On moral ambiguity and patriotism

This weekend an American patriot died, the man, Chris Kyle, was perhaps the most dangerous man in the world, a USMC Seal, he served with distinction and honor. I was deeply saddened when I heard the news that he was shot and killed, and while the details are still coming I was even more disturbed by the reaction of many which boiled down to “those who live by the sword die by the sword”, some seem to think that somehow he deserved to be killed in the same violent fashion that he caused so many others to experience.

 He never sought to glorify his work but he understood its place. He understood the worlds of Thomas Jefferson who said: “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants” and those of Col. Jeesup in “A Few Good Men” who said ”we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You?...I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives…”

Today I mourn the loss of a true patriot and a man who put himself in harm’s way so that I may live in freedom. Baruch dayan ha’emet

It was my duty to shoot the enemy, and I don’t regret it. My regrets are for the people I couldn’t save: Marines, soldiers, buddies. I’m not naïve, and I don’t romanticize war. The worst moments of my life have come as a SEAL. But I can stand before God with a clear conscience about doing my job. – Chris Kyle