Waco

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Waco

On February 28, 1993, the nation watched as government law

officials climbed the walls of the Branch-Davidian compound on Mount Carmel in Waco, Texas, breaking windows and throwing grenades inside the buildings, all for arresting Vernon Wayne Hall, A.K.A. David Koresh. Koresh was the leader of the Davidians, who believed that Koresh was a god who lived in this religious community on Mount Carmel.

The public's first view of this crisis was from the press's not very supportive opinion of the Davidian's beliefs. The newspaper articles were leaning on the government's side, which they had every right to do, until April 19. On April 19, 1993, Mount Carmel rapidly burned to the ground, taking the lives of seventy-six people. Millions of viewers across America watched the conflagration live on national television. Immediately, as the flames were seen on the screen, a government spokesman began explaining what was going on. The spokesman immediately told the country that this fire was an act of suicide by Koresh or his followers. Two days later, the press pretty much abandoned the whole Waco story.

One year later, it was discovered that the Davidians didn't use drugs, own guns, nor had they ever been accused of sexual misconduct. In October of 1993, Report Of The Deputy Attorney General On The Events At Waco, Texas, February 28 to April 19, 1993 (the edited version) was released by the FBI. In September of 1993, Report Of The Department Of Treasury On The Bureau Of Alcohol, Tobacco, And Firearms Investigation Of Vernon Wayne Howell, A.K.A. David Koresh was released by the ATF.

Despite all the reports that the government has put out against the Davidians, suspicions of foul play on the part of our government b...

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...agents used tanks and tear gas to force a surrender; six hours after the FBI assault began, the compound caught fire and burned to the ground.

Since 1993, many private and government investigations have taken place. One of the results of Waco is that a federal U.S. District Judge has forced every agency of the U.S. government to surrender what he termed "a mountain of sealed documents." An independent investigation has been ordered by the government. Perhaps this time investigators will get to the bottom of what really happened in Waco.

Bibliography:

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Reavis, Dick J. The Ashes Of Waco. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995.

Hancock, Lee Dallas Morning News, 12/23/99 ed., "U.S. Switches Course, Agrees To Waco Test."

Hancock, Lee Dallas Morning News, 10/16/99 ed., "May Trial Likely For Davidians' Suit."

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