by ANANYA PRAKASH Staff Writer
Sergeant Gary Stein, a nine-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, is being discharged from the military for posting comments on Facebook about the Commander-in-Chief, President Barack Obama. Stein referred to President Obama as a “domestic enemy,” a coward, and even superimposed President Obama’s face on the poster for the movie “Jackass.” Stein posted comments on both his personal Facebook page and on The Armed Forces Tea Party Facebook page he created, mocking the President. However, his comment, “As an Active Duty Marine I say ‘Screw Obama’ and I will not follow all orders from him … as for saluting Obama as commander-in-chief … I will not!” drew the rage of the Marine Corps. Upon enlisting, every Marine agrees to follow the rules of the U.S. Military. These regulations prohibit certain biased political speech. As a result of his apparent violations of these regulations, a military panel ruled three to zero to discharge Stein from the military. He appeared on CNN’s “Starting Point” arguing that the Facebook posts were not his views as a U.S. Marine, but his personal opinion as Gary Stein. Members of the military are free to give their individual sentiments about political candidates, but Stein’s Facebook post begins with him identifying himself as an Active Duty Marine. This clearly gives the appearance that Stein is speaking as a member of the Marine Corps. Freshman Brian A. said, “Being a Marine is a 24 hour day job; Stein cannot just give his opinion as normal citizen about his own boss.” Three Republican congressmen publicly came to Stein’s defense – Reps. Allen West, Darrell Issa and Duncan Hunter. Hunter even sent a personal letter to the Marine Corps where he stated, “I urge the Marine Corps to withdraw the discharge proceedings and allow Sgt. Stein to complete his enlistment.” “The Marine Corps motto is “Semper Fi” which means “always faithful”; Stein is not being faithful to his country by posting rude comments about the President and Commander-in-Chief,” said freshman Krishna Dave.