December 27, 2017


News and Views


48 HOURS, WACO – THIS IS A GREAT RENDERING OF ONE OF THE MOST HORRIFIC NEWS STORIES THAT, LIKE THE VIETNAM WAR, UNFOLDED DETAIL BY DETAIL BEFORE OUR EYES IN 1993. THE SURPRISING HERO IS A DELIVERY DRIVER AND HIS WIFE. WHEN HE TOLD HER THAT ONE OF THE BOXES HAD OPENED TO REVEAL GRENADES, SHE MADE THE DECISION TO GO TO THE LOCAL SHERIFF, WHO REPORTED IT TO THE ATF. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER AS CITIZENS IN A WIDE-OPEN COUNTRY LIKE THIS IS THE SIMPLE PHRASE, “IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.”

THOUGH THE KORESH PROBLEM LIES IN THE PAST AT WACO, THEY AREN’T THE ONLY DANGEROUS “RELIGIOUS” GROUP. OUR LAWS NEED TO COVER THE FACT THAT NOT ALL GROUPS WHO ANNOUNCE THEMSELVES TO BE “RELIGIONS” OR “FAITHS” ARE. THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS HAVE BEEN THREATENED IN THE LAST 15 OR SO YEARS WITH THE REMOVAL OF OUR TAX-FREE STATUS. THAT WAS BECAUSE THE CHURCH DOES NOT VIEW JESUS AS A PART OF THE GODHEAD, BUT AS A GREAT PROPHET AND MOST INFLUENTIAL TEACHER INSTEAD. IN FACT, THEY HAVE NO MANDATED DOGMA AT ALL, INCLUDING A BELIEF IN ANY GOD. MANY OF OUR PEOPLE ARE BUDDHIST, MOST ARE ETHICAL HUMANISTS, ANOTHER MEDITATIVE RELIGION, OR EVEN ATHEISTS. THEY ARE “POLITICAL” IN THE WAYS THAT QUAKERS ARE, STRONGLY ADVOCATING HUMAN RIGHTS INSTEAD; FAIR RACIAL RELATIONS ARE ALSO A GREAT PART OF THEIR FAITH, AND THEY CAN OFTEN BE SEEN AT CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVITIES. THE FAITH IS COMMITTED TO NONVIOLENCE AND NEVER PROSELYTIZE. THEY JUST DON’T REPRESENT A SECURITY THREAT IN ANY WAY. WHY DON’T WE DO AWAY WITH ALL TAX-FREE STATUS FOR GROUPS ENTIRELY? IN MY VIEWPOINT, THAT WOULD SOLVE MOST OF OUR SPECIAL PRIVILEGE PROBLEMS IN THIS COUNTRY, AND DRIVE OUT THOSE WHO ARE INTO THE POLITICO/ECONOMIC “RELIGION GAME,” FOR THE MONEY OR POWER ONLY. THAT WOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARD CLEANING UP THE SWAMP, AS TRUMP IS FOND OF REFERRING TO THE GOVERNMENT.

ONE THING IS CLEAR TO ME -- CHARISMATIC FUNDAMENTALIST RELIGION IS A DANGEROUS THING, JUST AS MUCH AS A LOADED GUN, AND IN A VERY SIMILAR WAY. THE GUN WON’T KILL ANYONE 99.9% OF THE TIME ON ITS’ OWN, BUT IF A MERE CHILD OR A PSYCHOTIC INDIVIDUAL GETS IT, THE RESULTS ARE WELL KNOWN. WHAT SOME DON’T KNOW IS THAT A LOADED GUN WHICH ALSO HAS NO SAFETY MECHANISM CAN “GO OFF” BY FALLING ONTO THE FLOOR IN THE WRONG WAY.

THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT IN THESE RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL CASES, THE WEAPON IS A HUMAN BEING. I USED TO DEFEND TOTAL FREEDOM OF RELIGION, BUT I NOW FEEL THAT IT NEEDS TO BE JUDGED CASE BY CASE ON THE SPECIFIC EVIDENCE. WE NEED TO LOOK AT WAYS TO SPOT AS MANY INSANE PEOPLE WITHOUT MASS SURVEILLANCE AS WE CAN – A SPECIAL KIND OF “NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH, FOR INSTANCE. I DEFINITELY WOULDN’T WANT THAT TO INCLUDE ALL MUSLIMS, BUT THOSE MUSLIM PREACHERS WHO ADVOCATE VIOLENCE AND THEIR FOLLOWERS AS WELL, SHOULD BE SCREENED FOR A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE AND MENTAL DISTURBANCE. PREACHING VIOLENCE IS IN THE SAME CATEGORY, IN MY VIEW.

MANY OF THE MENTALLY DISTURBED PEOPLE IN THE USA ARE DRAWN TO RELIGION, THE MORE DOGMATIC AND FIERY THE BETTER. THERE ARE ACTUALLY SOME SNAKE HANDLER GROUPS IN THE MOUNTAINS OF THE EAST COAST, AND ALMOST CERTAINLY ELSEWHERE AS WELL. I SAW A VIDEO OF SOME FROM DEEP IN THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS AND THE APPEAL IS OBVIOUS – IT IS PART OF A SERMON OF INTENSE, RANTING “PREACHING,” AND ACCOMPANIED BY EQUALLY INTENSE “MUSIC” OF DRUMS, GUITAR, TAMBOURINE AND OTHER LOUD AND RHYTHMICAL CHANTING/SINGING.

IT CREATES A MENTAL CONDITION OF EUPHORIA. EXCITEMENT IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A DEFINITE “HIGH,” JUST LIKE MARIJUANA. WHEN THE MUSIC AND “DANCING” WAS AT A FEVER PITCH, TWO OR THREE BOXES OF LIVE SNAKES WAS BROUGHT IN AND TO PROVE THEIR FAITH, MEMBERS WOULD LIFT A SNAKE UP INTO THE AIR AND RHYTHMICALLY WAVE IT AROUND. THE IDEA IS THAT IF YOU ARE BITTEN, THE LEVEL OF YOUR FAITH WILL DETERMINE WHETHER YOU LIVE OR DIE. NOT MY KIND OF RELIGION. I LIKE THE MORE PENSIVE KINDS.

IN THIS EFFORT TO DISCOVER AND WEED OUT THE MENTALLY ILL, I DON’T BELIEVE BLANKET SURVEILLANCE OF ALL FUNDAMENTALISTS PEOPLE SHOULD BE ALLOWED, HOWEVER. THE TOUCHSTONE NEEDS TO BE CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR OR EXPRESSED INTENT BY SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS TO DO AGGRESSIVE THINGS. IN ONE NEWS ARTICLE THE IMAM HIMSELF HAD REPORTED AN INDIVIDUAL AS BEING UNBALANCED, SO THAT HE COULD BE HOSPITALIZED. PAINTING THEM ALL AS DANGEROUS IS NOT ONLY A MISTAKE, IT IS THE BEGINNING OF THE WORST HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES. ONE THING THAT HAS BEEN DONE IS TO SEND IN A WATCHER TO THE MOSQUE OF CERTAIN KNOWN RADICAL IMAMS AND ARREST THEM IF THEY BREAK THE LAW. THERE WAS A FAMOUS CASE IN BRITAIN IN WHICH A DANGEROUS IMAM WAS ARRESTED. PREACHING ISN’T ILLEGAL, BUT ADVOCATING VIOLENCE IS.

