Why the Left Hates American Sniper

[DaveBj]

Recently there’s been a lot in the media (especially the conservative media) about the perceived contempt on the part of those on left (Michael Moore is a prime example) for snipers in general, and for the movie American Sniper in particular. Here is an interesting take on that subject from Rabbi Shmuley Boteach:

observer.com/2015/01/why-the-left-hates-american-sniper/

The answer lies in our failure to hate evil. What American Sniper is really about is the battle by decent men against truly dark forces of wickedness. The American soldiers who battle the terrorists in Iraq do not hide their contempt for the killers. They hate them, despise them, loathe them, and want to kill them. Not because they have any bloodlust and not because they enjoy violence. Rather, they are committed to life and are well aware of the fact that the only way to prevent the murderers from slaughtering the innocent is through the necessary evil of conflict.

From time immemorial theologians have debated what makes a person truly righteous. How do we know when someone’s faith is sincere? Some say it is evidenced by a love of humanity. But I have met legions of confirmed atheists who are the finest human beings alive. Others argue that it is martyrdom and a readiness to lay down one’s life for a great cause. But suicide bombers blow themselves up in the name of their faith all the time. Still others argue that goodness is judged by religious ritual observance. But we all know religious people who are devout church and synagogue-goers but who are utterly unethical in other spheres.

Which brings me to this conclusion. The most accurate standard in judging our commitment to humanity is the extent to which we fight to preserve life. For some that fight involves research in a lab to defeat cancer. For others it involves climbing a ladder in a terrible inferno to rescue a stranded child. And for some it involves going to war against barbarous terrorists so that they cannot blow up pregnant women.

(There are several forums where this topic would fit – Moral Theology, Back Fence, World News [because it is a semi-political topic, altho the article is an op-ed piece, not a news item]. I chose this forum because I think the subject of the movie is the overriding factor. Mods, feel free to move it somewhere else, if you feel it necessary.)

 

[grannymh]

Recently there’s been a lot in the media (especially the conservative media) about the perceived contempt on the part of those on left (Michael Moore is a prime example) for snipers in general, and for the movie American Sniper in particular. Here is an interesting take on that subject from Rabbi Shmuley Boteach:

observer.com/2015/01/why-the-left-hates-american-sniper/

(There are several forums where this topic would fit – Moral Theology, Back Fence, World News [because it is a semi-political topic, altho the article is an op-ed piece, not a news item]. I chose this forum because I think the subject of the movie is the overriding factor. Mods, feel free to move it somewhere else, if you feel it necessary.)

This is the first time I have posted in this Forum.

In American Sniper, I saw the depth of goodness that is possible in human nature.

 

[Joe_5859]

Interesting perspective. Since it was coming out of Hollywood, I had been assuming that this movie would be casting things in a much different light.

 

[DaveBj]

Interesting perspective. Since it was coming out of Hollywood, I had been assuming that this movie would be casting things in a much different light.

Bear in mind that it was directed by Clint Eastwood. Not exactly from the mold of the stereotypical “Hollywood left”.

 

[SuperLuigi]

Bear in mind that it was directed by Clint Eastwood. Not exactly from the mold of the stereotypical “Hollywood left”.

The Hollywood left wouldn’t make a movie like that.

It’s worth seeing to, BTW, and I normally don’t go to stand-alone movies like that.

 

[Kount_C]

I do not know how to properly express the level of dislike I have for that soldier and the movie, with out breaking the forum rules at CAF. No disrespect to the fans, but I wont be enjoying tales of the glory hounds.

 

[JackVk]

There was some article reposted here from Patheos the other day called Chris Kyle an “antithesis of Christ” because he supposedly enjoyed sniping and had contempt for his target. But some have said it is actually it’s an anti-war movie because it shows the trauma and upheaval Kyle and his family went through. Clint Eastwood himself actually spoke out against the War in Iraq, and there are organizations of Iraq veterans who did the same.

That said, the reason the Left hates it is because it doesn’t make the US look like the Big Bad Wolf. To them, it’s just more Call-of-Duty-esque propaganda for the military industrial complex.

 

[pnewton]

The Hollywood left wouldn’t make a movie like that.

It’s worth seeing to, BTW, and I normally don’t go to stand-alone movies like that.

I saw a little of it, but walked away when I heard how it ended. I will not see it. I am glad that there is a movie that explores the morality, humanity and nobility of Man in such a unique character. I applaud this journey. I can imagine that those who oppose all war, self-defense, and police hate humanizing them. Ironic that the very stereotype they have of soldiers, in that they treat “the enemy” as less than human, is exactly what they do to soldiers and police.

