Jonestown

Yesterday was the anniversary of the Jonestoen massacre (11/18/1978) ...

In total, 909 individuals died in Jonestown, all but two from apparent cyanide poisoning, in an event termed "revolutionary suicide" by Jones and some Peoples Temple members on an audio tape of the event, and in prior recorded discussions. The poisonings in Jonestown followed the murder of five others by Temple members at Port Kaituma, including United States Congressman Leo Ryan, an act that Jones ordered. Four other Temple members committed murder–suicide in Georgetown at Jones' command.

Terms used to describe the deaths in Jonestown and Georgetown evolved over time. Many contemporary media accounts after the events called the deaths a mass suicide. In contrast, most sources today refer to the deaths with terms such as mass murder–suicide, a massacre, or simply mass murder. Seventy or more individuals at Jonestown were injected with poison, and a third of the victims (304) were minors. Guards armed with guns and crossbows had been ordered to shoot those who fled the Jonestown pavilion as Jones lobbied for suicide.

I bring this up because I am reminded of it, given the death toll that's being created by Trump and his administration. As mentioned before, a stidy has shown that Trump's rallies have caused the deaths of over 700 people from COVID. And it's not just Trump's rallies - his refusal to wear a mask, his attacks on COVID restrictions, his lies about the deadliness of the virus, all have contributed to American deaths.

And then there's Trump's latest protegé - radiologist Scott Atlas - who advises people to rise up against COVID restrictions, advises them to have large gatherings at Thanksgiving with elderly family members ...



Jim Jones was a murderous cult leader, responsible for the deaths of 900+ people. How many is Trump responsible for?