Letter: Blame Koresh, not Reno, for Waco deaths

Thursday, June 26, 1997 | 11:48 a.m.

Under the protection of the 1st Amendment, Earl Eves and the newspaper have expressed opinions that are outrageous, irresponsible and inaccurate.

In an attempt to protect the children at the Waco compound, Janet Reno responded to reports the children were being abused. Survivors of the Waco tragedy reported the cult leader demanded sexual relations with his female followers, regardless of age. He told them such action would ensure their salvation.

The monster in the Waco tragedy was not our attorney general but the self-appointed messiah, Koresh. His delusions that he was the instrument of biblical prophecy plus his power over willing followers led to those deaths.

Does Earl Eves share with Tim McVeigh the judgment that oppressive, evil government was fully responsible for the events at Waco?

Unfortunately, contempt and hatred for our government has become a malignancy in the minds of many, in our blessedly free society. When McVeigh wreaked vengence on a kind of abstract "government" he must have learned that our government is in truth: Of the people, for the people and by the people. It was the people like our neighbors and members of our church who were struck down.

Lillian Garbian