Iraq War Vet Tells Me Why Chris Kyle Is Not A Hero, Nor Was Anyone In That War
Ross Caputi’s war experience turned him into an anti-war activist. He explained how and why that transition took place and why he doesn’t buy into glamorizing Chris Kyle.
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99 responses to Iraq War Vet Tells Me Why Chris Kyle Is Not A Hero, Nor Was Anyone In That War
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Guy Lauten January 28th, 2015 at 17:04
anyone who’s actually been thru the wringer hates it.
people who glorify it – haven’t been there.
Guy Lauten January 28th, 2015 at 18:04
anyone who’s actually been thru the wringer hates it.
people who glorify it – haven’t been there.
Anomaly 100 January 28th, 2015 at 17:17
Our vets are heroes. I do not discount their service, but those who actually enjoyed killing others, are not heroes. (see: Chris Kyle).
Anomaly 100 January 28th, 2015 at 18:17
Our vets are heroes. I do not discount their service, but those who actually enjoyed killing others, are not heroes. (see: Chris Kyle).
Guest January 28th, 2015 at 17:28
I served from 64 to 70 on the east coast. I am almost embarrassed that I didn’t serve in Nam, not that I wanted to be in combat but because of a feeling I didn’t make the effort to stand with the poor SOB’s that were sent over there to die for corporate merica,
Carla Akins January 28th, 2015 at 19:02
I’m pretty sure that simply makes you human.
Guest January 28th, 2015 at 18:28
I served from 64 to 70 on the east coast. I am almost embarrassed that I didn’t serve in Nam, not that I wanted to be in combat but because of a feeling I didn’t make the effort to stand with the poor SOB’s that were sent over there to die for corporate merica,
Carla Akins January 28th, 2015 at 20:02
I’m pretty sure that simply makes you human.
Booya Bible January 28th, 2015 at 17:37
I’m in Chapter five of ‘American Sniper’ and the problem I see is that this fuckin’ guy every other page talks about how excited he is for the opportunity to kill people. It really is fuckin’ scary.
David Owen January 28th, 2015 at 20:46
scarier are the ideologies we are fighting.
jasperjava January 29th, 2015 at 01:25
Brown fascists are scarier than white fascists? How so?
fahvel January 29th, 2015 at 12:18
damned good question.
David Owen January 29th, 2015 at 13:45
see sam harris, christopher hithens, salman rushdie, aayan hirsi ali, Islamists are a unique threat and it has nothing to do with race.
bpollen January 29th, 2015 at 05:25
So we’re NOT fighting terrorists and bringing all the benefits of democracy and capitalism to oil-producing and adjacent-to-oil-producing nations at the point of a gun? I’ve been LIED to?
whatthe46 January 29th, 2015 at 00:38
they skipped that in the movie.
Vera Gottlieb January 29th, 2015 at 10:50
A violence-prone nation glorifying violence. Humanity? Humane?
Booya Bible January 28th, 2015 at 18:37
I’m in Chapter five of ‘American Sniper’ and the problem I see is that this fuckin’ guy every other page talks about how excited he is for the opportunity to kill people. It really is fuckin’ scary.
David Owen January 28th, 2015 at 21:46
scarier are the ideologies we are fighting.
jasperjava January 29th, 2015 at 02:25
Brown fascists are scarier than white fascists? How so?
fahvel January 29th, 2015 at 13:18
damned good question.
David Owen January 29th, 2015 at 14:45
see sam harris, christopher hithens, salman rushdie, aayan hirsi ali, Islamists are a unique threat and it has nothing to do with race.
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 5th, 2015 at 10:11
all Islamists are not a threat.
the way america treats them.. they are….
shit. the islamists over seas arent even a threat.
tell me the last time you saw a “terrorist” in america with a vest full of bombs.
you know who the real terrorists are?
the governement.
why?
look up the definition of the word.
David Owen February 5th, 2015 at 13:40
know any islamists?
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 7th, 2015 at 10:10
i know alot of people that are of the islamic religion. non of them do any crazy shit. theyre decent american people.
David Owen February 9th, 2015 at 16:38
Ok. Islamist is a different thing. Those who want theocracy. It is a small but dangerous subset of Islam.
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 10th, 2015 at 10:08
an islamist is a muslim. a person of islam.
there are radicals just like there are radical christians and jews.
bpollen January 29th, 2015 at 06:25
So we’re NOT fighting terrorists and bringing all the benefits of democracy and capitalism to oil-producing and adjacent-to-oil-producing nations at the point of a gun? I’ve been LIED to?
whatthe46 January 29th, 2015 at 01:38
they skipped that in the movie.
