Thousands to Facebook Marine: We've got your back

[Harry Riley]

http://www.wnd.com/2012/03/tea-party-site-booms-after-military-crackdown/

 

 

WND EXCLUSIVE

 

Thousands to Facebook Marine: We've got your back

 

Crackdown: Military threatening to dismiss sergeant for opposing Obama online

 

by Drew ZahnEmail

 

Drew Zahn is a former pastor who cut his editing teeth as a member of the award-winning staff of Leadership, Christianity Today's professional journal for church leaders. He is the editor of seven books, including Movie-Based Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching, which sparked his ongoing love affair with film and his weekly WND column, "Popcorn and a (world)view."

The White House may not be happy about Marine Sgt. Gary Stein’s Facebook fan page criticizing the commander in chief, but the social media have embraced him, making his page a beehive of conversation and soaring his “likes” count to over 23,000 and growing.

 

Stein’s Armed Forces Tea Party page was founded in April 2010 as a way to give even active military members a forum for voicing opposition to the Obama administration’s allegedly unconstitutional actions.

 

Stein’s first post discussed politicians’ plans to repeal Obamacare and was followed the next day by post quoting Theodore Roosevelt: “To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”

 

But Stein’s assertions of free speech on Facebook – coming from an active duty Marines officer – have become a springboard for controversy.

 

The page is filled with comments from some cheering him on with the Marine motto, “Semper Fidelis,” while others are calling him a “traitor.”

 

The military has also taken notice, beginning an investigation that could lead to Stein’s dismissal from the Marine Corps.

 

As the Associated Press reported, Stein’s commanding officer ordered a preliminary inquiry after receiving allegations that Stein had posted political statements about Obama and declared he would not follow unlawful orders from the commander in chief.

 

According to Pentagon directives, the AP continued, 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 president.

 

If found in violation of military rules, Stein could face both discharge and having his rank reduced to lance corporal.

 

On the Facebook page, Stein claims he has already been removed from his job at the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot in San Diego and given a desk post with no access to computers.

 

“I’m completely shocked that this is happening,” Stein said earlier this week. “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?”

 

Shortly thereafter, Stein posted a public statement on the site (edited for grammar and spelling):

 

“I swore an oath to obey the orders of the president … but those orders must be lawful,” Stein writes. “It is the duty of each and every service member to know the difference between an unlawful and lawful order. We need to educate our service members on the Constitution. Just following orders is not a defense when having to answer for following unlawful orders.

 

“The allegations drummed up against me are no more than an agenda by the Marine Corps to use me as an example,” he continues. “I have never spoken on behalf of the Marine Corps or in uniform. I have stayed within guidelines DOD Directive 1344.10 and made sure to. If I am guilty of anything it would be that I am American, a freedom loving conservative, hell bent on defending the Constitution and preserving America’s greatness.”

 

The Marine Corps, the AP reports, 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.

 

Notably, the Facebook page at the heart of the controversy states clearly at the top, “We do not represent, and are in no way affiliated with the military, or United States Armed Forces.”

 

The page describes its purpose is to “offer a forum that will allow the voices of the U.S. Armed Forces to stand with the tea-party movement and be heard.”

 

It asserts, “Our Armed Forces place their life on the line for political agendas every day; is it common sense to think that they should have no opinion about what they are potentially sacrificing their lives for? We say no! Let them be heard.”

 

Among the 21,000-plus people who have “liked” Stein’s page and the many more who have commented at Armed Forces Tea Party are a wide range of opinions.

 

“Gary, Americans support our First Amendment right to free speech,” writes poster Maureen Taylor. “We support you and defend your rights. Semper Fidelis, my friend!”

 

A man claiming to be a Marine veteran and posting under the moniker Jamaica Jim asserts, “The military is here to defend democracy, not practice it. … This is blatant insubordination of an active duty Marine.”

