1. I see you have never been in the military!

Jesse Ross at 3:48PM on May 31st 2007

2. Our Vets are nothing but numbers to the Bush Administration.
They could care less about our Vets except as cannon fodder.

Nessus

Nessus at 3:54PM on May 31st 2007

3. What you seem to fail to mention is that there is indeed a rule in the military code about not wearing your uniform without authorization, which can also be translated as in public. This is here for two reasons, one to ensure that it's not as easy to impersonate an officer of the military in order to lull bystanders into a false sense security in order to profit illegaly from that sense of security, that makes sense, wouldn't you be mad if the cop on 73rd street that you were about to tell about a shooting is actually just a guy who left a masquerade party five minutes ago? Two, it's to protect the soldier as well. If you wear your military uniform in public, obviously you're going to draw unneeded attention to that fact. Now imagine that the anti-war protester with the .35 colt shoots you because you were wearing your fatigues in public and he feels that every soldier is part of the reason the war is still going on. Then how many of you would complain about that rule? In fact I believe that you would complain about it not being enforced. So, surely, if he signed a contract and agreed to abide by these rules, he should abide by their authority. If he chooses not to, then the military has every right to punish him. I would also expect the military to do the same thing to a protester for the war.

C. C. C. at 3:57PM on May 31st 2007

4. It is so sad for someone who applied to the military and received the educational benefits of the military, and then did not follow the rules of the military to not wear his uniform without authorization, that he may now lose benefits that were afforded him through the military. What in the world is he complaining about! He took the oath, took the benefits, apparently did the job, but broke the rules twice: once in bring back a gun and once in wearing the uniform without authorization. He was a Marine! He knows the rules! He chose to disregard them - he should lose the benefits that were given to him when he agreed to accept them. You got the right to the same free speech as the rest of us. You also got the right to accept benefits for the job you did. You gave that right up when you broke the rules that you agreed to keep to get the benefits you took.

softee at 4:06PM on May 31st 2007

5. I think he can say what he wants,if hes not active they should leave him alone. However, cursing rather than explaining his cause does not help him, whether he is a marine or a civillian.

024eniramaebottnawI at 4:01PM on May 31st 2007

6. And I thought we had 'freedom of spech'. Only people that have not served their country such as, Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and the rest can say what they think, right? Then I can speak out. I think this is the worst thing (other than starting a needless war) that the Bush people have considered doing yet!

dorothy carr at 4:04PM on May 31st 2007

7. Jesse Ross, As for your comment, "I see you've never been in the military" I have, whats your point. Soldiers place their lives on the line every day to protect our freedom of speech. Aren't we allowed that same freedom with out fear of punishment?

michael at 12:24AM on Jun 19th 2007

8. When you break the law you go to jail...when you don't follow the rules on your job you take the punishment....if you chose to not follow the rules for the military then you pay the price if that means you are no longer honorably discharged...then so be it you knew it going in.

sharon at 4:10PM on May 31st 2007

9. I thought one of the jobs in Iraq was to promote democracy, which includes freedom of speech and expression, or is that only true when it's popular? Mr. Kokesh altered his uniform, so why is it any different than someone buying similar attire from an Army-Navy or Army surplus store?

What happens to Mr. Korkesh is going to send a sinful message to the troops overseas: Just when you thought you were home safe, you're not. You just have a different enemy.

Don at 4:18PM on May 31st 2007

10. I knew several vets who after WW11 wore their uniforms after the war. l. Because they were warm in cold climate 2. They did not have money to buy more clothes, and last, they fought for these clothing items and they belonged to them to do as they wished. Get off this Marines back and if he wants to "play" with his friends, just leave them in peace. For my part and I am a woman, and am an American, even by birth, I think he has more courage than from what I see in Washington today. Bless the Sgt.

Jean at 4:19PM on May 31st 2007

11. The individual was wearing a military uniform, removing patches, insignias and name tag does not make it less a uniform. It was bought and paid for by the military, furthur this individual was technically still a reservist, not due to be realeased from that status until June 8, 2007. He said the Marines have become a political tool, what was he doing playing Shrek. While every American should be able to voice a opinion and standup for what they believe, whatever side of the fence it maybe. They need to take responsibility for what they say and do and BE PREPARED( Where have I heard that? Boy Scouts, Marines?) to assume responsibiliy for thier actions, whether positive or negative. Be a man since youre no longer a Marine.

Retired at 4:21PM on May 31st 2007

12. The individual was wearing a military uniform, removing patches, insignias and name tag does not make it less a uniform. It was bought and paid for by the military, furthur this individual was technically still a reservist, not due to be realeased from that status until June 8, 2007. He said the Marines have become a political tool, what was he doing playing Shrek. While every American should be able to voice a opinion and standup for what they believe, whatever side of the fence it maybe. They need to take responsibility for what they say and do and BE PREPARED( Where have I heard that? Boy Scouts, Marines?) to assume responsibiliy for thier actions, whether positive or negative. Be a man since youre no longer a Marine.

Retired at 4:26PM on May 31st 2007

13. I am a stong supporter of our Commander-in-Chief. I believe he has done well in an very difficult and absolutely necessary war. We have very low casualties (less than 2.5 per day) We have accomplished more than critics admit and put down a horrible monster. That said if this young man is not on active duty or ative reserve he does not fall under UCMJ (Uniformed Code of Military Justice) He then has the right to be wrong. I disagree with what he says but shall defend to the death his right to say it. If however he is on active reserve status he is not allowed to critisize any commander including the Commander-in-Chief and he shouldn't be. Due to obvious problems that such action would cause with the necessary and very strict disipline of the military many things that are considered simply freedom of speach can not be given to those who protect that freedom while serving. If he is active duty and violated the code he should not recived an honorable discharge. Honorable discharges are for honorable service. Publically attacking your commander or mission is not honorable (regardless of being or not being techically correct or incorrect)

Bill Thomas

Bill Thomas at 4:28PM on May 31st 2007

14. Damn Right! Good Rule, and if it isn't possible then change the rules. This is STILL a free country, but rapidly losing that status under Bush.

cherwitthe at 4:26PM on May 31st 2007

15. I'm amazed at what you guys and gals are saying, how many of you are military? How many of you brought home a "souviner" of your tours, I came home with pieces of skud missles, and patriot missles that had detonated. I came home with an Iraqi officer's side arm that he gave up during surrender! Get off your hi-horse, The politicians make 100's of thousands of dollars sending us to war and getting full retirement benies for sitting on the hill for less than 5 years. We give twenty or more years protecting this country, putting our lives on the line for our freedoms. For what? crumbs. This system is messed up! The soldiers should be the ones who come home and receive all the "rewards" The politicians should be the ones to have to search for work, live a "normal" life. And as far as breaching contracts, I'll bet 75% of our brother's in arms have "broken" their signed agreements in one form or another. Bush will do anything he can to put a hush on our dis-approval of him. Come on, 27% approval rating? who's foolin'who. I commend our troops for doing the job their ordered to do. In Desert Storm we had a lot of deserters, not so with this generation. the length of tours they put in, unbelievable. So does he have the right to protest in uniform? HELL YES!
He took off his ensignia!

michael at 4:27PM on May 31st 2007