From: John Graham, Seattle
Concerning Waco: A cop come up behind me with a flashing red light. The cop thinks I ran a red light. I think I didn't. The cop orders me to pull over and come out of my car. I speed up. The cop tries to force me to stop. I pull a gun. The cop shoots out my tire. I drive into a light pole and am killed. Who
is at fault?
This was a quick reaction to those who seem to hold David Koresh blameless for the series of events that occured at Waco. It is absurd to "forget" that no matter what the circumstances, resisting arrest necessarily puts one at risk. At the same time I was profoundly dismayed when I heard that Federal agents had decided to storm the compound. I think that the Government has an obligation to go to extraordinary lengths to protect the lives of innocents, and it seems obvious to me that whatever the outcome might have been, a direct assault increased the risk of fatalities. Thanks for your depth.
From: A. Gray
I think it is important to review government actions, especially in the area
of law enforcement. However, I believe it is a travesty that so much
emotional energy has been wasted on trying to allocate blame for the demise
of David Koresh and his misguided, lost cult of followers. The only person
who bears the primary responsibility for the demise of Koresh's followers is
Koresh himself. In addition, Koresh's naive, lost followers, bear a large
measure of responsibility for their own deaths. They willingly gave up
their freedom of thought and action to a delusional, messianic maniac who
used the threat of violence, sexual exploitation, and ritualized child
abuse of members' young daughters to control his "flock" and fulfill his
sick sexual obsessions and pedophilia. They allowed themselves to be
deluded, used and sacrificed like lambs by an obvious psychopath.
There is no doubt that it was tragedy that his followers died during the Waco seige, although probably through their own Jonestown like mass suicide. However, it is important not to forget that this self professed messiah had every opportunity to turn down the heat of the confrontation and give himself up to agents of the American legal system for trial. To excuse or in any way justify Koresh's violent, muderous resistance of federal agents serves to undermine the foundations of our Democracy and the legal foundation on which this nation is built. Such apologists for Koresh, or the Ruby Ridge White Supremacist fanatics, are either naively serving the interests of anti-government anarchists, or actively trying to undermine the very governmental institutions that serve as the backbone for our nation. Finally, if everyone resisted legal authorities with gunfire, as in the Waco or Ruby Ridge episodes, our society would rapidly collpase. This disintegration of our society would herald an unprecendented Hobbesian state that we all would eternally regret! This is a potentiality that all Americans must actively resist. Accordingly, as Americans, we must eternally struggle to maintain and enhance the ties that bind us together as a nation. Thus, to maintain these ties, we must also be willing to support our governmental insititutions, including those agencies now under attach for the Waco and Ruby Ridge incidents. We can guide these governmental bodies towards reform when needed without self-destructively seeking to dismantle or eliminate these bodies. In spite of their flaws, our governmental institutions continue to serve and protect our common rights and interests as Americans.
Dear Mr Boyer:
Excellent documentary on the seige at Waco!!!
A few comments and questions. I taped and have viewed the show three
times, so far. And it comes to mind. Just why the Government's interest
in Korish and the Davidian? And why could'nt the problem be handled
locally?
Agent R.J.Craig came across as the most perceptive person of all that
were shown. His prediction of disaster were well founded. And of the
three main agents shown, he seem to understand who and were Korish was
coming from.
Agent Byron Sage was also sensitive to the situation and the people
involed excluding Korish. As well as the local Sheriff.
One observatiopn that comes continually to mind. It seems that any
large Government law enforcement agency dealing with off beat
religious, political groups such Waco, Ruby Ridge Idaho and
Philadelphia's Move Group. That they are not prepared (or trained)to
deal with the complexity and personality involed, which acts as a
catalyst for the resulting full scale disasters.
One question what happened to Agents Jamar, Craig and Sage?? Did
you have full access to them? Did their careers end with the seige at
Waco?
