SAN DIEGO – A Camp Pendleton Marine has removed his Facebook page after his comments fueled a free-speech debate about whether troops are allowed to criticize President Barack Obama’s policies while serving in the military.
Sgt. Gary Stein said he was asked by his superiors to review the Pentagon’s directive on political activities after he criticized Obama’s health care reform efforts and then was asked this week to talk about his views on the MSNBC cable TV channel.
Stein said his supervisor told him of his right to an attorney about the matter. He said he decided to close his Facebook page and review his military code obligations. He also contacted private attorneys who told him he had done nothing wrong.
“There’s this illusion that when we sign our contract and voluntarily commit, that we lose our right to speak out,” Stein told the San Diego Union-Tribune in a story published Wednesday.
The local American Civil Liberties Union said in a statement Wednesday that it has sent a letter to Camp Pendleton’s commanding officer urging the Marine Corps to protect Stein’s right to freedom of speech.
Camp Pendleton spokeswoman Maj. Gabrielle Chapin said the Marine Corps is not considering filing charges and simply wanted him to be aware of the rules so he did not break them.
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April 15, 2010 at 11:53 am
HistorianDude
The short answer? Yes.
The longer answer? Partially.
Members of the Armed Forces are free to communicate with their members of Congress in a lawful manner that does not violate the Uniform Code of Military Justice. In regards to the media members of the Armed Forces that choose to speak to the press in their private capacity may do so, but must not do so in uniform and must make clear that they do not speak on behalf of their military unit, military service, or the Department of Defense.
April 15, 2010 at 4:18 pm
JAMES
HD: I know that both you and IB served our country honorably, so I knew I would get a decent military perspective.
April 15, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Interested Bystander
Hey All,
It is amazing to me that you have to “qualify” everything you say anymore.
If I say something, or comment something on a blog, it’s MY OPINION, and not anyone else’s. MY OPINION is not my employer’s opinion, my spouse’s opinion or my other family member’s opinion. Why is that not understood?
Why has our Country become so “sensitive” when it comes to stating an opinion that is contrary to someone else’s opinion?
EVERYONE is ENTITLED to their own opinion, whether you agree with it or not, and there shouldn’t have to be a “disclaimer”.
April 16, 2010 at 9:53 am
HistorianDude
Anymore?
April 16, 2010 at 11:54 am
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