Senator Van Hollen needs to demand DSS protection at a minimum when he goes to El Salvador, if not more from DoD. Jonestown is the warning. - ThreadSky

uticaeric.bsky.social • 1 day ago

Senator Van Hollen needs to demand DSS protection at a minimum when he goes to El Salvador, if not more from DoD.

Jonestown is the warning.

Comments

beatmodnrocker.bsky.social•1 day ago

Frighteningly excellent point.

uppaalaska.bsky.social•1 day ago

I thank the resistance for joining in the 24hr Work Stop, 4/14. 4/17-19 Work Stop focus is to shut the country down. People should progressively Stop Work until the country stops while we protest on 4/19. Please, protest loudly but peacefully.
#FiretRump

#BuildtheResistance

https://chng.it/WBR8LRVmr7

lyricstoliveby.bsky.social•1 day ago

Having lived through the 70s in SF, my first thought was of Leo Ryan’s fate when he tried to investigate Jonestown and I certainly wouldn’t put similar behavior past Shitler’s regime

17762025.bsky.social•1 day ago

Incidentally, when Leo Ryan was awarded the Gold Medal in Honor, the only dissenter was Reagan's White House attorney, John Roberts. Yeah, that John Roberts. He questioned whether Ryan deserved the medal because, in his opinion, Ryan went to Jonestown simply for publicity and got himself murdered.

17762025.bsky.social•1 day ago

bederatliff.bsky.social•21 hours ago

I can't believe that line about his service in the House being up for debate. In a letter about awarding him a posthumous Gold Medal for literally dying while investigating his constituents' claims that their relatives were being held against their will in a compound on foreign soil

17762025.bsky.social•21 hours ago

Well, Ryan did things like stay with black families after the Watts riots to better understand their struggles, as well as having himself incarcerated in Folsom prison for similar reasons. If there's one thing people like Roberts hate more than anything it's empathy for others, especially minorities

17762025.bsky.social•21 hours ago

Critics called Ryan a "publicity hound" for doing these things, as well, but his investigations were unarguably effective. As a matter of fact, the publicity was kind of the point, as he hoped these outward "stunts" would bring more attention to the issues. Roberts is just a partisan hack, as always

organicgirl67.bsky.social•1 day ago

Okay? And that changed what was happening in Jonestown. How? If anything, it sped up the inevitable. Trump has people search our laws looking for obscure laws to push his agenda. Democrats should be doing the same. This isn't the first rogue president.

17762025.bsky.social•23 hours ago

Anyways, you do you. I just think we're beyond conventional measures at this point. We're outside the comfort zone. I believe this is the senator's thinking as well.

organicgirl67.bsky.social•23 hours ago

Agree.

17762025.bsky.social•23 hours ago

I just thought it was interesting that you reduced someone risking their life to help American citizens to being a "publicity hound". As if to say there's no value in exposing terrible things going on in the world to the people here and/or abroad.

17762025.bsky.social•23 hours ago

Also, it's worth mentioning that Ryan went to Jonestown because dozens of family members of those being held captive were begging the government for help; however, the embassy was dragging its feet. The families were concerned something bad was going to happen long before Ryan showed up.

organicgirl67.bsky.social•23 hours ago

I know the story of Jonestown. Right here right now, thousands of Americans are at risk. How about he organizes transportation for women needing abortions. How about he secure food for food banks. How about he man's the phones at sucide hot lines. How about he stands with Transgender people.

organicgirl67.bsky.social•1 day ago

Surly tuck away somewhere there is a law addressing this. We don't need to take the president down. We need control of the DOJ and the DOD.

dvdbutler.bsky.social•1 day ago

Fuuuuuck

susanmiller11.bsky.social•1 day ago

Ty for sharing that - it's a revolting confirmation of Roberts' cynicism and lack of character

louisrenault.bsky.social•1 day ago

What an incredibly dickish statement!

wecryforpie.bsky.social•1 day ago

What a weird hill to die on. Cool guy alert.

