Gary Sinise Slams Howard Dean For Offensive ‘American Sniper’ Comments

Gary Sinise wasn’t too pleased with Howard Dean’s comments about the Oscar-nominated film American Sniper. The film has definitely sparked quite a controversy since it was released on Friday, Jan. 16. While many have verbally expressed their concerns about the biographical war drama, many supporters and celebrities have fired back to defend the film.

Now, Sinise is speaking out in support of the film. Apparently, he feels some kind of way about Howard Dean’s recent comments in reference to the film and those who have chose to head theaters and see it. The former Democratic presidential candidate labeled those who went to see the film as “very angry.”

“There’s a lot of anger in this country, and the people who go see this movie are people who are very angry… And this guy basically says ‘I’m going to fight on your side.’ I bet you if you looked at a cross-section of the Tea Party and the people who go to see this movie, there’s a lot of intersection.”

Apparently, Sinise felt he needed to address Dean about his comments. So, he took to Twitter with a response, reports the Washington Post.

“You certainly have a right to make stupid blanket statements, suggesting that all people who see this film are angry, but how is that helpful sir?… I saw American Sniper and would not consider myself to be an angry person.”

To Howard Dean,
I saw American Sniper and would not consider myself to be an angry person. You certainly have a rig… http://t.co/TrZSeBFcc1

— Gary Sinise (@GarySinise) January 26, 2015

The 59-year-old actor went on to argue why the narrative of the film, which chronicles the life of United States Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, needed to be shared with the world. Kyle’s story sheds light on the emotionally and mentally debilitating strain many American families suffer as a result of multiple deployments. The full statement directed to Dean was posted to his personal WhoSay account.

“To Howard Dean,”

“I saw American Sniper and would not consider myself to be an angry person. You certainly have a right to make stupid blanket statements, suggesting that all people who see this film are angry, but how is that helpful sir? Do you also suggest that everyone at Warner Brothers is angry because they released the film? That Clint Eastwood, Jason Hall, Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller and the rest of the cast and crew are angry because they made the film? Chris Kyle’s story deserved to be told. It tells a story of the stress that multiple deployments have on one military family, a family representative of thousands of military families. It helps to communicate the toll that the war on terror has taken on our defenders. Defenders and families who need our support. I will admit that perhaps somewhere among the masses of people who are going to see the film there may be a few that might have some anger or have been angry at some point in their lives, but, with all due respect, what the h— are you talking about?”

Over the past week, many celebrities and other notable public figures have made national headlines for criticizing the film. Filmmaker Michael Moore recently sparked controversy with his statements in reference to snipers being cowards as opposed to heroes. Needless to say, he’s received an overwhelmingly negative response to his insensitive comments.

However, the backlash has not affected the success of the film. As of Jan. 25, the film has grossed around an estimated $200 million in North America, and $47.5 million in other territories, which brings the grand total to around $247.6 million.

Do you agree or disagree with Gary Sinise? Share your thoughts.

[Image(s) via Wikimedia Commons, Wikimedia Commons, Boing Boing]