Texas Governor declares Feb 2nd Chris Kyle Day

[Aroura]

Yes, well, enjoying cooking and enjoying killing are entirely different things, aren't they?

I would agree that most people in the military are neither hero's nor villains, but just doing their jobs. Many suffer greatly from it. But to blindly support ALLof anything, without any caveats seem naive. This man was not simply doing his job. He relished it. He was not in the least bothered by killing children who had been roped into military service on the other side, or other things that people might find at least morally grey or confusing.

I support vets, my husband is one after all, but not blindly.

[vorlon13]

Had a relative be awarded a Silver Star. I don't think I would have done what he did, but I guess he looked at it that way too. He was seriously injured earning it too.

[Minimalist]

Like so much else in life, point of view is everything.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/aug/05/iraq.usa

Elusive sniper saps US morale in Baghdad

Commanders weigh their options as 'Juba' notches up more kills


They have never seen Juba. They hear him, but by then it's too late: a shot rings out and another US soldier slumps dead or wounded.
There is never a follow-up shot, never a chance for US forces to identify the origin, to make the hunter the hunted. He fires once and vanishes.

"We are professionals. There is a line between a maniac with a gun and a sniper," said Mike, 31, a corporal with a reconnaissance sniper platoon who did not want to his surname to be used.

As almost always, that "line" depends on which side you are on.

[abaris]

As almost always, that "line" depends on which side you are on.

It's only unfair if the other side does it. And to make matters worse, they don't even hold still to be killed,

[Anomalocaris]

Just a guy who wanted to excel at doing the job given to him. Of course he wanted to kill more. The more of them he killed the less his comrades and non fighting population died.

He is neither hero nor monster. He is a man assigned a necessary task in war.

He clearly aspired to be seen as a bigger monster than his military duty might have entitled him.  

He bragged to both his friends and some friendly interviewers that, in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, he used his sniper rifle to kill numerous American civilians inside United States whom he deemed to have been looters. He also insinuated that he was sent to do this by the army.

Although it has never been shown these murders he bragged about were actually committed, the fact that he wish to be seen by his friends to have committed them speaks volumes about his true character.   The fact that he might have made up such stories speaks more about the true nature of his character.

[vorlon13]

I'll again note my view the Iraqis, in the aggregate, were grotesquely unworthy of the sacrifices, both blood and treasure, made upon their behalf.

And that's with or without Kyle . . .

[account_inactive]

Most members of any military are abhorrent monsters. Chris Kyle can get fucked, and American Sniper was by far the most boring American propaganda film ever. Just felt the need to put that out there.

[abaris]

I'll again note my view the Iraqis, in the aggregate, were grotesquely unworthy of the sacrifices, both blood and treasure, made upon their behalf.

And that's with or without Kyle . . .

I hope that's tongue in cheek. I really do. Otherwise, well ..... I might be tempted to hold you in the same regards as Dick Cheney. Minus the money, of course.

[Catholic_Lady]

Most members of any military are abhorrent monsters.

What the eff.

[abaris]

Most members of any military are abhorrent monsters.

No, they aren't. 2 percent are, according to experts. Kyle stands a good chance of having been among that august crew. But the rest of your statement is just outright wrong. And misleading.