Oh, and I said I won’t see it because I use movies recreationally.

 

[Joe_5859]

Bear in mind that it was directed by Clint Eastwood. Not exactly from the mold of the stereotypical “Hollywood left”.

Ah yes, I missed that little detail in the commercials I saw. That does make a bit of a difference.

 

[SuperLuigi]

There was some article reposted here from Patheos the other day called Chris Kyle an “antithesis of Christ” because he supposedly enjoyed sniping and had contempt for his target. But some have said it is actually it’s an anti-war movie because it shows the trauma and upheaval Kyle and his family went through. Clint Eastwood himself actually spoke out against the War in Iraq, and there are organizations of Iraq veterans who did the same.

That said, the reason the Left hates it is because it doesn’t make the US look like the Big Bad Wolf. To them, it’s just more Call-of-Duty-esque propaganda for the military industrial complex.

I saw the movie. It’s about Chris Kyle.

 

[SuperLuigi]

I do not know how to properly express the level of dislike I have for that soldier and the movie, with out breaking the forum rules at CAF. No disrespect to the fans, but I wont be enjoying tales of the glory hounds.

This is anything but a glory hound. The harsh reality of war is portrayed well in this movie.

 

[Kount_C]

This is anything but a glory hound. The harsh reality of war is portrayed well in this movie.

I don't doubt the Clint has directed an awesome movie for one second or that its not entertaining, I just really really do not like the guy who the biography is based off of.

I’ll wait for the Nostalgia Critic to give a review on you tube, instead.

Cheers! man

 

[GaryTaylor]

Chris Rock on Twitter today; “I saw American Sniper yesterday. Not one black or brown person in the theater. I saw Selma today,not a single white person. Have a nice day!”

This is anything but a glory hound. The harsh reality of war is portrayed well in this movie.

This is true, but the “sniper” aspect is one which I think people have the issue with.

 

[sennincatholic]

 

[captainrick]

Of course the left doesn’t like the movie, along with those who are anti-American, and perpetual students who have never worked in difficult or dangerous jobs.

 

[Kount_C]

Of course the left doesn’t like the movie, along with those who are anti-American, and perpetual students who have never worked in difficult or dangerous jobs.

I don't like the movie, or the biographer. and I've had whats probably in the top 10 manliest jobs in existence and  I always vote NRA,

I have no doubt that Clint is an awesome story teller and monster director.

 

[Beryllos]

“The American soldiers who battle the terrorists in Iraq do not hide their contempt for the killers. They hate them, despise them, loathe them, and want to kill them.”
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
(in the article cited/linked in the original post of this thread)

I haven’t seen the movie and I am not a warfighter, but from where I sit (in an armchair, I imagine, since I am an “armchair general” ), I do not think that contempt, hatred, spite, or loathing are essential. Prevalent, perhaps, I don’t know, but why would a just war require hatred?

I am reminded of a quotation from the fictitious Col. Kurtz, in Apocalypse Now:

These men who fought with their hearts, who had families, who had children, who were filled with love… but they had the strength… the strength… to do that. If I had ten divisions of those men, our troubles here would be over very quickly. You have to have men who are moral… and at the same time who are able to utilize their primordial instincts to kill without feeling… without passion… without judgment… without judgment! Because it’s judgment that defeats us.

 

[captainrick]

I don’t like the movie, or the biographer. and I’ve had whats probably in the top 10 manliest jobs in existence and I always vote NRA,
I have no doubt that Clint is an awesome story teller and monster director.

I respect the opinion of anyone with real world experience, but many critics of the military are academics or actors without such experience.

 

[Kount_C]

I respect the opinion of anyone with real world experience, but many critics of the military are academics or actors without such experience.

I agree 100% with you. I think there is a reason why during every revolution the academic elite are often times the first to be marched out

 

[mikekle]

I do not know how to properly express the level of dislike I have for that soldier and the movie, with out breaking the forum rules at CAF. No disrespect to the fans, but I wont be enjoying tales of the glory hounds.

I totally agree! Its sad how many people they have ‘fooled’ with this movie, I truly think if our founding fathers could see the condition of their once great country, they would have probably done things a bit differently as to avoid these kinds of things ever coming to fruition!

If some of our great patriots in our history did the things they did back then, in modern times, they would be arrested and labeled a domestic terrorist! I believe 'certain ’ laws have been put in place to prevent and discourage true american patriotism.