April 19, 1995: Phil Arnold, Reunion Institute

Ron Engelman: Another gentleman, the next gentleman I'd like to introduce you to, and I haven't seen him yet, I, I just hope he's real, real close. Was here in, uh, in Waco and in Houston, and he's with the Reunion Institute, a doctor of, uh, religion- And, I had him on my radio program when I used to work on radio. And he, uh, and another doctor, tried to explain, what David Koresh was doing with the Seven Seals, and where he thought maybe the, the Branch Davidians were, in, in accordance with the Seven Seals. He then was contacted by the FBI, and as I understand it, uh, had numerous conversations with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. And if he's here, uh, I'd like to welcome now, uh, Phil Arnold from the Reunion Institute. Is Phil here?

So maybe we can come back to, uh, Dr. Arnold in a few... Is he here, is he coming? Oh, thanks, Dick.

Uh, as I mentioned, Dr. Arnold, uh, advised the, uh, government, uh, about the Branch Davidians, and where he thought that the Branch Davidians beliefs were centered. It was very, very difficult at that time, because, no one on the outside, myself and most of the- here he comes!- and most of the others involved, uh, that became involved, didn't know much, about the Branch Davidians, had never heard of the Branch Davidians, didn't know who David Thibodeau was. And it was, that made it very difficult for us to, understand exactly what it was the Branch Davidians, were doing and were saying. But right now he, he is here, and, uh, I'd like to bring him up right now. Dr. Phil Arnold of the Reunion Institute. Dr. Arnold? [applause]

Good to see everyone once again. Was here last year. Here we have gathered again today. A day as we already know is fraught with tragedy north of us in Oklahoma City. And I'm sure, we all know what happened this morning. And the latest report I have, of course, is that several children have been found dead, I'm sure you all have talked about that. And I want to pause for just twenty seconds, as a moment of silent reflection, before I begin talking about the tragedy that happened here, two years ago. So twenty seconds please of just contemplating, what happened as this building shook, as debris fell, as people screamed, as people were injured, as people died. A repetition of what happened here two years ago in many ways. A moment of silence.

(moment of silence)

Thank you.

When I look out across this audience, I see many people from many different walks of life. I see people on the far right politically. From the far right religiously. Then I find people also on the far left. Religiously and politically. I see people from different races.

together. [applause]