Friday, February 18, 2011

Reality versus

Misogyny trying to create it's own reality.


Congressman Jackie Speier is a goddamned hero. And she's tougher than pretty much the entire GOP House delegation. Not only for her bravery in the face of the odious misogyny but this little nugget.

Speier served as a congressional staffer for Congressman Leo Ryan. Speier was part of the November 1978 fact-finding mission to investigate allegations of human rights abuses by the Reverend Jim Jones and his Peoples Temple followers, almost all of whom were American citizens who had moved to Jonestown with Jones in 1977 and 1978. Speier was one of only two members of the mission who were concerned enough about potential violence to make out a will before traveling to Jonestown. Several Peoples Temple members ambushed the investigative team and others boarding the plane to leave Jonestown on November 18. Five people died, including Congressman Ryan. While attempting to shield herself from rifle and shotgun fire behind small airplane wheels with the other members of the team, Speier was shot five times and waited 22 hours before help arrived.


And I bet douchebags like these Republican congresspersons did nothing but talk shit about her behind her back after this speech.

9 comments:

sukabi said...

for a minute there I thought I was in a time-warp... Rep. Smith looks surprisingly like convict Rep Trafficant.... was thinking how little things have changed over the last several years...

Good for Jackie Speier -- took real guts and courage to stand up in a room full of sociopathic buffoons and call them out... someone needs to take the "Illinois Outing" campaign national, and include those who advocate against services for women and children in the list of activities outed for.

pansypoo said...

if only we could get men pregnant.

Publicus said...

This is a true profile in courage. I would proudly go into battle, legislative or mortal combat by the side of this brave woman! Salute!!!

Privatize the Profits! Socialize the Costs! said...

The hell with Biden--- Speier for VP 2012!

DanF said...

Bravo!

Raoul Paste said...

That Jonestown backstory is amazing. This woman is tough as nails.

Anonymous said...

I was with her all the way until she said that fighting Halliburton and Cheney's illegality would be irresponsible.

MD said...

This is why I read this blog. ..... .kudos Turk. I'm em-bare-assed that I've never known about Ms. Speier before tonite.

Anonymous said...

me neither. the news outlets are more than ready to note the prolife stance of state legs' and house of republican reps while squeamish about reporting on men out of work, women out of work, layoffs continuing, unemployment rising, and those damn unions in Wisconsin, blowing their bagpipes in defiance of the sob gov who lies and lies and lies. Truth about why most abortions happen is told by noble ladies like Ms. Speier and revealed on blogs like yours mr. turk thank you and her
vox