We read:
"The Marine Corps on Wednesday notified a sergeant who has been openly critical of President Barack Obama that he is violating Pentagon policy barring troops from political activities and that he faces dismissal.
Camp Pendleton Marine Sgt. Gary Stein started a Facebook page called Armed Forces Tea Party to encourage fellow service members to exercise their free speech rights. He declared a few weeks ago that he would not follow the unlawful orders of the commander in chief. Stein also criticized Defense Secretary Leon Panetta for his comments on Syria.
Stein, a nine-year member of the Corps, said he did nothing wrong and planned to fight the charges. He had applied to extend his service, which was set to expire in a few months.
"I'm completely shocked that this is happening," he said. "I've done nothing wrong. I've only stated what our oath states that I will defend the constitution and that I will not follow unlawful orders. If that's a crime, what is America coming to?"
According to Pentagon directives, military personnel in uniform cannot sponsor a political club; participate in any TV or radio program or group discussion that advocates for or against a political party, candidate or cause; or speak at any event promoting a political movement. Commissioned officers also may not use contemptuous words against senior officials, including the defense secretary or the president.
Stein was first cautioned by his superiors at Camp Pendleton, north of San Diego, in 2010, after he launched his Facebook page and criticized Obama's health care overhaul. Stein volunteered to take down the page while he reviewed the rules at the request of his superiors.
He said he determined he was not in violation and relaunched the page. Last week, he said his superiors told him he could not use social media sites on government computers after he posted the message stating he would not follow unlawful orders of the president.
Stein said he respects the office of the president, but he does not agree with Obama's policies. He said he is within his rights to speak up.
The Marine Corps said Stein is allowed to express his personal opinions as long as they do not give the impression he is speaking in his official capacity as a Marine.
Spokesman Maj. Michael Armistead said earlier this month that the Corps was taking a closer look to determine whether Stein had crossed that line.
Source
16 comments:
OBAMA STINKS,OBAMA STINKS,OBAMA STINKS and so dose the DEMACRATIC PARTY as well
So you have be a pole smoker and a fudge pirate and be in the military, but you can't speak your mind.
Why do you people have to be so mean? Christian love. Yeah, right.
Libshits advocating violating the first amendment once again.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-kfi-city-20120322,0,5204752.story
Libshits caught once again indoctrinating kids.
http://dailycaller.com/2012/03/22/va-middle-schoolers-assigned-to-do-oppo-research-on-gop-candidates/#ixzz1prN3RCTw
We The People,
Where are you getting the idea that the military is looking to execute Stein?
They are simply looking at whether he violated the UCMJ and have determined he did.
Like it or not, the military has always recognized the need for military order and discipline requires certain standards.
Stein (who is now thinking of running for Congress) has been making statements as a Marine that reflect upon his lawful commanding officers.
Stein thinks he is absolutely protected by the First Amendment, but he is not.
He has posted statements that declare Obama to Hitler. He has said that Obama is the "domestic enemy" the country was warned about in the Constitution.
Those types of statements are against the "good order" of the military.
Stein is a weasel. That is all there is to it. He is using an issue that he knows is wrong to gain 15 minutes of fame for his own personnel use and gain.
"Free speech" in the military is not absolute, never has been, and never should be. If one thinks this is a new phenomenon, one need only look back to George Washington who executed men for such words that led to men not following lawful orders.
This is not about Obama, the military, or whatever. This is about a guy who sees himself as a celebrity and is preying on the ignorance of others.
I do not support President Obama either, but this guy is out of line. The Marine Corp is absolutely correct to discipline him. Marines do not have the right to question orders or the President. You do not have free speech in the military - you do what you are told. I would also wager the he could actually be court martialed for making disparaging remarks about the President or stating that he will not follow orders. I would think that is at least conduct unbecoming.
Anon 2:41
"You people"? What people are you talking about? Where did anyone profess any Christian belief? You are making assumptions and then putting others down.
There is no doubt in my mind that with brainpower at that substandard level, you are an Obama supporter.
The USMC was completely correct in what they did. Obama is the boss, like it or not, and the Marines are held to a much higher standard of conduct than the average American. This means you can't insult the President in a public forum.
He joined the Marines voluntarily. He agreed to the terms. If he didn't know what he was getting into, then tough shit.
I was in the Navy for 20 years and served under presidents that I didn't like or agree with but I followed their orders.This Marine is wrong.
Sadly, you are all missing one very important point:
"Last week, he said his superiors told him he could not use social media sites on government computers..."
This is no different from many acceptable company policies, and as long as they enforce it across the board, this is reasonable.
The government cannot take away his 1st amendment rights, but they certainly can place limitations on what government computers access.
Quick addition...
If they told HIM, and only HIM, that HE could not use social media sites on government computers, then that is a huge problem. But if they told HIM that NO ONE can use social media sites on government computers, then that is a very different matter altogether.
Sig said,
If they told HIM, and only HIM, that HE could not use social media sites on government computers, then that is a huge problem.
Why is that a huge problem? If they found he was abusing the privilege of using the computers, or using the computers in a way that was contrary to the UCMJ, why don't they have the right to restrict what he does?
Anonymous 4:07 said...
"Where are you getting the idea that the military is looking to execute Stein?"
It has been widely reported in the media that "he could" face the death penalty.
It has been widely reported in the media that "he could" face the death penalty.
I am sorry sir, but it has been so widely reported that such an accusation does not appear on Google or Google news.
The Marines are looking at "administrative avenues," which by definition preclude the death penalty.
Even Stein says the Marines are looking to dismiss him from the Corps.
The "death penalty" thing sounds like a wild rumor or something made up to support Stein.
In the end it doesn't matter as Stein is not facing the death penalty.
Obama isnt a president he is a dictator
Post a Comment