Obama adviser sorry for comparing GOP to Jonestown cult

[PSM]

John Podesta was just named as a new senior-level adviser to President Obama last week, but he's already ruffling Republican feathers.

In a profile published late Tuesday by Politico Magazine, Podesta is quoted comparing Republicans to the infamous cult led by Jim Jones, who was responsible for the 1978 cyanide poisoning of more than 900 of his followers in Guyana.

"They need to focus on executive action given that they are facing a second term against a cult worthy of Jonestown in charge of one of the houses of Congress," said Podesta of what Obama's White House team faces. Jonestown was the informal name of the settlement founded by Jones and his American followers.

On Wednesday, Podesta apologized for his impolitic comment.

Link: http://www.usatoday.com/story/theova...-cult/4109385/

Good thing, since Jones' rise to power was aided by some very famous San Francisco Democrats: Gov. Jerry Brown, Willie Brown, Mayor Moscone, Harvey Milk, and, then, Supervisor Dianne Feinstein to name the more famous.

From a Salon article: "Not content to hear dignitaries whisper flatteries into his ear, Jones staged a testimonial banquet in his own honor and demanded that politicians in his debt offer him public tribute. On the evening of September 25, 1976, the Peoples Temple headquarters on Geary Boulevard was converted into a formal dining hall with linen tablecloths and floral arrangements. At the head table sat Mayor Moscone, District Attorney Freitas, and Assemblyman Willie Brown, who acted as the evening’s exuberant master of ceremonies. As he introduced the man of the hour to the overflow audience, Brown reached new heights of shameless, ass-kissing puffery. 'Let me present to you,' Brown roared, 'a combination of Martin King, Angela Davis, Albert Einstein . . . Chairman Mao.' By the time Jones rose to tumultuous applause, he seemed likely to walk on water."

Link: http://www.salon.com/2012/05/01/jim_...san_francisco/

I especially like the comparison to Mao; it shows just who they truly admire.

Pat