by Gary Palmer

    Today, those same anti-war protesters and anti-establishment types are the "new establishment"; they are the new order. Instead of being anti-war, they are conducting hi-tech war on countries we have no business being involved with, and they are sending other people’s children to police the world for their new world order. These are the same people who said in the 1960's that government could not be trusted. Now they are in control of a government that is proving that it cannot be trusted. 

    It would be naïve to think that political fabrication and cover-up is a modern aspect of American government.  Our republic has had liars in various offices from the beginning. What is so disturbing about the situation today is that the trustworthiness of even our most venerable law enforcement agencies is now in question.

    The recent discovery of evidence related to the killing of 86 men, women and children at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas demands deep concern. The Dallas Morning News reported that the newspaper has evidence the FBI fired flammable devices into the Branch Davidian compound that were capable of starting a fire in a wooden structure such as the building that ultimately went up in flames. This revelation comes after years in which the FBI and the Justice Department have denied that any such devices were used that day.  The paper’s investigation was apparently spurred by statements made in July by the civilian head of the Texas Rangers who questioned the FBI's claims that there were no devices used that could have started a fire.  

    Shortly after the Waco disaster, U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno told the media and Congress she ordered the attack because she had evidence that the almost two dozen children inside the compound were being abused and were in danger of further abuse. However, her claims of child abuse have now been disproven. In fact, some members of Congress have admitted they believed Reno was lying during her testimony.

    For over six years the U.S. Department of Justice, under Reno's direction, has misled the American public about the actual events leading up to the fire that destroyed the Branch Davidian compound. Not only was the use of flammable tear gas canisters covered up, but evidence exists that the FBI also covered up their use of military tear-gas grenades that are banned by the United Nations chemical weapons treaty. The grenades contain tear gas which can be fatal even in low doses and is especially dangerous for children.  

    The lies and misinformation have not been limited to the FBI.   The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) also misled Congress and the people about the situation, particularly about their inability to arrest David Koresh. According to published reports, members of the ATF were with Koresh just days before the assault on the compound, yet made no attempt to take him into custody.

    When FBI Director Louis Freeh testified before Congress during the Waco hearings, he denied that the FBI fired incendiary devices into the compound. After the Dallas paper revealed it had evidence that would prove otherwise, Freeh changed his story. In light of these revelations, it appears Congress was either extremely incompetent in its investigation or, worse, they may have been willful collaborators in a coverup of this evidence.  

    Given the misinformation and withholding of evidence that has already taken place, it may take a new, thorough and honest investigation to determine exactly what happened. In fact, Freeh has called on U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno to appoint an independent investigator to handle the investigation.  

    Not only should an investigation be initiated to get to the truth of what happened at Waco, but those members of the Branch Davidian cult who were convicted and given extremely harsh sentences should be re-tried based on new evidence. The government must not give the appearance that it sentenced people to prison to keep them quiet.  

    The country doesn't need any more cynicism to add to the distrust people are building toward our government. It is one thing for politicians to lie about their agenda or their personal lives, it is something far more dangerous to take the lives of American citizens and cover it up. Believing that government cannot be trusted is one thing.   Believing there is no justice is another, far more dangerous, mindset.