It seemed that throughout the seige that HRT and HNT people were
at continual odds with each other. Which added confusion, mistrust and
bad blood, that took something away from the problem at hand.
I appreciate your approach your hard work in bringing the truth
about what went on during the seige at Waco. Keep up the good work.
Sorry if I bent your ear!!! Thank You. Sincerely, Jim Cook
From: James Jarnagin -- jrjarn01@homer.louisville.edu
I don't think you really completely understand what happened
at Waco. After spending several months with one of the Branch
Davidians as a cellmate, I think I completely understand what
happened here.
Koresh had developed an acute case of the Jerusalem syndrome
after having visited Israel. He fantasized about his chosen
purpose and leader of this religious group. His good friend,
Paul Fatta, was a gun collector/trader. Koresh began to convince
Fatta that his religious efforts must be tied to a militia.
This militia was the keystone to his freedom. The opportunity
to encourage pregnancies with the women in the compound, could
only increase the number of his followers the fastest possible
way. Guns would ultimately allow a sense of privacy and proteection
from state and federal law prohibiting sex with minors.
The ATF were showcasing their new squad and weaponry without
thinking about the defensive possibilities of Koresh. This
tactic cost the lives of four ATF and many religious followers.
ATF knew that Koresh purchased hardward and grocery supplies
twice and week and signed the bill or paid cash himself at those
retailers. They could have waited and avoided this clash.
Date: 10/20/95 11:12 AM
To: Frontline
From: elr@mcdata.com
From: E. Renoux
You covered the breakdown in FBI command and control over the situation well. You did not go into the problems the negotiators had in understanding the different world view of the BDs and their unwillingness to seek assistance from Biblical scholars. You also did not expose the BATF rational for the initial raid and the legality of the involvement of the military in the initial assault. I understand the time constraints but a followup program would be of interest to me.
Black Hawk, CO
Date: 10/20/95 4:45 PM
To: Frontline
From: clitton@csd.uwm.edu
From: Chad E. Litton
I am greatly disturbed by the inability of the mainstreamor liberal press to take into consideration the constitutional and religious implications of this event. My masters thesis (Creation of a Cult: Media Representations of the Branch Davidians) shows a consistent lack of clear, critical treatment of this event. I am grateful for the ability to search through some of your data, but it would have been nice for you to put less emphasis on the government's view of the events. It would have also been nice if you could have shown some interest in the problems of the trial of the Branch Davidians. I think this is a good start but it is not enough to get at the extreme tragedy of this event.
Date: 10/22/95 8:12 PM
To: Frontline
From: terry.preston@pcgfx.com
From: Alice Mercer
Oakland, CA.
Your advertising for this show bordered on bait and switch. You promised information that would tell what really happened at Waco, suggesting (1) definitive conclusion(s) and (2) That the story was different than what we had heard up to this point.
There were no surprises, and no clear answers. You end the program with the statement that the F.B.I. lost, but no one still can answer, why?
I have no quarrel with this conclusion or the lack of definitive answers about what happened at the end, etc. but your ads were more worthy of the 11 O'clock news than PBS, with their suggestions that never panned out.
Although the ending of this stand-off was horrific, I still have not heard any good alternatives fully explored either in your piece or elsewhere. They were suggested with state- ments from the Tac Squad that they be more aggressive sooner and from the negotiators, who felt their efforts to work with Koresh were undermined, but neither was convincing.
Date: 10/21/95 12:06 AM
To: Frontline
From: wgol@netdepot.com
From: wm golson
All the lives lost and money spent for weapons violations. It does not ad up. Occasionally our government uses excessive force simply to show that it can. I hope that this kind of symbol-making will not happen again.
Date: 10/21/95 8:09 AM
To: Frontline
From: sfbearcop@msn.com
From: J.C. Fraser-Paige
I can't say I enjoyed your Frontline piece on Waco. It is impossible to watch the unfolding tragedy and enjoy it. I do find it fascinating, and more balanced than much I have seen. I don't always agree with the positions taken by Frontline producers - they are usually far too liberal for my taste - but this was an exception.
