‘American Sniper’ Complaints Grow in Hollywood'

[jimnyc]

Made a different thread as it's more about complaints than the movie. These folks complaining are just pure scumbags in my book. Kyle WAS a hero and his military service will be recognized and honored for a LONG time to come. This story highlights everything that is wrong with Hollywood. Oh, and I wish Michael Moore was on the receiving end of the sniper rifle. I hope that fat SOB chokes to death on one of his beloved donuts.

----

Even as “American Sniper” breaks January box-office records and revels in six Oscar nominations, criticism over the subject of the film, sharpshooter Chris Kyle, is rising and reaching into the Academy of Motion Picture of Arts and Sciences, which votes on the Academy Awards.

Over the weekend, multiple Academy members told TheWrap that they had been passing around a recent article by Dennis Jett in The New Republic that attacks the film for making a hero out of Kyle, who said: “The enemy are savages and despicably evil,” and his “only regret is that I didn’t kill more.” Kyle made the statements in his best-selling book, “American Sniper,” on which the film is based.

The film’s straightforward treatment of Kyle, who was killed in February 2013 by a veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, is one of the reasons it has been celebrated by the military and embraced by audiences that have made it by far the top-grossing Best Picture nominee. The film had a massive opening when it went wide at the box office this weekend and is poised to break an historic $100 million this holiday weekend.

But Academy members seem to be paying attention to the criticism that Eastwood and star/producer Bradley Cooper shouldn’t be celebrating a man who wrote that killing hundreds of Iraqis was “fun.”

“He seems like he may be a sociopath,” one Academy member told TheWrap, adding he had not yet seen the film but had read the article, which is being passed around.

And Michael Moore, an Oscar voter and former Academy governor from the Documentary Branch, tweeted on Sunday, “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.”

Neither distributor Warner Bros. nor the filmmakers have responded to TheWrap’s request for comment, though the studio said they intended to make someone available.

A piece in The Guardian by author Lindy West criticized Kyle this way: “The real American Sniper was a hate-filled killer. Why are simplistic patriots treating him as a hero?” he wrote.

Jett quoted West in his piece in the New Republic, and added: “One answer to that question: Because many Americans are unable to accept that nothing was won in Iraq, and that the sacrifices Kyle and others made were not worth it.”

http://www.thewrap.com/american-sniper-complaints-grow-in-hollywood-should-clint-eastwood-be-celebrating-a-killer/

[Nukeman]

I categorize these "people" in with attention whores who haven't been in the limelight for a while. I actually feel sorry that they have to tear down a man who single handed saved more American service members than any other in the whole conflict.:salute:

Michael Moore is a sad "little" FAT man that needs to just go away, in fact if he died tomorrow I can not think of anyone who would publicly mourn him. I would go further to suggest that his derision is based on jealously and due to his inability to be that brave or take the course of action laid out before him if needed... He can not fathom what it takes to be a real man to do what NEEDS TO BE DONE AND DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES LATER.

Does he honestly feel that those "Muslims" hiding to set off a hidden explosive device or set up as a sniper to attack Americans deserve a "fair" chance.. They received their fair chance, all they had to do was be better, that didn't happen and they died like they should have!!!!

Do we really care what the people at the Academy Awards have to say. WE know if something is good and if someone has gone above and beyond without some person who works primarily in make believe to tell us if it is good enough for an award...

They are only confused due to the fact that Americans still look up to our service members and they have a very hard time understanding the silent majority. They will be shocked when the sleeping "silent" group of people finally roar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Abbey Marie]

Another cowardly loser chimes in:



Seth Rogen: “American Sniper” reminds me of the fake Nazi propaganda movie in “Inglourious Basterds”


In addition to Michael Moore, who called Kyle a “coward,” Rogen appears singularly unimpressed by the film or the story of the late Chris Kyle.It’s unclear if Rogen has actually seen “American Sniper,” but his tweet to his 2.51 million followers about it makes clear he’s not a fan of the concept.
The movie to which Rogen referred is the fake “Nation’s Pride,” the Nazi propaganda movie that draws Hitler, Joseph Goebbels, and other Nazi high command leaders to the theater where they are slaughtered in Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece.
http://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2015/01/19/seth-rogen-american-sniper-reminds-me-of-the-fake-nazi-propaganda-movie-in-inglourious-basterds/comment-page-1/

[gabosaurus]

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/06/real-american-sniper-hate-filled-killer-why-patriots-calling-hero-chris-kyle

[jimnyc]

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/06/real-american-sniper-hate-filled-killer-why-patriots-calling-hero-chris-kyle

Thanks for pointing out a few more idiots. But it won't harm the millions this movie will make. Nothing will ever harm this mans legacy. He's a hero and will always be considered such, no matter how many of these armchair soldiers complain.

[Abbey Marie]

Thanks for pointing out a few more idiots. But it won't harm the millions this movie will make. Nothing will ever harm this mans legacy. He's a hero and will always be considered such, no matter how many of these armchair soldiers complain.

