Subject for discussion
Posted By matt on October 22, 2006
(I posted this in
So, I'm finally watching a History Channel documentary on Waco which I TiVo-ed, and the following thought occurred to me:
“Despite whatever crimes may have been perpetrated by Koresh, the one for which the government attempted to arrest him (illegal conversion and possession of automatic weapons) should not have been illegal in the first place, and therefore represents an abuse of government power.”
The reports I've read about his sexualizing of children are the only thing which gives me pause about defending him and his actions. Aside from that, it just looks to me like this was a group of people who wanted to be left alone and had weapons with which to defend themselves – seems pretty American to me.
It also occurs to me that the fact that his views ran counter to mainstream America merely made the government's actions more palatable to the general public.
And make no mistake – I remember nothing about an attempt to serve a warrant by knocking on the front door and announcing who you are – this was a commando-style raid. I guess you're just supposed to assume that anyone in a blue jumpsuit breaking in your window is a government agent on a proper mission?
I guess the other problem is that I'm conflicted about the footage. On the one hand, the folks from the ATF are just that – folks trying to do their job, and it breaks my heart to see them wounded and insured. On the other hand, seeing them attacking a compound of folks to get one who isn't being charged with anything which I consider to be wrong really bothers me.
Discussion, debate and opinions are welcome.
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