Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Tea Party Movement Spreads To Military
tpmmuckraker ^ | 4/12/2010 | Zachary Roth

Posted on 04/13/2010 2:30:50 PM PDT by rxsid

"Tea Party Movement Spreads To Military

The Tea Party movement has gained a foothold in the armed forces.

A new Tea Party group, Armed Forces Tea Party Patriots, has grown quickly since being launched last month by an active duty Marine Corps sergeant. The group, which vows to "stand up on the very soil we defended to preserve common sense conservatism and defend our Constitution that is threatened by a tyrannical government," currently has over 400 members, who have signed up through its Facebook page, though many are not active duty military. And it has close ties to the broader Tea Party movement.

"People in the military need to be heard," the group's prime organizer, Gary Stein -- a Marine Corps sergeant stationed at Camp Pendleton in southern California -- told TPMmuckraker in an interview. "Our opinions do count."

Many people in the military "feel like they can't speak out against Obama or Congress," said Stein. "The armed forces should have a little bit more say than we think we do," he said.

Stein said he had served in the Marine Corps for seven years, including service in Iraq. He described himself as a "strong conservative" who had found himself disillusioned with the GOP. Stein formed the new group, he said, after finding like-minded cohorts on his base, then co-ordinating with a friend who's active in a local southern California Tea Party chapter.

[snip]

In promoting the Armed Forces Tea Party Patriots, Stein has raised the possibility of disobeying presidential orders. In one recent online posting, he wrote:

My oath was to the Constitution, not to the politicians, and that oath will be kept. I won't "Just follow" orders. There is at this time a debate within the ranks of the military regarding their oath. Some mistakenly believe they must follow any order the President issues. But many others do understand that their loyalty is to the Constitution and to the people...
That declaration echoes one made by the Oath Keepers, a group of current and former military and law enforcement personnel who havevowed not to follow orders deemed to be unconstitutional -- including any orders to disarm Americans. Stein agreed that the two groups are kindred spirits. "I think we're very like-minded with the Oathkeepers," he said. "I strongly support the Oathkeepers."

Stein's political activism seems to have raised some concern among his superiors. Late last month, he wrote online: "Was just told by a Marine Corps Officer to watch what I say about Obama... I think not..." And later that same day: "I was just told to keep my opinons (sic) to myself about Obama, by my Officer-in-Charge (OIC)."

[snip]

This isn't the first time that anti-Obama sentiment has surfaced within the military. Several active duty service members have challenged their orders to deploy overseas, on the grounds that President Obama was not born in the U.S. and his orders are therefore illegitimate.

[snip]

Late Update (4/13/10): Stein says in a statement that his group doesn't support a military uprising, views President Obama as the legitimate commander-in-chief, and will follow all constitutional orders."

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/04/tea_party_movement_spreads_to_military.php?ref=fpb


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Constitution/Conservatism; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; Miscellaneous; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: ca2010; certifigate; marines; military; naturalborncitizen; oathkeepers; obama; palin; pendleton; teaparty
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-105 next last
To: FrankR
I'd like to see about half of the officers in the military threaten to resign if Lakin is court martialed and drummed out of the service.

Has it ever occurred to you that that is exactly what the left, and Obama, would like? Anything that weakens the military, or allows the media to mock them,  is playing right into their hands.

Sure, let's have a mass resignation, then he has an excuse to simply recall troops, defund all things military and further weaken both our stature in the world and our own national security.

81 posted on 04/13/2010 8:38:33 PM PDT by browardchad ("Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own fact." - Daniel P Moynihan)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: rxsid
Do you believe it's wrong for active duty military members to participate in the political process? Are they not citizens of the country as well (majority of them anyway)?

Speaking as somebody who had to do 8 years under the KKKlintons, I will say that an active duty military person needs to operate with extreme caution.

10 USC §888 (UCMJ Article 88) says:

Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

To my knowledge, all of the services have regulations in place that prohibit enlisted people or warrant officers on active duty from showing disrespect to the above officials (the difference is that they would be court-martialed under Article 92 of the UCMJ, not Article 88)

I know more than one person who was disciplined for contemptuous speech during those years.

And, btw, Article 88 far precedes the KKKlintons time in office and was in place long before Barry was a ache in his father's crotch.

82 posted on 04/13/2010 9:14:59 PM PDT by markomalley (Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: FrankR
I'd like to see about half of the officers in the military threaten to resign if Lakin is court martialed and drummed out of the service.

Be careful of what you wish for. Those who would leave the military in disgust will be replaced by those who won't.

83 posted on 04/13/2010 10:05:29 PM PDT by Drew68
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Drew68
"Be careful of what you wish for. Those who would leave the military in disgust will be replaced by those who won't. "

Good point...I take it back.
84 posted on 04/13/2010 10:39:33 PM PDT by FrankR (Those of us who love AMERICA far outnumber those who love obama - your choice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 83 | View Replies]

To: browardchad

Good point...I take it back.