(not for nothing, but "The People's Church"? 100% was not the name)

bederatliff.bsky.social•22 hours ago

"wow that's crazy" is right

arts-letters.bsky.social•15 hours ago

Whoa! I never knew that!! Whole different perspective on his role in the SC, now.

eincrespo1.bsky.social•1 day ago

John Roberts is an ass. He gave Trump along with the Federalists presidential immunity and now it's biting them back because they defied him on Abrego Garcia's case.

cmjd.bsky.social•13 hours ago

Memo dated five years to the day after Congressman Ryan was gunned down on the Port Kaituma airstrip tarmac. Crazy. Several hundred more would be murdered that same evening, by gun or by poison. Almost 50 years ago and we're still talking about it. Wonder what Roberts would say now.

recordingangel.bsky.social•1 day ago

That's amazingly awful.

lino.io•4 hours ago

Once a piece of work, always a piece of work

letsbepurple.bsky.social•1 day ago

@youranona.bsky.social and @brainking.bsky.social might help.

kathe24.bsky.social•1 day ago

He needs a posse of lawmakers.

imdiannef.bsky.social•16 hours ago

There should be a contingency of Democratic senators and Congress people going. He should not be the only one. Where are the other ones with a spine?

starfishdancing.bsky.social•13 hours ago

There are a list of others

heysiena.bsky.social•13 hours ago

Do you happen to have link to the list you could share? Thank you!

imdiannef.bsky.social•8 hours ago

From an article by Axios. Two are trying to send an official congressional delegation to the El Salvadorian prison where the rump admin is sending deportees.
Robert Garcia D-Calif. Maxwell Frost D-Fla. are seeking to conduct a welfare check on Abrego Garcia as well as others being held.

starfishdancing.bsky.social•2 hours ago

https://open.substack.com/pub/ariellaelm/p/daily-dems-doing-the-work-making-5e2?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=73htg

Info about who is planning on going, trying to go, etc... scroll down

andersoncheri.bsky.social•1 day ago

He should have a large contigent accompanying him, with cameras.

ncallaway.bsky.social•1 day ago

https://bsky.app/profile/ncallaway.bsky.social/post/3lmkl2hlx622j

When he goes, he needs to know that if Bukele escalates dramatically, Trump **will not** lift a finger to help him

jjsps.bsky.social•1 day ago

Thought of that too!

elvesnotorcs.bsky.social•21 hours ago

That was the first thing I thought of when I read the senator’s announcement. I was a little kid when that attack happened but I remember it clearly

qitqat-bd.bsky.social•1 day ago

Personally, after 1/6, I don't trust any of the secret service. They deleted all the communication from that day. Corruption has been there for a long time, apparently!

parkerkosticak.bsky.social•1 day ago

Should he trust the State Department to keep him safe though?

elizabethpgraham.bsky.social•1 day ago

Does the State Department employ people whose job is to keep other people safe? (I should have figured this out during Benghazi.)

I'd ask for some Navy Seals.

sammyflex.bsky.social•1 day ago

"I'd ask for the band of right-wing psychos"

goahtani.bsky.social•1 day ago

idk about state but he can trust DoD

teeemeff.bsky.social•1 day ago

Maybe.

cali4rnya.bsky.social•1 day ago

Yeah, Pete THE FORMER FUX NOISE HOST AND DRUNK Hegseth

diaspora2022.bsky.social•1 day ago

No. No he cannot.

I agree with other posters: hire your own HEAVILY ARMED security team.

There’s also fairly high probability that place will deny (or otherwise prohibit) the Senator entry altogether.

ourbestefforts.bsky.social•1 day ago

my thought, too,

he needs to take a Trump thug or two with him to make sure his plane doesn't crash.

