This 2001 book was written by Christopher Whitcomb, an FBI sniper on the Hostage Rescue Team. He participated in both the Ruby Ridge and Waco (Branch Davidian compound) assaults. Cold Zero gives a good account as to the mind-set of the FBI in the 1980s and 90s. Whitcomb joined the FBI in 1987 and eventually applies and becomes an HRT sniper. Very telling is that members of HRT called themselves "operators, warriors, preparing for war and combat". Their gear is referred to as "kits", and Whitcomb even uses a quote from a SAS member. Maybe it is this warrior mentality that gave them the justification for killing women and children.
In his descriptions of both of these instances, Whitcomb uses the justification of the FBI's actions because Federal agents were killed in both cases. In the Ruby Ridge assault, Whitcomb describes that a Federal Marshal was kill, but NO mention (at all) of Randy's 14 year old son being killed in the initial engagement. No mention either of the killing of the unarmed Mrs. Weaver. In describing the ATF assault by some 40 military-clad agents, Whitcomb only mentions that the ATF agents were shot. They were only there doing their job in serving warrants.
Whitcomb later commends Louis Freeh (the new FBI Director) for reshaping the FBI and putting over 40 FBI offices in foreign countries. Since this book came out in 2001, there is no mention of 9/11 or the creation of Homeland Security. With this attack on American soil, our federal agencies have drastically change since this book was published.
In his descriptions of both of these instances, Whitcomb uses the justification of the FBI's actions because Federal agents were killed in both cases. In the Ruby Ridge assault, Whitcomb describes that a Federal Marshal was kill, but NO mention (at all) of Randy's 14 year old son being killed in the initial engagement. No mention either of the killing of the unarmed Mrs. Weaver. In describing the ATF assault by some 40 military-clad agents, Whitcomb only mentions that the ATF agents were shot. They were only there doing their job in serving warrants.
Whitcomb later commends Louis Freeh (the new FBI Director) for reshaping the FBI and putting over 40 FBI offices in foreign countries. Since this book came out in 2001, there is no mention of 9/11 or the creation of Homeland Security. With this attack on American soil, our federal agencies have drastically change since this book was published.
