Logic over Politics

I know that I have promised not to weigh in on political subjects any longer and I'm going to keep that promise, even though many people have made today's topic political. Hang with me here.

American Sniper is a highly regarded movie that has become somewhat of a touchstone for people. Conservatives love it while many liberals are upset by it. Both sides are, of course, upset by the other.

(A side note: I have no intention of seeing the movie, but politics have nothing to do with it. The ads indicate that the movie is intense and explores the angst of the sniper's wife and his own wrestling with his actions. I don't like movies that make me that uncomfortable. I haven't seen Unbreakable for the same reason.)

The firestorm started with a comment by noted leftist and activist film-maker Michael Moore. He wrote that the real-life character in the movie was a "coward" as were all snipers. If you did not hear the reaction, you can certainly imagine it.

Moore later explained his description. He said that his grandfather, a WWII vet, described Japanese snipers as cowards. The logic behind his grandfather's comment--and adopted by Moore--is that a sniper kills enemy combatants with little risk of being killed himself. When there is no risk, those actions are cowardly.

I can follow his logic, up to a point. What Moore has failed to do, however, is extend the logic further. With rare exceptions, every soldier in every army in every war has a two-fold goal: Inflict as much damage upon the enemy while not being killed yourself. While a soldier may be willing to sacrifice himself, he would rather not and will take action to prevent that from happening.

To that end, soldiers fire at the enemy from bunkers or from buildings or from behind trees. They will shoot a mortar and then move to another position before the return fire hits that spot. Nations design weapons with longer range so that they can hit the enemy without being hit by the enemy's weaponry.

In this, the average soldier is no different than a sniper. He is trying to carry out his mission against the enemy while doing everything he can to protect himself. The sniper is no different.

Cowardly is the terrorist who sets a time-delayed bomb in a crowded marketplace of unarmed civilians. Or shooting up a school of innocent kids who can't shoot back.

So my argument with Michael Moore is not about the politics of the situation; it's about the logic of it. His logic is sloppy and, in the end, indefensible. If you want to argue with him, taking a political stand and calling the sniper a hero will be brushed aside. If you want to make him think about his position, challenge his logic.

War is a nasty business and it is my hope that we fight many fewer of them. But I want every soldier that represents my country to do everything possible to engage the enemy while remaining safe. I want to see them all return home whole.