Vera Gottlieb January 29th, 2015 at 11:50
A violence-prone nation glorifying violence. Humanity? Humane?
greenfloyd January 28th, 2015 at 23:45
Alan, I thought that was an excellent interview. Personally I identify with Mr. Cupti and any other soldier who discovers they are part of an “unjust war” based on lies and secret agendas of those at the highest levels of government at the time. However for the foot soldier, sometimes in the terror and chaos the only thing you can do is kill, or be killed if you don’t.
floyd[@]greenfloyd.org January 29th, 2015 at 00:45
Alan, I thought that was an excellent interview. Personally I identify with Mr. Cupti and any other soldier who discovers they are part of an “unjust war” based on lies and secret agendas of those at the highest levels of government at the time. However for the foot soldier, sometimes in the terror and chaos the only thing you can do is kill, or be killed if you don’t.
Suzanne McFly January 29th, 2015 at 06:38
Chris Kyle did not sign the declaration for this illegitimate war, W did and he is the criminal. Kyle did what he was asked to do and he save thousands of lives. He had many flaws, as we all do, but to criticize what a dead man did while he was alive is something only the weak partake in. He saved thousands of lives of fellow soldiers, that is more that 99.9% of us can say.
jasperjava January 29th, 2015 at 07:00
I don’t see any evidence that he “saved thousands of lives”. For all we know, the people he killed with such sadistic pleasure were ordinary folks just going about their business.
fahvel January 29th, 2015 at 12:17
well said J
Suzanne McFly January 29th, 2015 at 16:55
He killed others who would of killed our soldiers. I wasn’t there and I cant vouch for what he did or didn’t do, however, we know he killed people who were trying to kill Americans. If we had to do what he had to do as our jobs, we would not be anything like we are now. I will not question a person who had to go kill people because their country asked them too. Doing this may have killed a part of him, his moral code, and this may have led him to go to the darker parts of his mind. Who knows, he was a trained killer that we created. When wars happen, so do Chris Kyle’s.
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 4th, 2015 at 12:13
he killed people to expand the american imperialist empire. not to save lives. he didnt save lives.
Suzanne McFly February 4th, 2015 at 12:16
Tell that to the squads walking in the streets Chris Kyle was over seeing.
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 5th, 2015 at 09:09
sure will. because he was a tactical sniper. not a over watch.
Suzanne McFly February 5th, 2015 at 15:36
What are you talking about? There were missions being carried out as Kyle was on the roof shooting others he believed were carrying out a defensive strategy against American and allied soldiers.
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 7th, 2015 at 09:14
no. he was a tactical sniper. not over watch.
chris kyle was the guy they called when they wanted someone dead from about 1 mile out. which he gladly volunteered for.
Suzanne McFly February 7th, 2015 at 09:53
Mile out from what? A group of soldiers clearing the houses.
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 7th, 2015 at 11:16
do you even know what tactical means?
he was the first to strike from a distance before troops were even deployed into an urban area. he was used to watch and kill high priority targets. nothing more. nothing less. had nothing to do with soldiers clearing houses and terrorizing the people of the land they invaded.
tell me what good a sniper is in an urban area when soldiers are constantly turning corners and ducking into buildings.
a sniper is stationary and only moves when he gives up his spot.
they dont need snipers for overwatch anyways.
thats what they got and use drones for.
Suzanne McFly February 7th, 2015 at 16:47
Full Definition of TACTICAL 1 : of or relating to combat tactics: as a (1) : of or occurring at the battlefront <a tactical first strike
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 9th, 2015 at 08:59
of or occurring at the “battlefront” means he first to strike from a distance before troops are even in the area. more than likely only firing at high profile targets.
urban areas dont really need snipers.
Suzanne McFly February 9th, 2015 at 11:13
I was not a sniper and I am pretty sure you weren’t either and this conversation is tired, so peace out.
Spirit of America January 29th, 2015 at 23:04
Read some of the aar’s of his missions, he saved many many lives.
“For all we know, the people he killed with such sadistic pleasure were ordinary folks just going about their business.”
Conjecture, why throw it in unless there is even a scintilla of evidence to do so? You can use conjecture and made up scenarios on any/every one on anything… for all we know, you are saying what you are saying because ‘maybe you were in iraq and killed ordinary folks when others weren’t watching’ and that’s why you think he may have…
See how conjecture works?
Spirit of America January 29th, 2015 at 08:40
Well said about Kyle, well said.
fahvel January 29th, 2015 at 12:17
who and how did he save thousands by mrdering 100+++++. Kyle was a trained murderer and went the way of all criminals – tough luck.