At dinner after the movie, the 6 people at the next table happened to have just seen American Sniper too. They started their meal by toasting Chris Kyle. Over and over, Americans show what we truly value. The small percentage that comprises the limousine liberal hypocrites in Hollywood won't change that.

[NightTrain]

“He seems like he may be a sociopath,” one Academy member told TheWrap, adding he had not yet seen the film but had read the article, which is being passed around.



Translation : The criticism fits my liberal views, so rather than watch the movie and make my own decision, I will mindlessly parrot what another liberal thinks to anyone that will listen.



Sounds pretty familiar.

Kyle was a great American hero, therefore he will be attacked by the Blame-America crowd.

[Kathianne]

The box office and book sales tend to swamp the kooky Hollywood elite. Here is one very good response on the subject:

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/396505/smearing-snipers-what-many-americans-dont-get-about-our-warrior-elite-chris-mark


JANUARY 16, 2015 4:00 AM
Smearing Snipers: What Many Americans Don’t Get about Our Warrior Elite (http://www.nationalreview.com/article/396505/smearing-snipers-what-many-americans-dont-get-about-our-warrior-elite-chris-mark)
We should be proud of men like Chris Kyle, not skittish or ashamed.
ByChris Mark (http://www.nationalreview.com/author/1407241)

About ten years ago, an employer of mine had an odd request: I needed to delete an aspect of my military career from my professional biography because it might “offend” a potential client or partner. Recon Marine, infantry Marine, service-disabled veteran . . . those were a boon.


But “Scout Sniper,” one of the greatest accomplishments I had as a Marine — that had to go.
Sadly, that kind of slight is not uncommon for some of our nation’s most elite warriors.

“Murderer,” “assassin,” “heartless”: The modern sniper is an oft-maligned and largely misunderstood individual, and Hollywood has played a part. For too long, it’s wrongly portrayed snipers as troubled men struggling through a lonely life, anguished by their memories of too many “murders.”

The new biopic American Sniper, while taking artistic license and departing a bit from the book of the same name, attempts to shows a real sniper in an honest light — as the serious, patriotic professional he is.


Chris Kyle was not just a SEAL, or just a sniper. He was a loving husband, father, and patriotic American fighting man who volunteered for a very difficult and extremely dangerous job to best protect his brothers in arms. He was not, as some have suggested (http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/06/real-american-sniper-hate-filled-killer-why-patriots-calling-hero-chris-kyle), a “hate-filled killer.”
Chris was, by all accounts, a very charitable man who readily helped those in need. Nor was he arrogant: “Chris was genuine and was not attached to the glory regaled upon him as a hero,” Marine sniper Rudy Reyes says of him.

...

[aboutime]

Screw 'em all. Obviously. In Hollyweird. It is more correct to be Politically Correct, and anti-American to save their phony, elite, rich faces.
Hypocrisy rules....UNLESS one of them needs to be protected from any threats. Which is why most of them have Security guards (armed), everywhere they go.

SCREW 'EM!

[Jeff]

In the movie he does say the kills don't bother him at all because he was keeping our soldiers safe, in fact when asked about the kills he said he was more proud of the number of soldiers he saved. You can bet your butt if I was going house to house looking for these scum bags I would love to have a guy like him watching our backs.

[Kathianne]

I must say that my life on earth years have sucked in a large degree. My young years were all about nuclear war and JFK, MLK, RFK being killed, not too mention Viet Nam. Then came the end of the Cold War. Then the Middle East, then 9/11. Really? Can I catch a break? Yeah, I know, neither can any of us.

Much younger, with much more to give, seems Chris couldn't catch a break either. Unlike me, he gave so much more and will be missed in what he could have done for vets.


http://www.breitbart.com/big-hollywood/2015/01/19/american-sniper-same-leftists-defaming-chris-kyle-as-killer-wanted-every-iraqi-dead/ (http://www.breitbart.com/big-hollywood/2015/01/19/american-sniper-same-leftists-defaming-chris-kyle-as-killer-wanted-every-iraqi-dead/)


‘AMERICAN SNIPER': SAME LEFTISTS DEFAMING CHRIS KYLE AS ‘KILLER’ WANTED EVERY IRAQI DEAD

...

The propaganda push isn’t subtle either. Left-wing filmmaker Michael Moore came right out and declared Kyle a coward (http://www.breitbart.com/big-hollywood/2015/01/18/american-sniper-shatters-records-michael-moore-calls-snipers-cowards/). Seth Rogen compared Eastwood’s film to Nazi propaganda (http://www.breitbart.com/big-hollywood/2015/01/18/seth-rogen-american-sniper-is-equivalent-to-nazism/). The Wrap’s Steve Pond fired the biggest salvo yet with an extensive piece about a backlash brewing among left-wing Academy members. Apparently, they are all passing around a New Republic article (http://www.thewrap.com/american-sniper-complaints-grow-in-hollywood-should-clint-eastwood-be-celebrating-a-killer/) that defames Kyle as a “killer.”

It should be noted that the author of the New Republic article, Dennis Jett, wrote his attack on “Sniper” before seeing the actual movie — and his ignorance shows.