Take Russ Vought or Miller

to8lerone.bsky.social•1 day ago

People need to call his office and reinforce this message

(202) 224-3121

paulcady.bsky.social•1 day ago

I don't think anyone under Trump can be trusted.

sckrys1801.bsky.social•1 day ago

I immediately thought of Jonestown when he said he was going.

joegasparrini.bsky.social•1 day ago

Smart suggestion. (What is DSS?)

psychopropane.bsky.social•1 day ago

Diplomatic Security Service ... aka State Dept's version of the Secret Service.

sherry2.bsky.social•1 day ago

kdelran.bsky.social•22 hours ago

Actually, he needs private security, people he can trust.

newellbaldelli.bsky.social•1 day ago

Senator Van Hollen should vociferously and publicly shame some Republican senators into accompanying him.

im-just-sayin.bsky.social•1 day ago

Noem seems to know her way around down there, and enjoys tactical cosplay.

akwilhelm.bsky.social•1 day ago

DOD would probably throw him in the prison. I wouldn't trust DOD at all. I would go w my own body guards paid for by the democratic party!

cgblue.bsky.social•1 day ago

Yup.

skyoblu.bsky.social•1 day ago

Congress needs to declare war on El Salvador

pbard.bsky.social•1 day ago

That was my first thought.

dramaticdaisies.bsky.social•1 day ago

Ugh, yeah that was the first thing I thought of as well.

jdopinkie.bsky.social•1 day ago

Hint: they need to go in a squad

cmg-0426.bsky.social•1 day ago

I was thinking that. He should not go there without some protection.

icecara.bsky.social•1 day ago

That is exactly what I was thinking.

cvdgoldens.bsky.social•20 hours ago

Thank you. Jonestown popped into my mind, too, when I read about Van Hollen going to El Salvador.

dem49.bsky.social•1 day ago

Absolutely!

nathanschneider.bsky.social•1 day ago

Can't trust the US federal government.

I would hire private security and request aid from the UN.

nursegenius1019.bsky.social•1 day ago

Not sure DSS is trustworthy. Nothing this Government does is trustworthy Nothing

mom2bruce.bsky.social•1 day ago

I've been thinking that same thing

stallfortime.bsky.social•1 day ago

The only time we could have stopped Trump was on January 21st 2021.

ourbestefforts.bsky.social•1 day ago

Should be on Mitch McConnell's tombstone:

"I could have stopped Donald Trump from destroying my country but I prevented impeachment."

jqgregory.bsky.social•1 day ago

I worry our DSS would betray him...

sirbustergoodoup.bsky.social•1 day ago

He bebetter off with his own contigent.

tsmothers.bsky.social•1 day ago

The media need to cover this story in detail! Inquiring minds want to know!

millielou1.bsky.social•1 day ago

LEST WE FORGET! Congressman Leo J. Ryan, was murdered in Guyana. Congresswoman Jackie Speier was 28-yrs-old & survived 5 gunshot wounds at close range during the ambush and feigned death to fool the gunmen as they passed over her body. Speier represented the 14th District in CA from 2008 to 2021.

arts-letters.bsky.social•15 hours ago

Thank you for this link.

How well I remember.

nathanschneider.bsky.social•1 day ago

She's amazing.

millielou1.bsky.social•1 day ago

Right?! Jackie Speier is a total badass! For real.

millielou1.bsky.social•1 day ago

Side note: Our "press secretary" Karoline Leavitt is 27 years old. Can you imagine HER going thru what Congresswoman Jacki Speier endured? No. B/c she's cosplaying her current job as it is. She has zero qualifications for ANY job in the WH & certainly lacks courage of any kind. Leavitt is worthless.

itsmevicki.bsky.social•1 day ago

Her qualification is being the whitest woman I have ever seen!

clarkindeir.bsky.social•1 day ago

And that is all that is needed for this WHITE House.

bethprops.bsky.social•1 day ago

Totally on point

psychopropane.bsky.social•1 day ago

Frankly, he should bring private security ... maybe a few ex-Foreign Legion types.

redlillies.bsky.social•23 hours ago

Agreed!

