Dakota Meyer: Ron Paul should apologize

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