I received an email today containing the following video. First let me share the text from the email:

Canadian Sniper in Afghanistan.These video shots are not made through the shooter's telescopic sight...they are made looking through the spotter's scope. The spotter lies right next to the sniper and helps the sniper to find and home in on the target.The sniper is using a 50 caliber rifle. A 50 cal. round is about 7-8 inches long and the casing is about an inch in diameter. The bullet itself is one-half inch in diameter and roughly one and one-half inches long.Pay close attention to the beginning of the video. A Taliban is lying on top of the peak in front of you... when you hear the shot fired.... watch what happens. The sniper is also about a half mile away... or more.A Canadian sniper in Afghanistan has been confirmed as hitting an enemy soldier at a range of 2,310 meters, the longest recorded and confirmed sniper shot in history. The previous record of 2,250 meters was set by US Marine sniper Carlos Hathcock in Vietnam in 1967. The Canadian sniper was at an altitude of 8,500 feet and the target, across a valley, was at 9,000 feet. Canadian sniper units often operated in support of US infantry units, which were grateful for their help. The record lasted only one day, until a second Canadian sniper hit an enemy soldier at 2,400 meters (8000 feet).The Canadian snipers fire special .50-calibre McMillan tactical rifles, which are bolt-action weapons with five-round magazines. The Canadian snipers were the only Canadian troops operating without helmets or flak jackets as they had too much other equipment to carry. Each three-man team has one sniper rifle, three standard rifles (Canadian C7s), one of them with a 203mm grenade launcher.

I am not claiming that any of it is true or untrue but I do think that it is absolutely incredible, astounding and frightening to think what a sniper is capable of.On top of all of this, I personally know a sniper in the British Army. He is in fact one of the top snipers currently in the British Army. He holds the record for the most accurate shot or something or other. It is frightening what these people are capable of and capable of putting away in a dark place.Imagine witnessing some guys head fly off his shoulders and then returning home to a nice warm meal cooked by your mother and getting in to bed with your girlfriend? A bit out of my capacity I think.This discussion (is it a discussion if I'm talking to myself?) can easily venture in to apartheid territory and conscription back in the day. But I wont go there unless I'm asked.