[ez]

19 times out of 20 these situations could be handled by stopping the suspect coming out of work or the grocery store with no loss of life... Proving that these cops are raiding for the thrill and feeling of power, and to intimidate the people.

[GeronL]

I think you are right.

[Pecos]

The Davidian raid is proof. DOJ needed publicity in support of the perennial D.C. budget drills, so they conducted a massive raid rather than make a low key arrest while their target was out for his morning jog.

[WayneS]

Case in Point: David Koresh could have been arrested with very little fanfare at the store he visited, alone, almost every morning, to pick up his newspaper(s).

But the feds decided to send a heavily armed SWAT-like team to his home to hammer on his door and initiate an 'incident' so as to justify using overwhelming force.

Imagine how the outcome would have differed if they had simply used a little common sense and reason.

[lonevoice]

19 times out of 20 these situations could be handled by stopping the suspect coming out of work or the grocery store with no loss of life... Proving that these cops are raiding for the thrill and feeling of power, and to intimidate the people.

Yep.