Whatever the truth about Chris Kyle (and I suspect, like most, the real Chris Kyle was a complex person; and lived tall tales while fabricating others), he is an American hero.
My understanding of the film is that it’s not meant to make a political statement. But I suppose everything under the sun is political when you bring your politics with you in going to see movies.
I’ve not seen the film yet, so can’t comment on it; but I have been reading some of the reactions– and some of them are rather curious:
One of the first celebrities to show their support for the film was the uber-liberal Jane Fonda, who tweeted the following:
Just saw "American Sniper" Powerful. Another view of "Coming Home." Bradley Cooper sensational. Bravo Clint Eastwood. http://t.co/l94zY5Gh8Q
— Jane Seymour Fonda (@Janefonda) December 21, 2014
Fonda, of course, attracted the ire of many Americans when she took a trip to North Vietnam in 1972 and posed for several photos with NVA troops, earning her the nickname “Hanoi Jane.” She later starred in the Oscar-winning Vietnam War drama Coming Home, about a ménage-a-trois involving Vietnam War veterans suffering from PTSD. This past weekend, she apologized for her “Hanoi Jane” days, calling her trip a “huge mistake.”
Is Fonda being sincere? Or is she trying to heal her image?
While Fonda supported the film and its sympathy for PTSD-suffering military vets, other celebrities homed in on the film’s perceived jingoistic, pro-war message. Seth Rogen, whose recent film The Interview attracted the ire of North Korean despot Kim Jong Un, tweeted:
American Sniper kind of reminds me of the movie that's showing in the third act of Inglorious Basterds.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) January 18, 2015
Even if this were true, and Eastwood attempted to lace a Rah-rah GO USA! message into the film, what is so wrong with being pro-American?
Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore took Rogen’s criticisms one step further. The director, who was famously booed when he denounced the Iraq War and then-President George W. Bush in his 2003 Oscar acceptance speech, claimed that snipers like Kyle were “cowards” and “aren’t heroes”:
My uncle killed by sniper in WW2. We were taught snipers were cowards. Will shoot u in the back. Snipers aren't heroes. And invaders r worse
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) January 18, 2015
Are snipers cowards?
I think those who think so are the ones who have the line of reasoning that police are cowards and bullies because they swarm to take down a suspect in numbers rather than confront one-on-one; or that the U.S. is a bully because it will invade a weaker country suspected of having wmd but won’t attack a country known to have wmd. As if any sane military would ever seek a “fair” fight and not suppress the enemy with superior and sustained, overwhelming firepower that minimizes risk and harm to our own people.
Here are some other comments by the nasties on the left who have a distorted, world-view:
Chris Smith: I agree with Seth Rogan and Michael Moore on both facts. Murdering for corporate greed isn’t fighting for freedom, it murdering for corporate greed! Trying to promote and celebrate the murders as heroic is propaganda! Chris Kyle is a terrorist and nothing else!
Bram Heath: I saw the movie yesterday and was thinking the same thing Seth thought. When people started clapping I knew that was the 23% that watch Fox News. Felt like I was watching a Joseph goebbles film from 1942.
Steven M Schwartz: You can no longer be critical of the military and those who serve. Thanks to almost a decade and a half of the blindly patriotic bull shit the right and the government has shoved or attempted to shove down our throats. From the pro war NFL pregame flyovers to the plastering of American flags and yellow ribbons. Fox news and the right have co-oped the word patriot and American, and now the word “American” means war loving Christian white America. If you do not kowtow to their agenda then you are the enemy. This movie is nothing more than propaganda revisionist history about a self admitted racist who chose to kill people over being with his family.
Thomas Petsa: nothing heroic about a sniper….hiding behind a bush miles away shooting someone in the head aint heroic….a bloke charging towards an enemy under fire now that’s heroic..blokes landing in dunkirk seeing their mates getting gunned down knowing they might be next..that’s either heroic or dumb..snipers have got it cushy in comparison..
Chris Smith: Chris Kyle was a terrorist pawn for a corporate military. I spit on his service!