As a police officer and a trainer of new recruits for my department, I will use some of the information I got, both from the program, and from the web page. I have spent very little time surfing the 'Net, but the offer to avail myself of source material , pictures and sound was just too good to pass up. It prompted me to download and set up the Internet files from Microsoft.
I find some of the comments on the feedback page interesting. I could read the obvious criticism leveled at the government for their handling of the siege. The reasons for the initial contact were outside the parameters of the story. Of course the ATF made a series of mistakes. I don't think it was done to grab headlines, but it was wrongheaded from the get-go, nonetheless. It was impossible to miss the anguish on the faces of the negotiators, and on the face of the man in charge. The sheriff, perhaps the noblest member of law enforcement there, was overwhelmed by what he had seen.
Thank you for a good evening of television, followed by some interesting time on the "Net.
Jamie Fraser-Paige, San Francisco, CA
Date: 10/21/95 12:06 AM
To: Frontline
From: KevinKling@aol.com
From: Kevin A. Kling
After watching the Waco program, I am overwhelmed with sorrow for all parties involved.
How could this have happened here? Are we not the same country who figured out the intricacies of the atom, and put a man on the moon? All during the program I kept telling myself - why don't they (the FBI HRT) back off? The people in danger (namely the women and children) have no control of the situation, and the decision maker (Koresh) is obviously bent on confrontation.
I support the FBI, the ATF, and the Police/Sherrif's department. Their anguish over what happened is second only to the families who lost loved ones. I know that those people had only the best intentions - but come on...
The reason we had to act was that the children were being beaten? And Ms. Reno, or anyone else does not remember who informed them of it? This smells like the LADP nightmare (Furman/VanAdder) saying that they went over the wall, not because OJ was a suspect, but that he was in danger...
We are all in danger when we start to use the end to justify the means... This country was founded on a principle that ensures that some guilty people will never be brought to justice, to protect the innocent. We have to accept the fact that sometimes it will take a long time for justice to be served...
We have to be willing to wait, and not force it to fit our time schedule.
Date: 10/20/95 1:35 PM
To: Frontline
From: tc@edsel.ftc.nrcs.usda.gov
From: Anthony B. Cramer
I watched the Waco episode the other night, and was very impressed with its balance and thoroughness. However, I do have one quibble - as a rare liberal who is also a gun enthusiast, I was struck by the reference early in the broadcast to the Davidian arsenal including a ".50-caliber cannon." There is no such weapon. The term "cannon," although richly descriptive of any large firearm, is usually used in military circles to refer to heavy armaments larger than .60 caliber (the smallest cannon in the U.S. inventorythat I'm aware of fires 20-mm shells, roughly .80 caliber). The.50-caliber machine gun, to which the story was probably referring,has been a mainstay of military arsenals for most of this century;although certainly a fearsome weapon, it should be noted that.50-caliber big game rifles have been in civilian use for more than100 years and remain available to this day.
At the time of theCivil War, non-military weapons firing .50 or .60-caliber shot(or larger!) were not unknown. This remains a minor semantic pointgiven the show's focus on FBI procedure rather than the gun-controlaspects of the story. I only mention it because such errors serve to reinforce the perception in gun circles that the media, gun-control advocates, and liberals in particular know nothing about guns. I also took some issue with the last line of the broadcast, about the mistake of allowing Koresh to write the ending. I'm not convinced there was any way of preventing that - even if everything had gone right for the FBI the compound might still have been torched, given that Koresh seemed hell-bent on staging his own peculiar little Armageddon.
Thus, sadly, there may never have been any hope of preventing the tragic and horrible death of so many children. I do not fault the government for the gas attack -the situation had dragged on for so long that something had to be done.I do fault the government for what your report highlighted so well -the fact that the negotiation and hostage rescue teams were working at cross purposes, doubtless prolonging the situation and snuffing out what faint hope there might have been for a negotiated end or atleast the release of the children. I've seen chilling echoes of your report through the Ruby Ridge hearings and can only hope the various agencies learn from their mistakes. The paramilitary machismo of some of the agents in each incident is not encouraging.
