A United States Marine sergeant who has come under fire recently for critical statements he made on Facebook regarding President Obama said today the only burden on his heart at the moment is his family.
Sgt. Gary Stein (Courtesy photo)
Temecula resident Gary Stein said: “I have a responsibility as a man, a dad and a husband to provide for my family. Right now I am torn between making sure my daughter has the best country possible or putting food on the table.”
Sgt. Stein was relieved of his duties earlier this week and faces possible dismissal from the Marine Corps after a slew of conservative-themed comments aimed at President Obama landed him in hot water.
“It’s been a crazy week for me. The press on this has been insane,” Stein said, noting that national news organizations have been clamoring for interviews.
“It’s been up and down emotionally. I didn’t expect it,” Stein said, adding that the Marine Corps was aware of Facebook posts as early as 2010 when an investigation cleared him of wrong-doing and allowed his posts to continue.
“I didn’t say anything different than I have from the last two years. Someone saw it and told my commander. Now, I feel like a poster boy for free speech.”
While Stein says he does not regret the content of what said, he has given a second thought to the “verbiage.”
“I think I could have used different words. We’re a Facebook generation now. I guess I thought I was in a bubble. But, being politically correct doesn’t make us smarter, it just makes people shut up,” Sgt. Stein said.
Stein, through his Facebook page called Armed Forces Tea Party, has made comments critical of President Obama and his policies and said that he would not follow the unlawful orders of the commander-in-chief.
An investigation is looking at whether Stein, a member of the armed forces, was prohibited from publishing the comments.
On Wednesday, Stein received letters that removed him from his duties and now restrict his access to government computers.
Stein, a nine-year Marine Corps veteran, said that he hopes that he will not be discharged.
“I’d like to be exonerated completely and just go back to work. And if (the discharge) does happen, it needs to be under honorable conditions,” Stein said, adding he only exercised his right to free speech.
“Where does it stop? What does it say to people who are thinking of joining the armed forces who are conservatives. We’re not robots,” he said.
Stein said he has received support from a team of attorneys who plan to help him fight and from California Republican Congressman Darrell Issa and Rep. Duncan Hunter.
As for whether or not his Temecula friends and neighbors were aware of the media firestorm swirling among them, Stein said he wasn’t sure.
He said that the positive comments he has received have outweighed the negative and that he hopes the community he has called home for four years will offer support.
Stein said: “There have been naysayers. I have been called a racist and a bigot– that’s Liberalism 101. I’m articulating the conservative issues as best as I can.”
Kerri S. Mabee can be reached at kerri.mabee@swrnn.com. Follow me on Twitter @kerrimabee.
Loading ...
Can anyone tell me what the problem is with saying that you would never follow an ILLEGAL ORDER? Are we to assume that he should follow ANY order simply because it was sourced from the White House? I think not…
Remember, defend this country from ALL enemies, “foreign or domestic…”.
You sir, are my hero. I can only hope that many in your ranks will hold to the ideals of the constitution.
The person holding the position of President is not constitutionaly eligigable to hold that position. Political correctness is a FAD that should have met its end long ago. I respect your position on this, to uphold the Constitution of They United States. People need to get a copy and read it, along with our Decloration of Independence. If you read the Decloration, obama is doing everything, almost word for word, that is described by our founding fathers, what the King of England was guilty of, and what made the decloration. We really need obama gone
This country has been going downhill for the past few years, more rapidly as a result the Obama administration (AKA The Third Reich). It is a very sad day when a hero’s right to free speech is infringed upon. Obama should be impeached. He and his administration are the equivalent of Al Qaeda.
In the words of Bill o’Reilly, Gary Stein, you sir are a Patriot. Thank you for your service to this country.
ABSOLUTELY PUT THIS SOLDIER BACK TO WORK!!!! I say if he is not exonerated this week, Americans should take to the gates of Pendleton or wherever your local base is picketing until he is.
Do they think they can take our freedom, money, our Christian values, and throw the constitution out, without hearing our opinion or a fight! Sometimes these things happen for a reason, I hope you get what you want, but if you don’t you might just have opened the door for something better. BEST REGARDS TO YOU.
