Jason: My apologies to you, and the forum for being extremely off-topic with this post. But i feel that I must respond to you post.
while it is true that Carlos Hathcock was a great long distance sniper, and was involved with the removal of many important or High Ranking individuals, I really would perfer that the implication that he was an assassin (as the profession you seem to imply that he was) not be bandied on the forum so lightly..as also that i would perfer that you not think of yourself in this fashion.
One of the common defitnitions of an assassain is this: n 1: a murderer (especially one who kills a prominent political figure) who kills by a treacherous surprise attack and often is hired to do the deed; "his assassins were hunted down like animals"
Carlos was a professional in the service of the United States. He started off as a rifleman, just like any other Marine. It was discovered however, that he had a talent for long distance sniping. Knowing that there was a chance to put those skill to use, and shorten the war in some aspects, Carlos volunteered to do this particular task. Yes, you had to be a volunteer for that type duty: I am led to believe that Carlos did what he did for his country, and not because it was something that he was paid to do, deliberetly.
Im not saying that a long range sniper is not a honorable profession: it is a difficult and often necessary task in war. i just object to implying that Carlos was an assassin, and that you figure that is what you would be called as well.
Its publically posted, as to share my views with the other readers: please PM me if there are any questions that should remain private, or respond to the post as normal.
Mark