Michael Moore of “Bowling for Columbine” and “Fahrenheit 9/11” fame took to Twitter over the weekend saying:
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
Moore went on to insinuate snipers from Iraq and Afghanistan are “brave”:
But if you’re on the roof of your home defending it from invaders who’ve come 7K miles, you are not a sniper, u are brave, u are a neighbor.
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) January 19, 2015
Moore’s comments fall in line with the release of “American Sniper,” a film about Chris Kyle, a Navy Seal who was known as one of the most lethal snipers in history.
Moore backtracked on his comments saying he never mentioned “American Sniper” but the comments were clearly taken for what they were.
Even Rob Lowe questioned Moore’s comments on Twitter:
“Michael Moore Blasts #AmericanSniper Hero: Gunmen Are ‘Cowards'” He’s kidding, right?
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) January 19, 2015
Moore, who is quick to create his own facts regarding a number of issues may not have taken the time to look at the risk involved in being a sniper.
Snipers have to covertly place themselves not just behind enemy lines, but within rifle range – close. They do this alone or with a spotter. Not only do they have to get in, but they have to get out after being discovered . . . in many cases without support.
Snipers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the armed forces, and a reason why their level of skill goes beyond being handy with a rifle. A significant portion of sniper training is SERE training (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape).
Marine Corps Scout Snipers must attend SERE School before Sniper School. Fifty percent of Marines (not recruits, but Marines), drop out of the program within the first 24 hours.
SERE training prepares snipers for what they may encounter during deployment. They are captured, tortured (beaten and some are water boarded), starved and trained to escape . . . and that’s just the training.
Real life for a sniper is much more unpredictable and dangerous.
Michael Moore’s closest relation to the military is his time spent in the Boy Scouts where he achieved Eagle Scout. Moore’s knowledge of the military and its professions is likely limited to what he’s watched on the big screen.
