembly, voting along partisan lines, narrowly rejected an attempt to oust Tom Hayden from that body. Our state Constitution is very clear on the subject. Anyone “who advocates the support of a foreign government during hostilities” is prohibited from holding public office in California. The vote does not exonerate Hayden; it merely disgraces the Assembly Democrats. Their position should be remembered by everyone who cares about our Constitution on election day.

ARTHUR HANSL

Pacific Palisades