Per The Wrap (http://www.thewrap.com/american-sniper-complaints-grow-in-hollywood-should-clint-eastwood-be-celebrating-a-killer/), the controversy apparently boils down to this: [emphasis added]

Over the weekend, multiple Academy members told TheWrap that they had been passing around a recent article by Dennis Jett in The New Republic that attacks the film for making a hero out of Kyle, who said: “The enemy are savages and despicably evil,” and his “only regret is that I didn’t kill more.” Kyle made the statements in his best-selling book, “American Sniper,” on which the film is based.

Let’s start with a fact heartbreaking to the Left: Not only is this fact not ignored in the film, it is the WHOLE POINT (http://www.breitbart.com/big-hollywood/2015/01/16/american-sniper-review-a-patriotic-pro-war-on-terror-masterpiece/) of the film.
“American Sniper” is not “Selma” — “American Sniper” doesn’t lie.

Here’s a Pond quote where he gets slippery:

But Academy members seem to be paying attention to the criticism that Eastwood and star/producer Bradley Cooper shouldn’t be celebrating a man who wrote that killing hundreds of Iraqis was “fun.”

Note how Pond doesn’t use quotes around the word “Iraqis.” What he’s doing here is turning Kyle’s word “enemy” into the word “Iraqis” as a way to make it seem as though Kyle murdered civilians.

The money quote from the New Republic (http://www.newrepublic.com/article/120763/american-sniper-clint-eastwood-biopic-misrepresents-chris-kyle) article is just as deceptive:

But anyone who has read Kyle’s autobiography of the same title knows that his bravado left no room for doubt. For him, the enemy are savages and despicably evil. His only regret is that he didn’t kill more. He laments that there were rules of engagement, or ROE, which he describes as being drafted by lawyers to protect generals from politicians. He argues instead for letting warriors loose to fight wars without their hands tied behind their backs. At another point, he boasts that the unofficial ROE were pretty simple: “If you see anyone from about sixteen to sixty-five and they’re male, shoot ‘em. Kill every male you see.”

This fact about killing every adult male you see is also in the film. Unlike The New Republic, though, Eastwood puts the quote in the correct context. Kyle is talking about no-go zones; areas that were officially evacuated. The legitimate strategy behind this was that only the enemy (evil savage terrorists) would remain in officially evacuated areas.

The lies of omission in this left-wing campaign are bad enough; what’s laughably outrageous is the Left pretending to care about the Iraqi people.

Here’s a juicy historical fact to chew on:

While Kyle was risking his life over four tours of duty to protect his country and innocent Iraqi civilians from evil, savage terrorists, the American Left, and most especially the Hollywood Left, were using every weapon at their disposal to ensure untold millions of innocent Iraqis were fed into a terrorist/death squad meat grinder.

The Left made no secret of this. At the height of the Iraq War, Democrats, the mainstream media, and Hollywood fought tooth and nail for America to pull prematurely out of Iraq. The very same people lying about Chris Kyle today are the very same people who demanded we abandon Iraq to the terrorists, and with it, 25 million innocent Iraqi civilians.

To further this evil and sinister goal, Left-wing Hollywood went so far as to build bombs for al Qaeda. Not actual bombs. Worse, these were box office bombs — movies, the ultimate propaganda tool. More than a billion dollars was spent on more than a dozen box office bombs (http://www.conservativecrusader.com/articles/andrew-breitbart-something-s-desperately-wrong-in-hollywood) that portrayed America, our military, and our troops as either no better than terrorists, or worse than terrorists.
All of these films were produced and released while our men and women were still fighting the war.

Had the Left won the day, the results of an American withdrawal would have resulted in a holocaust for the millions of Iraqi civilians who, just a few years before, had turned out in extraordinary numbers to vote for the self-determination awarded to them by the likes of Chris Kyle.

Moreover, everyone on the Left knew this outcome would result in a slaughter in Iraq unseen since the Killing Fields of Southeast Asia (that was also a direct result of Democrats choosing to lose a won war).

The Left didn’t care.

For the Left, a few million dead brown people was a small price to pay for being right about the folly of the Iraq War.
But now, as a way to defame an American hero, these inhuman, unfeeling Leftists are pretending otherwise.

John Nolte on Twitter @NolteNC (https://twitter.com/NolteNC)

[SassyLady]

Michael Moore ... creepy little man. Eastwood threatened his life once upon a time. Wonder what he's thinking about the little shit now.

http://www.mrctv.org/blog/clint-eastwood-told-michael-moore-he-will-kill-him-if-he-showed-camera

[Kathianne]

Michael Moore ... creepy little man. Eastwood threatened his life once upon a time. Wonder what he's thinking about the little shit now.

http://www.mrctv.org/blog/clint-eastwood-told-michael-moore-he-will-kill-him-if-he-showed-camera

I'm thinking of laughing all the way to the bank, Moore sucks, as we all know.

