Daily Archives: February 8, 2013

Former presidential candidate Ron Paul is taking heat for a tweet he sent out Monday afternoon about the Navy SEAL who was killed at a Texas gun range over the weekend.

Chris Kyle, 38, a decorated Iraq war veteran, a former SEAL and author of American Sniper, was shot and killed Saturday. Police arrested Eddie Ray Routh, 25, a veteran authorities say may have a mental illness related to his military service.

In response to the news, Paul tweeted: Chris Kyles death seems to confirm that hewho lives by the sword dies by the sword. Treating PTSD at a firing range doesnt make sense.

The tweet set off a chain reaction of criticism online.

Aaron Worthing (@AaronWorthing) responded: What the Hell, @RonPaul? Are you actually blaming Chris Kyle for his own death?

Michelle Lancaster (@SkiGarmisch) added, Very disrespectful commentary to this man, his memory and his family. Shame on you.

Razor (@hale.razor) wrote, So all veterans, once done serving our nation with honor, deserve to be murdered as civilians? Wow.

- Former Rep. Ron Paul, on Twitter

Calls and emails to Paul for comment were not immediately returned. He averages about two tweets a day, typically about policy issues ranging from immigration to the Federal Reserve.Paul, who is known for his anti-war views, retired as a long-time Texas congressman earlier this year.

Kyle, the most lethal sniper in the U.S., had 160 confirmed kills. He enlisted in the Navy in February 1999 and was discharged in November 2009. He had four tours in Iraq under his belt and received 14 different awards and decorations, including two Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars with Valor and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals. After leaving the Navy, he wrote his biography, American Sniper.

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Ron Paul tweets controversial message on murdered Navy SEAL sniper

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2013/02/marine-dakota-meyer-ron-paul-chris-kyle-sniper-020713/

Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer stood by his criticism of former Rep. Ron Paul on Thursday, telling Marine Corps Times the former lawmaker should apologize for controversial comments about a famous Navy SEAL sniper who was shot to death.

Chris Kyle, the bestselling author of American Sniper, and his friend Chad Littlefield were killed at a gun range on Saturday in Texas by former Marine Cpl. Eddie Ray Routh, authorities allege. Routh had been struggling with post-traumatic stress and was invited by Kyle to join him on the range as a form of therapy, police said.

The shootings prompted Paul, a Republican congressman until recently, to say on Twitter that Kyles death seems to confirm that he who lives by the sword dies by the sword. Treating PTSD at a firing range doesnt make sense.

Meyer, a scout sniper who received the nations top valor award in 2011, fired back in two tweets of his own.

Hey @ronpaul have you lost you [sic] mind? That sword protected your freedom. Guess since I live by it I deserve to get murdered as well? #wow, Meyer said.

Let me remind you @ronpaul Chris Kyle is an American hero to not only myself but to America #RIPCK, Meyer said in a follow-up message.

The exchange has drawn national media attention in the past few days. Paul, a former presidential candidate, released a statement after a public outcry saying he recognized the killing of Kyle was a tragic and sad event. He didnt apologize for his comments, however.

My condolences and prayers go out to Mr. Kyles family, Paul said. Unconstitutional and unnecessary wars have endless and unintended consequences. A policy of non-violence as Christ preached, would have prevented this and similar tragedies.

In an interview with Marine Corps Times, Meyer said Thursday that he stood by his comments.

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Dakota Meyer: Ron Paul should apologize