It looks like what we have here is a classic case of when “keeping it real” goes wrong.
On Veterans Day, while most Americans were thanking members of the U.S. armed forces for their service and enjoying their community’s holiday festivities, Michael Schuette of Anniston, Alabama took to Facebook to explain that veterans are not American heroes. In fact, he believes they “kill for profit,” “terrorize” other countries, have “never sacrificed for this country” and do “nothing for the American citizens.”
Here’s the screenshot that started making the rounds on social media Tuesday evening.
Adding another bizarre wrinkle to the story, Schuette is the co-owner of Outlaw Gun Repair and Hydrographing, hardly the stereotype for an anti-veteran activist.
He and his wife are also the administrators of a 5,000-member Facebook Group dedicated to buying, selling and trading firearms in Calhoun County, Alabama.
As Schuette’s Facebook post started spreading Tuesday night, both locals and people from around the country took to the comment section of his business’s website to express their outrage.
“So, you hate Vets huh. Happy to help spread the word about you and help boycott your business,” wrote one veteran from Madison, Alabama.
“Congrats on ruining your business, genius,” added another commenter from Birmingham.
It got so bad, in fact, that Schuette took to Facebook yet again, not to apologize or to take back his comments, but to tell patrons who were pledging to boycott his business that he was leaving the company and that it would now just be run by his wife.
Yellowhammer reached out to Schuette via Facebook message to ask if he’d like to comment for this story, but for once he actually chose not to share is feelings on Facebook.
In the end, it was a commenter from Texas who may have summed it up best.
“Next time don’t bite the Vets hands that feed your freedom of speech…they bite back.”
UPDATE: Schuette updated his Facebook group Wednesday morning and it sounds like the reaction to his comments has really reached a boiling point.
Follow Cliff on Twitter @Cliff_Sims
