Marine’s war protest brings charges, clash

[proud2BlibKansan]

A Ready Reservist says it’s a matter of free speech. Others say he violated rules and disrespected an officer.
By DAVE HELLING
The Kansas City Star

Adam C. Kokesh, a corporal in the Marine Ready Reserve and an Iraq war veteran, says he loves the Corps.

But he says he’ll fight the Marines — and anyone else — who tries to limit his protests against the war he calls futile and a mistake.

That fight will come to Kansas City on Monday, when Kokesh faces a military tribunal that will examine his role in a March war protest.

At issue: Did Kokesh violate Marine Corps regulations by wearing a stripped-down uniform during that protest? And did he later “disrespect” a superior officer investigating the incident?

If the tribunal answers yes, Kokesh will face the punishment a Marine Corps deputy commander has recommended — immediate discharge from the Individual Ready Reserve and reduction of his honorable active-duty discharge to an other-than-honorable characterization of service.

Kokesh is fighting both sanctions, he says, because he wants to protect the rights of others in the military to argue against the war.

http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/130205.html

[opihimoimoi]

1. poor kid...odds against him....

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Why do you say that?

Even the right wing radio guys here in KC think this is a bullshit charge.

[opihimoimoi]

3. ??? My response indicates just that... but the odds are against him to win

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Ok let me try ths again

Why do you think the odds are against him?

[opihimoimoi]

5. Standard MO when dealing w military politics/justice system

Odds favor Brass

[Bucky]

6. He shouldn't have worn the uniform at all in a political protest

Of course they army never punished that loopy "my God is bigger than his God" fundy general who gave anti-Muslim presentations in churches while wearing his uniform--another clear violation of the uniform code. It's never okay to have the military involved in politics, ever. As a citizen he has every right to protest the war, but he has to take the uniform off, period. That's the law and it's also the principle that kept the Constitution in tact for 220 years.
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