Tuesday, May 20, 2008

It's Finally Happening

They're making a movie about the Branch Davidians.

"Waco" centers on the 1993 stand-off at Waco, Texas, when the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives attempted to arrest David Koresh, leader of the Branch Davidian cult. Four ATF agents, Koresh and 76 of his followers died.


Of course, as any Central Texan knows, it didn't actually happen IN Waco, but whatever. I gotta say, my views on it have changed almost 180 degrees from when it first happened. At the time, I was a freshman in high school, and figured the government wouldn't be assaulting that place if they didn't have a good reason. Now, hindsight is 20/20, but it sure looks like none of this should have ever happened.

The ATF went in ostensibly looking for "illegal weapons", but it turns out that none of the weapons were, in fact illegal.

Why didn't they just arrest Koresh when he went for his morning run (like he did every day)?

Was it really necessary for a freaking stand-off?

I've become much more jaded vis-a-vis the government in my old age. This'll be interesting.

5 comments:

Joshua "Doc" Wible said...

Yeah being a freshman myself when the whole thing went down I didnt think any more about it, I figured the Govt had their reasons for going in and popping a cap, so why ask questions? But I guess it does seem a bit fishy, but hey, the Govt can do what they want right? They are the Govt afterall!

And, there already was a movie made about the standoff, cant remember what it was called... but it was lame!

JTapp said...

Actually, I think all 3 networks made their own made-for-tv movies about it at the time. That was back in the day where networks did that... remember the 3 different network movies for Amy Fisher? No? Um... nevermind.

I hope that Waco is a preliminary title and not the final one. It's bad enough that's all Waco is remembered for in people's minds. Why not a cool title like "No Country for Deranged Saviors" or something?

Greatmoose said...

THAT is an awesome title, justin. And sadly, I do remember at LEAST two Amy Fisher movies...

Patriot Action said...

Just another documented failure of the Clinton administration.

Joshua "Doc" Wible said...

Hey I also remember Waco for the whole Baylor basketball player killing and cutting off the head of his fellow team mate. Sadly, I think I would rather people remember Waco for the Davidians...