The government obviously did not handle this right but none of it would have happened if the Weavers weren't a couple of whacked out fundamentalist right wing zealot nut jobs. I felt anger toward the parents for warping their kids minds and getting one of them killed. That alone made this tough to sit through. The acting was excellent, and I have to admit I didn't even recognize Laura Dern, it must have been the dark hair. Randy Quaid again demonstrated his amazing range by playing this role in the same year he reprised Cousin Eddie in the latest Vacation incarnation.