TO VIOLATE THAT PRINCIPLE OF INDIVIDUAL RATHER THAN GROUP GUILT, HOWEVER, IS TO ALLOW AND EVEN ENCOURAGE GOVERNMENT VIOLENCE AGAINST RACIAL OR ETHNIC GROUPS, WHICH IS ANATHEMA TO MOST INTELLIGENT AND DECENT AMERICANS. WE MUSTN’T FORGET EITHER, THAT THE NATIVE AMERICANS WERE ALMOST DECIMATED BY WHITES. IT ISN'T BECAUSE WE HAVE WHITE SKIN, BUT BECAUSE ANY HIGHLY IDENTIFIABLE CHARACTERISTIC LIKE SKIN COLOR BECOMES A FLAG OF OUR "DIFFERENCE." WHOEVER, THE WHITES OR ANY OF THE OTHER GROUPS, WHEN IN TOO LARGE A POPULATION AND INCOME BALANCE OVER THE "OTHERS," WILL TEND TO BECOME UNFAIR TO VIOLENT. WHY? BECAUSE WE KNOW WE CAN GET AWAY WITH IT. WHY DOES YOUR YOUNG SON REPEATEDLY BATTER HIS YOUNGER SIBLING? FOR THE VERY SAME REASON. RACIALISM DOESN’T JUST MEAN ASSAULTS ON BLACK PEOPLE. SINCE I HAVE BEEN DOING THESE ARTICLES THERE WERE ATTACKS ON VIETNAMESE AND KOREANS IN TWO CASES, PLUS THE INDIAN SIKHS. THEIR SKIN COLOR AND TURBANS MAKE THEM "THE ENEMY" TO MANY OVERLY NATIONALISTIC AND GROUP ORIENTED PEOPLE. THOSE FAR EASTERN GROUPS ARE USUALLY GOOD CITIZENS RATHER THAN THE OTHER WAY AROUND, SO THEY REALLY DON’T DESERVE ABUSE. OTHER GROUPS DON'T EITHER, NO MATTER WHAT OUR PERCEPTION OF THEM. WE NEED TO BE A NATION WHO ARE MUCH LESS GIVEN TO ABUSING OR EVEN KILLING ANYONE. THE AMOUNT OF SHEER VIOLENCE IN THIS COUNTRY MAKES ME SAD WHEN I THINK OF IT, WHICH IS ALMOST EVERY DAY THAT I READ ALL THE ARTICLES. I DO TRY TO EXPOSE AND POINT UP SUCH THINGS. LOTS OF PEOPLE THINK THAT IS UNFAIR ON MY PART, BUT I DON'T. I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD BE EXPOSED WHEN THEY DO POINTLESS ACTS OF EVIL, AND IT DEFINITELY MAKES PEOPLE PAY ATTENTION AND VOTE FOR THE GOOD MORE THAN THEY DO THE EVIL. YES, I CONSIDER WHITE PRIVILEGE TO BE EVIL.

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY EXTREME RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN THE USA WHO SETTLED DOWN OVER TIME INTO A PEACEFUL COMMUNITY. MISTREATMENT BASED ON RELIGIOUS BELIEFS PER SE SHOULDN’T BE TOLERATED -- IF THE PEOPLE DON’T TERRORIZE THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY SETTLE, WE SHOULD LEAVE THEM ALONE. BY THAT I AM THINKING OF “SOVEREIGN CITIZENS,” IN PARTICULAR, WHO ARE SIMPLY ANARCHISTS, WHOSE MANY RUN-INS WITH THE LAW AND THE GOOD CITIZENS HAVE GIVEN THEM A TERRIBLE REPUTATION. THEY PORTRAY THEMSELVES AS A POLITICAL MOVEMENT, WHEN IN MY VIEW THEY ARE LIKE THE KKK, A CRIME SYNDICATE. MY FAVORITE STORY ABOUT THEM WAS WHEN ONE OF THEIR MEMBERS BECAME ANGRY AT HIS NEIGHBOR OVER SOMETHING, AND PUT A LIVE RATTLESNAKE IN HIS MAILBOX. THEY’RE BOTH UNBALANCED AND MALICIOUS. THEY TARGET SMALL TOWNS IN BACKWATERS LIKE THE HINTERLANDS OF PENNSYLVANIA OR MAINE, WHICH HAVE LESS DEFENSE AGAINST THEM THAN DO A LARGER AND MORE POWERFUL CITY GOVERNMENT.

