The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "Waco" ...
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Burning Rainbow Farm: How a Stoner Utopia Went Up in Smoke
Tom Crosslin and Rollie Rohm were the owners of Rainbow Farm, a 52-acre campground and concert venue with the mission of advocating the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana. Their activities included holding events on the property, events at which attendees smoked marijuana and which trumpeted many uses for hemp. Though the two men did not sell or deal the drug, these activities drew the ire of the local Cass County, MI prosecutor, who began to focus efforts on getting Rainbow Farm shut down. Rohm's son was taken away from the two men, and a series of legal pushes by the police ended in a standoff at Rainbow Farm. In the end, FBI snipers shot and killed both men, who had burned Rainbow Farm to the ground in an act of protest. Author Dean Kuiper examines the buildup to the fateful standoff, and discusses what Rainbow Farm's purpose was in this book. Ironically, this story was widely reported in the Midwest before the events of Sept. 11, 2001 pushed it off the front page. Yet Kuiper stuck with it to produce this story.
Tags: Cannabis; hemp; marijuana; drug legalization; Ruby Ridge; Waco; Tommy Chong; stoner; FBI
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Waco Re-examined
The Dallas Morning News reports "a continuing examination of the conduct of government agents during and after the 1993 Branch Davidian siege near Waco, Texas. The News' continuing work on Waco has revealed significant omissions and inaccuracies in the official account of the deadliest tragedy in U.S. law enforcement history. The News' stories have prompted the appointment of a special counsel, former U.S. Sen. John Danforth, to investigate government actions during the standoff. The News' stories have also led to new investigations of the Waco incident by both houses of Congress..."
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Justice, militia style
A new Ohio-based, common-law group is questioning the authority of the federal and state government. Local judges and law enforcement officials are worried that the latest incarnation of the state's "freeman" are better organized and angrier than ever.
Tags: Ruby Ridge; Waco
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Happy Doomsday
Draper investigates the House of Yahweh of Abilene, Texas and its leader, Yisrayl Hawkins. He tries to answer the question: another Waco, or simply wacko? Draper finds Hawkins is an experienced con-artist who changed his name from Buffalo Bill Hawkins in 1982. The self-titled holy man has pulled off a lifetime of shady money-making schemes and created a cult based on his interpretation -- or rejiggering -- of Scripture. In his guarded compound, Hawkins preaches that polygamy is acceptable and that the world will end in 2000.
Tags: cult; Biblical interpretation; manipulation; Hebrew
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The Rise of Militias
Junas examines the recent rise of militia activity across the country. The impact of Ruby Ridge and Waco on the militia movement is discussed. The movement is increasingly hostile to environmental policies and environmentalists.
Tags: None
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No title (id: 13207)
This Penthouse article looks at the striking similarity between Attorney General, Janet Reno's, over-zealous prosecutions of child abusers and child molesters and Reno's conduct in the FBI assault on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas. Penthouse finds Reno used intimidation and coercion of young children to illicit convictions which may have destroyed the lives of innocent adults. (May 1996)
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Ashes of Waco
An investigation of the events at Mt. Carmel in 1993. It traces the history of the Davidian sect, the trajectory of Mt. Carmel's leader, David Koresh, and the actions of the government leading up to the Feb. 28th raid and ending with Mt. Carmel's demise. (1995)
Tags: Waco; FBI; ATF; Alcohol Tobacco Firearms; BOOK
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No title (id: 12953)
The Kansas City Star takes an in-depth look at an Oklahoma white separatist group and Elohim City's founder, Robert Millar who adheres to a doctrine said to have a track record for violence. James Ellison, former leader of a white supramacist paramilitary compound, the Covenant, the Sword and the Arm of the Lord is being groomed as Millar's successor. The Oklahoma City bombing occurred not only on the same date that Richard Snell (now buried at Elohim City) was executed but also on the second anniversary of the fire at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco. It was also 10 years to the day after a federal raid on CSA. (March 17, 1996)
Tags: Thomas Elder of Elohim Common law groups secessionists 4 pgs.
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Larson Waco burns on
On the eve of Congressional hearing on Waco, Time published the results of a three-month investigation which probed America's most hated agency, teh Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The examination focused not only on the agency's role at Waco but its relationship with the National Rifle Association and corruption within the agency.
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No title (id: 12798)
FRONTLINE investigates how the FBI conducted itself during the 51-day standoff in 1993 with the Branch Davidians at Waco, Texas. The report tells the story behind the FBI's actions at Waco, beginning with its extraordinary decision to use armored vehicles against the religious sect and ending with its tear-gas assault against the Branch Davidians' compound. (Oct. 17, 1995)