PEOPLE

The Southeast Missourian asked people if they thought the government had the right to initially serve the warrants on the Branch Davidian Cult in Waco, Texas, or if they acted improperly.

Jim Cooper said: "I don't recall the circumstances why they went in, but I think they could have handled it a little differently after they once got in the compound. They cared for the children and did not want them harmed, but they let it last way too long."

Rick Crites said: "I believe they had the right to go in and act. But they handled it pretty bad. They should have gone ahead and got it over with. The whole situation of the wait and the eventual ending was because of their failure to finish quickly."

Carolyn Thomas said: "I think they had every right to go in. I think the way they handled it was fine except they waited too long and wasted a lot of taxpayers' dollars. I'm glad they did what they did and only wish they had done it a lot sooner."

Ian King said: "I don't think it was any of our business to be in there in the first place. We had no right. I also believe it was wrong the way they were burned out in the end.

Elizabeth Walker said: "I don't think they had the initial right to go into the compound, and once they got in there I think they handled it wrong, also. When they wouldn't come out there wasn't much they could do, but it was wrong because they tear gassed them.

Tim Martin said: "They had the right to go into the compound. It is easy to criticize them now for what happened, but with the complaints that were made and validated they acted properly. It is easy to say they were wrong but they had to make some decisions.