(CNN) -- A Marine Corps board has recommended that a politically active Marine sergeant who questioned President Barack Obama's authority be dismissed from service with an "other than honorable" discharge.
Sgt. Gary Stein, 26, who posted anti-Obama comments on his Facebook page, stands accused 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. The case has raised First Amendment issues.
The recommendation for dismissal, made late Thursday after a 13-hour hearing, will now go to a separation authority headed by Brig. Gen. Daniel Yoo, commander of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, said Maj. Michael Armistead, the public affairs director for the installation.
If he leaves the Marines with an other than honorable discharge, Stein will be demoted a rank to lance corporal. One of Stein's lawyers, Capt. James Baehr, said Stein would also lose benefits and his uniform.
Baehr said his client was extremely disappointed. "I don't think any law was violated by Gary Stein," he said. "The reason we have this reticence in the military to get engaged in politics is that we were afraid a long time ago of military dictatorship," Baehr said. "We are so far from that in suggesting that on a private Facebook page, you can't say something about politics."
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."
I think it is very wrong that this marine was talking/posting facebook comments in this manor. Because he is in the Marines, he should have the discipline to refrain himself from such actions. Also, if he is supporting our country in the Marines, you would think he would have the decency to do it in all aspects of his life. I think that it is right that this man is served a punishment. Nothing can justify what he said, it was unprofessional and out of line.
ReplyDeleteAnna C p3
I think that this marine has been punished correcly. I say so because I think that if you are going to serve your country, and even die for your country, you cannot revel against it. It is, like you said in class, if a teacher posts on Facebook that he doesn't like principal. I think that if you don't agree with your boss, you should talk to other person, but never post something like that on Facebook
ReplyDeleteAlberto G(P1)
Things like this irk me. As a member of any branch of the U.S. Armed forces, esp. the marines who pride themselves in their displine and hard work, you should not be behaving like that. I don't always agree with what my superiors tell me to do, but I listen to them. And if I have a problem with them, I take it to them not my Facebook page. The lawyer said something about his "private" Facebook page. Nothing on the internet is private, and if you post something inappropriat, it IS going to come back to bite you. You can completely ruin your reputation by what you put onlne. Once something is out there, it is out there for forever. You never know who might see it.
ReplyDeleteAlex H. p3
I agree with Alex totally. With as much hard work as they put into discipline and hard work, you would think that he would keep those comments to himself. In my opinion, if he has a problem with any person he should keep it to himself or he can talk to someone about it and vent about it. Just don't put it on somewhere where everyone can see it. I think that it was a bad idea for him to do this, because he most likely destroyed his career. I think it was a bad move on his part.
ReplyDeleteBarrett B.3
I agree with what Anna said. No matter who your boss is and what the circumstances are; you need to keep things like that to yourself or within the privacy of your own home. Certainly not posting it in front of millions on a website.
ReplyDeletelynn A period 7
i Think that he was punished right for his actions and if you don"t have anything nice to say about someone don't say it. but what i don't get is what did he do that was wrong? he didn't break any laws and doesn't he have freedom of speech like all Americans?
ReplyDeleteErick L. p7
I think it is completely fair that he is facing a potential less than honorable discharge because he full well knew that he couldn't talk that way about a superior and than he goes and post anti obama things on facebook. Obama is the cammender and chief right know and I know many people don't like him but when youre in the military it is against the law to critize a superior officer and he deserves what he gets because being a Sgt. He has power over others and they would get in trouble for critizing him if he he saw a post or heard them, he just got in this much trouble because he critized the most powerful man in the military not a smart move.
ReplyDeleteJoel U. Period 7
I agree with both Erick and Anna,because although he was wrong by indirectly telling Obama that he is a horrible president.I for one think Obama is an o.k. guy.But I for one am against talking behind someones back,I think its wrong,demoralizing,and I think this guy is deserves whats coming for him.
ReplyDeleteChris W. P1
I don't understand why someone in the Marines would do something like this. It just makes me upset. I don't get why he would put that stuff about President Obama online. He can't take it back. Once its out there its out there for good. I hope he learns from this.
ReplyDeleteSteph C. P3
I think it's obvious that he didn't like Obama very much, and to go on Facebook to do this not only shows how cowardly he is, but also how disrespectful he is of his superiors. If he wanted his opinions to be made recognized, I believe he succeeded perfectly....Now I presume his chances of gaining proper careers are going down the drain.
ReplyDeleteTanoyS. P7
I think that this guy had what was coming to him. You wouldn't go around dissing your boss to the media would you? I know I sure wouldn't! What this guy did was horrible and he deserves what is coming to him. This is just like the situation that happened in unit 13. It's just not right and he needs to learn that what he did was wrong.
ReplyDeleteI think this marine took things to far. He discriminated against our president. He also tried to say Obama's birth certificate was a lie. He is a marine he should know better than to disrespect his superior officers.
ReplyDeleteChris c p7
I for one think this man deserves whatever he has coming for him,cause I mean honestly,why would anyone for any reason make a defamatory statement about a hardworking man just trying to make a living,especially when this man is a higher power than him.He's taken Facebook and made it into his personal diary about his personal thoughts and personal feelings which no one should ever do,unless they want out of a job.It'll certainly teach him a lesson to mess with the president and the government.
ReplyDeleteChris W. P.1
I think that this guy shouldn't talk smack to his commanding officer. A trooper job is to follow orders and to show respect to an higher up. Facebook is for getting to know people, not for talking smack about them and this guy forgot what it means to be a soldier.
ReplyDeleteJimmy P.7
VERY LAST COMMENT!
ReplyDelete