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Title: The Real American Sniper: Why Chris Kyle Wasn’t A Hero
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URL Source: http://realitieswatch.com/real-amer ... -sniper-chris-kyle-wasnt-hero/
Published: Feb 20, 2015
Author: Realities Watch
Post Date: 2015-02-20 21:10:40 by christine
Keywords: None
Views: 1389
Comments: 74
The following words are not meant to spit on the grave of Chris Kyle, but rather address a reality that may be unpleasant for many to hear. Chris Kyle was not a hero. He did not protect America or keep it safe. He killed a lot. He also, apparently, lied a lot as well. Sometimes truth lies beyond the lens of star-spangled glasses and once you have the courage to look beyond a constructed work of fiction, you may realize that the facts do not align with your belief system. It may not be easy, but sometimes the truth is harsh. If we, as a people are genuinely in pursuit of truth and the justice that follows, we must distance ourselves from the warm feelings that certain narratives provide and search objectively without the blinders that provide us comfort. Kyle’s story takes place in Iraq, his weapon and astute aim followed along with him. The former Navy SEAL and bronco rider was responsible for 160 confirmed deaths – 255 if you include unconfirmed kills – while he was stationed in the land that was once ancient Babylon. How can it be said that a single person he killed was on behalf of protecting the American way of life or its freedoms when Iraq nor its people were ever a threat to either? Kyle was a member of an invading force. To protect someone or something, an outside threat must first be made, otherwise what is labeled as protector is actually an aggressor. No matter your thoughts surrounding the events on 9/11, one thing that is for certain is that Iraq was not involved. Saddam Hussein never attacked the United States, nor did it appear that he ever had plans to do so. Hussein’s regime, although not innocent of crimes in its own country, was not a threat to the United States or its citizens. And despite the Bush administration’s assertion that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, they didn’t. It may be brutal to hear, but the facts dictate that none of the people that Chris Kyle killed were a threat to America, its freedoms, or its way of life. So who or what was the Texan protecting? It can be said that Kyle was protecting lives by making the argument that he was providing cover for his fellow soldiers; soldiers that should have never been in harm’s way to begin with. The cover provided to US soldiers should have come in the form of not sending them into a country that posed zero threat to the United States. If the US government actually cared about protecting its citizens, instead of providing snipers to serve as their protectors, it should have shielded them by not sending them onto a battlefield constructed of lies. Thousands of Americans who were sent back to their families with a flag draped over their maimed and lifeless bodies would still be alive today if not for the actions and needless meddling of the US government. While it is very true that Chief Kyle was not to blame for the foreign policy of his employer, he was a cog in its wheel, and more importantly he took pleasure in his duty of senseless death. American Sniper, the movie based on his words, makes Kyle appear as if he was conflicted by the scores who were killed by his marksmanship. Unfortunately for his legacy, his actual words tell a different story. “I wondered, how would I feel about killing someone? Now I know. It’s no big deal” Another quote from Kyle’s book describes his thoughts on the Iraqi people, “Savage, despicable evil. That’s what we were fighting in Iraq. That’s why a lot of people, myself included, called the enemy ‘savages’…. I only wish I had killed more.” The sniper also described his chosen profession of killing by saying, “You do it until there’s no one left to kill. That’s what war is. I loved what I did… I’m not lying or exaggerating to say it was fun.” Kyle also relays his lack of regret by saying, “There’s another question people ask a lot: Did it bother you killing so many people in Iraq? I tell them ‘No.’ And I mean it.” As far as the moral ambiguity that he dealt with, Kyle said “I have a strong sense of justice. It’s pretty much black-and-white. I don’t see too much gray.” The last passage from American Sniper that I will list truly demonstrates Kyle’s lack of heroism: “A teenager, I’d guess about fifteen, sixteen, appeared on the street and squared up with an AK-47 to fire at them. I dropped him. A minute or two later, an Iraqi woman came running up, saw him on the ground, and tore off her clothes. She was obviously his mother. I’d see the families of the insurgents display their grief, tear off clothes, even rub the blood on themselves. If you loved them, I thought, you should have kept them away from the war. You should have kept them from joining the insurgency.” The insurgency that the sniper is referring to is the local Iraqi insurgency that would have never existed if the United States hadn’t invaded Iraq to begin with. These “insurgents” weren’t making their way overseas to hurt Kyle’s family, so where does his malice towards the child he killed in cold blood come from? Maybe you’ll choose not to trust that Kyle really believed the words he wrote in his own book, I