AMONG THE RELIGIOUS CULTS, THE DAVID KORESH GROUP WERE AMONG THE WORST, IN MY VIEW. ANY OF THOSE WHO MIX EXTREME AND IRRATIONAL EMOTIONALITY, ANIMAL OR HUMAN SACRIFICE OR DIVINATION, ANY GROUP HATRED, EXTREME POLITICS, ISOLATIONISM, AND/OR COERCED SEX ARE SO DANGEROUS THAT I DON’T BELIEVE TOTAL FREEDOM SHOULD BE GUARANTEED TO THEM. OH, YES. I FORGOT TO MENTION “ROOTS AND VOODOO.” I FEEL THE SAME WAY ABOUT POLITICAL “MOVEMENTS” WHO ARE ACTUALLY TRYING TO DESTROY AMERICAN SOCIETY. THE ALT-RIGHT IS ONE SUCH GROUP, AND THERE ARE SOME CHURCHES THAT ARE AGAINST ANYONE WHO IS “DIFFERENT.” THE WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH COMES TO MIND.

IN SHORT, SOCIETAL SAFETY IS ALSO VITALLY IMPORTANT TO THE NATION, RIGHT ALONGSIDE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. THE GROUPS LIKE THE QUAKERS WHO, WHILE POLITICAL, ARE AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN NONVIOLENT AND PHILOSOPHICAL. THEY ARE A POSITIVE AND HELPFUL INFLUENCE ON THE NATION. THEY ARE KNOWN FOR REFUSING TO FIGHT IN THE ARMY AND FOR HARBORING RUNAWAY SLAVES, WHICH MADE THEM UNPOPULAR FOR A TIME, BUT ANY FAIR-MINDED PERSON WILL ADMIT THAT SLAVERY AND WAR ARE DESPICABLE PRACTICES. TO ME, THEY STAND AS HEROES RATHER THAN “OUTLAWS.”

AS FOR THE KORESH GROUP, I REMEMBER THE NEWS FOOTAGE OF DOZENS OF CARS FULL OF MEMBERS WITH GUNS DRIVING UP AND DOWN THE TEXAS COUNTRY ROAD TO WHAT BECAME THEIR COMPOUND AND IN THE NEARBY CITY OF WACO. THEY HAD VIOLENT OR THREATENING INTERACTIONS WITH LOCAL CITIZENS. SHORTLY AFTERWARD CAME ATF AND OTHER FEDERAL GOVERNMENT VEHICLES, SOME ARMORED. THE SIGHT OF ALL THAT GAVE ME THE PROVERBIAL “COLD CHILL DOWN MY SPINE.” SOME OTHER RIGHTIST GROUPS IN THE WEST HATE THE ATF TODAY, BECAUSE OF THEIR FORCEFUL REACTION TO THIS, BUT I WAS GLAD WHEN THE GOVERNMENT FORCES ENTERED THE SCENE AND CONFRONTED THAT GROUP. I DON’T WANT TO BE HEARTLESS, BUT I WANTED THEM BROKEN UP AND JAILED. IT IS SAD THAT SO MANY WERE KILLED OR INJURED IN THE TERRIBLE FIRE THAT ENSUED, BUT THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TURN THEMSELVES IN AND LEAVE THE AREA. THE FIRE WAS AN ERROR. SOME THOUGHT THAT THE HEAVY WEAPON USE IGNITED POWDER THAT WAS STORED IN THE COMPOUND. KORESH WAS PREPARED FOR A WAR. WATCH THE VIDEO TAPE ABOUT THIS. AS WITH ALL 48 HOURS PRESENTATIONS, I COULDN’T STOP WATCHING IT.

LARGE GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE BORDERLINE INSANE MOVING INTO AN AREA UNDER THE GUISE OF RELIGION SHOULDN’T BE ALLOWED. IT JUST ISN’T SAFE. THERE IS NO LAW PREVENTING MENTAL HEALTH EXAMINATION OF IMMIGRANTS AND SUSPICIOUS GROUPS OF ANY KIND, I DON’T BELIEVE, IF THEY HAVE EXHIBITED ANY HOSTILE OR BIZARRE BEHAVIOR –SUCH AS THE SOVEREIGN CITIZENS. THERE WAS A FAIRLY RECENT NEWS INTERVIEW SIMILAR TO THIS 48 HOURS SHOW ABOUT SOVEREIGN CITIZENS, AND THEY ARE DEFINITELY NOT ONLY HOSTILE, THEY SEEM TO BE TO BE TRULY DERANGED. PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE LOCAL SHERIFFS SHOULD BE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER TO DEAL WITH THEM.

