Audacity and ignorance

Hollywood’s ignorant brigade took to Twitter this weekend following the release of Clint Eastwood’s “American Sniper.”

After the story of the late Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, who was the most lethal sharpshooter in U.S. military history was released, Hollywood types weighed in calling the film pro-war and worse.

Actor Seth Rogen suggested on Twitter the Academy Award-nominated film is similar to a Nazi propaganda piece featured in “Inglorious Basterds.” Rogen, whose “The Interview” earned its share of criticism over the Christmas holiday, is not exactly a credible source when it comes to American politics. And to suggest Eastwood uses Kyle’s narrative of his assigned role during the Iraq War to popularize fighting in the Middle East is as absurd and ignorant as electing to do a movie that shoves a stick in Kim Jong-un’s beehive just for the sake of selling tickets.

The more audacious comment came from outspoken filmmaker Michael Moore, who criticized America’s role in Iraq during his acceptance speech at the 2003 Oscar awards.

Moore tweeted snipers are cowards. Shortly after Twitter followers began expressing outrage, Moore back-pedaled, saying his Tweet was not connected to the film. The timing of the post certainly suggests otherwise, however.

Kyle exemplified courage during his military service and afterward, when he extended help to other soldiers trying to find their place among us after returning from war. The brave men and women who protect our freedom around the globe deserve our respect and gratitude. Those who have never elected to stand in their shoes, never walked paths lined with improvised explosive devices thousands of miles from home and never suffered losing those they work with to bullets and bombs have no ground to lob criticism. If in their ignorance and audacity they continue to spout off, they can thank a soldier for protecting their right.