30 years ago today ... Jonestown

[HanSenSE]

I don't know if this was mentioned in the thread, but the shooting elevated Dianne Feinstein to mayor and launched her own political career. A definite event whose echoes are felt today.

Perhaps you're thinking of the murders of George Moscone and Harvey Milk? She became mayor when Moscone was killed.

I was in my first semester of college down in San Jose when it was all going on. DanOregon's post a couple of pages back hit the mood perfectly.

And I picked up a little knowledge of the power of journalism a few months later, when there was a move afoot to rename Candlestick Park in honor of Moscone. It all came to a screeching halt when Herb Caen wrote (and I'm probably paraphrasing): "Do we really want to be calling it 'that damn Moscone.' "

 

[Flip Wilson]

NPR's Fresh Air had an author on who wrote about Jim Jones. The story about the troops tripping over bodies got me.

40 Years Later, Jonestown Offers A Lesson In Demagoguery

(And renewed my guilt over having hosted a Jim Jones Purple Passion Party while in college.)

The Road to Jonestown

I'm sure I said this on the Books thread, but Guinn's book is really good, as are his books on Charles Manson and Bonnie and Clyde.

 

[Vombatus]

Gave rise to an interesting phrase: Don't drink the koolaid.

 

[Justin_Rice]

NPR's Fresh Air had an author on who wrote about Jim Jones. The story about the troops tripping over bodies got me.

40 Years Later, Jonestown Offers A Lesson In Demagoguery

(And renewed my guilt over having hosted a Jim Jones Purple Passion Party while in college.)

Interesting ...

OK, maybe he said something that wasn't true. So what? Maybe he's having sex with women within the group besides his wife. What can you do? That doesn't matter besides the great mission. And, of course, this is what makes Jim Jones perhaps the most effective demagogue in modern American history because he can convince people that if outsiders are in any way attacking or criticizing him, then what they're really doing is criticizing the great mission, the thing that is bigger than any individual.

 

[Liut]

This is a terrific thread. Thanks to all.

Jackie Speier was the guest last night on C-SPAN's Q&A. It is probably available at booktv.org or on C-SPAN's site.