[Jeff]

Michael Moore ... creepy little man. Eastwood threatened his life once upon a time. Wonder what he's thinking about the little shit now.

http://www.mrctv.org/blog/clint-eastwood-told-michael-moore-he-will-kill-him-if-he-showed-camera

Guys such as Michael Moore and other Bleeding Heart Liberals simply need there asses kicked, a thorough ass kicking may straighten them out, although I doubt it because the majority of the Libs I see now a days spent there schools years getting there Butts whooped ( heck that us why they are so negative ) but to whoop them again would just be fun. ;)

[jimnyc]

The video cannot be embedded, but if you go and watch, 2 of Chris's Seal friends respond to the crap...

http://news.yahoo.com/video/why-hollywood-liberals-attacking-american-033654635.html

[namvet]

Flashback Clint Eastwood to Michael Moore: ‘If you ever show up at my front door with a camera – I’ll kill you’

http://i62.tinypic.com/s3knrc.jpg


link (http://www.bizpacreview.com/2015/01/20/flashback-clint-eastwood-to-michael-moore-if-you-ever-show-up-at-my-front-door-with-a-camera-ill-kill-you-173868)

[NightTrain]

Both Moore and Rogan are backpedaling as fast as they can. No one is buying their lame excuses... and I can add Rogan to my banned list. I didn't know he was from Canada til now.

American Sniper is breaking records, and I'm sure Clint and Cooper couldn't care less what those ankle-biting liberal worms are saying.

It says a lot about the mood of the country for this to be such a huge success, and that's good to see. With this being such a massive blockbuster, I think we'll see a rush in patriotic movies to capitalize on this theme. Hollywood goes where the big money is.

[Abbey Marie]

You know, I stopped watching Awards shows for many years now. And this is exactly why. Instead of just watching the movie and voting based on talent, Academy voters will wring their hands over the possibility that it just doesn't fit with their leftist world view.

Hollywood long ago stopped rewarding films for being well made, well-acted, etc. Nominations and trophies are much more rewards for satisfying their agenda, than for anything resembling the real point of awards. A fact that Sharpton btw, is banking on.

If one could make a movie that combined Slavery, the Holocaust, Feminism, and also make white Christian males look stupid and hypocritical (think American Beauty), it would literally be unbeatable.

[aboutime]

You know, I stopped watching Awards shows for many years. And this is exactly why. Instead of just watching the movie and voting based on talent, Academy voters will wring their hands over the possibility that it just doesn't fit with their leftist world view.

Hollywood long ago stopped rewarding films for being well made, well-acted, etc. Nominations trophies are much more rewards for satisfying their agenda, than for anything resembling the real point of awards. A fact that Sharpton btw, is banking on.

If one could make a movie that combined Slavery, the Holocaust, Feminism, and also make white Christian males look stupid and hypocritical (think American Beauty), it would literally be unbeatable.


Abbey. Please forgive me for saying this here, but..ALL AWARD SHOWS have become nothing more than a huge MUTUAL MASTERBATION EVENT for the Lame Minded, Rich, Elites, who are Dumber than AL SHARPTON.

[Abbey Marie]

You will love this reply to Michael Moore-on, from a sniper and Medal of Honor recipient:


Meyer, the first living Marine to win the Medal of Honor in nearly 40 years, knows a thing or two about courage. He took a few minutes to school the liberal propaganda maker Moore on the realities of life – and war.
Here is the letter, as posted on Scout.com. (http://www.scout.com/story/1503741-dakota-meyer-blasts-moore-s-coward-remarks?s=143)

I’m sure that his grandfather who died serving this country is rolling over in his grave knowing that his grandson is using him to justify him calling U.S. service men cowards. I’d be willing to bet that at some point during his grandfather’s service, he was watched over by U.S. snipers, and probably had his life saved more than once by U.S. snipers during the war.
I served as a Marine sniper for three years, and I believe the film American Sniper depicted what we do perfectly. A sniper’s primary goal is to eliminate ground threats for U.S. guys on the ground. Is that what a coward is? A person whose goal is to save the lives of his warrior brothers?
No, cowards are people who didn’t have the guts to serve, and are happy to sit back in a free and protected country and call our service members cowards. I find it funny that this Moore guy would only say this after Chris Kyle was killed. I’d have loved to see him say that to Chris’s face.
Look, I’ve never seen a Michael Moore movie and sure don’t plan to. I’d call on everyone to boycott this idiot’s films. Don’t embrace or support his ignorance.
What would I do if I owned a Michael Moore DVD? I’d set it up out back and set my cowardly sniper skill on it.


Read more: http://www.bizpacreview.com/2015/01/20/medal-of-honor-recipient-dakota-meyer-lays-into-michael-moore-id-have-loved-to-see-him-say-that-to-chriss-face-174011#ixzz3PP4A6wrT

[gabosaurus]

And some of us just don't care for glorified violence of any sort. But to those of you who enjoy death and all portrayals of such, I am sure this fits the bill perfectly.

[jimnyc]

And some of us just don't care for glorified violence of any sort. But to those of you who enjoy death and all portrayals of such, I am sure this fits the bill perfectly.

Some of us appreciate the retelling of a HERO's story. The man saved countless lives and endured WAY more than your typical soldier with quite a few tours over there. What you call glorified violence is actually reality. This is what the man did, and how he risked his life to go and fight, and protect his brothers in arms.

