Michael Moore on Snipers: I Was Taught They Were 'Cowards'

Celebrity

The filmmaker takes to Twitter to share his thoughts on snipers, saying that his uncle was killed by snipers during the World War II.

January 19, 2015

AceShowbiz -

Michael Moore has shared his thoughts on snipers. The filmmaker took to Twitter on Sunday, January 17 and wrote that snipers weren't "heroes" and "cowards." His opinion is based on his family's experience, explaining that his uncle was killed during the WWII by a sniper.

My uncle killed by sniper in WW2. We were taught snipers were cowards. Will shoot u in the back. Snipers aren't heroes. And invaders r worse
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) January 18, 2015

"My uncle killed by sniper in WW2. We were taught snipers were cowards. Will shoot u in the back. Snipers aren't heroes. And invaders r worse," he said in a post. A few hours later he added, "But if you're on the roof of your home defending it from invaders who've come 7K miles, you are not a sniper, u are brave, u are a neighbor."

Editors' Pick

The comment was made following the buzz surrounding Clint Eastwood-directed "American Sniper" which garnered six nominations at the upcoming Academy Awards. Based on the story of the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history, Chris Kyle, the movie is up for Best Picture and its lead star Bradley Cooper is among contenders for Best Actor trophy alongside Benedict Cumberbatch ("The Imitation Game"), Eddie Redmayne ("The Theory of Everything"), Michael Keaton ("Birdman") and Steve Carell ("Foxcatcher").

"American Sniper" also performs well at the weekend box office. The movie which was released in limited theaters in December and just recently went wide raked in an estimated $90.2 million, breaking "Avatar" record for the biggest January weekend performance. The James Cameron-directed flick collected $68 million in 2010.