A forward-mounted, EER or LER, LOW-POWERED scope, considered on its own (and I'm sure Cooper did not invent that idea) on a rifle or carbine still has merit in several applications, but, of course, not all, and certainly not just for the sake of looking cool, because sometimes (ref.
@todd 's comment) really is just flat out ugly.
Being of of the fallible types, I confess that I am immensely irritated whenever someone who sees my Rossi or my Carl Gustav M38 and bluts out "a SCOUT RIFLE!" Uh, no. I'm not a scout. Never have been. Never will be. The scope is where it is for specific reasons other than being chic or for .... scouting for a Cavalry or Infantry unit.