And for those who don't care, you are free to not see the movie. It just doesn't make sense to try and defame a dead hero, nor tons of soldiers prior to him by referring to them as cowards. If you guys don't like it, you're free to STFU about it.

[gabosaurus]

If you guys don't like it, you're free to STFU about it.

So there is only one accepted response to this particular movie? You either enjoy it or STFU?
I went to see Black Hawk Down when I was in high school. The movie wasn't that bad, but it was kind of scary to watch and listen to people screaming and applauding when particularly graphic violence happened.
Which is why I stick to comedies.

[aboutime]

And some of us just don't care for glorified violence of any sort. But to those of you who enjoy death and all portrayals of such, I am sure this fits the bill perfectly.


So gabby. When did your SEPTEMBER 11TH PARTY end?

[Jeff]

And some of us just don't care for glorified violence of any sort. But to those of you who enjoy death and all portrayals of such, I am sure this fits the bill perfectly.

Gabs after reading this my first thought was to reply with something nasty but think about it this way, Your Dad, Husband heck even your beautiful little girl could of been one of those soldiers going house to house to find terrorist that decided to start war with us, and these snipers lay atop a building trying to take out all that would cause your loved ones danger, and he did his job with great expertise, yes he is a Hero !!!

[jimnyc]

So there is only one accepted response to this particular movie? You either enjoy it or STFU?
I went to see Black Hawk Down when I was in high school. The movie wasn't that bad, but it was kind of scary to watch and listen to people screaming and applauding when particularly graphic violence happened.
Which is why I stick to comedies.

I worded wrong, to an extent. What I meant was, if you don't like violence, and are not going to see the move, and likely didn't read the book, and therefore know very little about this hero - then those whining and such should STFU about this man.

I also loved BHD. And like the others, I also applauded and got happy when they "re-depicted" Americans killing the savages that were trying to kill their brothers in arms. I fully understand if others don't like violence, and these movies aren't their cup of tea... I won't condemn your comedies and your choices - you don't condemn proven heroes and my choice in movies/reality.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

And some of us just don't care for glorified violence of any sort. But to those of you who enjoy death and all portrayals of such, I am sure this fits the bill perfectly.

Your freedoms and your very life has been protected by the blood and sacrifice of those you term to be executors of "glorified violence"!
My nephew served and did two combat tours in Iraq, was wounded by a IED and also has other scars to carry now.
I see how it has damaged and changed him , so these men and women deserve far, far better than what you just gave in your comment Gabby.
They deserve to be truly honored for their sacrifices , not condemned as glorified savages hell bent on "glorified violence"!!
In my opinion , your comment was not only in absolute error it was mean spirited and epically foolhardy to boot!
You should apologize methinks but I will not hold my breath waiting on that!--Tyr

[NightTrain]

And some of us just don't care for glorified violence of any sort. But to those of you who enjoy death and all portrayals of such, I am sure this fits the bill perfectly.

Here is a quote you need to think about. It's something that liberals that badmouth our heroes have never considered :


People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

Moore, Rogan and the other mealy-mouthed pansies who have never served a day in their life feel free to openly call our highly decorated military members cowards only because of the very men that they insult.

Yes, they should STFU and they would if they had an ounce of decency in them, but they are free to say such things - not that they should.


Since Moore loves to inform us of what his father thought, I'm going to email and ask him about what that Marine thought about his draft dodging son publicly berating American servicemen, let alone a highly decorated U.S. Navy Seal. What a punk.

[jimnyc]

Here is a quote you need to think about. It's something that liberals that badmouth our heroes have never considered :

Jack Nicholson too!

"Son, we live in a world that has walls and those walls need to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lieutenant Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and curse the Marines; you have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives and that my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use then as the backbone of a life trying to defend something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you," and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest that you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to."

[NightTrain]

Jack Nicholson too!

"Son, we live in a world that has walls and those walls need to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lieutenant Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and curse the Marines; you have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives and that my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use then as the backbone of a life trying to defend something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you," and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest that you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to."


That was a great speech. Nicholson was awesome in that flick!

[jimnyc]

That was a great speech. Nicholson was awesome in that flick!

One of my favorite "speeches" from TV. And even though it might be TV, his words couldn't be truer.

[Kathianne]

I came across this, thought some of you might like to read it:

http://oafnation.com/2015/01/26/american-sniper-the-voice-of-veterans/


<header class="entry-header page-header" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; border: none; overflow: hidden; clear: both; -webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.380392) 0px 0px 1px 0px inset; box-shadow: none; border-radius: 0px; color: rgb(71, 71, 71); font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px;">American Sniper: The Voice of Veterans

<time class="entry-date published" datetime="2015-01-26T17:03:25+00:00" style="box-sizing: border-box;">01/26/2015</time> (http://oafnation.com/2015/01/26/american-sniper-the-voice-of-veterans/)

“This city is haunted by ghosts from broken homes.“ -Alexisonfire</header>
Well, it’s a new year. Welcome to 2015. This is the year we were supposed to have flying cars and hover boards. Color me disappointed.

