In article ,
dave wrote:

Cicero Venatio wrote:

-------------
Bush fought for oil, Clinton executed the Davidians simply because they
absolutely refused to kneel before him.

That's a little nutso. I doubt Clinton gave a **** one way or the
other. The Army was wrong to blink first. It's amazing how a handful
of gun nuts, women and kids could hold the mighty USA at bay for a month.

They could've just set up a controlled perimeter and waited them out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waco_Siege
Prelude
On July 30, 1992, ATF agents David Aguilera and Skinner visited the
Davidian's gun dealer Henry McMahon, who tried to get them to talk with
Koresh on the phone. Koresh offered to let ATF inspect the Davidians'
weapons and paperwork and asked to speak with Aguilera, but Aguilera
declined.[16][17] Sheriff Harwell told reporters regarding law
enforcement talking with Koresh, "Just go out and talk to them, what's
wrong with notifying them?"[18] . . .

. . . Economist and crisis consultant Randall Bell writes in his book
Strategy 360, "Koresh was on amicable terms with the local sheriff. He
could have been easily arrested or questioned during one of his frequent
visits to town. Many people believe that, even if a simple phone call
had been allowed between the sheriff and Koresh, the FBI's raid might
not have occurred at all."[27]

The Davidian members were well known locally and had cordial relations
with other locals. The Davidians partly supported themselves by trading
at gun shows and took care always to have the relevant paperwork to
ensure their transactions were legal.[28] Davidian Paul Fatta was a
federal firearms licensed dealer (FFL) and the Davidians operated a
retail gun business called the Mag Bag. When shipments for the Mag Bag
arrived, they were signed for by Fatta, Steve Schneider or Koresh. The
morning of the raid, Paul Fatta and son Kalani were on their way to the
Austin, Texas gun show to conduct business.[29]
---

I'm no expert on such matters but it sounds as if BATF wanted to
humiliate the Davidians with a show of force. It sounds similar to the
use of overpowering force at Ruby Ridge,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby_Ridge
the bombing of the Move Organization in Philadelphia,
1985 bombing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOVE
the murder of Fred Hampton by the Chicago Police Dept. and the FBI,
and the refusal of the Los Angeles PD to take prisoners at the SLA shoot
out.
Move to Los Angeles and police shootout
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbion...e_to_Los_Angel
es_and_police_shootout
This article varies from what was stated in the local papers at the time.
Then, there was no mention of anyone coming out of the house with
weapons.

Like I say, I'm no expert on these matters, but if you get a thump on
your door a 3 AM, and you are given the option to comply, do it quickly.
--
- Billy
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the
merger of state and corporate power." - Benito Mussolini.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arn3lF5XSUg
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Zinn/HZinn_page.html