couldn’t blame you, after all Kyle was caught in multiple lies while he was still alive. Related: Seth Rogan Basically Calls “American Sniper” Movie A Nazi Propaganda Film Regardless of whether you approve of Jesse Ventura famously pursuing his lawsuit against Kyle after his death, Ventura did prove in court that Kyle lied about punching him at a Navy SEAL reunion in 2006. The former governor of Minnesota was awarded 1.8 million dollars for Kyle’s tall tale despite being told he would never prove in a court of law that the ghost of an American hero had lied. He did. HarperCollins, the publisher of American Sniper also had to remove the story from future printings of the book. Another lie that Kyle was caught in was a story he told to D Magazine regarding a supposed run in with two car jackers in 2009. The incident supposedly took place at a gas station somewhere along Highway 67 just south of Dallas, Tx. Kyle claimed that he shot the two men each twice in the chest, killing them both. He never claimed that either man fired a shot at him. The former military man said that he waited on local law enforcement to arrive and once on the scene he gave them a phone number that directed the officers to the Department of Defense. The person on the other end vouched for him and he was sent on his way, according to Kyle. The problem with this story is that despite various publications having attempted to verify Kyle’s account multiple times, there is still not a single shred of evidence that it ever happened. The real life American Sniper also told a tale about him and a comrade being ordered to New Orleans in the direct aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The story goes that the two were stationed atop the Superdome. Kyle then proceeded to pick off and kill 30 looters dead in the streets from atop the home of the New Orleans Saints. There is absolutely no evidence to corroborate this narrative either. Either Chris Kyle was a cold-blooded killer who took it upon himself to be judge, jury, and executioner while killing Americans dead in its streets or he was a liar. Whichever story you choose to believe, one thing is for certain, the real American Sniper was no hero. Hollywood is a business, and as with the goal of any business, their objective is to generate profit. The movie industry does so through visual story telling. A studio produces films to make you feel a certain way which in turn allows the studios to recoup their expenses and ideally generate a profit. The story of Chris Kyle is no different. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a film, but don’t fool yourself into thinking that the heroic Chris Kyle portrayed on the silver screen is the same as the real life Chris Kyle. One of them was payed to sway your emotions while the real one was paid to kill those that never ever threatened the rights which allow these type of films to be made in the first place.
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#6. To: christine (#0)
America always gets the sanitized version of the story. In reality, Kyle did things over there that he'd never want known.
Chris Kyle has been glorified for doing deeds 'over there' in the same manner as a British Redcoat would have conceivably been glorified for doing the same acts in America from 1775-1787. Without a declaration of war from Congress he was just a tool of Zion.
#7. To: Obnoxicated, Hmmmmm (#6)
-Alex Kurtagic
#8. To: X-15 (#7)
A psychopathic tool of Zion. Without a declaration of war from Congress he was just a tool of Zion.
The 2 best times to keep your mouth shut are when you’re swimming & when you’re angry.
“Anti-semitism is a disease–you catch it from Jews”–Edgar J. Steele
“The jew cries out in pain, as he strikes you.”–Polish proverb
“I would like to express my heartfelt apologies for the unfortunate and tasteless quotes I published in my tag lines. I am very sorry and ashamed. I never wanted to offend anyone, or to encroach human rights."- Hmmmmm
#9. To: Hmmmmm (#8)
From you and X-15: " a psychopathic tool of Zion" It is possible that Chris Kyle viewed and approved of John Milius' movie named "Red Dawn" in which the 'Wolverines were a group of insurgent Americans trying to repel an invasion of the U.S. from foreign forces. Kyle was badly or eagerly mis-led by American propaganda to regard insurgency as bad - rather than normal.
"The 'uniter' has brought the entire world together - to despise and deride us." Lod - Jake's best pal.
#10. To: Bub, 4 (#9)
here could be a twin of the fella who's been in our family for a month now, Gus, a wonderful addition for everyone -
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
#11. To: christine, 4um (#0)
Geez, has ANY one here seen 'American Sniper'?? This is the second time this same thread has been posted at 4um. I don't understand the personal animus toward Chris Kyle at all. The insurgency that the sniper is referring to is the local Iraqi insurgency that would have never existed if the United States hadn’t invaded Iraq to begin with. These “insurgents” weren’t making their way overseas to hurt Kyle’s family, so where does his malice towards the child he killed in cold blood come from? Totally irrelevant point. Thank God Chris Kyle did his job...WELL. Q: If any of this forum's brother, uncle, son, or friend were in Iraq, would you rather have had them maimed or killed?? And rather NOT have had Chris Kyle marksmanship available to protect them?
