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Gregory Bull / AP
The Marines say Staff Sgt. Gary Stein will be discharged for criticizing President Barack Obama on Facebook. He has since apologized to the president.
Sgt. Gary Stein, the 26-year-old Marine who learned Wednesday he would be discharged for his online comments criticizing President Barack Obama, wishes he could take it back.
“People ask me, ‘Would you go back and change those words?’ I would most definitely,” Stein told msnbc.com. “I would articulate my point better.”
On March 1, Stein wrote on a closed forum for active-duty meteorologists and oceanographers that he would say "Screw Obama" and not follow all orders from him, according to Courthouse News.
“Obama is the economic enemy,” he wrote in the post. “He is the religious enemy ... He is the ‘fundamentally change’ America enemy … He IS the Domestic Enemy.”
Marine who criticized President Obama on Facebook to be discharged
Five minutes later, another Marine took down his post, but not before someone Stein knew took a screen shot and forwarded the comment to Stein’s superiors.
Stein had already been warned about a Facebook page he had started in 2010, which he named Armed Forces Tea Party.
“They said, ‘All we ask is that you write that the views are not that of the Marine Corps or the Department of Defense,’” Stein said. He said he put up the disclaimer that day.
The Facebook page, which had six moderators, including Stein, included posts about contraception, gays in the military, pundit Keith Olbermann and Obama. One post included a photo of Obama with the word, “Jackass” written underneath. Stein said that was not his post.
Service members are, according to Directive 1344 of the Department of Defense, allowed to express personal opinions on political candidates, but not as representatives of the Armed Forces.
Last month, a three-member military panel recommended that he be booted from the Marine Corps. On Wednesday, Brig. Gen. Daniel Yoo accepted their recommendation that Stein be dismissed for violating military law.
Stein said he repeatedly told Marine Corps officials he would shut down the Facebook page and not speak with the press if they allowed him to complete his contract, which ends in three months, but they refused.
“I think they’re trying to use me as an example,” Stein said. “Senior officers don’t want to hear, ‘You were the person who let this Gary Stein situation get out of hand. I think there might have been peer pressure among the senior enlisted.”
Maj. Michael Armistead, a Marine Corps spokesman at Camp Pendleton, could not confirm whether this negotiation took place.
Stein, an Arizona native, has been a Marine for nine years and was deployed to Iraq from 2005 to 2006. Although he regrets his post, he still believes his online activity should be protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. Still, he said he would caution other service members to think before posting their opinions.
“I’m not telling them to zip it up or shut up; be conscious of what you post,” he said. He said he believes the Marine Corps should clearly rewrite the rules for social media in the wake of his dismissal.
In a phone interview Wednesday, Stein sounded tired. A former weather forecaster, he lost his security clearance and started working as a scheduler on a rifle range at Camp Pendleton. He said his wife’s grandmother died Tuesday night and he was diagnosed Monday with a throat disease. He said the Marine Corps is waiting to discharge him so that he can go through treatment.
“It’s been a rough day,” Stein said. “I’m disappointed. Not only in the Marine Corps, but in myself.”
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He said he plans to go through treatment and tend to his wife and 4-year-old daughter. He has been a licensed real estate agent for two years; last night he posted a house for sale on his personal Facebook page.
He also wrote on Facebook that he would not accept racist or vulgar posts.
“I will ban you and you will never be on the page again,” he said.
And he said he has also apologized to the president.
“If he was in front of me right now, I would salute him, say, ‘Yes, Mr. President, No, Mr. President,’ and when I walked away, I would still disagree with his policies. But those are two separate things.”
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All who served know, you never badmouth the President or any of his staff. Anyone who broke the rule was always summarily discharged. Quite frankly, I'm surprised he was even given a warning.
Oh come on now, your telling me you never bad mouthed your commander in chief! Lot of us did in the military, but we never made threats agaist whoever was holding that office. We had both Democrates and Reblicans ready to lay down thier life for this country.
Supply the proof and I'll buy what your selling.The only thing reqwied of that soldier is to obey orders.he should not be discharged for not likeing or dis aggreing with his supiriours.
You better be sorry
Seems like 'social media' is slowly chipping away our feeedoms. It would seem that the only mistake he made is letting others read his opinions.
I know the White House cooks can't wait till January 2013......no more fixing fried chicken, black eye peas and roasted possum and watermelon every night for supper.
