Active Marine With A Tea Party Facebook Group, Should This Be Allowed?
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Sgt. Gary Stein, 24 yrs old active US Marine at Camp Pendleton is running a Facebook Group called “Armed Forces Tea Party Patriots”. As you can image the Marine Corp are not happy with it. He did at one point remove the page after being told to go over the Pentagon’s directive on political activities. However after talking to the base lawyers he did reopen it back up.
On a morning interview Gary stated “There’s this illusion that when we sign our contract and voluntarily commit, that we lose our right to speak out.”
That thought is not necessarily felt the same way by other fellow Marines. Here are some of the comments that have been left or said:
By Patrick a "old Marine" (as he put it): “When you signed that contract with We the People, you forfeited certain of your rights like I did and millions of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines before you. And if you feel that you have too much time on your hands to sit with a keyboard and Internet link-up and make common cause with other malcontents, then feel free to request a transfer.”
Army Officer Scott Downing said: “I disagree with several policies of President Obama, but I do not question his authority as commander in chief. I do not see where this is in conflict with my military oath,”
According to former Marine Corps attorney Patrick Callahan, who now specializes in military law as a civilian lawyer in Texas:
- There are restrictions on time, place and manner. For instance, service members can’t go to political rallies in uniform
- Military personnel can’t write anything to solicit votes for a political cause, sponsor a political club or speak before any gathering that promotes a political movement.
- He also noted: "I have never seen the military go after a junior service member for making disparaging remarks about any politician.
Here is his group page on Facebook:
Armed Forces Tea Party Patriots
His fan page also has a fan/support for Gary page:
Patriots for Sgt Gary Stein (USMC)
So here is the question what do you think? Try and honestly set aside your political views and really think should those in our Military be allowed to express their thoughts and believes if they are not in favor of our commander and Chief?
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See I understand your thoughts but I think you should be allowed to have your views. Just because he supports the tea party movement doesn't mean that he doesn't want the best for our Country or wont protect it. I don't see the harm with him being a part of the Tea Party its not like he is neglecting his Military duties or turning his back on his Military brother and sisters. Your protecting a Country that gives you the right to Free speech. We can't expect our Military to loose any feelings they have once they join. I mean I think we ask enough of them after all they are under paid and over worked and now we want to take their views, sorry no. I support Gary.
I defend your right to your criticism of the health care reform however, I beleve your argument is flawed. You have full medical benefits as an employee of the United States Government, correct? Yet, you believe that medical care should only be for you and not for the rest of the citizenry who support you with their tax dollars?
you believe that medical care should only be for you and not for the rest of the citizenry who support you with their tax dollars?
I fully support our Military (my hubby was a Marine too) and I can tell you I DO NOT want Obama's health care plan. Nor do I want my hard earn tax money to pay for some lazy bum that doesn't want to work. Granted I know that there are some that are unemployed and looking for work but there are many more that simply don't want to work and looking for handouts. Our Military does deserve medical care, since the government is their employer they should provide it. However I do not work for the government so I do not want it.
If you ever took any time to read the constitution and other history lessons You would KNOW that the PRIMARY purpose of adoptig a national governemnt AMONG THE REPUBLIC of States was for NATIONAL DEFENSE. Taxes are only authoprized for very limited things in this nation with the primary purpose the Armed forces. Thes men and women tak a code that says "they are willing to give their life in your defense" Then they destroy their bodies to do it. They deserve and are entitled to the care they get.
Ebveryone else has the rights and freedoms to better themsel;ves for it (IF THEY CHOOSE TO USE MEDICAL CARE) Which many of us don't.
Health care is a "product" the Constitution DOES NOT enumerate any authorty for Congres to stipultaree that anyone HAS TO PURCHASE A product.
Do simple google search on The federtlist papers
Learn some civics before they want something from you that you don't want to give up.
All American citizens have freedom of speech this does not exclude members of our armed forces. A person can fulfill their obligations to our country and protect our freedoms without having to give up their freedoms. As long as they do not use their position within the military to undermine the government there should be any problems. How are they not supposed to have a political opinion? Should we also deny their right to vote? No we should not. I'm sure when I was in the Army I said tons of politically motivated things. That's just our right! Every American's right.
I am a free speech kinda guy but a soldier is the employee of the government. The same way that I'm not allowed to say certain things while at work, to or around customers as per store policy, is the same that goes for them as employees of the government. I suppose he can take it up with a lawyer or whatever, but I know I can't just say whatever is on my mind at work and claim my right to free speech as a defense. I don't think it's really a big deal though but I'm not the boss who sets the rules for them.
Now that that's done, I really don't understand the tea party people. Why invoke an event in history that rebeled against taxes when our taxes actually were lowered under Obama? I just don't get their message, it seems to be "go against anything Obama does" and work backwards from there. What's their platform?
Who says he does this page while on the clock? He can do what ever he wants off the clock just like you can. Plus this wouldn't apply to other government employees like say politicians. But agree that people who are against what any politician says just because of there party are nuts. I'm not a Republican but I like some of what they do. I don't fully agree with any party. Something that is right is right and something that is wrong is wrong regardless of who says it.
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I think when you join the military you do give up certain rights, thats just the way it is. In saying that, I believe you should be able to speak your mind but I'm not sure what you can say and can't say as a Marine.