josephtw.bsky.social•1 day ago

When I read this Jonestown came to mind immediately.

voterrooter.bsky.social•1 day ago

💯

lfschleusener.bsky.social•1 day ago

God, that’s grim and not wrong

dnlmsstch.bsky.social•1 day ago

Not sure DSS agents assigned to him would end up protecting him

kimwhitesell.bsky.social•19 hours ago

I was thinking that too 🤔

adrianwashere.bsky.social•1 day ago

It would need to be a bipartisan CODEL.

cellorelio.bsky.social•1 day ago

Roberts has always been scumbag lite.

itsmevicki.bsky.social•1 day ago

George W Bush becomes more relevant for his complicity every freaking day.

gemsseller.bsky.social•1 day ago

I did not know that. Bitter small fuck twit from the beginning.
Agree full security plus more members should go.

dblapins.bsky.social•1 day ago

He needs to go with armed support. And a large contingent.

juliahoover1.bsky.social•1 day ago

perhaps he should hire someone from sicily. i hear from mario puza that they do good work.

oldmanhippy.com•1 day ago

I had that same thought, but reasonably certain none would be provided to him, at least federally. Perhaps a State of MD National Guard contingent. But pretty sure the press and perhaps another elected official will be all that is with him.

gnomester.bsky.social•1 day ago

That’s what I was thinking. This is the right thing to do but could be incredibly dangerous.

chaostosurreal.bsky.social•18 hours ago

My first thought...

mathiasecon.bsky.social•1 day ago

You think federal law enforcement would do it? Don’t they now work for Trump?

aquatron.bsky.social•1 day ago

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elliebh.bsky.social•1 day ago

I was thinking the same thing when I heard him speak about going to El Salvador.

heliant.bsky.social•1 day ago

Absolutely. And I remember it as does Jackie Speier who took 5 shots that day, survived and is now represents California’s 14th District. Hope he consults with her.

mattpb.bsky.social•1 day ago

She retired two years ago.

adamsith.bsky.social•13 hours ago

I doubt they will let him in.
They have nothing to gain from that

denikawhite.bsky.social•1 day ago

can’t trust anyone from this regime to protect him…esp the dod…

jillmotorfreak.bsky.social•15 hours ago

Not sure I would trust ANY govt security detail at this point, he needs to hire security not connected to our govt.

jgainmiss.bsky.social•1 day ago

Same thought here. He definitely needs some escort so that they don't try nothing funny. God speed Sen Van Hollen and safe travels.

hittielove2.bsky.social•1 day ago

He also should not go alone. There should be a delegation of Congresspeople. The larget, the better.

leendawoman.bsky.social•1 day ago

I thought of Jonestown too but this time the cult leader is in the WH calling the shots. So not sure there is any level of protection sufficient. trump may want to make an example of him to scare other Congresspeople into not acting.

starlilstella.bsky.social•1 day ago

@democrats.senate.gov

starlilstella.bsky.social•1 day ago

I thought this too.

The final departure off the tarmac.

tink51.bsky.social•1 day ago

Jonestown certainly applies here.

mattibee1123.bsky.social•1 day ago

100% agreed. Unfortunately, those in power at the moment don't seem inclined to learn from history. If they were, we wouldn't be in this mess now.

bowreader.bsky.social•1 day ago

Oh gods. Has it come to this?

traumamomma.bsky.social•1 day ago

Yes

huge-jackedman.bsky.social•1 day ago

Dude needs to hire private personally vetted security. Anything provided by this feds can't be trusted.

im-just-sayin.bsky.social•1 day ago

candidus00.bsky.social•1 day ago

And he’s supposed to trust them?