THE MORMONS, OF COURSE, ARE NOW PACIFIED AND HAVE ONLY ONE WIFE, AT LEAST AS FAR AS OUTSIDERS KNOW, BUT THEY WAGED AN ALL-OUT WAR AGAINST AUTHORITIES IN THE 1800S, AND LIKE KORESH FOLLOWERS, HAD MULTIPLE WIVES AND A NUMBER OF OTHER BELIEFS THAT SEEM OUTLANDISH AND EVEN CRIMINAL TO CHRISTIANS AND JEWS ALIKE. THE WORST PROBLEM WITH THE MORMONS, OTHER THAN THE MANY THOUSANDS OF MEMBERS WHO TOOK OVER MUCH OF THE STATE OF UTAH, IS THAT THEY HAVE SHOWN A PENCHANT FOR OPEN VIOLENCE IN THE PAST. A HOSTILE ARMED GROUP IS NOT A RELIGION.

WE ALSO SHOULD STOP ALLOWING ANY RELIGION A TAX-FREE STATUS. MOST RELIGIONS ACTUALLY HAVE A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY, AND THAT STATUS ALONE IS AN “INCENTIVE” TO CREATE MORE SUCH GROUPS WHO ARE LITTLE MORE THAN BUSINESSES. I’M FOR DISCONTINUING THE PRACTICE ENTIRELY. FREEDOM OF RELIGION IS WRITTEN INTO THE CONSTITUTION, BUT NOT FREEDOM FROM TAXATION. THEY’RE LIKE MEDICAL DOCTORS, WHO USED TO BE REVERED ALMOST AS SAINTS BY MANY. IT’S BEEN MANY YEARS SINCE THEY WERE “POOR AS CHURCH MICE,” AND NEEDED FINANCIAL AID FROM THE GOVERNMENT. IN OTHER WORDS, I WANT TO SEE A LEGAL FRAMEWORK IN WHICH HAVING ONES' OWN PERSONAL "CHURCH" IS NO LONGER THE CASH COW BEHIND WHICH THE ALT-RIGHT CAN HIDE, OR A CON ARTIST CAN GROW MIRACULOUSLY WEALTHY. (WATCH THE GREAT OLD MOVIE, "ELMER GANTRY.")

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/waco-siege-48-hours-reveals-new-details-in-deadly-texas-standoff/
"48 HOURS" REVEALS NEW DETAILS IN DEADLY 1993 WACO, TEXAS, STANDOFF
"I've kept my story secret for the last 25 years," says UPS driver Larry Gilbreath. "I didn't want to take this to my grave."
Dec 26, 2017

In his first interview ever, a retired Texas United Parcel Service driver reveals to 48 Hours that he unwittingly delivered large boxes of military grade guns and ammunition to Branch Davidian cult leader David Koresh in the months and weeks before the siege that would capture the attention of the world in 1993. Now, as the 25th anniversary of the standoff nears, Peter Van Sant and "48 Hours" investigate the cult and what led to a deadly 51-day siege in "Secrets of Waco," airing Friday, Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

As a delivery driver, Larry Gilbreath was one of the few people in the community to regularly go into the Branch Davidian compound, giving him a unique insight into the cult and their activities.

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From left, Grace Adams, Joann Vaega and Larry Gilbreath reveal new details to "48 Hours" in "Secrets of Waco"

A quarter century after God, guns and government collided violently in the quiet Texas town of Waco, "48 Hours" reports on what led to the deadly standoff that still resonates today. It began with a shootout between ATF agents and Branch Davidian followers that left four agents and six of Koresh's followers dead. That event would bring in a large FBI task force to negotiate a peaceful surrender. That didn't happen. After the 51-day standoff, Koresh's compound was destroyed after government tanks rammed the building and agents fired tear gas. More than 70 followers died, nearly two dozen were children, after the buildings erupted into a fireball.