You display your sub educated racist crap because you are envious of a classy superior black man with a superior education and you want to stereotype him like an Alabaman. Get over it. Obama might be a one-termer but he is no possum huntin' racoon skin wearin' hilly billly like you sound.
drake i see you moniker is it because you support the right for any american to marry there choice or because you hate it-just asking
drake: At last! A cracker who will admit he is a cracker! I see a good many of them on these posts daily and you're one of the few who will admit he is a cracker! At least you have backbone!
I can tell by all your post you all are possum eaters too. Odumbo is a moron and I do give him credit for one thing, he made President Carter look good..............
Unless I am mistaken, we do have in America, freedom of speech! AND we do have the right to talk about any political leader that we want!! I can't believe that @!$%# you all voted for got all pissy and made the white house let the Marine go. Oblama needs to grow a set and get a back bone!!!
This is not a freedom of speech issue:
The reason members of the military are not allowed to publicly express opinions that would undermine the National Command Authority (ie- the Executive Branch) is FUNDAMENTAL to our Constitution.
It is NOT, as some have said, a loss of 1st Amendment rights. It is the backbone of civilian control over the military and is one of the major tenets of our constitution.
Imagine if this were not a young marine - but a 4-star General? The Chief of Staff? Norman Schwarzkopf, Colin Powell, or some other immensely popular military leader? This is EXACTLY how Fidel Castro, Muammar Khadafi, Idi Amin, and many other military dictators came to power.
Our founding fathers foresaw this. That is why the UCMJ is so strict as to these issues - that the military must NEVER openly speak out against the president, congress, or the Supreme Court - so as to prevent military coups.
If you will remember - Truman himself fired Douglas MacArthur over the very same thing - publicly disagreeing with the president.
On a side note - those of you bashing the Marines for discharging this man - are probably the same ones who were clamoring for Stan McCrystal's head when he let some of his staff criticize the president.
Not in the military you don't fool. Once you sign up, you are no longer subject to the Constitution, but the Uniformed Code of Military Justice. No freedom of speech in there pal. Be it President Obama, Bush, whomever, they are the commander-in-chief and at the top of the chain of command. It would be no different if this guy went online and disrespected his commanding general. This guy is lucky the Marines warned him as many times as they did.
Tony: Your mamma is calling you. It's bedtime. Don't forget to brush your teeth!
Dont worry. He will have all the freedom of speech that he could dream of, now that he is a civilian.
Jefferson, time to shine some shoes
American Socialism:Being forced to vote for someone or like someone witch you don't esteem to best represent your personal convictions spiritualy or political,but deem to be a danger to the nation as Bon Hoffer viewed Hitler.
Hogwash and poppycock; if a marine or serving soldier criticized Bush and war criminal Cheney from 2000 to 2008 he too will be cashiered for publicly ridiculing the COMMANDER IN CHIEF. Why a different set of rules because Obama is black?
You have no evedance or point about what u just said.are u out yo mind,give one name of any serviceman who criticized Bush or Chainy you Sodomite lovin perv.
You sound like a racist against the white race dear Roger, and I can tell by your post your also uneducated and lost just like obama. If America had put on their sunglasses and voted for what was best for America obama would have never got elected. You and I both know, the only reason he was elected was cause of his color, because as all America has seen in the last 4 years obama has no clue. Plus he is for abortion and trying to control religion and now taken away a person freedom of speech. The bishop was right obama is an hilter in training.
The Uniform Code of Military Justice or as we used to call it The Uniform Code of No Justice!
Dear Jarhead you were an egghead because deep down you were probably arrogant and racist. I doubt if you would have DARED to have the balls to criticize Bush who rushed all of you under false pretenses to Iraq and messed the entire war on terror. I doubt if you would have refused to follow illegal orders to torture people or hold them in black op cells. I think you are a typical person who hates the govt. but LOVES that the Federal govt. PAYS your damned salary; it PAYS your College costs via GI BILL; it gives you married housing benefits; overseas benefits and a host of other comfortable perks because you decided to serve and then wear a uniform; that uniform came with responsibilities and accountability. YOu broke it. YOu can say whatever you want in private with your colleagues but you became POLITICAL. You know damn well you cannot be political and shoot your mouth off like you did. You have that freedom; now get out of uniform and join the tea party and run for office if you like. It is your right.. EVen Obama supporters had to keep their mouths shut under Bush. Liberal Democrats who opposed the illegal war in Iraq did not speak out; they served, went to iraq and even killed civilians. That is what people do.
