I am still, I suppose, “on the fence” as to what actually went down on 5/17 at the scene.
The piece, from the Chief, that his officers were in their cars, is a crumb that raises the possibility of a panicked reaction that they had not war gamed for.
What if....the game plan had included intense surveillance on this public gathering (coupled with intel from their inside u/c) and at the first sign of trouble - which Swanton said they were expecting, (say the report that Cossacks were forming on the patio or there was a tussle in a bathroom), they blared over a bullhorn
FREEZE! EVERYBODY GET ON THE GROUND!!
I agree with the points about the nonsense of the bad boys coming intent on doing rough business in public. Some obviously did bring attitudes that created trouble. The mass roundup is an outrage. The excessive bail in on its face, unconstitutional.
The collection of cell phones is highly suspicious as is the non-release of autopsy reports.
Many angles to this.
But the bottom line is that it isn't about what went down -- it's about being fed a scenario of what went down that is like being fed a scenario from straight-faced official sources that the Easter Bunny robbed a bank and used Santa's Sleigh for a get-away. One doesn't know who robbed the bank or how he got away, but one sure knows that it wasn't the Easter Bunny and Rudolph.
It's a fine distinction, and a crucial one. THANKS don-o for keeping these thread alive. I agree with Travis -- this is hands-down the most profound domestic news story on the radar, and it is being ignored by people WHO SHOULD KNOW BETTER, including stalwart patriots many on FR.
IT ISN'T ROCKET SCIENCE. However, it does require due diligence, effort, and personal responsibility.
“The piece, from the Chief, that his officers were in their cars, is a crumb that raises the possibility of a panicked reaction that they had not war gamed for.” ———
I think most everyone else believes just that, too. I think it even is rather obvious that the officers panicked. It is maybe a miracle they were as restrained as they were, under panic.
I think that is exactly why Waco residents have not set their own hair on fire over this and joined up in the scorched earth rage of outside bikers against the LE. The residents, I have said from the beginning, know these officers and believe their motivations are as decent as their own would be, under the same circumstances.
It seems like it’s the bikers from outside of Waco and outside of the event itself who can’t get a hearing because, frankly, no one in Waco yet agrees with them, or with their fast draw conclusions, or in the ridiculous conspiracies.
Also, on the clothing question. Gang clothing is a proud identifier. But if you are from a gang that is under, or has been under investigation and you come into Waco armed, it seems to me your clothing isn’t just clothing anymore it’s your ID.
LE should have an interest in your proud gang ID and your weapon and have a right to act on information that you are coming into town. Identification is the name of every game now days and it does have carte blanche, whether we like it or not. It’s also lawful to question your ID. These idiots should have known that and appreciated the nerves of cops right now, given they are under hell fire all over the country.
Go have a picnic at the lake and blast your jets, scare all the fish, but lunch on Sunday in the shopping center, with families? Not so much.
This is becoming a non-story as cooler heads are seeming to prevail. My 2 cents.