What Led to the Loss of Many lives During the Waco Siege Research Paper

What Led to the Loss of Many lives During the Waco Siege - Research Paper Example The result of the 51-day siege resulted in the deaths of more than 80 people including 4 ATF agents. The 4 agents died due to gunfire exchange with the members of the Cult on the first day of the raid. The agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms had waited until the last day of the expiry of the warrant issued by a Texas judge on the Mount Carmel establishment. Surviving members of the Koresh organization have always blamed the ATF and the federal officials for the handling of the situation. The justice department, which came under fire after the events have always pointed the finger at the Branch Davidian’s and their suicidal attempts for the massacre.... The report suggests that Koresh had wives who were in teen years and the raid was carried out in order to save the young children. Evidence also suggests that Koresh punished the children in the compound and told them it was a privilege for them to have sex with him. Food was also withheld from children who went against his orders. The assumption by the department according to the report does not indicate if the abuse continued even during the 51-day siege, in which the Justice department authorized the use of CS gas in order to stop the siege. However, Tausch (33) argues that the real reason for the raid as indicated by the warrant was to confiscate the weapons held by the Branch Davidian’s because of failing to pay a small fee. Tausch further argues that the reason unearthed by the justice department after the raid were fabricated to show that the ATF, the FBI and the Justice Department were right to invade the private Christian commune (72). Reavis (1o7), supports Tausch ar gument that the ATF and the justice department are to blame for the loss of the many lives at Waco. He argues that the ATF and the local police unit were much disorganized and no one was in total command during the raid on the first day. He argues that the loss of 4 officers and 16 others who were hurt could have been avoided if there was good communications. He further argues that Koresh was intimidated by the ATF and the other agents involved in the raid because they came guns blazing. Reavis also argues that the ATF did not walk to the doors of the Koresh establishment to serve him the warrant but instead, they went for a firefight. This prompted Koresh to fight back. In addition to this, the FBI who took over the running of the mission after the first day, kept communication with Koresh