"Even though it's been 25 years, there are still revelations and reasons why this story still haunts the American people," says investigative journalist Lee Hancock, a CBS News consultant.

Hancock has covered Waco for more than two decades and is considered a leading expert on the cult.

"Waco was a tale of a religious fringe group that decided to fight back against the federal government and murdered federal law enforcement, and then at the end of the siege burned themselves up rather than come out," Hancock says.

VIDEO -- Branch Davidian cult leader David Koresh

"48 Hours" explores the years-long path that led to the growth of Koresh as a cult leader, the stories of sexual and physical abuse to his followers, and how he was able to lead them into battle with the government through interviews with law enforcement agents, Koresh disciples, and survivors of the standoff.

Grace Adams, a New Zealander who fled Koresh's abuse after being locked in a 10-foot by 8-foot room for four months, details some of the horrors she experienced with the Branch Davidians for the first time in an American television network interview. She details Koresh's behavior, including sexually abusing girls as young as 12.

"As a woman, you needed to have sex with David in order to go to heaven," Adams says.

Adams tells Van Sant, rather than face the unknown, she offered herself to Koresh in the middle of the night. After rejecting her, he flew into a rage and locked her in a guarded, tiny room. Adams was fed from a bowl on the floor.

"I was treated like a prisoner," Adams says. "My mind did get messed up."

Joann Vaega was a toddler in 1987 when her parents moved the family to Waco to be with Koresh. She saw Koresh turn violent, towards the children he fathered and to the government, as he prepared for the apocalyptic end he predicted was coming. "My mom made the bulletproof vests," she says. "We were getting ready for war."

After the ATF raid some children were released, Vaega was one of those freed. Her mother kissed her goodbye as she left the compound; it would be the last time. Both of her parents died in the final confrontation at Waco.

All along while Koresh was controlling his followers, he was also gathering arms for a bigger battle -- one with the world outside the compound.

Gilbreath wonders to this day if his actions lead to one of the deadliest confrontations between federal law enforcement and civilians in U.S. history.

"I thought it was a little strange that religious people would be ordering guns," Gilbreath tells "48 Hours."

Over time, he noticed the packages getting bigger and heavier. "And I'd say probably 75 percent of the time, when I would get there, David always came out," Gilbreath says. "He signed for a lot of 'em."

Gilbreath later learned he delivered ammunition for 223s, AK-47s, ART-15s and the big magazines to arm those weapons. "And even a grenade launcher," Gilbreath says.

Then, in February 1992, Gilbreath says a box of hand grenades opened up before he could deliver them. He saw his life flash before his eyes. He told his wife Deborah, who then went to the local sheriff, who then turned to the ATF. Gilbreath began working with the ATF, even participating in an undercover operation.

Then one day it seemed Koresh may have caught onto the sting.

"And outta nowhere, David just looks at me, and says, 'Larry, I know they're watching us,'" Gilbreath says. "I went numb."

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After the 51-day standoff, Koresh's compound was destroyed after government tanks rammed the building and agents fired tear gas. More than 70 followers died, nearly two dozen were children, after the buildings erupted into a fireball.

Gilbreath agonizes over the violent end at the Branch Davidian compound. He also says he never wanted any of this to happen and that he harbors no ill will towards any of the parties involved.

Van Sant asks Gilbreath if he feels haunted that somehow he put the conflict between Koresh and law enforcement in motion.

"Yes, of course. How could you not, how could we not feel that maybe, like I say, we're not the ones that called in the ATF. The sheriff's department did," Gilbreath says.

"What has all this done to the two of you? What personal price have you paid because of all this?" asks Van Sant.

"We paid a pretty good price," Gilbreath says with a sigh. "I have been blamed for the -- what happened out there."

"48 Hours" sheds new light on the questions still lingering about the standoff and what happened on the deadly day the Branch Davidian compound burst into flames, including Bill Buford, a former ATF agent who helped plan the raid. Turns out, the ATF knew the Davidians were expecting them.

"The raid should not have gotten, gone forward, absolutely not," Buford tells Van Sant.

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