 

“I have the deepest respect for Sgt. Stein. I’m just not sure he’s going about this the right way,” posited a poster calling herself Sugar Babet. “It didn’t work out so well for Col. Lakin. This administration likes to strong arm people. I will be praying for you.”

 

Lt. Col. Terrence Lakin, a career Army soldier, eventually faced court martial for refusing to obey orders from a commander in chief he believed ineligible to hold the office of president. During his court martial, Lakin was not allowed to call witnesses or present evidence regarding his reason for disobeying orders. Under the burden imposed by the judge, he was convicted of missing a movement and disobeying orders and served six months in the military prison at Ft. Leavenworth.

 

A licensed physician in Maryland, Lakin was also denied license to practice medicine in Kansas following his release.

 

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[Twana Blevins]

Marines seek guidance on social media after anti-Obama posts

http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/story/2012-04-07/marine-obama...

WASHINGTON – The Marine Corps is recommending an update to the Defense Department directive that landed an anti-Obama Marine in hot water.

Maj. Gen. Vaughn Ary, staff judge advocate to the commandant, is asking the Pentagon to incorporate social-media guidelines into its policy covering political activity in uniform.

Ary's call for review was spelled out in a letter he sent to Rep. Duncan D. Hunter, R-Calif. The congressman's spokesman provided the letter to Marine Corps Times.

The letter stated that Marine Corps staff was being instructed to contact the Defense Department to recommend an update to "provide service members with additional guidance on how to use social media in a responsible manner."

This came in response to a letter Hunter sent Tuesday urging the Corps to withdraw discharge proceedings against Sgt. Gary Stein and update the directive. Hunter spoke out in Stein's defense last week, stating that the Corps would lose the majority of its force if it kicked everyone out based on political speech.

DoD directive 1344.10 is the one Ary is suggesting be changed. It addresses appropriate political activities for service members. Stein was told he violated Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice by failing to adhere to that directive after criticizing President Barack Obama on Facebook.

Ary does not advocate for Stein in the letter.

"I am confident that the leadership at (Marine Corps Recruit Depot) San Diego will make the very best decision in Sgt. Stein's case in accordance with time-honored and well-known Marine Corps standards," the letter states.

Stein faced a Marine Corps administrative separation board Thursday after his commander recommended he be discharged from the Corps. After a daylong hearing, the three-person board -- made up of a lieutenant colonel, a major and a sergeant major -- recommended that Stein receive an other-than-honorable discharge. This could cause Stein to lose his Veterans Affairs benefits and never find another government job again.

Social media sites are posing new challenges to military leadership. Stein is not the only Marine to vent his disdain for a commander in chief on Facebook. But with more than 27,000 followers on his Facebook page, Armed Forces Tea Party, Stein's message is being heard.

Philip Cave, a retired Navy judge advocate who practices military law as a civilian, said Stein got himself into real trouble by running the Facebook page.

"Armed Forces Tea Party conveys a message that he's holding a political group just like the Tea Party of Virginia or Tea Party of Texas," Cave said.

Brig. Gen. Daniel Woo, Stein's commanding general, now will decide whether to uphold the board's other-than-honorable discharge recommendation. In the meantime, Stein continues to work, but the Corps has taken away his computer privileges.

Stein said other Marines should realize that what they say on Facebook can be held against them.

"Marines need to know, whether it be a status update or anything, that they're being watched like Big Brother," he said. "They need to watch what they say."

[Twana Blevins]

Sgt. Stein's next hearing is in Federal Court Friday, April 13, San Diego. Seeking an injunction to stop the discharge proceedings. Remember, Sgt. Stein has NEVER been charged with any crimes under the UCMJ. The Marine Corps is trying to admin him out of the service through the back door, denying him the right to a fair and legal judicial hearing.

"We feel that Sergeant Stein's rights were not protected at the hearing," Brewer (Stein's attorney) said. "We think that the CASE LAW is clear in saying that men and women in the military do not give up their First Amendment rights."

