Freedom of speech does not apply to the military, sort of.

Obviously, we at Zombified Times are all for free speech but what the hell was Sgt. Gary Stein thinking when he started posting anti-Obama comments on Facebook as well as printing anti-Obama bumper stickers?  I served in the Navy for 15 years and my father for 20+ years.  My aunt and grandfathers and great uncles all served as well. So I have some knowledge of this as in the way that the military looks at it but com'on. What makes you think it is ok to bash your boss, the commander and chief?  And Marine Corp are you no longer teaching that as a soldier you no longer have a full freedom of speech?


Members of the military have the right to say or to write what they think, up to a point. They can't say things that encourage violence (other than as part of authorized military operations) or urge others to violate military regulations. They can't communicate with "the enemy," for example, by writing letters to Iraqi officials or soldiers. Article 88 of the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) makes it a crime for a commissioned officer to use "contemptuous words" against the President, Vice-President, Secretary of Defense, and other specified high government officials. Enlisted members can be prosecuted under Article 134 for using similar words. The words have to be "to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, or conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces." Military members have gotten into trouble for calling officials "fascists," "thieves," murderers" "tyrants" "fools" and "gangsters." This law is selectively enforced. Some officers didn't get in trouble for saying bad things about President Clinton, for example. Article 117 of the UCMJ outlaws using "provoking or reproachful words or gestures" towards someone else in the military. The more real danger, however, if from saying things that could make other members desert, disobey lawful orders, or refuse to do their jobs. That kind of speech could violate Article 82 of the UCMJ, which makes it a crime for someone in the military to ask someone else to desert or mutiny (disobey orders as a group).

Members of the military can write letters to newspapers -- so long as they are not part of an organized letter campaign for a political candidate, party, or partisan political cause. (This rule, is found in Army Regulation 600-20, Appendix B). It is unclear what the Army means by "partisan political cause," but it probably means a cause promoted by a political party. Military members can also publish their own newspapers - so long as they do it while they are off duty and don't use military paper, ink, computers, phones, or other supplies or equipment. Of course, members may not say or give the impression that they are speaking on behalf of the military.


When you took that oath Sgt. Stein you promised to uphold the constitution of the United States as well as follow and support the Commander and Chief.  Common sense says keep your comments to yourself.  If it was a regular job and you bad mouth your boss, you would get fired.  Are are soldiers becoming that stupid?  This has been seen over and over again.  Why are they taking pictures of POW's, why are they sharing stories of interrogations?  Why are they talking about methods of interrogations?

What the media and the public do not know about are best kept that way for the sake of the military and national security.  What ever happened to the Office of Censorship, why is the military even letting this stuff get out.  As a soldier you are held to a higher standard than the common citizen and your job is probably the most dangerous job now a days, but you need to have some common sense and some restraint.  Sure we are now contending with the digital age, social media and right here right now mentality but you as a soldier have the ability to prevent these stupid, costly and potentially dangerous activities that can unravel all the good work that so many others in the military are doing.

Sgt. Stein, you get what you deserve, OTH discharge is light considering the circumstances and the fact we are still in a combat mode.  If the corps decided to go dishonorable that would be fine with me.  Your behavior was totally unacceptable and a disgrace to the Marines and all American Soldiers and Sailors, past and present.

Balsa-