Former Navy SEAL and America’s most lethal sniper, Chris Kyle, was allegedly shot and killed by a Marine suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder whom he was trying to help. Former Congressman and Presidential candidate Ron Paul unfortunately decided to enter the fray with this misguided tweet.
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
— Ron Paul (@RonPaul) February 4, 2013
I understand that Congressman Paul was against our conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and is generally anti-war. I can empathize with some of his arguments, but I’ve noted at other times his position is naïve. I’m not sure what he thought he was going to accomplish by tweeting this. Chris Kyle did what he did in the service of his country on orders. He fought valiantly and he deserves our respect. You may not agree with the current efforts, but show some respect for those in uniform.
Here Chris Kyle and his neighbor were trying to help a Marine who was struggling. That is noble. While Congressman Paul is a smart man, as a trained OB/GYN, he is not an expert on treating PTSD. Re-exposing PTSD patients to their triggers is actually not an uncommon approach, which is why Kyle had this Marine at gun lodge in the first place. Ron Paul’s tweet seems to suggest Chris Kyle was to blame for his death.
There are ways in which to engage people on how our military is used and where they are deployed. Congressman Ron Paul’s tweet about this incident did nothing to help or advance his anti-war position or move the dialogue on how PTSD is treated forward. It was simply disrespectful. Congressman Paul should apologize.