Chris Owens: From what I’ve read, it sounds like he was a serial killer moreso than a hero.
Shannon Love: Real ‘American Sniper’ was a hate-filled killer — why are simplistic patriots treating him as a hero?
A former fetus, the “wordsmith from nantucket” was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1968. Adopted at birth, wordsmith grew up a military brat. He achieved his B.A. in English from the University of California, Los Angeles (graduating in the top 97% of his class), where he also competed rings for the UCLA mens gymnastics team. The events of 9/11 woke him from his political slumber and malaise. Currently a personal trainer and gymnastics coach.
The wordsmith has never been to Nantucket.
@Wordsmith: IMO more Conservatives should listen to Medved. I’ve told you before that I do. Thanks
@Rich Wheeler:
Well, certainly not Christianity. But I don’t have to ‘think’ whether they did or not.. They defended their endorsement. You live right near them and don’t know what’s going on? Your tax dollars at work. Response to you? All I have to do is cut and paste something you say. That’ll work. Just keep repeating “I know nothing”……
@Rich Wheeler: Rich’s quote of the day:
okay, tell what he said that a lib would like.
@Redteam: The video posted in #150 for starters. Did you even bother to listen?
Reactionries like you are mindless RT. Head up your ass You won’t listen to anything that doesn’t fit your agenda ,You know little about the real world–I listen to Conservatives like Word and Medved. I’ll watch Fox and CNN..
You are simply in goosestep with the far right wing.
@Rich Wheeler:
I didn’t know he was on talk radio. Where can I find him?
did you get that from Sat nite live? You need a little more practice. Never did find out about UCLA?
@Redteam: When you finish listening to Medved on #150 let me know what you think of it. Meantime–bother someone else. Thanks
You say you never did find out about UCLA. Why not–too lazy?
@Rich Wheeler: Here’s where Medved is wrong. I would have no problem with Duke Univ allowing announcements for a call to prayer for Muslims if they would do the same thing for other religions, such as Christianity. Duke has not been allowing Christian announcements from the bell tower, contrary to what Medved claims. Oh, now that they’ve gotten caught with their pants down, oh no, we’ll allow that too. So why is Christianity now going to be allowed to do it if Muslims are only after the fact. I’ve been hearing more frequently where schools that have long banned anything Christian is now allowing Muslim practices, providing the Muslim prayer rooms, etc. Things they will not allow for others. I have no problem with persons practicing their faith, it’s the libs that have all the problems along that line. As long as you’re not even aware of muslim practices in your own back yard, don’t pretend to be for Christians having rights also.
@Rich Wheeler:
I am kinda surprised that you admit to being too lazy to find out about Muslims at UCLA. It’s your tax dollars, not mine.
Rich Wheeler, just where the hell is my quote of the day? You promised to post one at 1500. I guess you’re just a total flop at keeping your word.
@Redteam: Sorry RT As Jimmy might say it’s 1500 hours somewhere.
Quote of the day from RT “I have no problem with people practicing their faith” As long as they’re Christians?
Sorry RT -you’ve been uncharacteristically quiet most of the day
I will post your reactionary quote of the day ON TIME tomorrow. There’s a wealth of great stuff in the archives if needed.
I understand that being in the bayou it’s difficult for you to understand what’s transpiring in this great state of California. Maybe you would do better talking about Bobby Jindal. I’ve got him seeded 16 in the upcoming circular firing squad.
I’ve been meaning to ask you. What the hell happened to LSU in their thrashing by Notre Dame?
@Rich Wheeler: A true measure of a truly dishonorable person, to post a quote that is Not a quote.
As long as we’re ‘making up quotes’ here is a quote from RW
“Liberals, in general, are not honorable persons.”
@Rich Wheeler:
I don’t have him seeded, he’s not a natural born citizen and therefore, not eligible.
@RedteamI posted your quote exactly. Then added my 2 cents.
You alter and make up quotes on a regular basis. It’s your shtick RT.
@Rich Wheeler:
Not true at all. You clearly edited my statement. Go back and read it again. I would say, then quote it correctly, but I know you are not honorable enough to do the right thing, so I won’t ask.