However, what 2015 HAS given us is a voice. I say this because I just saw American Sniper yesterday. I’m not going to get into Chris Kyle as a man. I never had the privilege of knowing him. I have a few friends that operated with him, and had nothing but great things to say about him. I’m not going to sit and bitch about any Hollywood inconstancies that arise when flash and pomp take precedence over authenticity.

I am, however, going to talk about the precedence this film set for veterans and the direction I’m hoping the population of this country will take.
American Sniper, though being marketed as a hero movie, goes far beyond that. It isn’t an action movie. Yes, there IS action in the film; but it’s not the sole focus. I can see a lot of people leaving the movie disappointed because there wasn’t as much running and gunning as in say, Act of Valor or Lone Survivor.

What the movie accomplishes, for me and for US, is that it finally depicts WHY coming home is the hardest part for most of us. So many movies in Hollywood either touch briefly on the subject, or completely miss the mark. The Hurt Locker, love it or hate it, has a very poignant scene in the grocery store where Renner’s character has returned from a tour in Iraq and life seems mundane and boring compared to the excitement and rush of defusing bombs. The premise is botched in that, most veteran’s aren’t missing the experience because they’re bored and need an adrenaline rush; they miss their brothers and that bond that frankly WILL NEVER be experienced here at home. THAT is the drug for which most of us are fiending.

...

[aboutime]

As Nicholson so accurately told TOM CRUISE. "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!"

That line applies to all of the Hypocrite Americans among us who DEMAND to be protected from being offended, insulted, and bothered by people who think differently. Namely, all of those who Pretend to Love America as long as they get what they want...all the time. While they also pretend to be so Tolerant, and disrespect the people who protect them, and their rights...LIKE POLICE OFFICERS, and AMERICAN MILITARY MEMBERS who happen to be Snipers.

[gabosaurus]

One of the main complaints I have seen about "American Sniper" is that it doesn't fully portray Chris Kyle's entire character.
Sure, he was a war hero. But the war broke him. He returned mentally spent and delusional. He was unable to live with the person that he had become.
If the movie had shown the person that Chris Kyle has become, perhaps it would shame our government into overhauling and upgrading the mental health care we offer our returning veterans. Which is currently a joke and a sham.

[SassyLady]

One of the main complaints I have seen about "American Sniper" is that it doesn't fully portray Chris Kyle's entire character.
Sure, he was a war hero. But the war broke him. He returned mentally spent and delusional. He was unable to live with the person that he had become.
If the movie had shown the person that Chris Kyle has become, perhaps it would shame our government into overhauling and upgrading the mental health care we offer our returning veterans. Which is currently a joke and a sham.

Mentally spent and delusional? Hmmmm...are you talking about Chris Kyle or Obama?

I think "mentally spent and delusional" could apply to the majority of Americans at this point. However, I do agree with you that the government does need to provide more support to service members and their families for everything they have done for this country.

I sincerely believe Chris was getting back on track before he was tragically killed trying to help another vet heal. What he couldn't live with was not being able to save more while he was there and not going back to try and save more after he came home. I think that is what broke him ... not what he did while he was there.

[gabosaurus]

Let's face it. Kyle was a war hero. But he was also a deranged sociopath who enjoyed killing people. He became delusional. Like his story about sitting on the Superdome during Katrina and picking off looters.
The worse thing about "American Sniper" was the reaction it inspired from right-wing extremists. If you didn't like the movie, you weren't patriotic, and thus deserved to die. Because you didn't like a movie?

http://www.alternet.org/tea-party-and-right/cut-her-head-shocking-death-threats-you-can-receive-mocking-eastwoods-american#.VKf0aKRTnS4.facebook

[SassyLady]

Gabby ... I am not a "right wing extremist" but it does piss me off that people who haven't even seen the movie are condemning it just because it's about a soldier who is a hero for killing bad guys. It's not about liking or not liking the movie. People who haven't even seen it are making disparaging remarks about it, which leads those of us who did see it, and felt that it depicted a snapshot of our lives (military wife), to be a little pissed (actually a lot pissed). And, to attack Chris Kyle and call him a sociopath because he killed the enemy protecting his fellow soldiers is just sad and shows how out of touch people are with what it takes to protect this country from true sociopaths like terrorists.

Here's a great article explaining why the liberal left hate this movie.


Every liberal may not have a problem with this movie, but why is it that so many do? Is it that Kyle was a sniper? Is it because Clint Eastwood directed the movie? Could liberals just be traumatized from their battles with Duck Dynasty and hate guys with beards? What is their problem with American Sniper?

Simple: their problem is that they don’t like soldiers like Chris Kyle and they detest the movie because it treats them as worthy of praise. Why do liberals feel this way?

1) Soldiers tend to be conservative: Soldiers tend to be almost reflexively conservative; so even the ones who don’t listen to Rush Limbaugh or know who Mike Lee is tend to lean to the Right. Liberals might not have a problem with traitors like Bradley Manning, deserters like Bowe Bergdahl or dirtbags like John Kerry who condemn their fellow soldiers (“randomly shot at civilians, razed villages in fashion reminiscent of Genghis Khan”), but they don’t like conservative soldiers any more than they like conservative Tea Partiers. If anything, the soldiers are worse in their eyes because the troops all have guns.

