Behold: My Kingdom: April 2009

Can you believe that the crazy raid on David Koresh's compound in Waco, TX was already 16 years ago? Where has the time gone? Thanks to my 7th grade social studies teacher, Mrs. Talbot, I followed this story quite closely. The raid on the compound started on February 28, 1993 and came to an end on April 19, 1993 when David Koresh set fire to the place. I don't remember exactly, but I think like 70 or 80 people died altogether, many of whom were children. It's a horrible

story and obviously a tragedy.

What really struck me at the time of the raid and ever since, though, was one of the tactics used by the FBI or whoever it was who raided the compound. All day and all night, they blasted this song over loud speakers outside the compound. I like to believe that it was the song that eventually led to David Koresh losing his mind and burning everything he'd worked for his entire life.

What would that say to you if you were the writer or performer of that song? I can just see the FBI boss guy being like, "Hmm...we've got to drive these guys out. What can we possibly do? What could we do that would make their lives in the compound so miserable that they would go insane and give up?"

I can see the guy at the long table in the board room who responded. I'm betting he was new on the job--a real eager beaver. "Uh...boss?" The experienced agents roll their eyes wondering how he'll make a fool out of himself. "I was listening to the radio today and I heard this song..."

The boss looks at the American flag in the corner of the room and walks over to the window. He pauses as if to take in the scene outside the window for a moment. He slowly rocks from his toes to his heels, turns around and casually takes off his glasses. "I don't like it," he replies, "I love it. Get a blank tape and record 'These Boots are Made for Walking' in the same fashion Ben Belnap made his tape of 'Highway to the Danger Zone' in 1987--the same song recorded over and over again on both sides of the tape. Let's put this thing to bed." And he walks out of the room without calling the meeting to a close.

And so the tale was born.

But on this 16th anniversary, I'm driven to think what song would drive me to insanity, pushing me to the point of burning everything I own and have worked for my whole life for, including my family and loved ones. I have come up with three finalists as I have racked my brain over the past few days. I present them with no explanation and in no particular order. I simply dedicate them to David Koresh on the 16th anniversary of his death.

David, if you really are in hell, these songs are probably playing all the time over Satan's loudspeakers anyway, but I dedicate them to you nonetheless.

Number 1: "Muskrat Love" by Captain and Tenille