85 posted on 04/13/2010 10:40:50 PM PDT by FrankR (Those of us who love AMERICA far outnumber those who love obama - your choice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 81 | View Replies]

To: ExTexasRedhead

Thanks. They are right. The oath is to the constitution.


86 posted on 04/13/2010 10:53:46 PM PDT by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: jazusamo
I'm not precisely sure on this deal but believe a service member can be disciplined for bad mouthing the CINC even if out of uniform.

They can. It's called Contempt Towards Officials and it's covered by Article 88 of the UCMJ.

87 posted on 04/14/2010 4:07:53 AM PDT by Non-Sequitur
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: rxsid; NurseZac

“Is the Tea Party considered a “political group” or a movement?
***

It is a political movement, imo.


88 posted on 04/14/2010 6:02:02 AM PDT by Canedawg (I'm not digging this tyranny thing.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: rxsid

Do not the military pledge to uphold the constitution?

If so, how could they ban upholding the constitution.


89 posted on 04/14/2010 6:09:57 AM PDT by School of Rational Thought (Nike - Just Do Her)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rxsid

save


90 posted on 04/14/2010 6:55:24 AM PDT by phockthis
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Shaun_MD

I had no idea. Very good news.


91 posted on 04/14/2010 8:00:15 AM PDT by ilovesarah2012
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: KoRn
>>Even though I LOVE the Tea Party movement, I don’t like the idea of political activism within the active duty military.<<

These are extraordinary measures in extraordinary times. JMHO

92 posted on 04/14/2010 8:55:45 AM PDT by doberville
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Non-Sequitur
Exactly right. Military members enjoy most the same rights as citizens, but their free speech is limited under Article 88. Military may vote, contribute to political campaigns, and attend political events (sometimes even in uniform), but must be careful to not appear to support a candidate when in uniform. I have seen lots of off-duty active servicemen and servicewomen at Tea Party events. Bumper stickers affixed to vehicles driven on military bases are generally ok ("vote for Candidate X"), but not ones that are contempuous of the President or others in the chain of command.

Military officers are taught that they should challenge orders they truly believe are illegal/unconstitutional, but actions known as "falling on one's own sword" should be given careful consideration, as the officer must be sure he is right and you only get to do it once. LTC Lakin evidently believes he is right and has the added value of being a doctor, so if he is court-martialed, he can go back to his practice (provided Obamacare doesn't push him out of that, too!). I take issue with those on the Left who are calling him a coward by refusing to deploy - he has a Bronze Star and a Combat Medic badge, so he has been deployed before and served well. What he is doing now certainly takes courage, as he is fully aware of the consequences.
93 posted on 04/14/2010 9:22:17 AM PDT by Apparatchik (If you find yourself in a confusing situation, simply laugh knowingly and walk away - Jim Ignatowski)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 87 | View Replies]

To: rxsid

ping


94 posted on 04/14/2010 9:22:53 AM PDT by Hotmetal (Lead,follow,or get the Hell out of the way.554th REDHORSE)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sionnsar

Very little danger of a leftist political coup coming from the US Military.

Inherently, it is made up of Patriot conservatives from conservative, country loving families.


95 posted on 04/14/2010 9:27:59 AM PDT by MrB (The difference between a humanist and a Satanist is that the latter knows who he's working for.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: rxsid
The military and their oath to defend the Constitution is the theme of my novels.


96 posted on 04/14/2010 10:44:00 AM PDT by Travis McGee (---www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com---)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sionnsar

Prayers offered up for the safety of all our troops in all circumstances.


97 posted on 04/14/2010 11:03:04 AM PDT by Ciexyz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: rxsid; bamahead
BTTT


We also need to get local LEO's and NG/Military neighbors on board with Oath Keepers.


”Oath

Oath Keepers


Click here to join your State Group


Oath Keepers was founded last year on April 19 at Lexington Green, MA. It is a non-partisan association of currently serving and retired military, reserves, National Guard, veterans, Peace Officers, and Fire Fighters who will fulfill their Oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Civilians are welcome to join as Citizen Associate members.

Declaration Of Orders We Will Not Obey

98 posted on 04/14/2010 1:31:48 PM PDT by EdReform (Oath Keepers - Guardians of the Republic - Honor your oath - Join us: www.oathkeepers.org)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rxsid
Tea Party Movement Spreads To Military

Outstanding!

99 posted on 04/14/2010 1:40:56 PM PDT by GVnana
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rxsid

The Tea Party needs to spread to the top brass. Maybe some will be cognizant of the required course of action, before it’s too late.


100 posted on 04/14/2010 2:32:57 PM PDT by M. Espinola (Freedom is never "free")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-105 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson