Prosecutors say Marine sold "Nobama" stickers

[freeatlast]

A Marine is facing dismissal from the military for....
http://www.chron.com/business/article/Prosecutors-say-Marine-sold-Nobama-stickers-3460530.php

 

[Don]

The only thing they can get him on, is what they're apparently charging him with: Article 134, Conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline.

But now the prosecution has to make the case that he's a Marine 24/7, and everything he does, both in uniform and out, represents the Marines. But that's going to be hard to do, since we're specifically provided the opportunity to participate in political rallies, etc. as long as we're not in uniform -- and everything this guy has done has been out of uniform, off duty, on his personal time.

What the prosecutor will have to prove is that he's been promoting the website, the merchandise, etc. to fellow Marines/military, and thus sowing the seeds of discord, and thus guilty of "prejudicial to good order and discipline."

They've got a battle on their hands. Praying for this Marine.

 

[marke]

A Marine is facing dismissal from the military for....
http://www.chron.com/business/article/Prosecutors-say-Marine-sold-Nobama-stickers-3460530.php

Here is truly one of the few good men the Marines can be proud to have watching their backs, and we should be thankful that he is watching our backs as well. The present administration is very dangerously threatening the existence of our nation by promoting radical 'anti-capitalism' ideas of the far left, like Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dorn and a host of other insane socialistic sociopaths.

 

[freeatlast]

Here is truly one of the few good men the Marines can be proud to have watching their backs, and we should be thankful that he is watching our backs as well. The present administration is very dangerously threatening the existence of our nation by promoting radical 'anti-capitalism' ideas of the far left, like Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dorn and a host of other insane socialistic sociopaths.

[SIZE=+0][SIZE=+0][SIZE=+0]I agree. He is a true Marine and American standing against a Marxist President. We need more like this Marine instead of those who remain silent out of fear or so called duty. It is too bad that our officers and even Generals have cowered to the call of duty and desire to keep the rank and uniform instead of what this brave Marine is doing.[/SIZE][/SIZE]
[/SIZE]

 

[Salty]

...But now the prosecution has to make the case that he's a Marine 24/7, and everything he does, both in uniform and out, represents the Marines. But that's going to be hard to do, since we're specifically provided the opportunity to participate in political rallies, etc. as long as we're not in uniform -- and everything this guy has done has been out of uniform, off duty, on his personal time.
...

Prosecutor Capt. John Torresala said the behavior by Marine Sgt. Gary Stein repeatedly violated Pentagon policy limiting the free speech rights of service members.

The name of the face book page is Armed Forces Tea Party. Also as a Non-Commissioned Officer - he should be held to higher standards.

Stein may have done all of this out of uniform, but he should have left any reference to the military out.

When you join the military, you do give up many rights.

If he is guilty of breaking regulations, then he should be punished.
I wonder if he was offered an Article 15 - had I been the commander I would have given a Company Grade 15- 90 days suspended demotion to E-4, 2 weeks extra duty and 30 days confined to Bn area.
Thoughts?

 

[mont974x4]

Maybe he asked for a court martial?

 

[saturneptune]

Prosecutor Capt. John Torresala said the behavior by Marine Sgt. Gary Stein repeatedly violated Pentagon policy limiting the free speech rights of service members.

The name of the face book page is Armed Forces Tea Party. Also as a Non-Commissioned Officer - he should be held to higher standards.

Stein may have done all of this out of uniform, but he should have left any reference to the military out.

When you join the military, you do give up many rights.

If he is guilty of breaking regulations, then he should be punished.
I wonder if he was offered an Article 15 - had I been the commander I would have given a Company Grade 15- 90 days suspended demotion to E-4, 2 weeks extra duty and 30 days confined to Bn area.
Thoughts?

Years ago, one guy in our unit kept putting up Impeach Nixon signs in the barracks. During inspection, the posters would be ripped down. After about three times, the person was warned to stop or face an Article 15, or as we called it, a Captain's Mast. That put a stop to it. Yes Salty, you are right. You do give up some of your rights.

For example, if I was in the Army, and Romney was elected, I probably could not publish a paper saying he was a pro abortionist, pro gay rights, cult member who believes in government run health care. I have no idea whether that is true or not, but it would not be allowed.

 

[Don]

Prosecutor Capt. John Torresala said the behavior by Marine Sgt. Gary Stein repeatedly violated Pentagon policy limiting the free speech rights of service members.

The name of the face book page is Armed Forces Tea Party. Also as a Non-Commissioned Officer - he should be held to higher standards.

Stein may have done all of this out of uniform, but he should have left any reference to the military out.

When you join the military, you do give up many rights.

If he is guilty of breaking regulations, then he should be punished.
I wonder if he was offered an Article 15 - had I been the commander I would have given a Company Grade 15- 90 days suspended demotion to E-4, 2 weeks extra duty and 30 days confined to Bn area.
Thoughts?

I think the "Armed Forces" thing is where it gets fuzzy. We have a LOT of websites, organizations, etc. that are associated with the Armed Forces in one fashion or another; best I can say is, those are run by civilians, or ex-military members. I'm still not convinced that they can actually prove an Article 134 charge. If I were on the jury panel (I've actually participated in an administrative discharge before, but it was for illegal actions, nothing like this), and they can't provide documentation that good order and discipline actually suffered because of his actions, I'd be inclined to ask why we were wasting our time.

Funny, but I wondered about the Article 15, too. Only thing I can figure is, he was offered an Article 15 and, in accordance with his legal options, chose court-martial instead.

 

[Don]

For example, if I was in the Army, and Romney was elected, I probably could not publish a paper saying he was a pro abortionist, pro gay rights, cult member who believes in government run health care. I have no idea whether that is true or not, but it would not be allowed.

Sign your name to it, with no reference to your rank or your military affiliation. Totally legal.

 

[Salty]

Funny, but I wondered about the Article 15, too. Only thing I can figure is, he was offered an Article 15 and, in accordance with his legal options, chose court-martial instead.

If that was the case, than could be he wanted the publicity

Sign your name to it, with no reference to your rank or your military affiliation. Totally legal.

Exactly - especially for an NCO/PO