The logic of Waco. (siege of Branch Davidians complex in Waco, Texas) (Editorial)

Economist (US), The, April, 1993

The blame for the grisly end to the standoff between Branch Davidians and the FBI lies in lax gun control laws, which allowed the cult to stock an arsenal. The possession of firearms became the basis for the confrontation that ended in tragedy.

Apocalypse was not the FBI's--let alone Bill Clinton's--fault

"THIS thing," said the FBI man, "had to be brought to a logical conclusion at some point." The short answer from David Koresh, whose followers consigned him and themselves to the flames in Waco on April 19th, would have been: "Why?" Logic--predictable outcomes, neat behaviour patterns, cause and effect--is not a speciality of groups like his. "If you can't kill for God, you can't die for God" is another Koresh motto. It would make sense to Islamic...

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