The Raid of the Cult Compound in Waco, Texas

On April 19, 1993, after a 51-day siege, the ATF and the FBI attempted to force David Koresh and the other remaining Branch Davidians out of their Waco, Texas compound. However, when the cult members refused to leave the buildings after being tear gassed, the buildings went up in a blaze and all but nine died in the fire. Preparing to Enter the Compound There were a number of reports that 33-year-old, Branch Davidian cult leader David Koresh had been abusing children. He reportedly would punish children by hitting them with a wooden spoon until they bled or be depriving them of food for an entire day. Also, Koresh had many wives, some of whom were as young as 12. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) also discovered that Koresh was stockpiling a cache of weapons and explosives. The ATF gathered resources and planned to raid the Branch Davidian compound, known as the Mount Carmel Center, located just outside of Waco, Texas. With a warrant to search for illegal firearms in hand, the ATF attempted to enter the compound on February 28, 1993. The Shootout and Stand-Off A gunfight ensued (debate continues over which side fired the first shot). The shooting lasted nearly two hours, leaving four ATF agents and five Branch Davidians dead. For 51 days, the ATF and the FBI waited outside the compound, using negotiators to try to end the stand-off peacefully. (There has been much criticism as to how the government handled the negotiations.) Although a number of children and a few adults were released during this period, 84 men, women, and children stayed in the compound. Storming the Waco Compound On April 19, 1993, the ATF and FBI attempted to end the siege by using a form of tear gas called CS gas (chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile), a decision approved by US Attorney General Janet Reno. Early in the morning, specialized tank-like vehicles (Combat Engineering Vehicles) punctured holes in the compounds walls and inserted CS gas. The government was hoping that the gas would safely push the Branch Davidians out of the compound. In response to the gas, the Branch Davidians shot back. Just after noon, the wooden compound caught on fire. While nine people escaped the blaze, 76 perished either by gunshot, fire or collapsed rubble inside the compound. Twenty-three of the dead were children. Koresh was also found dead, from a gunshot wound to the head. Who Started the Fire? Nearly immediately, questions were raised as to how the fire was started and who was responsible. For years, many people blamed the FBI and ATF for the catastrophe, believing that the government officials had knowingly used flammable tear gas or shot into the compound to keep survivors from leaving the fiery compound. Further investigations have shown that the fire was purposely set by the Davidians themselves.   Of the nine survivors of the fire, all nine were charged and sentenced to some jail time. Eight were found guilty of either voluntary manslaughter or illegal firearms -- or both. The ninth survivor, Kathy Schroeder, was convicted of resisting arrest. Although some of the survivors were sentenced to up to 40 years in prison, appeals ended up shortening their prison terms. As of 2007, all nine were out of prison.

The Ethical Theory Of The Election Of 2016 - 1268 Words

The election of 2016 was one of the most publicized political events of our nation’s history. While the candidates in this year’s election were more unconventional then years past, this election held an uncanny resemblance to elections of past years in the United States. The ethical and moral issues voters frequently take into account are as follows: race, culture, immigration and populism. Many ethical theories play into elections, on both the sides of the voters as well as the candidates. The â€Å"ethical theory† described is an approach or belief based off one’s own morals or values. The ethical theory of Utilitarianism is often used in the decision making on both the voters’ part, as well as how the candidates will present their policies on their own beliefs. Ethical egoism is another alternative voters or candidates may use, believing the people self-interest is more important. The ethical theory of Utilitarianism is defined as, â€Å"the the ory that one ought to maximize happiness and minimize the unhappiness of as many people as possible† (Rosenstand G-6). John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham were two philosophers who supported and helped found the theory of Utilitarianism. On a contrasting note, the opposing ethical theory to utilitarianism is the ethical egoist theory or perspective. The ethical egoist perspective is the idea that â€Å"everyone ought to be selfish or self interested† (Rosenstand G-3). This theory supports the idea that all people should look out forShow MoreRelatedEthics Is The Application Of Ethics934 Words   |  4 Pageswhen written many years ago. My research revealed an overwhelming number of ethical dilemmas, theories, and solutions. With such diverse information, and vast disparities, one might wonder, as did I, how to effectively create a safety-first culture that also embraces ethical integrity. 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Comparison Paper Free Essays