sorry to see this man lose his job but he must try to be more civil there are nut cases on the right in the libitarian movement the mlitias ready to take arms now against our great nation and all they need is someone like hanity bortz limbaugh and others to do so and truthfully someone on the left its that bad now hopefully once we get threw this these far righters calling our president a communist a hitler will end i thoght calling women on birth control prostitues would do it but it didnt I guess the far right still think women are crap so its acceptable sad day isnt it whatsmore sad is actually obama and romney neither one good men believe in all this hate
As a former Marine myself, from what I can see, they REALLY bent over backwards for this guy. Usually, if there is a sniff of breaking the UCMJ, they are all over you. This guy, they warned several times, and, gave him chance after chance and he STILL continued to screw up. Got what was coming to him. Probably run straight to the right-wing militias. Just what they need, a fully trained, pissed off Marine. Damned shame. Hopefully, they keep an eye on this guy.
He couldn't wait three months until his contract was up, or show his opinion where it counts, at the voting booth?
When you join the armed forces,you become a solider,something you can't get involved in,he needs to be booted out,they aren't trying to use him as a scapegoat,I have know use for a person like him or her
Idiot. Follow orders soldier.
Yes and make sure you say heil hitler
For all you people that thinks the gfuy should be disgraced.......May a marine not be there when a sand monkey invades your home.
And may a marine refuse to obey his orders on political grounds when your home is on the line.
I think this is somebull@!$%#, this Marine is going outta his way, although he signed up for it to protect and serve this country by choice;
This is what America is about, "FREEDOM" who give's a @!$%# that he does'nt like the President, he is entitled to his own personal opinion, and the President him self should not be butt hurt; well, cause he's the President, and plus, this kid is going out there not knowing when his last night on earth will be, it's simply his own right to feel how he wants, as long as he does not act out inappropriately.
I can understand Stein getting in trouble and being discharged because of his words against Obama while being a marine. However, I wonder what Sharpton, Jackson and the other racist twits would say/do if the marine were black and the president Caucasian. Of course (as usual), the outcome would be completely different.
Seriously, this soon-to-be former Marine is sorry only for the fact that his ill-advised speech has gotten him into trouble, not that he expressed so inappropriately expressed views about his Commander-in-Chief. Consequences!
I think if there were real performance issues with this kid, his superiors would have seen it and acted to correct it in the work space... hell, even counseling and training for FB... But an other than honorable discharge for FB posts looks more like a failure of leadership on behalf of the Marines.
Another one floats up from the bottom of the volunteer army! The only thing he wishes he could take back is that haircut. This is what happens when you let one of the teabaggers cut your hair at one of their rallies! No wonder it took TEN YEARS, ten years to secure baghdad! All the volunteers are too busy being internet know-it-alls instead of serving. Good riddance and enjoy your appearances on Fakes And Friends!
What a crazy world this is! Unbelievable!
In America if you fight for free speech and willing to DIE for free speech, you are no longer allowed to have free speech!
What Constitution...
The Constitution has been so abused by America. A person speaks his mind about the president and everyone hates him. But certain music albums, especially rap, have lyrics that are just outright disgusting, and the artist proclaims "freeness of speech" to defend themselves, and most of America accepts it.
There is no constitution anymore. It's worthless. Our founding fathers are rolling over in their graves. Maybe I should do what Nicholas Cage did in National Treasure, but I'll steal the Constitution. No one will miss it.
This is NOT a free speech issue:
The reason members of the military are not allowed to publicly express opinions that would undermine the National Command Authority (ie- the Executive Branch) is FUNDAMENTAL to our Constitution.
It is NOT, as some have said, a loss of 1st Amendment rights. It is the backbone of civilian control over the military and is one of the major tenets of our constitution.
Imagine if this were not a young marine - but a 4-star General? The Chief of Staff? Norman Schwarzkopf, Colin Powell, or some other immensely popular military leader? This is EXACTLY how Fidel Castro, Muammar Khadafi, Idi Amin, and many other military dictators came to power.
Our founding fathers foresaw this. That is why the UCMJ is so strict as to these issues - that the military must NEVER openly speak out against the president, congress, or the Supreme Court - so as to prevent military coups.
If you will remember - Truman himself fired Douglas MacArthur over the very same thing - publicly disagreeing with the president.
On a side note - those of you bashing the Marines for discharging this man - are probably the same ones who were clamoring for Stan McCrystal's head when he let some of his staff criticize the president.
heil hitler!!!!!
Right. First you shut down any sign of dissent within the Military and then you use the Military to shut down any sign of dissent in the public.