Spirit of America January 29th, 2015 at 22:29
Terminology/proper use of words is important. Murder is the unlawful killing, of which Kyle has never even been charged with, so it is not up even for opinion. Now you may think killing an enemy during combat and under orders is murder, but as of today, it isn’t so. Ergo, calling Kyle a murderer is inaccurate and incorrect.
fahvel January 30th, 2015 at 00:29
blsht – many old seals know the way of death and the sniper is ill regarded – they kill from afar and it’s no different than bombs dropped with “colateral” deaths. When you’ve been seal trained, comment. Otherwise hold your tongue.
Spirit of America January 30th, 2015 at 00:36
1st, you have no idea what my background is, so no, I won’t ‘hold my tongue’, as neither are you(I find it a bit hypocritical you tell others to do something you yourself don’t follow).
2nd, sniper teams are very highly regarded in the community.
3rd, I was commenting on your accuracy, or lack of. Can you show me where he has been charged, let alone convicted, of murder? If not, hold your tongue until you can at least be accurate and honest.
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 4th, 2015 at 12:12
what community are they regarded in? so w is the criminal? so is the guy that also had a conscience to disobey an unjust order.
he didnt protect any lives. he participated in an invasion that was similar to the nazis invading poland. he is no better.
Spirit of America February 4th, 2015 at 17:30
You have your opinion, just as he is a hero is an opinion. Since it is a matter of conscious, I berate no one on either side. I do happen to disagree with you though.
On the fact of whether he saved lives or not is not up for opinion, it is simply a fact, just as 2+2=4 is a fact, not an opinion.
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 5th, 2015 at 09:08
the fact that you call him a hero, when he, and america (currently) are no different than the nazis invading poland or france in 1935-37. (granted we arent executing anyone that is not arian) and police are almost the equivalent of the infamous “brown shirts”….
chris kyle is among these “nazi like” people.
heros have honor.
not the need or want to kill people for fun.
did you read his book?
dude was a freakin lunatic and got what he had coming to him.
Spirit of America February 5th, 2015 at 09:27
“the fact that you call him a hero,…”
Um, no, that is not a fact… I never called him a hero, I said it is an opinion either way.
“and america (currently) are no different than the nazis invading poland or france in 1935-37.”
ok ok ok, that is one of the most ridiculous statements that can be made… ranks up there with people who compare surgeons to torturers because ‘they both cut people and cause pain’…
And I’m not going to take your opinion too seriously on kyle himself… not after starting out w/incorrect ‘facts’ and the ‘america/nazi’ statement, it is just too hard for me to take anything else you say seriously.
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 5th, 2015 at 09:59
IS it really a ridiculous statement? or is it really a GREAT comparison?
tell me… when did iraq invite us over?
oh wait.
they didnt.
we INVADED and OVERTHREW their government.
this is FACT.
and why america is the same.
comparing “nazis” to surgeons is just asinine.
but comparing a country that thinks it can police the world and tell everyone else what to do is pretty much in that same category.
the only difference between america and nazi germany?
america isnt slaughtering millions of non arian people. theyre just slaughtering anyone .i.e. “collateral damage” in the form of innocent people dying via drone strikes and what not.
Nazi Germany, invaded the entire continent of europe.
America has invaded pretty much the entire world.
and yes. Kyle killed americans on american soil.
he was a OPERATIVE.
he even bragged about it.
that man was no hero.
pretty sure the guy that killed him was a target but was a step ahead.
Spirit of America February 5th, 2015 at 10:02
LOL, ok…
have a nice day, keep warm.
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 5th, 2015 at 12:12
LOL. ok. dont forget to sip your fluoride drinks and tune into the media
John Gregory February 4th, 2015 at 10:27
@fahvel, He saved many service-members lives in his career by providing overwatch; meaning he killed the bad guys before they could kill US servicemen. One RPG can kill 10 people if it hits a loaded troop carrier, one savage with a grenade can take out several Marines out in the open, etc…
Suzanne McFly January 29th, 2015 at 07:38
Chris Kyle did not sign the declaration for this illegitimate war, W did and he is the criminal. Kyle did what he was asked to do and he save thousands of lives. He had many flaws, as we all do, but to criticize what a dead man did while he was alive is something only the weak partake in. He saved thousands of lives of fellow soldiers, that is more that 99.9% of us can say.
jasperjava January 29th, 2015 at 08:00
I don’t see any evidence that he “saved thousands of lives”. For all we know, the people he killed with such sadistic pleasure were ordinary folks just going about their business.
fahvel January 29th, 2015 at 13:17
well said J
Suzanne McFly January 29th, 2015 at 17:55
He killed others who would of killed our soldiers. I wasn’t there and I cant vouch for what he did or didn’t do, however, we know he killed people who were trying to kill Americans. If we had to do what he had to do as our jobs, we would not be anything like we are now. I will not question a person who had to go kill people because their country asked them too. Doing this may have killed a part of him, his moral code, and this may have led him to go to the darker parts of his mind. Who knows, he was a trained killer that we created. When wars happen, so do Chris Kyle’s.