#12. To: Lod (#10)
My sister had a dog by this name. She had to have it put to sleep because it had trouble with its legs and could not walk any longer. :-( Gus
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
#13. To: Hmmmmm (#8)
Good idea. Now, if I can get some of the dummies I work with to follow this example. ;) The 2 best times to keep your mouth shut are when you’re swimming & when you’re angry.
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
#14. To: BTP Holdings (#13)
IF I was able to follow that wise advice I wouldn't be able to open my mouth, and I don't swim.
The 2 best times to keep your mouth shut are when you’re swimming & when you’re angry.
“Anti-semitism is a disease–you catch it from Jews”–Edgar J. Steele
“The jew cries out in pain, as he strikes you.”–Polish proverb
“I would like to express my heartfelt apologies for the unfortunate and tasteless quotes I published in my tag lines. I am very sorry and ashamed. I never wanted to offend anyone, or to encroach human rights."- Hmmmmm
#15. To: Lod (#10)
I'd post a picture of my 8 month old 80 lb "Buddy" but I can't get him to hold still or get far enough away from me to take it. If left unsupervised I swear he'd eat my truck.
The 2 best times to keep your mouth shut are when you’re swimming & when you’re angry.
“Anti-semitism is a disease–you catch it from Jews”–Edgar J. Steele
“The jew cries out in pain, as he strikes you.”–Polish proverb
“I would like to express my heartfelt apologies for the unfortunate and tasteless quotes I published in my tag lines. I am very sorry and ashamed. I never wanted to offend anyone, or to encroach human rights."- Hmmmmm
#16. To: Liberator (#11)
I'd rather that our troops were posted along the border with mexico and that Chris Kyle had been most successful shooting mexicon drug/smuggling cartel members. Q: If any of this forum's brother, uncle, son, or friend were in Iraq, would you rather have had them maimed or killed?? And rather NOT have had Chris Kyle marksmanship available to protect them?
-Alex Kurtagic
#17. To: X-15 (#16)
A much, much, better use of both the troops and .308 rounds.
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
#18. To: Hmmmmm (#15) (Edited)
Understand, we almost had to rename Gus, Shadow, he was sticking so close to me when he first arrived. He's a rescue, found wandering the streets of Austin, no collar/tags, unneutered and undocked. A real diamond in the rough.
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
#19. To: Lod (#18)
Fine of you to rescue Gus the waif and love him into safety and security. Instant bonding, perpetual gratitude....
"The 'uniter' has brought the entire world together - to despise and deride us." Lod - Jake's best pal.
#20. To: X-15 (#16)
That works too. I'd rather that our troops were posted along the border with mexico and that Chris Kyle had been most successful shooting mexicon drug/smuggling cartel members.
#21. To: All (#11)
Has ANY one here seen 'American Sniper'? Thanks...
#22. To: Bub (#19)
You're right; rescues know when they've been saved from gassing. Fine of you to rescue Gus the waif and love him into safety and security. Instant bonding, perpetual gratitude....
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
#23. To: Liberator (#21)
Only the trailer. I no longer attend walk-up movie houses. Has ANY one here seen 'American Sniper'?
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
#24. To: Lod (#23)
Thank you for your response. The trailer is somewhat compelling -- most are, aren't they? I will tell you that perhaps I go to the movies once a year. Yes, we know the stuff coming out of H'wood is crap and propaganda.... IF you're going to see a movie, see this one. Awesome. Intense. Personal. I guarantee you will be affected. 'Sniper' won't be at the theater much longer so please check it out.
#25. To: Liberator (#21)
I've seen it. I don't think Eastwood portrays him as a hero.
#26. To: Jethro Tull (#25) (Edited)
Saw it? I don't think Eastwood portrays him as a hero. "Hero" is so overused, I don't even know what it means any more. Kyle was ready to give his life for his brothers. He protected and saved his brothers. At great personal sacrifice and expense. I dunno -- what does that make Chris Kyle?
#27. To: christine, Jethro Tull (#0) (Edited)
False dichotomy. If I'm the writer: Either Chris Kyle was a cold-blooded killer who took it upon himself to be judge, jury, and executioner while killing Americans dead in its streets or he was a liar.
"Either Chris Kyle was a man who felt a moral obligation to protect and save his band of brothers from dying or being maimed, OR he was a man maligned and slandered for doing so."