As I recall, the oath I took on entering the Navy was to uphold and defend the Constitution, not to uphold and defend a politician. Every day, we are losing our guarantee of freedom and the supreme law that is the basis for our freedoms. The Constitution of the United States of America is under assault. It is our sworn duty to see that it is not ignored by our elected representatives, the Supreme Court, the local courts, our elected officials and appointed officials.
Thank you for your service Marine!I can see where you are torn between swearing an oath to the commander in chief and your oath to defend and protect our constitution. The president has shredded our constitution, bankrupt our treasury and so divided our country that we our on the brink of self destruction. Your courage and sacrifice speaks volumes about your character and patriotism. As far as your predicament presently, you spoke your mind but have not refused orders. The Marine Corps had allowed this free speech of yours to continue for quite some time. So why now are they on this mission to throw you to the wolves? Sir, you are truly a hero and should be exonerated of all charges. My hats off to you! Semper Fi!
Terribly written article, how about some actual facts as to why he was relieved of his duties. Maybe he mouthed-off to his superior, etc.. please provide more info on why Gary Stein was relieved of duty. I’m willing to bet a lot of money that it has nothing to do with his exercising his right to free speech.
Daniel, he did not smart off to anyone, if you read the article and follow what is going on – he was relieved of his duties for saying on facebook that he will NOT follow UNLAWFUL orders from the president, plain and simple…..
It sucks when the ones who fight for our freedom can’t have the same freedom of speech. I guess they can’t criticize a DICTATOR when they see one. Who’s going to keep us safe then? How did Hitlers’ regime start??????? Quiet the ones who speak out!
Mr. Stein has done nothing wrong. Being a vet I took the same oath that he did. And that is to protect the Constitution from all enemies.
It’s interesting to me that a country founded by people who were considered to be “rebels” now seeks to silence the voice of anyone who does not agree with what is considered to be politically correct. Americans have a national psyche. We are a nation of independent thinkers. We do not believe that the head of our government is our king (which is why our forefathers put into place term limits for the presidency). We say what we think. No other country has our national “personality.” I am extremely concerned that anyone is trying to keep this Marine quiet when he was doing nothing more than that to which he is entitled under our Constitution. He has a right to free speech, regardless of whether or not he is a Marine. If this young man us silenced, our rights are next. Everyone, whether they are liberals or conservatives should be behind him. As for me, I will contact my Congressman and voice my opinion in support of Sgt. Stein. Gary, if you read these posts, God bless you. You have the support of everyone who loves this country and values their freedom.
I am a conservative and peace time veteran and one thing he is wrong about, you have no right of free speech in the military. The military is not a republic or democracy. You are told this very early on when joining.
A military person is apolitical. While he serves in the US Marine Corps, his free speech is only to obey the lawful orders of his superiors. When he becomes a civilian, he can have his free speech back, until then, he is under the command of the Commander-in-chief, or those he designates. He can always be discharged for cause. Disobeying is cause. The Marines need to ditch this guy.
btw he looks like Dr.Evil
^lol^ Dr. evil for sure. Why am I not surprised a skinhead white guy hates Obama as for the rest of you bible thumping bigot ultra conservative numskulls, Obama will win again, so get use to him.
Typical liberal can’t argue with an argument so inherently attack someones character with no proof. Also what is being implied by 1964 which was when Glenn Beck was born to 2012. I’ll let the readers decide what our liberal friend is implying. Keep hiding Mr liberal under the name of Glenn Beck.
Security BN
USMC
Mr. Marine dude, comer meirda (that’s spanish) I love messing with you repubs, as the years go by the more irrelevent you guys become. So who are you going to waste your vote on Santorum(the religious looney) or R-money? (o Y o)
What a load of mindless teabagger rubbish. Obama is the president and this sack of white skinhead trash is obligated to obey his orders too. So spare us you childish irrelevant drivel about Christianity or founding fathers you types spew when you have nothing else to say
His exact statement was “Screw Obama, and I will not follow all orders from him”. That is alot different than “I will not follow unlawful orders”. Seems funny how the tone has changed now that he is in hot water. He deserves what he gets, it’s the military. It’s not like someone told him to shoot women and children. Stein, stop whining on national news, your embarrassing yourself.
I’m speechless! Reading these absurd comments that support GS, for the first time in my life, I understand exactly what Thomas Jefferson meant when he said, “What is it men cannot be made to believe!”