Marine sergeant faces dismissal for criticizing President Obama

[el_em_en_oh]

A 26-year-old sergeant and Iraq veteran is in the process of being dismissed from the Marine Corps after making "political statements" about the commander-in-chief on Facebook.

Such comments are considered detrimental to "good order and discipline" under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Gary Stein, a nine-year veteran, put comments on the Armed Forces Tea Party page that said he would not follow unlawful orders from President Obama, such as killing Americans or taking guns away from Americans.

He also criticized comments made by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta about Syria.

Stein had hoped to reenlist in the Marine Corps. Instead he appears headed for dismissal before the end of his enlistment in July. He may also be demoted.

Military law prohibits uniformed personnel from making comments critical of their chain of command, including the commander-in-chief, or engaging in political activity in a context that suggests they are acting as military members.

An investigation into Stein's comments was ordered March 8 by the commanding officer of the weapons and field training battalion at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego.
On Wednesday, the Marine Corps announced that rather than file charges against Stein, the matter is being handled "through administrative action."

Stein, who is married and the father of a 4-year-old daughter, told the Associated Press he plans to fight the Marine Corps' intention to dismiss him.

"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?"

Stein, a weather specialist assigned to Camp Pendleton, had come to the attention of his superiors two years ago for using the Internet to criticize Obama's healthcare proposal. At that time, he offered to take down the comments.

His most recent postings came during a Facebook discussion about events in Afghanistan. In one posting, he said he believes that military personnel should be allowed to express their political opinions because they are required to risk their lives to advance political objectives.

When Stein's comments became public and he gave several media interviews, he was disavowed by the Marine Corps.

"Statements made by Sgt. Gary Stein during recent media interviews are not supported or endorsed by the United States Marine Corps," said a statement issued from Marine headquarters.

SOURCE: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/03/marine-sergeant-critical-president-obama.html

[MrsPincince]

It's one thing to have views and opinions but this guys went nuts with his comments. We have all had employers and managers we did not see eye to eye with but we wouldn't go on the news or blog about it. Insubordination no?!

[mikesimon]

The guy is an idiot and should be kicked out of the military for being stupid......and a poor soldier too.

Mike

[orphanedhawk]

Big brother is here, and it isn't just the Dems or the Reps.

[el_em_en_oh]

So these guys sign up, get trained, shipped out and some give their lives, in order to help fight/protect OUR freedoms, liberties & way of life, but can't speak freely.

Does anyone else see the irony in this???

Maybe when they sign up, they sign a "I will not make disparaging comments about my employer, no matter how much of a racist, blithering, moron he happens to be" waiver, and he forgot.

They should just call it... "The Obama Waiver" for short.

Thoughts?