#28. To: Liberator (#21)
Have you ever seen the film, Inglourious Basterds? A story within the story is about a decorated German sniper, used by Joseph Goebbels to produce a propaganda film called "Stolz der Nation". Here's THAT movie; it seems to be not that much different than one about an American sniper "hero".
"After tomorrow those SOB's will never embarrass me again. That’s not a threat. That’s a promise.” – LBJ to his mistress Madeleine Brown on the eve of JFK assassination
#29. To: Liberator (#21)
No! Hell No! Any comments or opinions I have on the matter are not to be construed as a movie review, but as judgment on a man and his mission. Has ANY one here seen 'American Sniper'? Thanks...
The 2 best times to keep your mouth shut are when you’re swimming & when you’re angry.
“Anti-semitism is a disease–you catch it from Jews”–Edgar J. Steele
“The jew cries out in pain, as he strikes you.”–Polish proverb
“I would like to express my heartfelt apologies for the unfortunate and tasteless quotes I published in my tag lines. I am very sorry and ashamed. I never wanted to offend anyone, or to encroach human rights."- Hmmmmm
#30. To: FormerLurker (#28)
No, I didn't see 'Inglourious Basterds'. Was it strongly or loosely based on a true story? Or a totally fictional account? Did you see it? I've never heard of such comparison. I'll check out some trailers first and synopses.
#31. To: Liberator (#11)
Not irrelevant at all. If the US didn't send troops all over the world interfering in things that are none of our business then there wouldn't have been anyone shooting at troops who weren't there to shoot at. Our troops are supposed to be for the defense of the US, not the police force of the world. But when the politicians decide that they need another war to further enrich the bankers and the MIC the soldiers are used as cannon fodder and we make enemies everywhere we go. Totally irrelevant point.
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends. Paul Craig Roberts
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it." Frederic Bastiat
#32. To: Hmmmmm (#29)
Ok. Have at it, man. No! Any comments or opinions I have on the matter are not to be construed as a movie review, but as judgment on a man and his mission.
#33. To: Bub (#9)
I completely agree, Bub. Reverse it and you and I along with millions of Americans would be called "insurgents, savages, evil." It is possible that Chris Kyle viewed and approved of John Milius' movie named "Red Dawn" in which the 'Wolverines were a group of insurgent Americans trying to repel an invasion of the U.S. from foreign forces. Kyle was badly or eagerly mis-led by American propaganda to regard insurgency as bad - rather than normal.
Truth is still truth even if no one believes it. A lie is still a lie even if everyone believes it.
#34. To: Liberator (#30)
Yes I've seen it, it has many different aspects which are worth watching. The film I linked is a short film used as a hook in the movie, and THAT is what bears a strong resemblance with "American Sniper" in terms of propaganda. Why don't you take a peek at the clip I embedded, you'll get the gist after the first minute or so after the opening credits. But both Inglourious Basterds and the Nazi propaganda film are fictional in nature. Did you see it? I've never heard of such comparison. I'll check out some trailers first and synopses.
"After tomorrow those SOB's will never embarrass me again. That’s not a threat. That’s a promise.” – LBJ to his mistress Madeleine Brown on the eve of JFK assassination
#35. To: Liberator (#27)
I have a problem with the film's premise and, that is, that the US government invaded Iraq because of its involvement in 9/11. Chris Kyle was a tool to further that lie.
Truth is still truth even if no one believes it. A lie is still a lie even if everyone believes it.
#36. To: James Deffenbach (#31)
We have a difference of opinion on the relevancy. Neither did I didn't find any necessity for the US to be in Iraq. It was based on bogus intel. That said, the US DID send troops whether we endorsed it or not; Those guys were going to be going house to house in places like Fallujah -- whether we agreed with the mission or not. Once there, our troops were targets. Now because the US gubmint was willing to use them as pawn is no reason to dismiss Kyle's successful mission, duty, and sacrifice. Our troops are supposed to be for the defense of the US, not the police force of the world. But when the politicians decide that they need another war to further enrich the bankers and the MIC the soldiers are used as cannon fodder and we make enemies everywhere we go. Hear ya on all your points. Not irrelevant at all. If the US didn't send troops all over the world interfering in things that are none of our business then there wouldn't have been anyone shooting at troops who weren't there to shoot at.
#37. To: Liberator (#27)
How do you slander a liar (and) or a murderer. Interesting. "Either Chris Kyle was a man who felt a moral obligation to protect and save his band of brothers from dying or being maimed, OR he was a man maligned and slandered for doing so."
