Chris Kyle, a former Navy SEAL and the most successful
sniper in the history of the U.S. military, was killed yesterday by another
veteran who suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Kyle was a volunteer at a resort lodge in
Texas where PTSD victims were often taken to use firearms in an attempt to get
them used to firearms again, without fear or negative reaction.
Congressman Ron Paul, who has run three times (and failed, thank God)
for President, posted the following comment on Twitter today. “Chris Kyle's death seems to confirm that
"he who lives by the sword dies by the sword." Treating PTSD at a
firing range doesn't make sense.”
Congressman Paul apparently believes he knows what is best for people
suffering from PTSD but seems to know the details of the program the suspect was in. At least he should if he's making comments like that.
I must say I also question if the shooting suspect, who has
been arrested and charged with murder, was ready to be on the firing range
yesterday. But unlike Ron Paul, I am
waiting to hear more details of the case before I make any decisions on that. In my opinion, Paul’s comment echoes that of
President Obama when he said "I
don’t know – not having been there and not seeing all the facts.... but I think it’s fair to say... that the Cambridge police acted stupidly..." in the case involving the
President’s friend, Professor Louis Gates and the Cambridge, Massachusetts, Police Department. How can you pass
judgment on someone, or on the program he was in, until you know all the
facts? Maybe Ron Paul has all the facts
but I’m guessing, from the vagueness of his comment, that he’s simply speaking
out of ignorance.
Chris Kyle was a true American hero. He spent four tours in Iraq serving his
country. Regardless of whether or not
his killer should or should not have been on that firing range yesterday his
death is a tragedy and Ron Paul should show a little respect for the man and
his history, particularly being former military himself. Maybe his time in Washington has allowed him
to become cold hearted when it comes to our military. He is, after all, in favor of isolationism
when it comes to foreign relations.
Either way, Chris Kyle deserves respect and honor given his service to
his country.
Chris Kyle served four tours in a combat zone. Ron Paul served for two years as an active
duty flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force then an additional three years in the
reserves as an Obstetrician. While his
service is noteworthy – it simply doesn’t compare to Mr. Kyle’s. Maybe he has forgotten what military service
is about.
I guess it’s obvious by now that I’m a little irritated by
Ron Paul’s flippant attitude toward an American hero. Those who knew Kyle have offered that not only
was he a hero but a genuinely good man.
To have a former Congressman make snide comments about his murder is
shameful, to say the least. Mr. Paul
should apologize to Chris Kyle and his family.
Mr. Kyle deserves better from someone who served in office as a
Republican. Paul’s comment sounded like
it came from a liberal.
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