2) Soldiers tend to be patriotic: When I think of patriotism and soldiers, the first thing that comes to mind are those lines from Toby Keith’s Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue.
My daddy served in the army
Where he lost his right eye
But he flew a flag out in our yard
Until the day that he died
In my experience, most soldiers have a deep and abiding love of country – and Chris Kyle was no different. At one point in the movie, when he’s responding to his future wife, Chris Kyle says,“Why would you say I’m self-centered? I’d lay down my life for my country.”

The sad truth is that most liberals don’t like America very much. When they think of America, they don’t think of waving flags, a city on a hill and “the land of the free,” they think of a rotten country they want to change before it hurts more people. The idea that there are people out there who are willing to die for this country because they think it’s such a great place is like a thumb in the eye for people who read Noam Chomsky, like Jane Fonda, and wish we could be more like Belgium.

3) Soldiers kill people: Why does Bill Maher think Chris Kyle was a “psychopath?” Kyle was killing bad guys, he didn’t do it for pleasure, he was justified in eliminating his targets and had he not done so, it’s likely a lot of Americans would have died. So, why does Maher call Kyle a “psychopath?” Because Chris Kyle killed people, just like our other soldiers fighting and dying in Iraq. Certainly liberals like Bill Maher would NEVER kill people….because men like Chris Kyle do it for them and the rest of us so we can stay safe. Some of us appreciate that. Liberals don’t – which is why they need to be reminded that George Orwell was right when he said, "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

4) Liberals are Utopian thinkers: Liberalism is a guy using an Apple and an IPod railing against corporations. It’s a doofus with a sign that says, “Who Needs Oil? I Ride The Bus!” It’s a guy eating a cheeseburger talking about how awful it is that anyone hunts for food. The reason that Jack Nicholson’s famous speech fromA Few Good Men resonated with so many people, even though he was a bad guy in the movie, is that what he said is such a perfect response to armchair critics who want the freedom our soldiers insure without doing the dirty, dangerous and messy work they have to do to provide it.
You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lieutenant Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know, that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives! You don't want the truth, because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall. We use words like "honor", "code", "loyalty". We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it! I would rather you just said "thank you", and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to!

5) Liberals view our troops as the moral equivalent of the people they’re fighting: Liberals were very upset that Chris Kyle referred to the people we were fighting in Iraq as “savages.” Of course, if people who deliberately murder civilians, use their children as suicide bombers and inflict power drills and beheading on captives aren’t savages, then the word has no meaning. Unfortunately, liberals have become so reluctant to make moral judgments that they are simply unable to see the differences between our troops and the people they’re fighting.

http://townhall.com/columnists/johnhawkins/2015/01/27/5-reasons-liberals-hate-soldiers-like-chris-kyle-n1948611

P.S. You know the trolls at your website could very well be left wing extremists just posting to fan the flames. The vitriol certainly sounds like progressive anarchists.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Gabby ... I am not a "right wing extremist" but it does piss me off that people who haven't even seen the movie are condemning it just because it's about a soldier who is a hero for killing bad guys. It's not about liking or not liking the movie. People who haven't even seen it are making disparaging remarks about it, which leads those of us who did see it, and felt that it depicted a snapshot of our lives (military wife), to be a little pissed (actually a lot pissed). And, to attack Chris Kyle and call him a sociopath because he killed the enemy protecting his fellow soldiers is just sad and shows how out of touch people are with what it takes to protect this country from true sociopaths like terrorists.

Here's a great article explaining why the liberal left hate this movie.



http://townhall.com/columnists/johnhawkins/2015/01/27/5-reasons-liberals-hate-soldiers-like-chris-kyle-n1948611

P.S. You know the trolls at your website could very well be left wing extremists just posting to fan the flames. The vitriol certainly sounds like progressive anarchists.

They do not like the movie because it highlights their lies, their idiocy/arrogance and their abject stupidity when it comes to facing off against Evil.
It shows a man that believed in this nation, our Constitution and the American way of life!
All of which these liberal loons enjoy the fruits of but reject the foundation and culture born from that ideology.
The movie just validates his hero status and gives young people a true hero, a true patriot to admire--that these vermin simply can not abide!

They think Obama is a hero!--:rofl1: :rofl1: :rofl1: :cuckoo: -Tyr

[aboutime]

One of the main complaints I have seen about "American Sniper" is that it doesn't fully portray Chris Kyle's entire character.
Sure, he was a war hero. But the war broke him. He returned mentally spent and delusional. He was unable to live with the person that he had become.
If the movie had shown the person that Chris Kyle has become, perhaps it would shame our government into overhauling and upgrading the mental health care we offer our returning veterans. Which is currently a joke and a sham.