The 2 best times to keep your mouth shut are when you’re swimming & when you’re angry.
“Anti-semitism is a disease–you catch it from Jews”–Edgar J. Steele
“The jew cries out in pain, as he strikes you.”–Polish proverb
“I would like to express my heartfelt apologies for the unfortunate and tasteless quotes I published in my tag lines. I am very sorry and ashamed. I never wanted to offend anyone, or to encroach human rights."- Hmmmmm
#38. To: FormerLurker (#34)
The film I linked is a short film used as a hook in the movie, and THAT is what bears a strong resemblance with "American Sniper" in terms of propaganda. What aspects of the flick did you find compelling? Yes, I'm aware that there may well be elements of what might be considered "propaganda." And that is exactly why propaganda is so successful. But both Inglourious Basterds and the Nazi propaganda film are fictional in nature. If not, I'd have probably checked it out. I'll take a peek at the clip nonetheless. Thanks. Yes I've seen it, it has many different aspects which are worth watching.
#39. To: Liberator (#36)
Thing is, they CHOSE to do what they did, they weren't drafted. Dumb fools who believed the propaganda served to them, yes, but nobody twisted their arms to go kill some ragheads. And nobody apparently told them that killing people who have never bothered us is not going to get them to heaven. That said, the US DID send troops whether we endorsed it or not; Those guys were going to be going house to house in places like Fallujah -- whether we agreed with the mission or not. Once there, our troops were targets. Now because the US gubmint was willing to use them as pawn is no reason to dismiss Kyle's successful mission, duty, and sacrifice.
"After tomorrow those SOB's will never embarrass me again. That’s not a threat. That’s a promise.” – LBJ to his mistress Madeleine Brown on the eve of JFK assassination
#40. To: Liberator (#38)
Well you'll just have to watch it to see what I mean. Look it up on YouTube. But that's not the point of what I posted. It's the Nazi propaganda film WITHIN it that I tried to bring to your attention.. What aspects of the flick did you find compelling?
"After tomorrow those SOB's will never embarrass me again. That’s not a threat. That’s a promise.” – LBJ to his mistress Madeleine Brown on the eve of JFK assassination
#41. To: christine (#35)
I understand your aversion to the premise; You felt as if it insulted your intelligence -- I get it. And yes I know the whole game has been rigged. Yes, Kyle bought into the lie of 9/11, but then remember most people did. It however to me doesn't detract from Kyle's life, or his perspective that he felt he was looking after our guys. He truly believed that he was there for good reason -- the same as our guys in Nam. I have a problem with the film's premise and, that is, that the US government invaded Iraq because of its involvement in 9/11. Chris Kyle was a tool to further that lie.
#42. To: Liberator (#36)
70 years ago we decided it was just and proper to hang those that "were just following orders". In fact we are still in pursuit of some today for that crime 70 years ago. Now because the US gubmint was willing to use them as pawn is no reason to dismiss Kyle's successful mission, duty, and sacrifice.
The 2 best times to keep your mouth shut are when you’re swimming & when you’re angry.
“Anti-semitism is a disease–you catch it from Jews”–Edgar J. Steele
“The jew cries out in pain, as he strikes you.”–Polish proverb
“I would like to express my heartfelt apologies for the unfortunate and tasteless quotes I published in my tag lines. I am very sorry and ashamed. I never wanted to offend anyone, or to encroach human rights."- Hmmmmm
#43. To: FormerLurker (#39)
They were told they were going to be "defending America." Even as they served in Iraq and went on those UN-CHOSEN dreadful missions. Dumb fools who believed the propaganda served to them, yes, but nobody twisted their arms to go kill some ragheads. When you were in your early 20s, were you foolish at times? I was. Nobody apparently told them that killing people who have never bothered us is not going to get them to heaven. Ragheads or Muzzies? Thing is, they CHOSE to do what they did, they weren't drafted.
#44. To: Hmmmmm (#37)
"Murderer"? Interesting. NOT. How do you slander a liar (and) or a murderer. Interesting.
#45. To: FormerLurker (#40)
No, I'm talking about 'Sniper'.
#46. To: Hmmmmm (#42)
Ok, so now American servicemen are being compared to "Nazis"? On what planet? In fact we are still in pursuit of some today for that crime 70 years ago. In pursuit of whom? Nazis?? 70 years ago we decided it was just and proper to hang those that "were just following orders". In fact we are still in pursuit of some today for that crime 70 years ago.
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