Waco Branch Davidian Disaster

David Koresh was born Vernon Wayne Howell in Houston, Texas in 1959 to a 15-year old single mother (Big Eye). He never knew his father and was raised by his grandparents. Koresh described his childhood as lonely. He said the other kids teased him and called him "Vernie." He was dyslexic, a bad student, and dropped out of high school. However, he had musical ability and a strong interest in the Bible (PBS). By 12, he had memorized large parts of it. When he was 20, Koresh turned to the Church of Seventh Day Adventists, his mother's church, but he was expelled for being a bad influence on the young people (Big Eye). Sometime during the next couple of years, Koresh went to Hollywood to become a rock star, but nothing came of it. Instead,

I believe there are many religious cults operating similar to the Branch Davidians across the United States. David Koresh and his followers drew attention to themselves by obtaining and stockpiling illegal weapons. Had he not done this, the Davidians would have been allowed to continue their religious practices. I chose to discuss Waco because I knew parts of the story, and it fascinated me how people could get sucked into Koresh’s teachings. I found it disturbing how his followers took his word as the absolute truth and law. I took away a greater understanding of the right to bear arms, religious freedom, and the uncheckability of the bureaucracy from this assignment. Research has lead me to believe that the bureaucracy needs to be monitored more closely to ensure that situations like Waco can be ended peacefully and without a loss of life. Waco illustrated general problems with federal law enforcement.

The Bill of Rights also guarantees the right to religious freedom. Save some questionable acts with children, Korech and his followers were not hurting anyone (PBS). They had isolated themselves in a compound outside the city of Waco, Texas, to further their religious devotion (Big Eye). The adults were there on their own accord.

On February 28th, ATF agents raided Branch Davidian compound searching for illegal weapons. Gunfight erupted killing 4 ATF agents and wounding 16 others. An undetermined number of Davidians were killed and injured. David Koresh was wounded. ATF agents withdrew to safety and prepared for a siege. FBI called in negotiators and the Ho

Some topics in this essay:
David Koresh, Branch Davidians, Reno High-level, PBS Waco, Mount Carmel, Koresh God, Houston Texas, Waco Texas, Bill Rights, Team March, branch davidians, david koresh, bear arms, religious freedom, atf agents, illegal weapons, waco texas, tear gas, law enforcement, uncheckability bureaucracy,