Again, NOT TRUE at all. What is this? Are you now making Monday your day to be wrong about EVERYTHING? Or is it just your thing?
@Redteam:Just for the record, here is my ‘unedited’ quote:
@Redteam: From #157 lines 7 and 8 ” I HAVE NO PROPLEM WITH PEOPLE PRACTICING THEIR FAITHS” That is an exact quote from you. Question is Who believes you?
In #161 you just made one up. As usual.
@Rich Wheeler: So even after I again posted the ‘exact’ quote from 157 in 165, you stilll can’t get it right. Now I know why you’re not married.
@Redteam: Thank you for confirming I quoted you exactly.. only change faith vs. faiths.
What do libs have to do with your basic belief ? I have a beautiful Latina wife. You knew that,
@Rich Wheeler:
True, but at least I was honorable enough to state that I was making it up.
from 161
Technically, for it to be an exact quote the spelling would have to be the same and the quote complete. Unless one is going for that “fake but accurate” meme.
@Rich Wheeler:
Is that a dream, or a nightmare? It’s clearly not the truth.
My basic belief is that libs should be avoided and we should allow them all to move over to Russia or France.
@Rob in Katy: I know Rich is not gonna understand what you said.
@Rob in Katy:Have you seen RT’s consistent use of partial quotes? Nice to have you here.
@Rich Wheeler:
No and you haven’t either. If I modify a quote, I SHOW it as ‘modified’.
But it is not unusual for you to point to something someone else may do and then do the same thing yourself. A misquote is a misquote, doesn’t matter who does it. I will boldly state that there is no incorrect quote of mine that is not clearly shown or stated to be modified. Unlike your ‘made up’ quotes.
My comment was specifically because you said that it was an exact quote, and that is why I was “busting your balls” 🙂 Thanks for the welcome, but I have been here for a very, very long time.
@Redteam: You “boldly state” all kinds of bullshit RT.
It’s your specialty and your raison d’etre. You can’t help yourself. lol
Rob I know you’ve been around . Jump in any time. Back and forth with just RT gets boring.
@Rich Wheeler:
Yeah, I’d be bored too if I were always wrong.
Once I thought I might be wrong, but I was mistaken.
Rich, put your military hat on for a minute. What do you think of Obama releasing 5 taliban members from Gtmo for the deserter, Bowe Bergdahl? Now that the Army has decided to charge him with desertion and Obama wants them to drop the matter, which do you think it will be? Do you think the president should pardon a person who deserted under battle conditions? Would it be ‘good’ or ‘bad’ for other military personnel? Addendum: Just saw Pentagon briefer that Obama put forth to answer questions about charges. Says “no charges” have been made. Will not say that a decision has been made but that charges just have not been made formal yet. I hate to see an Admiral being put in the position of parseing his words to cover a scumbag. further Addendum, Admiral is still speaking so it may change. Still weaseling.
@Redteam:”Once I thought I might be wrong, but I was mistaken.” You’ve provided the 1/27/2015 1500 hour reactionary quote of the day. Thanks much for saving me some time.We’ll be looking forward to tomorrow’s RQD.
Rob in Katy How’d I do?
@Redteam: Exactly. I figured you’d be bored. Then you turn around and post your RQD. You seem confused RT.
@Rich Wheeler:
I’m quite sure that reality might seem to be confusion for progressives. But nope, no confusion on my part.
@Wordsmith #30:
“If you find yourself in a fair fight, you didn’t plan your mission properly.”
– David Hackworth
To the archives for RT’s RQD 1/24/2015 “It has never been proven that Ray assassinated MLK and it is for damn sure that LH Oswald never assassinated JFK.”
I believe Oswald shot JFK but almost certainly had co-conspirators . Believe Ray acted alone in killing MLK.
OTHER FA thoughts welcome—-I’m on the road till this evening—–Semper Fi
@Rich Wheeler:
You may also “believe” Santa Claus wears a blue suit, but the overwhelming evidence is that he does not. I kinda prefer to go by the evidence rather than by someone, who obviously has never looked into the facts, who ‘believes’ something that is contrary to known facts.
