Journal Entry # 2

ATF and FBI: Setting New Standards For Mediocrity

I remember back in the beginnings of my military career, when I was at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, and the Waco, Texas standoff had just begun, how my instructors reacted to the whole situation when it occurred. They were of the opinion that the ATF and FBI were in the right and committed no wrong doings. Unfortunately, being a young “wet-behind-the-ears” private with not much experience with life, and having learned from basic training to accept a superior’s word with out question, I was easily swayed by their arguments. Fortunately, about ¾ of the way through my military career, I began to develop the ability to think for myself. I found a lot of things wrong with how our government and the Army were operating. I left the Army about 2 years after this happened and haven’t looked back. I’m glad I get a chance to go over this material again in the class and in Mentor Sessions. It gives me the extra chance to “unlearn” everything the Army tried to teach me about this.

I was completely appalled over how the ATF and FBI had completely mishandled this situation. There obviously wasn’t careful planning and consideration put into this particular operation. Many good men, women, and children died needlessly over this and it resolved nothing, except to anger a number of people watching the ordeal on TV. I was frustrated also by how the government was quick to place the majority of the trouble that occurred on the Branch-Davidians. I was also disgusted when it seemed that the ATF and FBI were going to get off practically unscathed during the Congressional Hearings. Justice honestly wasn’t served here.

The biggest problem I had with the situation was when they revealed that the ATF and FBI had used what’s known as Psychological Operations on the people in the compound. I’m very familiar with this procedure because that’s what I did in the Army. I know for a fact that it’s illegal in every way for the U.S. government to perform propaganda procedures on it’s own people. Not only that but the other military equipment they used like the Bradley Fighting Vehicles and tanks were used illegally. The laws clearly state that the government is not legally allowed to use military vehicles against its own citizens unless there is significant proof that drugs or drug labs are on the premises. I remember it being mentioned in the documentary that the ATF had it inserted in the warrant that there was, in fact, a drug lab on the compound. And that of course later on that no drug lab was found.

Finally, I just want to reiterate, that I will breathe a sigh of relief when were past this portion of readings in the term. I understand fully how this all contributes to Forbidden Knowledge. Often when I read Johnson’s and Goliszek’s books, I find myself relating back to that portion of Shattuck’s book in Appendix I, the portion that describes knowledge as dangerous, destructive, or unwelcome (I may have to bring this up in class next time if people can stomach the “S” word). The Waco standoff definitely falls into this category. It’s not information I relished learning, but at least I’m garnering my own opinion about it instead of letting other people tell me how to think about it.