Between the days of February 28, 1993 and April 19th, 1993, approximately 80 men, women, and children living peacefully in their home near Waco, Texas, were killed by the combined efforts of the US Defense Department and other government paramilitary units: the US Treasury Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). They were killed because the government claimed they were a dangerous cult. At first the ATF claimed to be only serving warrants on a weapons violation, to serve these warrants the ATF rushed into the compound and fired upon a group of men, in reaction these men fired back. This caused a week stand off until Janet Reno ordered further action. The second attack was a military raid, which included the use of fully armed helicopters. The first shots were fired on the women and children's quarters of the Mt. Carmel Center. The building was then gassed, because the government claimed to believe the living conditions were unsanitary and dangerous to the Branch Dividians. One of the gas canisters used was deemed flammable before the incident, and was not supposed to be used in residential areas. Even Janet Reno ordered a non-pyrotechnic canister to be use
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It was later revealed in video footage of the incident, that the tanks used were fitted with plow blades and were shown not only making holes in the wall but going straight though buildings. Carmel Center to really justify their beliefs? Why did not the ATF try to establish a communication before sending a raid? Also in the ATF defense they did try to wait the Branch Dividians out, but is that really enough? It all boils down to the to the fact that the government wanted to end the problem fast with out attracting the attention of the public. In comparison, when the Nazi war criminals were caught and brought to America to be tried many of them suffered death or life in prison. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me. If only he would have lived to see eighty-three years later eighty people killed because of their beliefs. When the government launched their attack it shattered that right. These eighty people were not much different from your family, friends, and next-door neighbors; probably the only large difference was their religious beliefs.
In the end, it is eighty women, children, and men dead because they took a stand and said stop. All of a sudden, the US Treasury Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) begin to take notice in their community. One word can be easily applied: Hypocrisy. When the fire began the military sent tanks in to supposedly create exits or holes in the walls of the compound so the occupants could get out.
"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. The only problem with that argument is that, when brought up as a defense in court it was deemed to not have enough support.
Approximate Word count =
1078
Approximate Pages =
4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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