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 4th, 2015 at 13:13
he killed people to expand the american imperialist empire. not to save lives. he didnt save lives.
Suzanne McFly February 4th, 2015 at 13:16
Tell that to the squads walking in the streets Chris Kyle was over seeing.
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 5th, 2015 at 10:09
sure will. because he was a tactical sniper. not a over watch.
Suzanne McFly February 5th, 2015 at 16:36
What are you talking about? There were missions being carried out as Kyle was on the roof shooting others he believed were carrying out a defensive strategy against American and allied soldiers.
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 7th, 2015 at 10:14
no. he was a tactical sniper. not over watch.
chris kyle was the guy they called when they wanted someone dead from about 1 mile out. which he gladly volunteered for.
Suzanne McFly February 7th, 2015 at 10:53
Mile out from what? A group of soldiers clearing the houses.
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 7th, 2015 at 12:16
do you even know what tactical means?
he was the first to strike from a distance before troops were even deployed into an urban area. he was used to watch and kill high priority targets. nothing more. nothing less. had nothing to do with soldiers clearing houses and terrorizing the people of the land they invaded.
tell me what good a sniper is in an urban area when soldiers are constantly turning corners and ducking into buildings.
a sniper is stationary and only moves when he gives up his spot.
they dont need snipers for overwatch anyways.
thats what they got and use drones for.
Suzanne McFly February 7th, 2015 at 17:47
Full Definition of TACTICAL 1 : of or relating to combat tactics: as a (1) : of or occurring at the battlefront <a tactical first strike
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 9th, 2015 at 09:59
of or occurring at the “battlefront” means he first to strike from a distance before troops are even in the area. more than likely only firing at high profile targets.
urban areas dont really need snipers.
Suzanne McFly February 9th, 2015 at 12:13
I was not a sniper and I am pretty sure you weren’t either and this conversation is tired, so peace out.
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 9th, 2015 at 12:17
pretty sure i sniped the shit out of a few things.
pretty sure you dont know what you are talking about.
typical liberal defending terrorists..
Suzanne McFly February 9th, 2015 at 13:15
….
Spirit of America January 30th, 2015 at 00:04
Read some of the aar’s of his missions, he saved many many lives.
“For all we know, the people he killed with such sadistic pleasure were ordinary folks just going about their business.”
Conjecture, why throw it in unless there is even a scintilla of evidence to do so? You can use conjecture and made up scenarios on any/every one on anything… for all we know, you are saying what you are saying because ‘maybe you were in iraq and killed ordinary folks when others weren’t watching’ and that’s why you think he may have…
See how conjecture works?
Spirit of America January 29th, 2015 at 09:40
Well said about Kyle, well said.
fahvel January 29th, 2015 at 13:17
who and how did he save thousands by mrdering 100+++++. Kyle was a trained murderer and went the way of all criminals – tough luck.
Spirit of America January 29th, 2015 at 23:29
Terminology/proper use of words is important. Murder is the unlawful killing, of which Kyle has never even been charged with, so it is not up even for opinion. Now you may think killing an enemy during combat and under orders is murder, but as of today, it isn’t so. Ergo, calling Kyle a murderer is inaccurate and incorrect.
fahvel January 30th, 2015 at 01:29
blsht – many old seals know the way of death and the sniper is ill regarded – they kill from afar and it’s no different than bombs dropped with “colateral” deaths. When you’ve been seal trained, comment. Otherwise hold your tongue.
Spirit of America January 30th, 2015 at 01:36
1st, you have no idea what my background is, so no, I won’t ‘hold my tongue’, as neither are you(I find it a bit hypocritical you tell others to do something you yourself don’t follow).
2nd, sniper teams are very highly regarded in the community.
3rd, I was commenting on your accuracy, or lack of. Can you show me where he has been charged, let alone convicted, of murder? If not, hold your tongue until you can at least be accurate and honest.
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 4th, 2015 at 13:12
what community are they regarded in? so w is the criminal? so is the guy that also had a conscience to disobey an unjust order.
he didnt protect any lives. he participated in an invasion that was similar to the nazis invading poland. he is no better.
