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Marine says he faces discharge over Obama comments
CNN
Michael Pearson
3/22/2012
Excerpt:
"A politically active Marine who has questioned President Barack Obama's authority said Thursday that he is facing administrative discharge proceedings over his comments.
Sgt. Gary Stein, who founded the Armed Forces Tea Party, said his commanding officer at Camp Pendleton near San Diego has accused him of violating a catch-all military justice provision against conduct endangering "good order and discipline."
He is also accused of violating a Department of Defense policy limiting the political activities of service members.
Stein came under scrutiny from Marine officials after saying he would not obey Obama's orders.
In a January 26 post to the Armed Forces Tea Party Facebook page, Stein called Obama a liar. Two days later, he said the president is "the 'Domestic Enemy' our oath speaks about."
In a March 4 posting, he questioned Obama's birth certificate. Another discussion on the site in March said he would refuse to obey orders given by Obama. He later clarified to say he meant illegal orders, which he has explained as orders such as sending the military to Syria without congressional approval.
"The allegations drummed up against me are no more than an agenda by the Marine Corps to use me as an example," Stein said in a statement posted to his page. "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 Americas greatness."
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He noted that the opinions he expressed were his own, saying, "I have never spoken on behalf of the Marine Corps or in uniform."
Appearing on CNN on Thursday morning, he called the charges a "PR thing."
"They have to make some sort of stand with this," he said.
A Marine Corps spokesman confirmed Thursday that Stein's commanding officer had chosen to address the allegations through "administration action" after he had received the results of a preliminary inquiry into the case.
While the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the free speech rights of ordinary citizens, a Defense Department rule prohibits service members from engaging in some forms of political activity.
Among the prohibited activities are publishing partisan political articles or serving in an official capacity with a partisan political club.
Stein has said that has carefully followed the Defense Department directive. He said Thursday that his unit has known about his off-duty activities since he joined the outfit eight months ago.
He also said a similar investigation two years ago found that he had done nothing wrong and officers at the time told him he could continue running the site so long as it carried a disclaimer.
The Facebook page notes that it does not represent and is not affiliated with the military or government.
About 18,000 people follow posts on the page."
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View the complete article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/22/us/mar...ama/index.html
CNN
Michael Pearson
3/22/2012
Excerpt:
"A politically active Marine who has questioned President Barack Obama's authority said Thursday that he is facing administrative discharge proceedings over his comments.
Sgt. Gary Stein, who founded the Armed Forces Tea Party, said his commanding officer at Camp Pendleton near San Diego has accused him of violating a catch-all military justice provision against conduct endangering "good order and discipline."
He is also accused of violating a Department of Defense policy limiting the political activities of service members.
Stein came under scrutiny from Marine officials after saying he would not obey Obama's orders.
In a January 26 post to the Armed Forces Tea Party Facebook page, Stein called Obama a liar. Two days later, he said the president is "the 'Domestic Enemy' our oath speaks about."
In a March 4 posting, he questioned Obama's birth certificate. Another discussion on the site in March said he would refuse to obey orders given by Obama. He later clarified to say he meant illegal orders, which he has explained as orders such as sending the military to Syria without congressional approval.
"The allegations drummed up against me are no more than an agenda by the Marine Corps to use me as an example," Stein said in a statement posted to his page. "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 Americas greatness."
Marine launches anti-Obama Facebook page
Marine calls President Obama the 'enemy'
He noted that the opinions he expressed were his own, saying, "I have never spoken on behalf of the Marine Corps or in uniform."
Appearing on CNN on Thursday morning, he called the charges a "PR thing."
"They have to make some sort of stand with this," he said.
A Marine Corps spokesman confirmed Thursday that Stein's commanding officer had chosen to address the allegations through "administration action" after he had received the results of a preliminary inquiry into the case.
While the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the free speech rights of ordinary citizens, a Defense Department rule prohibits service members from engaging in some forms of political activity.
Among the prohibited activities are publishing partisan political articles or serving in an official capacity with a partisan political club.
Stein has said that has carefully followed the Defense Department directive. He said Thursday that his unit has known about his off-duty activities since he joined the outfit eight months ago.
He also said a similar investigation two years ago found that he had done nothing wrong and officers at the time told him he could continue running the site so long as it carried a disclaimer.
The Facebook page notes that it does not represent and is not affiliated with the military or government.
About 18,000 people follow posts on the page."
...............................................
View the complete article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/22/us/mar...ama/index.html
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