Date: 10/22/95 8:13 PM
To: Frontline
From: 71041.445@compuserve
From: Brian Uitti
Thanks for the balanced picture of the tragic events. Each of [us] can make up our own minds on the conclusions.
Brian Uitti
From: Bob Engelhart
Thanks to everyone at Frontline for creating such a wonderful series. It's so refreshing to get an unbiased account of the issues. I wish your program was on more often. However, please don't sacrifice quality for quantity.
Thanks again,
Bob Engelhart
Plano, TX.
Date: 10/18/95 1:07 AM
Well, it's great. One of the more useful and pertinent web pages I've run across. The show (WACO) was excellent. I've enjoyed trying the audio of Koresh and the Sheriff on the web page.
Keep up the good work! I'll see if I can't contribute more this year to PBS, I know ya'll deserve it
Bruce Weir, Austin, TX---home of Austin City Limits
Date: 10/18/95 4:46 PM
I very powerful mixture of Internet with sound, pictures, text and television.
It shows how we were feed half-truths during the Waco crisis and what went on behind the the 30-second newscast what the average TV viewer saw on telephone.
Your right. If PBS doesn't do it, who will.
Ted Lee
Richmond, BC Canada
Date: 10/19/95 5:13 AM
To those at PBS who have made an excellent first step to integrating the web into the PBS programming mandate,
Thanks for setting up the www.pbs.org server! I have been looking around at various web sites that have been "thown up" in the last few months and this one is really nice.
Keep up the good work, especially with the Frontline stuff. It is really great to get more information on-line after viewing a show. No doubt us viewers will benefit from the augmented information you can put on-line for other shows like Nova and Nature.
Obviously, you have considered providing even more detail about a show on-line. The information you can provide at the web site will undoubtedly grow to accomodate the needs of your education customers and the demands of viewers. I was wondering, however, what the future limits on the depth you can go to with a particular show's on-line data is. For instance, at what point will a particular episode's web page be considered retired (ie no more tweeking or added data to that particular episode's on-line contect will be made)?
I hope the congress and the public will see the potential value in this improvement to our already excellent product, public television.
Sincerely,
Tim Bodine
Regular PBS Viewer
Date: 10/19/95 4:59 PM
From: Mike Schneider
Your website is a great augmentation to the "newsmagazine" format, which doesn't usually allow one access to any documents(other than transcripts of the show itself.) However, the site would be of better service to a curious public if it made available more of the documents discussed on the program. Of particular interest would be the briefings given to Ms. Reno when the possibility of a seige was first discussed.
Date: 10/17/95 11:06 PM
The Frontline story tonight was well researched and provided answers to lingering questions. When it first came on I feared it would be another conspiratorial essay of which we've grown so tired. Instead I found it to be thought provoking and objective.
Thank you,
Earl Faubion
Oklahoma City
Date: 10/18/95 3:09 AM From: John Taylor
I found tonights show most informative. The fact that you obtained interviews with many of the principal FBI Agents, and their willingness to be candid gave me more insight than the senate hearings.
It also becomes apparent that Janet Reno was treated most unfairly and exercised great care in her decision to take action.
An excellent, informative program. Good job!
Date: 10/18/95 1:08 AM
From: Craig J. Bolton
Perhaps one of the most disgusting pieces of propaganda I've ever seen. Clearly deserves the Goebbels award for statist apologetics. Congratulations, and may all of your public funding be permanently cut off.
This experience is enough to induce one to vote for the Republicans, as inherently revolting as they may be....
