I dont know about double standards but when Bush was prez I saw a few bumper stickers on Fort Huachuca

with F--- Bush on a few cars and never saw any action against that! Now Ted Nugent has been banned from giving shows for the military because he said if OB is reelected he would be dead or in Jail!!! Secret Service checked him out and he was c leared and not a threat but now he cant do show for military and trying to cancel his show in Tucson!! No double standar though!!!!!!

There were several other military people in a similar situation. Both were Army officers. The first was a bona fide hero, though some don't think so, especially the Marines. This officer held the highest military rank possible. He made comments to the press that were critical of the CINC. He was ordered not to speak or write to the press without clearing his statements with the JCS and the White House. He ignored the order, and sent comments to the American Legion. I guess he thought he couldn't be disciplined, being who he was. He was WRONG! In spite of his years of outstanding service to his country, he was relieved of his command, brought home, allowed to retire, gave a farewell speech to the cadets at West Point, and then, "quietly faded away." His name was General of the Army Douglas MacArthur! And President Truman was RIGHT! A second general disagreed with the policies of the Administration in office then concerning the reduction of troop strength. Rather than violate the prohibitions against criticizing his superiors, he resigned! IIRC, that was Lt. Gen. Singlaub. This Marine was told not to do what he did. In spite of 9 years of honorable service, he disobeyed orders. I'm not sure I agree with a dishonorable discharge, but he certain should be reduced in rank, and discharged "for the convenience of the Government."

currently in the service and knowing the UCMJ he was wrong to do this. However I dont feel that he should have been striped of his benifits, an admin sep would have be sufficiant. If Obama wants to get in peoples business like he did with the cop and civilian in chicago, this is one he might want to look into.

who cares? I hear kids say "screw obama" every day at school. most of the time with an F-bomb. are you gonna go and arrest all of them too? take away their diplomas? make sure they don't graduate? and i doubt its the first time someone in the military has spoken against the president. i get he was under oath but really? its being blown way out of proportion. Dismissing him because you don't want to get "in trouble" either? thats pathetic, and you should feel ashamed. cowards. It's only a big deal because he was a marine, but if anyone is affected most by Obama's decisions, it's them. Because he's giving direct orders to them. because he's changing the america they will hopefully be able to come back to some day. If Obama punished every person who spoke against him, where would we be? Hell, i'm sure even he said some things about Bush when he was president! everybody does. thats just how we are. see something you don't like, you complain. Just because the marine says "don't follow Obama" doesn't mean we will (or even CAN). would you move just because someone told you to "screw obama" and that's how you would have to get rid of him? no. you wouldn't. you would keep staring at your computer, or your newspaper, and say, "oh obama" and then frown. maybe even get a little angry. but its not like there's anything we can do besides choose to just not vote! seriously.

Sgt. Gary Stein i commend you for your service to your country and wish you the best of luck sir.

Believe in your constitution and never let anyone take your rights as an american away.

Sgt. Gary Stein took an oath in boot camp, not to do what he did. It's that simple.

.

After leaving the service, he was free to say whatever he wished.

This that lack the testicles to serve, would not know anything about that oath.

It's got nothing to do with free speech !

What you see here is a clear example of how disconnected are the right wing nuts. They expect support for their wacko dissobedience of the rules and the law. There is only political calm when a %#$@ republican president is in power. As soon as a democrat president comes to power there is constant complaint and criticism. They loose and then the democratic process does not work anymore.

F U OBAMA! he's been an American citizen, LONG before he was a member of the military and ALL Americans have the right of free speech - first!

So - if you join th emilitary, you're no longer a citzen, allowed to have an opinion?

We have 2 sons in the marines and always very proud of this fact, and if this is how the 'corps' supports the American people, we are not as proud as we once were.

Thanks Barack, and the people that work with and for you, you've just destroyed the hearts of other American citizens.

- Give the American people back what they once had:

honesty, hard work, family values and the right to an opinion

Military people. Where exactly does it say you have to check you freedom of speech at the door? Where is it written?

