Engelman: Been a lot of movies made, a lot of videos made, about,
Mt. Carmel. And, some are better than others. There was one that was made
last year that followed, five years of, investigation. Unbelievable amounts
of, hours, interviews. Was nominated for an Academy Award. And we
here, that know what took place in Waco, never thought that a video, on
Waco, what took place at Mt. Carmel, would ever be Acad-, nominated for
an Academy Award. But there was one guy, that dedicated five years of his
life- to put that movie together- and I'd like to introduce him now. The
producer
of "Waco: The Rules of Engagement," Mike McNulty. [enthusiastic applause,
cheering]
Thank you, uh, Ron, and thank you for, Clive, uh, for having me here today. (Engelman adjusts microphone) Oops. OK...
I don't have anything political to say. Um- I think the events that took place here five years ago transcend politics. However I would remind all of you that I see sitting here: attorneys, people who were involved, and others who are interested- that it's up to all of you to decide what to do about this. Or if something should be done. Or if something needs to be done. I think that's probably the question I want to address today. Uh, I've been out to this place a number of times. And- the kind of thing, that I experience when I come here is probably- strongest when none of you are here. All due respect. But when it's quiet and the wind blows- I hear the sounds of fading battle. The horrific sounds of battle. Passing away into the wind. I hear, the sounds of breaking hearts of mothers and fathers. The sounds of fear in children's voices. And then those pass. And then I hear, the questions. Perhaps it's those that died here, asking those questions. The federal agents, the children, the men, the women. But I hear those questions. And that's what's driven me to do what I've done. Because those questions need to be answered. They can't just be jawed about, can't just be talked about. They can't just have, hundreds of hours of dedicated work, done in their behalf. They have to be acted upon. And those are the questions, the strongest ones come from, the children themselves. "Why did we have to die?" Why did these children die? Who killed them? What's been done about it?
These are the kinds of questions that we started to attempt to ask,
and answer, in our first film. I think we've made a little progress. There's,
thanks to be given, because of that film being made- to a lot of people.
The people who were involved in the situation: Branch Davidians. People
in law enforcement- who thought, this wasn't right. People who were involved
in what happened here, directly and indirectly. And they all deserve credit.
But- ladies and gentlemen, the, the questions still aren't answered. Because
if they were, there'd be a different attitude and atmosphere here.
And those questions are, who killed those children? And why? I see some
of the attorneys here, who are working on the civil case. I've seen attorneys
who've been involved in, some of the criminal case activities. Those are
our chosen venues, of where to get answers to questions like these. But
they're not getting the answers. That's disturbing. Putting five years
of your life into something- you'd sort of like to see some results! Now,
I've- had an opportunity to, receive some benefit of those results. So,
as a part of that process, we're making a second film about Waco. Or Mt.
Carmel. [F: "Yeah!" applause] Please don't applaud yet. [laughter]
You see, the reason I'm making this second film, is because there's more
information. There are more little bits and pieces, and answers, in some
small degree- I found that one of the benefits of having been an Academy
Award nominee is, is that, certain people talk to you now where they wouldn't
before. OK. And likewise, there's certain people that won't talk to you
just because of that reason. I've, asked questions, of people like, Dick
Rogers. And, Bob Ricks. And Jeff Jamar. I've asked questions of people
like the Texas Rangers that, handled the case. I've asked questions of,
judges, prosecutors- I've asked questions of Davidians. And not everyone's
prepared to give answers. I think there's things to be said that, aren't
going to be said. I worry about that. Because you see, I still come out
here, and I still hear the voices of those children. Wanting to know why.
And if we don't give answer to it, then we all have to live with that.
Someday we may have to stand in front of those children, physically and
personally, and answer the question, why? Who? How? Now some people choose
to react to that, politically. They're going to find a way to struggle
in, within the context of government, to change things. That's not the
only way to do it. Each of us has a responsibility because, you're here.
You live in this country, you live here now- you have a responsibility.
Now you can choose to ignore that, or you can choose to do something about
it. Hopefully, what you choose to do is not the same kind of thing
that Timothy McVeigh and his friends did. That wasn't appropriate. Wasn't
good. All it did was create more victims. But then on the other hand, (laughing)
everybody can go out and make a movie! I didn't think I could. I hope that
stands as some example to you- that you can go out and do crazy and wild
things, folks. Good things- but nevertheless things you wouldn't expect
of yourself. So, it seems that one of the byproducts of what happened here
is, is that we have, an opportunity to be greater than what we might have
otherwise been. I know there's certain of you that have come here for the
first time in five years. Because it's been too painful, for you
to deal with it. I understand that pain. But I would encourage you to take
it and use it, to find the answers for those questions coming from
those dead children. If you do, in the end this will all be all right.
And if you don't, it will happen again. So please remember that- as you
leave today. It's up to each of you- you might not think so, you think
what can I do, oh I can't do anything. It's up to people like Sarah Bain-
who sat for an interview for me, for this new film we're doing. It's up
to people like the attorneys working on this case; as much time
and money as they've devoted to this- as much sacrifice as they've
put into it- they have to keep doing more. And why? Because the children's
voices have to be answered. It's just that simple. Otherwise that will
haunt all of us for the rest of our lives. Perhaps the lives of our children
as well. So it is that we have a need to fulfill. We have to find those
answers. If we do, we'll all become better people for it. If we don't-
then ultimately we could become part of that problem that the gentleman
mentioned earlier. So we have obligations and responsibilities. But please
do it joyously. Do it- in a way- that's positive. It may, wind up, providing
some answers we don't want to hear. But what did the Savior say about that?
"Truth shall set you free?" So let us be free- let us behave as if we are
free, and we shall be. Let each of us go forward from this place today,
and do the kinds of things that each of us are capable of doing, within
the realm of what we can do- but do it. Don't hesitate, don't wait. Do
what's necessary to find the answers to those questions that are still,
ringing in the ears of all of us here today- as we listen to the spirits
of those children- that are no longer with us. Thank you. [applause]
Engelman: Thank you, Mike. Based on "Waco: The Rules of Engagement," I'm sure the addendum is going to be just as good or better...
NEXT SPEAKER: James Brannon
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