Marine Who Bashed Obama on Facebook Is Discharged

A sergeant who criticized President Obama on Facebook is getting booted out of the Marines. Sgt. Gary Stein will get an other-than-honorable discharge and lose most of his benefits, the Corps said today. Among other things, Stein wrote, "Screw Obama and I will not follow all orders from him." Stein later clarified that statement, saying he would not follow unlawful orders.

The San Diego-area Marine, who has served nearly 10 years in the Corps, said he was disappointed by the decision. He has argued that he was exercising his free-speech rights. "I love the Marine Corps, I love my job," he told the AP. "I wish it wouldn't have gone this way." Brig. Gen. Daniel Yoo, the commanding general of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, gave no explanation for the decision in a brief statement. (More Gary Stein stories.)