I see where Cornell now recognizes other genders than male and female. Maybe they have now, and have had, several of these other genders there. Since it is a progressive school, I’m not surprised.
Seems as if ‘gender neutral’ is not male or female, but something else. Do you know any ‘something else’s’ Rich?
@Redteam: You say you prefer to go by the evidence then neglect to present any. Typical of you RT. What evidence exists that Ray did not assassinate MLK? or that Oswald did not shoot JFK? What “known facts” are you referencing?
Gender neutral relating to a word or phrase that does not refer to one gender only–examples would be firefighter or flight attendant.
btw I didn’t attend any of the schools you mentioned
Do you believe in Santa Claus? Does he always wear red? How bout Rudolph?
.
.
1/29/2015 RT has gone dark today–at least so far.
RQD from 1/21 re. Sirhan Sirhan “clear that he was there, but evidence is that two guns were fired in the room and he only had one. The other gun, reportedly, is the one that fired the fatal shot.”
Thus completes your conspiracy trifecta for JFK, MLK, and RFK
Your thoughts on OJS?
Footnote I was just watching O’Reilly talking about the Russian assassination of Gen. Patton–interesting stuff.
OJ did it.
one for four– improving,
How bout JWB?
RQD for 1/30—1/28 Key Vote on Keystone–#21 ” US. is the largest oil EXPORTER in the world.”
Currently third behind Saudi Arabia and Russia. Has moved up dramatically in last 5 years.
Welcome back John Galt. One of FA’S Great Conservative Voices.
RT AND FRIENDS Enjoy the Super bowl I expect close low scoring game, Pats 24-21.
Does anyone else find FOX commentator Jonah Goldberg downright creepy?
@Rich Wheeler:
I’ve never heard of any stories or rumors that it was anyone other than JWB.
Official numbers for 4th quarter of 2014 puts the US at no. 1. Sorry, you get an F on that one.
@Rich Wheeler:
Are you basing that prediction of them using defalted footballs or regular pressure footballs? Does it also depend upon whether or not the spygate film was usable?
Oh, I forgot. There is one big reason the NFL can not allow New England to win. You can reach your own conclusion on that.
@Rich Wheeler:
You’re not familiar with American justice, are you. Well let me tell you that it works like this: A person is innocent until proven guilty. There is absolutely no proof that LHO killed Kennedy, the evidence in the MLK is not conclusive at all, only circumstantial . The actual evidence in RFK case was that Sirhan’s weapon did not fire the fatal shot.
Don’t know where all that red came from. Brady will beat em with whatever ball is given him.
When it comes to cheating Carroll ‘s got a pretty good resume. The Beast gets held under 100 yards.
@Rich Wheeler: You miss a lot.
@Redteam: Ray pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life. Sirhan was convicted of murdering RFK. American Justice system at work
LHO–Obviously no trial Conservative Justice Warren’s commission seemed pretty convinced Oswald acted alone. I’m not so sure.
@Rich Wheeler: Anyone that believes Obama will believe anything, except the truth.
Do you think they will require him to use a Regulation NFL football, or will he be allowed to use whatever he chooses, as he was in the conference championship game?
@Rich Wheeler:
you’re practicing your stand up routine again.
“pretty convinced” ? So if you were the judge presiding and the verdict were ‘pretty convinced’ would he be sentenced or freed? Reminder, this is the USA.
@Redteam: I’ m sure they’ll be watching him closely. Won’t matter The Grouch will out coach Smiley.
Unless, as you suggest, the fix is in for Seattle.
btw With all your references to BHO you’re reminding me of all the clowns that blamed Bush for everything.
Jim Webb for PREZ.
@Redteam: Did the American Justice system fail in their conviction and sentencing of Sirhan and Ray?
I’m surprised you don’t believe in The American Justice System
Warren was a Republican. Are you saying he wasn’t a Conservative because he supported Civil Rights? Got it.