Date: 10/17/95 11:06 PM
I thought the special you did was superb!!! Absolutely fascinating. I have one question/recommendation. Will the man who put this all together write a book about Waco? Is he already writing one? Are there any truly detailed studies about Waco that the producers know about in the works? For the last two years, I have been waiting for a dispassionate book about the incidents at Waco and have been completely disappointed with everything published to date. The accounts are either "inside the devil cult" or "how religious freedom was trampled in America".
I found the two most recent books about the topic: Ashes of Waco and Why Waco to be particularly disappointing (the Branch Davidian slant is obvious)
Once again, congratulations on a superb documentary.
Sincerely
Nicholas J. Eckert
From: Kim Whitmyre
Other than appearing to tip the scales in favor of our wonderful federal law enforcement boys, what did your program add? What is most interesting to me is the utter lack of inquiry into the initial justification for the action against the Davidians or David Koresh. From all I have heard, the charges were trumped up and the BATF was looking for some good publicity at budget-granting time. Hardly justification for home-grown facism. Evidently justification is a sometime thing.
Date: 10/18/95 9:17 AM
From: Richard W.Spisak Jr.
Superb and balanced program. I felt that the comparison of the two competing visions of how to resolve the crisis was far more illuminating than the polemics and angry apoligists we heard preening on the hill.
Dealing with fanatics does require a different set of tactics than dealing with economic criminals. Blaming the fallable lawenforcement officials with the deaths of so many innocent children while serving a particular anti-government agenda. Doesnot assist the analytic process that should be utilized as the Justice Department and it's law enforcement agencies review the events in an effort to upgrade responce tactics. The new century ahead and the increasing number of unbalanced prophets of the milenial days ahead. garantee more fanatics holed up with innocents. Those capable of calm deliberation in the face of growing irrationality must take what lessons that can be gained from such hard teachings as the Jim Joneses and the David Koreshes of this nervous world.
RW Spisak Jr.
Date: 10/18/95 1:05 AM
From: Shirley Ragsdale
Very clear and balanced presentation. I have been a fan of Frontline and POV for years. I appreciate the way your program addresses prickley issues with great finesse. I have seen the testosterone level of law enforcement make bad policy and decisions. It appears, as I suspected, that this is what happened in Waco, much to this nation's shame. I hope lessons about negotiation and patience in future such standoffs with manipulative people have been learned. If so, then something constructive will come from the ashes of "Mount Carmel." It is such a sad chapter, a horror few of us will forget. Thank you for giving us rational insight into the event.
Date: 10/18/95 1:05 AM
From: Kurt Dillard
To the creators of WACO--THE INSIDE STORY, I found the episode extremely interesting and informative. . . and quite disturbing. Thanks for maintaining your objectivity and detatchment while doing such an emotionally explosive piece. I feel that your coverage was very even-handed and fair.
I've always enjoyed Frontline, and will be a regular viewer in the years to come.
Regards,
Kurt Dillard
Austin, Texas
Date: 10/18/95 1:07 AM
From: Robert Bertrand
Your story tonight was balanced and thought provoking. But, there is a part of this story that still needs to be reported, what changes have been or yet to be made in the manner of how the government deals with such situations? Does the government still feel that use of gas is ok? Who will be in charge in future standoffs, the Ninja's; the Negotiators; or the Local Agent in charge? Do we still feel we need to flush the people out as soon as possible, or are we more able to sit and wait out such people? Do we still need a separate ATF or can it merge with the FBI? Can and should local authorities play more of a role in such standoffs? Would there be any benefit in a public admission of error by the government to build bridges with some of these militia organizations and other radicals such that feelings are not running so high. Such admissions could deal with the fact that some bad decisions were made and carried out, however, David Koresh and the other adults of the compound share a burden as well in not surrendering and starting fires in the compound. We know now much of what was said and done on both sides, now what will we do about it?
