David Bunds replies to his critics

[John,

Please post this in the appropriate area on your website.

Thank you.]

To My Critics:

    Certain persons (including a specific person) have given me feedback
indirectly about my e-mails to John and I have gotten the impression
that they are upset and feel that I should not be writing e-mails and
having them posted on web sites.  I have also gotten the impression that
this certain person thinks that I am sticking my nose into something
that is not my business so I would like to take this opportunity to
defend myself against these kinds of accusations.

    First, let me state for the record that I believe that the ATF and
the FBI were unjust in their dealings with the Branch-Davidians.  I also
believe that the men who are currently in prison are there unjustly and
I hope that the current revelations of the lies of the FBI  will result
in re-trials for these men and their release.  That would be justice.

    Having said all that, let me now say that it is possible to believe
that both the FBI and David Koresh were wrong in what they did.  In this
matter people have a very strong tendency to polarize.  Either they
demonize Koresh and praise the FBI or they demonize the FBI and praise
Koresh.  It is rare to find someone who will be critical of all the
parties involved in the Branch-Davidian tragedy.  People might have
gotten the impression from my e-mails that I am pro FBI.  Let state
categorically that I am not.

    Now I will directly address my critics.  I have every right to
discuss my views with others on this subject and I will continue to do
so.  The things that I write about are based on first hand knowledge
that I acquired during my over five years in the group.  I knew David
Koresh personally.  I was there when he said certain things.  There are
not too many people in the world today who can say this.  Therefore I am
in the unique position to give my perspective on the matter.

    As to the accusation that I am nosing into other peoples business:
I find it difficult to understand how anyone could take that position.
Let me therefore restate my qualifications.  I was five years old when
my father joined the Branch Davidian group and I therefore became one
myself by default.  I was 18 when I joined David Koresh and his
message.  I met and married my wife (who was born and raised a Branch
Davidian) in the group and our marriage was sanctioned by Koresh.  My
sister and mother were considered his wives at one point and my sister
is the mother of one of only four surviving children of David Koresh.
My wife was taken by Koresh one day for a ride and told that she had to
leave me and become his wife.  It was only her threats against him that
prevented this. I could go on and on but I think that I have made my
point.  I am more than qualified and also justified in discussing
publicly the experiences of my life and my perspectives on them.  Anyone
who disagrees with this can go jump as far as I am concerned.

    As for the e-mails let my explain my feelings while writing them.
One may get the impression from them that I did not like David Koresh,
in fact you may get the impression that I hated him.  This is true.  Let
me clarify this.

    I love my wife more than words can express.  She is the best thing
that ever happened to me.  Koresh on the other hand hated my wife for
reasons that are to complex to go into here.  Let's just say that his
reasons were based on his own sick and twisted perceptions of reality.
His treatment of her was completely unjustified.  He told lies about her
and in general made her life a living hell.  He treated her like the
scum on the bottom of his shoe.  So it is only natural that I hate him
back for the way that he treated her.  He never said he was sorry, not
one time.  I hope people can understand this simple reaction.  There are
other reasons that I hate him too, but it is enough for you to
understand this one.

    Now others have had a different experience with Koresh.  I even
heard one follower say that he was kind!  I have a hard time
understanding this but I accept it indicative of other peoples
experiences.  I hope that others will show me the same courtesy and
understand that I have a right to my own views on these matters and also
the right to discuss them publicly so that others may gain insight from
what I have to say.

    To those who still disagree with what I am doing after they have
read this:  I respect your right to disagree with me but why not take
the direct approach and tell me how you feel instead of through indirect
means.  My e-mail address is: dbunds@flash.net.  It would be nice to get
some specifics from you instead of just hearsay and rumors.