This admin has made a point of pulling protection from Democrats who receive death threats.

jasonpaul.bsky.social•18 hours ago

He should take a platoon.

kimberleyfox.bsky.social•1 day ago

I would prefer Van Hollen to have a private dignitary security detail of former Force Recon. Honestly.

nonessentialworker.bsky.social•1 day ago

I thought of Congressman Leo Ryan earlier today when I read the Senator’s statement. I remember this Jonestown tragedy well. I immediately worried that the Trump cult could make history repeat this unspeakable tragedy on foreign soil. He should have multiple layers of protection!

dvdbutler.bsky.social•1 day ago

I'd probably suggest a detachment of State police rather than anything DSS, which Trump ostensibly would have control over.

itismemaria2020.bsky.social•1 day ago

EXCELLENT example. Not that I’m old enough to remember but I can still remember the Jonestown coverage on TV.

shay3322.bsky.social•1 day ago

Completely complicit Republican Congress.

imdoctorremulak.bsky.social•1 day ago

He should bring UN Troops

donjrscokehabit.bsky.social•1 day ago

Could he legally take a volunteer contingent of Maryland National Guardsmen?

psychopropane.bsky.social•1 day ago

Backed up by a few French Foreign Legionnaires, ideally.

donjrscokehabit.bsky.social•1 day ago

That was my biggest fear when he mentioned going there. Immediately thought of Jonestown.

txmeema.bsky.social•1 day ago

He should not be the only rep going. Imo, he should be accompanied by a Republican rep as well.

mdasilva.bsky.social•1 day ago

I’m so glad he’s going. I wish more Dems were screaming loudly about this.

realimgroot.bsky.social•1 day ago

Since we’re talking hard truths -
Getting all the House or Senate democrats in the same room seems risky now.

itsmevicki.bsky.social•1 day ago

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/planes-collide-dca-per-members-congress-board

realimgroot.bsky.social•1 day ago

Let it play out.

amybinnyc.bsky.social•1 day ago

I hope he travels with a large group and doesn’t head down there alone.

mctinney.bsky.social•1 day ago

Leo Ryan was with 29 other people when he and four others were shot and killed. It was an ambush as they were getting on the planes to leave.

tina48.bsky.social•1 day ago

Definitely! 💯

thisisbenphelps.bsky.social•1 day ago

No that’s dumb

thisisbenphelps.bsky.social•1 day ago

If he gets detained would be a political bomb the likes we’ve never seen

nanforme.bsky.social•1 day ago

That’s what I thought. “He” May use it to get rid of a critic.

commsforgood.bsky.social•1 day ago

We are living in Trumptown and the ending does not look good

hoffnagel.bsky.social•22 hours ago

Yeah. First thought.

oregongraysky.bsky.social•1 day ago

Unfortunately, a lot of people don't know/remember the details of Jonestown: that the Kool-aid massacre resulted from the murder of a U.S. Congressman and four other members of his delegation, who were there to investigate allegations about the cult.

kimtc.bsky.social•1 day ago

I had a coworker in her late 20s who didn’t know about it. Blew her mind when I said that’s where the phrase “drinking the Kool-Aid” was from.

oregongraysky.bsky.social•1 day ago

I'm not surprised. My history classes spent the least time on fairly recent events that we, nevertheless, didn't live through.

cmraman.geek.org•1 day ago

Ryan’s murder and the subsequent mass deaths at Jonestown were a big deal when I was a kid. Ryan was our congressman, and the guy who was elected to replace him was the uncle of a school friend. (Also the last Republican to be elected in that district.) And then the Moscone/Milk assassinations

cmraman.geek.org•1 day ago

happened a week later. (Moscone had been heavily involved with the People’s Temple’s social programs and endorsed them being hired by San Francisco to run several welfare programs, including making Jim Jones the head of the Housing Commission. Before Dan White’s involvement became known, there

oregongraysky.bsky.social•1 day ago

If I knew that, I had forgotten it.

cmraman.geek.org•1 day ago

was speculation that the Moscone-Milk murders were related to the events in Jonestown.)

cmraman.geek.org•1 day ago

History could have been a lot different if Ryan had succeeded in persuading one of his colleagues, a young Republican from Indiana who had served on the Government Oversight Committee with him, to go on the trip. (That would be Dan Quayle.)

