Now, what some of you have been waiting for. But first let me say, that I had done a rough draft before I posted this and it turned out to be a 2 page dissertation that would most likely have made for some boring reading for those who know most of the whole story. So, I have cut it drastically and will try to get right to the point. I preface this however by saying that there are some who believe the government can do no wrong. Then, there are those who believe just the opposite that the government can do no right. Then there are those of us who absorb with an open mind. For those taking sides, this may not be for you, because you wouldn't believe anything I say anyway. I'll preface that with "I couldn't care less." So let's get on with it. When David Koresh asked Ron Engleman to try and get a doctor into the complex to evaluate and take care of those who had been wounded, it was handled by both Ron and myself with skeptism. And might I add here, I despise those in the media who called the Waco home of the Branch Dividians a "Compound". That indicates to me a reinforced structure designed to keep out intruders. It was anything but, made of the simplest of means with mostly plywood that burned like a matchbook on that fateful final day. The only reinforced structure was the bunker inside the complex where Koresh met his doom. That was where he stored his weapons and ammunition, quite like some hunters today. About the only thing that had to worry about guns and ammunition was the next deer he saw that should have been looking over it's shoulder. As for the doctors, they formed a twofold purpose after much discussion between Ron and Koresh. This all took place while Koresh's cell phone was still working before the government jammed the signal. Ron and I agreed that Koresh was being honest, based solely on the fact that he'd kept his word before. I strongly feel that Koresh was looking for a way out but didn't quite know how to go about it. It was quite obvious however when the bed sheet was thrown out the tower window what he wanted. By then, everyone knew he wanted doctors to come into the complex. As for the doctors, I don't care if they were podiatrists or brain surgeons, they all start the same way. You first have to learn the basics before you can get that MD behind your name. i.e. you must learn to bandage a boo-boo before you can deliver a baby. Neither makes you a trauma surgeon nor an obstetritian. So, the specialty of the doctors was a moot point. They wanted to help because they were concerned with the welfare of those inside, mostly the children as Ron was. When Ron and I went to Waco that day, the doctors were not allowed in because they didn't have media credentials. The perfect excuse I guess as the government knew why they were there. Now what you don't know. Remember I said the doctors had a twofold purpose? And this is something that we decided to keep quiet to quell any anger that may have come from either side of those watching the proceedings, but also so as not to give false hope to those inside the complex. Koresh didn't tell them what his plan was so if it fell through they wouldn't be dissappointed. We all know how it turned out. But the "secret" lies here. Koresh told Ron that if he were allowed to enter the complex with the doctors, he felt that would stem anything stupid from being done by the government, knowing there were outsiders inside. Then, and here's what you don't know, Koresh promised he would leave the complex with his followers and surrender peacefully. It's my feeling that by now the government was in too deep and had already made too many mistakes to allow that to happen. That was the denial for the doctors to accompany us. I'm not passing judgement nor am I assessing blame. At this point in time, 14 years later it's still anybody's story. No evidence left to support either side, just a concrete foundation for people to ponder..."what if." For those of you who believe this, it's as I know it. For those who don't, maybe you know more than I do and should write your own scenario. But, now that Koresh and Ron are both gone, I felt it was a story that should be told, because that day could have ended what turned out to be a tragic event in American history. But now, 14 years later I don't feel it'll ruffle too many feathers. So be it...now go smell a flower, we're only here for a short while. Respectfully...
Tom Scott