Nick: The Constitution is still there and is still being carefully followed. It only seems a sham because some people are not bright enough, nor have they taken advanced courses in Constitutional Law to know what it means. In the final analysis, it means what the U.S. Supreme Court says it means, and the President is directed to enforce it. That is EXACTLY what this president does and he does it very well. There are those who want to play on the prejudices of some of the American people and tell them what they want to hear. By doing so, they acquire a large following and become wealthy. Case in point: Rush LImbaugh, a man who flunked out of Southeast Missouri State University (his mother said he couldn't even pass dance class) and is a self-proclaimed recovering alcoholic and drug addict. Two of Limbaugh's wives left him and we're waiting for the third to pack her bags. (Yes, this is the same Rush Limbaugh who proclaims family values). The last monetary figure of Limbaugh's wealth was $33 million dollars made off people like you. Then, we come to Glenn Beck who flunked out of Yale University and is also a self-proclaimed alcoholic and drug addict. I think Beck has had only one wife leave him, but he also tells his audience of his commitment to family values. Even FOX fired this one!
Conclusion: The Constitution is still there and is being carefully respected by our government. It's the people with ulterior motives who twist and confuse the poorly educated who, in turn, believe the country is going to hell in a hand basket!
You are an idiot racist stein...you know it and so does everyone else. The only reason you are saying this stuff is because President Obama is a Black Man. Well now you have plenty of time to post to facebook...with no paycheck, free housing, dependent benefits, or safety net. Military brainwashing is rough enough, now all you can depend on the fools who hoodwinked your dumb_$$ into believing and posting that b$. Maybe those fools got a job and benefits for your dumb_$$.
Sounds like treason to me. No different than shooting your lieutenant, which you don't like, in the back in the jungles of Vietnam.
Dishonorable discharge is not enough. Must be set as an example. Biggest threat to any military, including the most powerful ever assembled, is insubordination by a few bad apples leading to widespread poor morale.
You gentlemen that are saying he's a disgrace to the uniform are, how shall I say this, IDIOTS! I wonder if you've ever worn any uniform. If you have, then you should know that you don't just follow orders blindly. You must have a sense of what's right and wrong. Obama is screwing over this entire country just as fast as he can, not to mention he is screwing over the military as well. If you beat a dog constantly he's going to bite you someday. While I agree that he did wrong by not heeding the warnings of his superiors, he did not deserve to be discharged for his opinions. I wonder as well how many of you IDIOTS were bad mouthing Bush the exact same way or worse. What if your boss said you can't post your opinions because I don't like them or the company doesn't like them. Suck it up princess!! This is America and it is our right!!
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This is not a freedom of speech issue:
The reason members of the military are not allowed to publicly express opinions that would undermine the National Command Authority (ie- the Executive Branch) is FUNDAMENTAL to our Constitution.
It is NOT, as some have said, a loss of 1st Amendment rights. It is the backbone of civilian control over the military and is one of the major tenets of our constitution.
Imagine if this were not a young marine - but a 4-star General? The Chief of Staff? Norman Schwarzkopf, Colin Powell, or some other immensely popular military leader? This is EXACTLY how Fidel Castro, Muammar Khadafi, Idi Amin, and many other military dictators came to power.
Our founding fathers foresaw this. That is why the UCMJ is so strict as to these issues - that the military must NEVER openly speak out against the president, congress, or the Supreme Court - so as to prevent military coups.
If you will remember - Truman himself fired Douglas MacArthur over the very same thing - publicly disagreeing with the president.
On a side note - those of you bashing the Marines for discharging this man - are probably the same ones who were clamoring for Stan McCrystal's head when he let some of his staff criticize the president.
Well, he wasn't a 4-star General, the Chief of Staff, Norman Schwarzkopf, Colin Powell or some other immensely popular military leader (is there such a thing?)... no, he is just a low ranking grunt... This a failure of leadership on the part of the Marines.
here's an idiot who insults the commander in chief.....not that i disagree......and when he gets caught doesnt have the guts to stand by what he says.........what a coward........
Big attitude coming from someone wearing panda earrings.
To the ppl that think what Stein was treason. Its no more treason then Eric Holder the AG of the US sending automatic rifles to mexico to the drug cartels. one such rifle was used to kill a US federal border agent. so stop your crying.
Stein should have know, as a member of the military, he is NOT protected by the 1st Amd. Stein is a moron and a loser.
Obama does NOT have that main support from 2008. He has not solved any problems, he just wants to spend money on everything. He should just go back to Chicago to be a community activist. When someone complains about Obama, why do some ppl say its a race issue?? Ppl are seeing everyday, he is a terrible president.