stlcatfishmike.bsky.social•1 day ago

There is a HUGE difference between the leader of a small isolated cult with suicidal ideation and essentially nothing to lose and being the youngish dictator of a small nation state. He’s not gonna kill a senator. BS a senator? Jerk a senator around? Absolutely! Kill one? I doubt it.

wgpvt25.bsky.social•1 day ago

Only one...only one Democratic Senator.
Tells you all you need to know about the willingness of Democrats to fight back for us.

quodnomenmihiest.bsky.social•1 day ago

The DoD can't be trusted either.

bonniedreams.bsky.social•1 day ago

Brave man, scary shit.

medusaspeaks.bsky.social•1 day ago

I was thinking about this in similar terms, exactly.

artbykgh.bsky.social•1 day ago

Senator Van Hollen needs to hire John F’ing Wick 🥴

dannyidiot.bsky.social•1 day ago

Are you writing this to Chris Van Hollen? Cause I didn't see him cc:d on your post.

honeybearsquish.bsky.social•1 day ago

This is so fucking crazy I can barely keep up. My God the ways this could go wrong.

jmeyernj.bsky.social•1 day ago

they are just assholes

devon123.bsky.social•1 day ago

He needs a live stream the entire time, on top of armed protection.

mattpb.bsky.social•1 day ago

Imagine if Leo Ryan livestreamed his own assassination... :-/

mpdeejay.bsky.social•1 day ago

NBC got it on tape.

travisatkins.bsky.social•1 day ago

what?! Now I gotta go get a refresher of the specific details on Wikipedia. Because I thought I knew it well enough already, but this is new to me.
Coincidentally, meeting up with a bunch of buddies at Leo J Ryan Park tomorrow afternoon, to kick off this summer’s season of classic windsurfer racing.

millermarkg.bsky.social•1 day ago

What did you do in the "intelligence" "community"?

witchhilda.bsky.social•1 day ago

I kept thinking of Jonestown when I read his statement!

lkemp.bsky.social•1 day ago

This👆👆👆

synthaholic.bsky.social•1 day ago

What happens if @vanhollen.senate.gov is arrested in El Salvador and is also thrown in the prison? Does anyone think Trump would lift a finger to get him home? Seriously, what would be the course of action on that? Who would get him out?

porknachos.bsky.social•22 hours ago

No and the reason is, and I can't stress this enough, is that Trump is Bukele's bitch.

stef2dotoh.bsky.social•1 day ago

But can DSS be trusted?

extndr46.bsky.social•1 day ago

Give him Private security i wouldnt trust one fuck of th Govt Agencies at this point

rushgirl3.bsky.social•23 hours ago

Yep, ask Rep. Jackie Speier about that.

loopmovie.bsky.social•1 day ago

Rep Leo Ryan was a brave man.

arts-letters.bsky.social•15 hours ago

As were the others with him who lost their lives that day. Except Jackie Spier survived, bless her.

loopmovie.bsky.social•14 hours ago

✊

inmyownspace.bsky.social•1 day ago

He needs to take ABREGO GARCIA's attorney, a representative of the press, and a human rights observer with him

callmesusan.bsky.social•1 day ago

And Seal Team Six

tramplelineup.bsky.social•1 day ago

#ImpeachTrump

guitarnut.bsky.social•1 day ago

Bukelele doesnt give a shit

quinnq.bsky.social•19 hours ago

Personal security like Harry.

filmalicia.bsky.social•1 day ago

I’m old enough to remember Jonestown and the murder of Congressman Leo Ryan, followed by the forced “mass suicide” at gunpoint of a thousand people.

dolorosasantos.bsky.social•1 day ago

Jackie Speier spent the night on the tarmac bleeding out from multiple gun shot wounds.

They only didn't finish her off because they thought she was dead.

She KNEW what it felt like to be saved by The US Marines.

Fkn cosplay fascists don't have a fkn clue.