Date: 10/18/95 3:10 AM
From: Michael Lawler
Your informative documentary ended with the thought that the FBI's greatest mistake was allowing David Koresh to write the final chapter. The real mistake was the FBI's being there in the first place. Nowhere did you ask the obvious question: WHO allowed all that firepower there in the first place? WHY is a man accused of a relatively minor crime attacked with all the resources of the federal govern- ment? Why did your reporter not challenge the FBI agent who told Koresh there were only two documents for which he would die -- the Bible and the Constitution. He was busy making a mockery of it.
Date: 10/18/95 1:05 AM
From: Paul Bossi
"The Inside Story?" "The Real Story?" Give me a break. Your Waco program was one of the most tepid reports yet on the Waco standoff.
The supposedly new snippets from the wiretaps and tapes were played for at longest five seconds at a time and were used solely to reinforce points being made by FBI agents. The true underlying script for the program was obviously the whitewashed Department of Justice document on the standoff. There was not one sign of new investigation on the part of FRONTLINE; rather, the program appeared to be entirely a product of journalistic laziness.
I used to consider FRONTLINE the best investigative journalism on TV. The Waco program shows that at least in one case FRONTLINE has descended to the role of naive patsy for the most obvious kind of government propaganda. A big step down.
Date: 10/18/95 3:09 AM
From: Robert Bulechek
I thought the Frontline program on Waco was good, but it could have been better. For a program that I enjoy because of its hard hitting willingnes to examine the facts wherever they may lead, I thought this program was pretty soft.
I would have liked to have seen a more detailed examination given to conflicting statements made by various participants. Did members of the FBI lie to superiors to get their policies approved? If so, why wheren't they fired? Did Clinton approve of the attack? If so, did he lie about it later? Were any of the feds injured by friendly fire?
I thought the program glossed over the question: did the damage done to the buildings prevent escape from the fire? Is there more evidence about whether the Dividians or the CS gas caused the fire? Where people incapacitated by the CS gas so that they were unable to escape? And a lot more.
Even if agents of the BATF and FBI are not guilty of manslaughter, why wheren't many more fired for incompetance?
I hope Frontline will do a follow-up that can examine whether injustice has occured, who is responsible, and what can be done to correct it. For example, I am appaled that after the deaths of their family and friends and the tragety that occured, the government went after the survivors and put them in jail. It seems to me that they have suffered enough.
Robert Bulechek Tucson, AZ
Date: 10/18/95 9:16 AM
From: Kurt Cianelli
It's good to see that my tax dollars are being put to use spouting the liberial line. PBS presents another series of shows reguardless of the facts. I wish you would not advertise your semi-factual docu-crap shows (ie The Civil War and Baseball) as a quality fact base news show.
Date: 10/18/95 3:09 AM
From: Peter Shriner
The 10/17/95 Frontline story about Waco should have been titled "WACO -- The One-Sided Story". The whole hour was merely a lopsided defense of the government's actions. Frontline presented _nothing_ that opposed the ATF/FBI actions and motives; offered no discussion of the validity of the original ATF assault on the Davidian compound; and didn't reveal how Frontline just happened upon a lode of files and tapes that finally revealed the "truth".
I thought the establishment of truth includes the other side of the story. Why did Frontline not present anything that might defend how the Davidians felt about (and reacted to) an armored, heavily armed assault upon their home and families? Was there no representative of the Davidians willing to talk to Frontline? Was there no physical evidence, no audio tape, no videotape that might speak for the Davidians?
Weren't they American citizens, living in their own home? What possibly justifies the actions taken against them? Dozens of combat-trained men with automatic weapons surrounded their property. Helicopters buzzed their buildings day and night. Their electricity was shut off. They were subjected to psychological warfare -- remember American troops serenading Manuel Noriega in Panama? Tanks drove over their cars parked in their front yard, and crashed through the walls of their home to inject toxic gas. And yet the FBI negotiators tell them "This is not an assault..." ?
Perhaps the greatest tragedy (and my greatest foreboding) about Waco is how the law enforcement people were just trying to do their job, supposedly to uphold the law. Have the rules of America become more important than the lives of its own men, women, and children?