Once upon a time, a madman created a large cult that believed his every word without question. When he exhorted them to violence against members of the press and a hostile member of Congress, they obeyed. Eventually, though, even the madman realized his time was up and demanded that his followers accompany him to oblivion. They complied.
Obviously, I’m talking about the Jonestown Massacre, during which Jim Jones ordered the murder of Congressman Leo Ryan and several journalists as they attempted to depart his Hell-on-Earth in Guyana. But as you read this, I’ll bet you wondered right up to the end of that first paragraph if I was really talking about Donald Trump and his MAGAcult.
I am old enough to remember when this happened, along with the sick jokes about “drinking the Kool-Aid” that followed. We still see that phrase used today to describe someone who has stopped thinking for themselves and mindlessly follows others. When I hear someone younger than myself use it, I often wonder if they have any idea that it comes from this:
Back at the colony, Jones, knowing his days were numbered, ordered a pre-planned mass suicide. This was carried out by forced-feeding of cyanide-laced grape drink to members, which included many children. Many people, including Jones, died of gunshot wounds.
Now I’m sure there’s someone reading this, saying, “Oh, you’re being unfair to Trump and the GOP for comparing them to a bunch of deranged, violent cultists!”
Am I?
Sayoc, 56, was arrested Oct. 26 in Florida on five charges carrying a potential sentence upon conviction of nearly 50 years.
Authorities said he sent improvised explosive devices to numerous Democrats, critics of Trump and CNN.
Am I really?
WASHINGTON ― Jeffrey Clark, the 30-year-old man federal agents arrested here Friday after he called the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting a “dry run” and his relatives worried he might try to launch a race war, wasn’t shy about being a neo-Nazi…
...Two family members called the FBI on Nov. 2 to express concerns about Jeffrey Clark, whom they said had become more outspoken about his white nationalist views after his brother’s death. Jeffrey and Edward “had both fantasized about killing ‘Jews and blacks,’” and admired mass murderers Timothy McVeigh, Ted Kaczynski and Charles Manson, according to court documents. Family members told the FBI that Jeffrey was “really riled up” and “agitated,” and they feared he would hurt himself or others. The brothers believed there would be a race revolution, and they wanted to expedite it.
Family members showed FBI agents four boxes of gun parts they took from Jeffrey, including parts used to modify AR-15 assault rifles. Agents also found four high-capacity AR-15 magazines that can hold up to 30 rounds of ammunition. Possession of such magazines is prohibited under D.C. law.
Jeffrey and Edward’s relatives confirmed they both attended the 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville. They believed there were photos of the brothers online standing next to James Alex Fields, the white supremacist who drove a car into protesters, killing Heather Heyer and injuring several others. They showed FBI agents a picture of the brothers holding a flag for the white supremacist group Vanguard America ― the same group on the flyers posted around Bloomingdale.
Are you really quite sure?
FALFURRIAS, Tex. — Gun-carrying civilian groups and border vigilantes have heard a call to arms in President Trump’s warnings about threats to American security posed by caravans of Central American migrants moving through Mexico. They’re packing coolers and tents, oiling rifles and tuning up aerial drones, with plans to form caravans of their own and trail American troops to the border.
Well, at least Trump doesn’t show a predilection for endorsing violence against his opposition. Oh, wait.
Trump, speaking at a rally in Montana, said
Rep. Greg Gianforte, who pleaded guilty to assaulting a reporter who asked him a question, was a good guy.
"Greg is smart and, by the way, never wrestle him," the president said, motioning as though he was slamming someone to the ground. "Any guy that can do a body slam — he's my guy."
He added Gianforte was a "great guy" and a "tough cookie."
In May 2017, Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs said Gianforte "body slammed" him for asking a question during an event.
I suppose there’s nothing to worry about unless he starts showing signs of withdrawal as his perceived enemies close in. So this is alarming:
With the certainty that the incoming Democratic House majority will go after his tax returns and investigate his actions, and the likelihood of additional indictments by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, Trump has retreated into a cocoon of bitterness and resentment, according to multiple administration sources.
I don’t know where this headed, but I am worried. I can only hope that there are still some sane adults in the nation’s military and law enforcement agencies who, if given orders to kill Americans by a deranged madman, will remember that they’ve sworn an oath to defend the people, not the madman. And I can only hope that they will protect us from the madman’s followers, who have clearly stopped thinking for themselves.