Waco (TV Mini Series)

Operation Showtime (2018)

Eric Lange: Ron Engelman

Quotes 

• Ron Engelman : The thing I don't get, this seemed to be a military operation against U.S. citizens; which is completely illegal, by the way. There's a law against that. It's called posse comitatus. And your cousin Bubba might be like "Ron, why you gettin' so worked up? Basically the same thing, ain't it?". No. It's not the same thing. Law enforcement and military force are two very different functions. Law enforcement is all about de-escalating conflict. You aren't allowed to shoot unless shot at. They strive toward a peaceful conclusion, you know? Military force, on the other hand, is about inflicting more pain on an enemy than he can inflict on you. So I ask you, why is our government using military force...

  [a co-worker taps on the window and holds up a sign reading "Koresh on line 3!"] 

  Ron Engelman : ...on civilians? Folks, you're never gonna believe this, but I have David Koresh on the line right now.

• Ron Engelman : Mr. Koresh? Mr. Koresh, are you there?

  David Koresh : Yes, I am. What's left of me, anyways.

  Ron Engelman : Can you tell us what happened today?

  David Koresh : What happened today was un-American.

  Ron Engelman : How are you guys holding up there?

  David Koresh : Not good. There's a bunch of us shot dead. You know, we have kids in here.

  Gary Noesner : [at the command post]  Get the lines consolidated yet?

  Walter Graves : Almost. I asked HRT for help. They said they'd get on it.

  Gary Noesner : Yeah, don't expect any favors from those guys.

• Tony Prince : Koresh is on the radio. Why can he still call out? I don't want him committing suicide on live air.

  Gary Noesner : Mitch! Mitch.

  Mitch Decker : [to another HRT agent]  You got that secure?

  Gary Noesner : Hey, didn't my guy ask you to cut the line?

  Mitch Decker : Getting to it. Still securing the perimeter.

  Tony Prince : Cut it! What's the matter with you? Cut the line! They're on the radio!

  Mitch Decker : [into his walkie-talkie]  Hey, somebody cut the line. Over. Cut the line!

  David Koresh : [on the radio]  And I never planned on using those weapons. And the problem is, the people on the outside don't understand what we bel...

  Ron Engelman : [he's suddenly cut off]  David? David, are you there?

  Mitch Decker : Line's cut.

  Gary Noesner : All right. Re-establish a connection. Get me on the phone with Koresh.

  David Koresh : [inside the compound, he hangs up the phone]  They cut us off.