Spirit of America February 4th, 2015 at 18:30
You have your opinion, just as he is a hero is an opinion. Since it is a matter of conscious, I berate no one on either side. I do happen to disagree with you though.
On the fact of whether he saved lives or not is not up for opinion, it is simply a fact, just as 2+2=4 is a fact, not an opinion.
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 5th, 2015 at 10:08
the fact that you call him a hero, when he, and america (currently) are no different than the nazis invading poland or france in 1935-37. (granted we arent executing anyone that is not arian) and police are almost the equivalent of the infamous “brown shirts”….
chris kyle is among these “nazi like” people.
heros have honor.
not the need or want to kill people for fun.
did you read his book?
dude was a freakin lunatic and got what he had coming to him.
Spirit of America February 5th, 2015 at 10:27
“the fact that you call him a hero,…”
Um, no, that is not a fact… I never called him a hero, I said it is an opinion either way.
“and america (currently) are no different than the nazis invading poland or france in 1935-37.”
ok ok ok, that is one of the most ridiculous statements that can be made… ranks up there with people who compare surgeons to torturers because ‘they both cut people and cause pain’…
And I’m not going to take your opinion too seriously on kyle himself… not after starting out w/incorrect ‘facts’ and the ‘america/nazi’ statement, it is just too hard for me to take anything else you say seriously.
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 5th, 2015 at 10:59
IS it really a ridiculous statement? or is it really a GREAT comparison?
tell me… when did iraq invite us over?
oh wait.
they didnt.
we INVADED and OVERTHREW their government.
this is FACT.
and why america is the same.
comparing “nazis” to surgeons is just asinine.
but comparing a country that thinks it can police the world and tell everyone else what to do is pretty much in that same category.
the only difference between america and nazi germany?
america isnt slaughtering millions of non arian people. theyre just slaughtering anyone .i.e. “collateral damage” in the form of innocent people dying via drone strikes and what not.
Nazi Germany, invaded the entire continent of europe.
America has invaded pretty much the entire world.
and yes. Kyle killed americans on american soil.
he was a OPERATIVE.
he even bragged about it.
that man was no hero.
pretty sure the guy that killed him was a target but was a step ahead.
Spirit of America February 5th, 2015 at 11:02
LOL, ok…
have a nice day, keep warm.
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 5th, 2015 at 13:12
LOL. ok. dont forget to sip your fluoride drinks and tune into the media
John Gregory February 4th, 2015 at 11:27
@fahvel, He saved many service-members lives in his career by providing overwatch; meaning he killed the bad guys before they could kill US servicemen. One RPG can kill 10 people if it hits a loaded troop carrier, one savage with a grenade can take out several Marines out in the open, etc…
William January 29th, 2015 at 08:34
I simply don’t understand the right wing mindset. IE
Hollywood is full of liberal elitists…unless Hollywood makes a movie about shooting them thar’Ay-rabs
The Hollywood is cool.
John Gregory February 4th, 2015 at 10:23
Hollywood hasn’t been cool since the 50’s, but their are conservative actors and film-makers in Hollywood who do crank out a great movie from time to time!
William January 29th, 2015 at 09:34
I simply don’t understand the right wing mindset. IE
Hollywood is full of liberal elitists…unless Hollywood makes a movie about shooting them thar’Ay-rabs
The Hollywood is cool.
John Gregory February 4th, 2015 at 11:23
Hollywood hasn’t been cool since the 50’s, but their are conservative actors and film-makers in Hollywood who do crank out a great movie from time to time!
Dylan Bleier January 29th, 2015 at 19:24
White phosphorous IS a chemical weapon. The accepted lethal dose is 1 mg/kg, or a tiny fraction of a gram for a 70 kg (e.g., 154 lb) person. It also burns through flesh upon contact and will continue to literally burn to the bone unless deprived of oxygen.
Dylan Bleier January 29th, 2015 at 20:24
White phosphorous IS a chemical weapon. The accepted lethal dose is 1 mg/kg, or a tiny fraction of a gram for a 70 kg (e.g., 154 lb) person. It also burns through flesh upon contact and will continue to literally burn to the bone unless deprived of oxygen, while poisoning the burn victims to death. The US used WP as an incendiary weapon in urban areas in Fallujah, in direct contravention of international humanitarian law.
David Owen February 5th, 2015 at 12:40
know any islamists?
Suzanne McFly February 9th, 2015 at 12:15
….
David Owen February 9th, 2015 at 15:38
Ok. Islamist is a different thing. Those who want theocracy. It is a small but dangerous subset of Islam.
#ZOMBIESQUAD February 10th, 2015 at 09:08
an islamist is a muslim. a person of islam.
there are radicals just like there are radical christians and jews.