Gabby. IT IS A MOVIE, not an autobiography/book. Hollywood can only do so much in TWO hours in a movie theater, or on a DVD. As for overhauling the VA...that has only become a political tool for certain politicians to fall back on while running for RE-ELECTION. Truth is. Nothing has improved, and the JOKE is on EVERY VETERAN like Kyle who spent their time Protecting Hypocrites while alive, only to get slammed by DUNG HEADED People like Moore, and the phony Washington/Hollywood Elites who are all LIARS.

[Jeff]

And some of us just don't care for glorified violence of any sort. But to those of you who enjoy death and all portrayals of such, I am sure this fits the bill perfectly.

You do understand without this guy covering our troops the deaths would of been multiplied and it would of been our men and woman on the death list right ? I understand not advocating violence but these soldiers where sent there to do a job ( they didn't decide to just go kill people in the desert ) so it is only natural to have them protected by the best, and Chris Kyle was one of the best !!!

[Jeff]

One of the main complaints I have seen about "American Sniper" is that it doesn't fully portray Chris Kyle's entire character.
Sure, he was a war hero. But the war broke him. He returned mentally spent and delusional. He was unable to live with the person that he had become.
If the movie had shown the person that Chris Kyle has become, perhaps it would shame our government into overhauling and upgrading the mental health care we offer our returning veterans. Which is currently a joke and a sham.

Gabs have you seen the movie ? They did show what a hard time Chris had coming back to reality, that was what made the movie so good, it wasn't about him just killing, it showed the stress his mind played on his marriage, it showed how it hurt his wife as much as him and at the end in a fierce fire fight ( that I am sure he knew he may not make it home ) he called his wife to tell her I am ready to come home, so yes it covered it.

[Abbey Marie]

Gabs have you seen the movie ? They did show what a hard time Chris had coming back to reality, that was what made the movie so good, it wasn't about him just killing, it showed the stress his mind played on his marriage, it showed how it hurt his wife as much as him and at the end in a fierce fire fight ( that I am sure he knew he may not make it home ) he called his wife to tell her I am ready to come home, so yes it covered it.

And those dichotomies are what made him even more of a hero.
People see what they want to see. $260 million dollars tells me that most of America still gets it. Thank God.

[gabosaurus]

Gabs have you seen the movie ? They did show what a hard time Chris had coming back to reality, that was what made the movie so good, it wasn't about him just killing, it showed the stress his mind played on his marriage, it showed how it hurt his wife as much as him and at the end in a fierce fire fight ( that I am sure he knew he may not make it home ) he called his wife to tell her I am ready to come home, so yes it covered it.

OK, fine. I explained why I didn't see the movie. I do feel that some people are taking criticism of the movie too harshly. It is just a movie, not a referendum on who Kyle is.

[aboutime]

OK, fine. I explained why I didn't see the movie. I do feel that some people are taking criticism of the movie too harshly. It is just a movie, not a referendum on who Kyle is.


Gabby. Go back a few of your posts on this thread, and see the definition of hypocrite...with your own words. You really are good at talking from BOTH SIDES OF YOUR MOUTH. Too bad Americans like Kyle, and I might even say...Americans like myself; devoted our lives to protecting THANKLESS, SELFISH Americans like you.

[Jeff]

OK, fine. I explained why I didn't see the movie. I do feel that some people are taking criticism of the movie too harshly. It is just a movie, not a referendum on who Kyle is.

I can tell you this, after seeing the movie I felt like I had a pretty good grasp of who this American Hero was Gabs, I think those that are criticizing it, well you would get the same reaction if you showed a Klan member one of Obama's greatest accomplishments. (I know you figure I feel he has none and I don't but for the sake of argument lets say he was a great president)

See I would love to tell ya you should go see it but I know your stance on violence, but honestly I would say at least half the movie is explaining who he is and what he felt as well as what his wife felt, in a way this movie did have a love story to it as well, no not a chic flick but it was there.

[Kathianne]

I can tell you this, after seeing the movie I felt like I had a pretty good grasp of who this American Hero was Gabs, I think those that are criticizing it, well you would get the same reaction if you showed a Klan member one of Obama's greatest accomplishments. (I know you figure I feel he has none and I don't but for the sake of argument lets say he was a great president)

See I would love to tell ya you should go see it but I know your stance on violence, but honestly I would say at least half the movie is explaining who he is and what he felt as well as what his wife felt, in a way this movie did have a love story to it as well, no not a chic flick but it was there.

Gabby started a thread where she said she did finally see it and was surprised.

For those that haven't seen it for the 'violence' reason, let me reassure you there really isn't much 'blood and guts,' it's much more of a thinking person's movie-the violence is more implied. This is not "Glory" which is an awesome movie, but very violent. In "Glory" there are shots of heads exploding and much of the very real trauma inflicted during the Civil War, including close ups of the primitive medical facilities and talents available.

Yes, in "American Sniper" men, women, and children are victims of war, but there's no gratuitous violence, mostly the violence is shown through a scope of the target, actions that make the shot necessary, and then you hear the shot, but not the carnage for the most part. Truth is, that's basically the way that Eastwood directs and it's also how Kyle wrote the book.

[Abbey Marie]

Well said, Kath. Unlike many violent movies these days, I didn't have to turn away. Well, except for that poor deer.