This fellow accepted NJP (non-judicial punishment) over a Courts Martial. He played the odds, and lost. He was however, smart enough not to request a Courts Martial. He likely would have been reduced to a Private and confined to the Brig for about six months, and then given a Bad Conduct Discharge. It really doesn't matter what verbiage he used concerning the POTUS, or what his political leanings are. He received punishment for disobeying a lawful order(s). If it were solely about OBAMA, he may have gotten reduced in rank, forfeiture of pay, and restriction....maybe. But this Marine Sergeant willfully disobeyed a lawful order, and most likely a direct order. Disobeying the 'direct order' is what sealed his fate. It's black & white in the Corps. You DO NOT disobey an order...you will "burn" for it. It has absolutely nothing to do with your 'rights' as an American. As a member of the Armed Forces one DOES NOT have the right to refuse a lawful and/or direct order. He's lucky his BnCmdr (Battalion Commander) didn't refer him for Courts Martial. He will not be getting that 'severance pay' now. Nothing to ponder here...just a done deal. P.S. for the uninformed out there, a 'direct order' comes from a Commissioned Officer. They are directly commissioned by the POTUS and serve at his discretion.

Live with it . Our President will be with us for another 4 years whether you like it or not. There is nobody even close. I don't care who he is he knows the rules. That is why we are a democracy.

A typical Bagger, nothing more , nothing less. Rules and regulations are for all others, not for them. He should be thrown out of the service for what he has said while on active duty.

This person was never a Marine, and was never honorable enough to serve our country. His disloyalty to his Commander-in-Chief, refusal to obey orders, and general disregard for his chain of command was a disgrace to the uniform. It is a shame that it took nine years to realize that this rat was unworthy. The First Amendment has nothing to do with this, and unless you've served in the military, you don't have a clue. We have a long-standing code that you never associate political views with your military service, you never sully our nation or its President/Commander-in-Chief while in uniform. Just as you would never insult any of your other officers in your chain of command, you can't get away with insulting your Commander-in-Chief (who is constitutionally the head of all military in the U.S.A.). Any patriot knows this, and every member of the military knows and lives this. Shame on him, and good riddance. He is trash, and it was time to take out the trash!

There's no doubt he should have been booted, but not for criticizing the President. For disobeying a marine corps directive. If the corps doesn't punish him for that, then all their other directives are worthless.

This guy is a time bomb about to explode now that we are approaching an election you will see all the racist, pro-government, pro everything coming out. This guy was warned in the past we all are entitled to our own opinions but I see this guy starting some new underground nation Us against THEM.....

Whether or not he considers the Community Organizer in Chiefs orders lawful or not the young man needs to take the discharge before they slap him with an article 94 and he is in the real doo doo.

NOBAMA 2012

The military serves the people of the United States. We as citizens elect the President. By not following the President's orders, you're not following the American people's orders. As close to treason as you can get I'm afriad.

They were very easy on him and he should take his slap on the wrist like a man, he's lucky he didn't get a hefty prison sentence. Let that be a lesson to all the anti-Obama service members out there. You serve our country, not the Republican party.

Well, its pretty apparent that 98% of the people in this country have never served a day in the military. About 65% think service members should be able to say 'what ever they want', exercise their 'god given First Amendment rights'. Actually, his First Amendment rights were given to him by other service members that fought and died for this country, by service members that took their Oath of Enlistment seriously. Stein didn't take his oath seriously or he would have followed it. But no, his Tea Party roots were more important, and he broke the oath he took. The man's actually guilty of treason by urging other soldiers to also break their oaths. He should be in Leavenworth serving time.

So this guy fights for our freedoms for 9 years including our freedom of speech and we kick him out for his opinion. He has put his life on the line without hesitation from the president. He was weeks away from leaving the Marines. For those folks that are beating him down due to his political opinion remember that he fought for us and for that he has my everlasting thanks. God Bless this young man.

Sgt. Gary Stein i commend you for your service to your country and wish you the best of luck sir.

Believe in your constitution and never let anyone take your rights as an american away.

If it was as easy as this to hold our politicians (including president) responsible for the oath they take to uphold the Constitution, we'd be in a much better place.

Wish we could discharge almost all of 'em. Top down.

You don't have free speech when enlisted in the military, period. I learned that in boot camp and haven't forgotten after ten years as an Air Force JTAC.

Making a statement like "I'm not going to follow orders from O'bama" is in violation of his military oath of duty, so he should be discharged. It's a shame that he'll loose his benefits, etc.,,, but some of the things he said were 'stupid'.

I am not very smart, nor do i know much of polotics, butThis guyhas be in the armed force for 9 years it says, that is nine years of him defending the rights and freedoms of this contry. The same freedoms and rights that he is being dischared for, I say he broke a military rule so punish him, but do not drop him from the armed forces. Presient Obama if you getwindof this please allow im to keep his rank and work. (i will mosttlikely not be checking up on this post) Good luck to Gary Tein and i say thank you for you service

I think anyone who puts his ass on the line for my freedom should be allowed to say whatever he/she wants to - if you don't like it - tough sh--