Comparison Paper Brittany Seawright NUR/ 408 February 11, 2013 Beth Edwards Comparison Paper According to a report published in 1988 by the Institute of Medicine, public health was defined as â€Å"what we, as a society, do collectively to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy† (Stanhope Lancaster, p. 7, 2012). The mission of public health was â€Å"to generate organized community effort to address the public interest in health by applying scientific and technical knowledge to prevent disease and promote health† (Stanhope Lancaster, p. We will write a custom essay sample on Comparison Paper or any similar topic only for you Order Now , 2012). The definition and mission of public health has not changed. â€Å"In the United States, the local-state-federal partnership includes federal agencies, the state and territorial public health agencies, and the 3200 local public health agencies† (Stanhope Lancaster, p. 990, 2012). Healthy People 2020 and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are agencies of public health at the national level. The state health department is an agency of public health at the state and county levels. The interaction of these agencies is critical to effectively leverage precious resources, both financial and personnel, and to protect and promote the health of populations† (Stanhope Lancaster, p. 990, 2012). History of Public Health People who are born today can expect to live 30 years longer than those who were born in 1990 (Stanhope Lancaster, 2012). Advocacy begun in the late 1910s, policymakers and social welfare representatives strived to constitute national healt h insurance (Stanhope Lancaster, 2012). In 1965 congress amended the Social Security Act to include health insurance benefits for older adults (Medicare) and increased care for the poor (Medicaid)† (Stanhope Lancaster, p. 36, 2012). The Social Security Act did not cover preventive services, and home health care was only reimbursed with a doctors order (Stanhope Lancaster, 2012). Local and state health departments changed their policies to allow agencies o reimburse home care as bedside nursing, which reduced health promotion and prevention (Stanhope Lancaster, 2012). In the 1970s, nursing was viewed highly for improving the health care of communities (Stanhope Lancaster, 2012). â€Å"Nurses made significant contributions to the hospice movement, the development of birthing centers, daycare for older adults and disabled persons, drug abuse programs, and rehabilitation services in long-term care† (Stanhope Lancaster, p. 38, 2012). In the 1980s, there was concern about high cost of health care in the United States, and health promotion and disease prevention services were not top priority because funding was more essential in other areas (Stanhope Lancaster, 2012). Fewer nurses were employed by official public health agencies because of low state and federal funds (Stanhope Lancaster, 2012). During the 1900s and 2000s, the focus was on cost, improving quality of care, access to health care services, and advancing the public health nursing profession (Stanhope Lancaster, 2012). Federal public health agencies develop regulations that implement policies formulated by Congress, provide a significant amount of funding to state and territorial health agencies for public health activities, survey the nation’s health status and health needs, set practices and standards, provide expertise that facilitates evidence-based practice, coordinate public health activities that cross state lines, and support health se rvices research† (Stanhope Lancaster, p. 90, 2012). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was established on July 1, 1946 on a floor of a small building in Atlanta, Georgia (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). â€Å"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was initially focused on fighting Malaria by killing mosquitos† (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Para 2, 2012). Presently, the â€Å"Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the nation’s premier public health agency†, and has a mission to â€Å"collaborate to create the expertise, information, and tools that people and communities need to protect their health- through promotion, prevention of disease, injury and disability, and preparedness for new health threats† (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Para 2, 2012). Healthy People 2020 is also a national public health agency. â€Å"Since 1979 the U. S. Surgeon General has worked with local, state, and federal agencies; the private sector; and the U. S. population to evelop objectives for preventing disease and promoting health for the nation† (Stanhope Lancaster, p. 999, 2012). Healthy People 2020 objectives were presented in 2009 to the public, and one of the goals is to â€Å"promote quality of life, healthy development and healthy behaviors across all life stages† (Stanhope Lancaster, p. 999, 2012). The health department is a state public health agency that prevents disease, improves health and wellness, promotes quality of life, and assists the people of each region in building healthy communities (South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, 2012). The county health department is where much of the direct health care is provided to the people of the communities in each state. County and state level public health agencies collaborate and partner with national agencies to promote healthy communities. Local public health departments are responsible for implementing and enforcing local, state, and federal public health codes and ordinances while providing essential public health services (Stanhope Lancaster, p. 1003, 2012). Differences between public and community health Public and community health are specialty areas and each have their own focuses. Public health focuses on the communities and populations as a whole, and community health focuses on the individuals, families, and groups within a community. Both specialty areas have the same goal, and that is to promote health and prevent disease and illness. â€Å"Public health is not a branch of medicine; it is an organized community approach designed to prevent disease, promote health, and protect populations† † (Stanhope Lancaster, p. 990, 2012). The settings of where public health nurses and community health nurses work are different. Public health nurses may work for organizations or government areas, such as the state health department. Community health nurses may work in schools, clinics, hospitals, home health, county health department, or nursing homes. Health care is changing and improving every day. Nurses have a huge role in promoting health and preventing disease and illness in populations. Public health is built on partnerships (Stanhope Lancaster, 2012). Governmental agencies at the local, state, and federal levels are partners in the public health system that must work together to develop and implement solutions hat will improve a community’s health (Stanhope Lancaster, p. 990, 2012). References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Our History – Our Story. http://www. cdc. gov/about/history/ourstory. htm South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. (2012). Region 2 Public Health Office. Retrieved from http://www. scdhec. gov/health/region2/index. htm Sta nhope, M. , Lancaster, J. (2012). Public Health Nursing: Population-Centered Health Care in the Community (8th ed. ). (Elsevier, Ed. ) Maryland Heights, Missouri: Mosby How to cite Comparison Paper, Papers