Soldier Who Read Conservative Books Now Faces Charges

http://radio.foxnews.com ^ | june 10, 2013 | todd starnes

[lowbridge]

A member of the U.S. Army Band who said he was reprimanded for having anti-Obama bumper stickers on his personal car, serving Chick-fil-A sandwiches at a party and reading books written by conservative authors like Sean Hannity is now facing Article 15 charges – which cropped up shortly after he went public with his complaints.

Master Sgt. Nathan Sommers, a decorated soloist with the Army Band, is being charged under a federal law that permits commanding officers to conduct non-judicial proceedings for minor offenses.

Sommers is accused of giving a superior officer the wrong date for a doctor’s appointment. He’s also accused of failing to carry out an order. In order to comply with that order, Sommers would have had to disclose private information about his autistic son’s medical records.

The charges were handed down one day after Sommers told Fox News that he was facing discrimination and persecution because of his conservative political and religious beliefs.

“The timing does seem strange,” retired Navy Commander John Bennett Wells told Fox News. “It’s suspicious. No matter what’s happening it looks like a graduated attempt to build a case against him on some really ridiculous charges.

Wells is representing the 25-year veteran who, until last summer, had a spotless record.

The Military District of Washington disputed allegations that Sommers had been reprimanded or disciplined.

“The Soldier is not, and never has been, ‘facing retribution and punishment from the military for having anti-Obama bumper stickers on his car, reading books written by conservative authors like Mark Levin and David Limbaugh, and serving Chick-fil-A sandwiches at his promotion party,’” Public Affairs Director Michelle Roberts told Fox News in a written statement.

However, Wells said that’s simply not true – and he said he’s got official Army documents to support his claims.

[Excellence]

"Even the slightest inference of disrespect towards superiors can have a demoralizing effect on the unit...

We are 0bama's superiors, and his disrespect is having a demoralizing effect on us.

[olezip]

I suspect that the noose is tightening on all Americans considered enemies of the current administration: tea baggers, gun owners, church goers, free enterprise entrepreneurs; in other words, anyone who does not support Obama.

There are plenty of headlines, but no real action to change the laws or punish the guilty across this deeply corrupt administration.

Could Rush be correct about a coup?

[MSF BU]

Eh, depending where he is and if he is happy there, he might want to wait until he gets PCS orders then decline or apply for a transfer. Probably no more promotions but the end is not near.

[SeminoleCounty]

This MSG needs to just do that.....ask for a court-martial. The post commander and JAG would recommend strongly for the commander to drop the charges

[Bigg Red]

tea baggers

&&&
If you are referring to tea party types, please do not use the crude term the Obamedia appliued to us.

[JW1949]

The less enlistments mean a smaller military and then Obama could say, “We have to start the National Civilian Force I wanted from the start.”....Of course, it will be hand-picked by Obama’s henchmen....

We are so screwed..................

[SandRat]

The GESTOPO stikes again.

[Lake Living]

First they came for the Tea Partiers,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Tea Partiers. Then they came for the Libertarians,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Libertarians. Then they came for the Christians,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the Catholic,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Catholic. Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me.

[Lake Living]

First they came for the Tea Partiers,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Tea Partiers. Then they came for the Libertarians,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Libertarians. Then they came for the Christians,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Christian. Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the Catholic,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Catholic. Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me.

[cherry]

repeat....you can not trust our military any more....you can not trust them.....

[cherry]

so when I suggest that we have to stop lifetime military service and when I suggest that the military pension system is way out of hand and when I don't jump on every "give everything to the vets" mantra, its for a reason......the military -industrial complex must be broken up....

less military...less govt....fewer people willing to break the backs of fellow Americans for a gol darn pension.!

we are now in an era where govt employees/retirees will throw the rest of us in the gas chambers just to keep collecting....are people not realizing this?

[Phillyred]

We are witnessing a brilliant overthrow of America. The Soviets are freezing along in victory. Sick beyond belief.

[IYAS9YAS]

Article 15? Never once met an E-9 who didn’t at least have one.

[2ndDivisionVet]

I would no more join the Army today than I would Scientology or Zoroastrianism.

[rfreedom4u]

A Soldier charged and receiving an Article 15 does not have to accept it. He can request a court martial. The risk he would take though is that a court martial (no matter what the charge) is considered a felony conviction IF he is convicted.