Read more: http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/military/military-tea-party-marin...

[Jerry]

It will be the marines, who would have to clean that usurpator's nest. The real heroes are Lt. T. Lakin, Sgt. Gary Stein and still only few others. Time will tell, but it boils down to HIM or US, WE THE PEOPLE.

[Linda B. Petersen]

So, Jerry, let's start the impeachment process ----- NOW!

[Richard Charles Wagener]

I am all for starting the impeachment, but how.? He has the majority of the Congress running in fear.  He seems to have the Congress treed like hound dog instead of the other way around.  Congress is running around with its tail between its legs, whimpering in fear.  Would that they would take an example from this Marine hero and Col. Lakin.  Instead of the saying we used to have for our heroes,"Where do such men like these come from?" We need to say "Where in the world do these spineless wimps called Congressmen come from"?

[David Swanson]

Looking at this from a logical point of view (fancy talk for Layman-speak), I too see the commander being in swampy ground. But then again we have to keep in mind that one of the most slippery and slimiest pieces of putrid vomit is the top dirt-bag at DOJ. I'm sure Eric Holder can find some fancy bull-sh*t lawyer crap to pass on to be used against Marine Sgt. Gary Stein. We all know how Holders Marxist boss, Barack Obama, has paper thin skin, so he has to punish this Patriot for hurting his feelings.

Yes Marine Sgt. Gary Stein... WE GOT YOUR BACK!

[Richard Charles Wagener]

This little twerp and wannabe dictator, Barack Hussein Barry Sotoro Obama is one of those Domestic Enemies referred to in our oath of office.  This Marine is simply obeying that Oath he took to protect and defend this country and it's Constitution from all it's enemies both foreign and domestic!  I join the group who have declared they have this Marine's Back. Enough is enough, this so called commander-in-chief has already thrown another honorable Military Officer, Col. Lakin to the dogs because the Col. had to audacity to stand up to him.  This guy is a louse, who wouldn't last an hour in the Marines, he is fraud thru and thru.  He an arrogant skunk that stinks to high heaven, but has a yellow stripe down his back, instead of the respectable skunk with a white stripe.

[3dabj2cmwogfx]

ve his back. It is after all Freedom Of Speech. Obama wants to take away all of our rights. He should not touch any of them. Our Country was Made under God our Creator. Not for just and religeon to use. The muslims can not use our constitution unless they take an Oath to protect our Constitution from harm and are under God ONLY. Not Allah the God. GOD!! Under GOD and Country USA!!!  WE THE PEOPLE TRUST IN  GOD AMEN

[Terminator Girl]

How do we have his back?  Have crashed the US marine website? Have we jammed their phone lines with phone calls? 

We did it when the Seals were going to be prosecuted, and we won.  We need and continuous, concerted blitz on congress, the WH, the joint chiefs and everyone else we can think of.

I think we can effectively "have his back," but we haven't done it yet.

 

 

[Twana Blevins]

I agree Terminator Girl!

[Richard Charles Wagener]

Excellent Post.

[robert cosenza]

to sgt stein,first sir i salute you for your service to our country,second there are thousands upon thousand of people who respect and are with you sir,god bless and keep you.you sir have done more then any of the politicians,who took an oath also to protect and defend the constitituion but from we the peoples view,none of these so called politicians have done anything to first question this president and his administration,they will not even question obamas credentials to even be president,and we the people have been asking that very question,and the silence from these politicians is deafing,they are aiding and abetting a treasonous trader and by allowing this ineligible president to remain in office they them selves become a threat to the constitituion and will be held accountably by we the people of america,2nd the medias blackout is nothing less then treason.and we the people have noted,filed and been alerted to this scandal.we the people applaud you sgt stein.god bless ron paul,sheriff joe and cold case posse,and all american veterans and all american citizens.we the people are the real government.not these do nothing disgraceful so called politicians.one nation under god