U.S. soldier dismissed for threats in Iraq protest

Free Speech is good, but when you're a part of a military unit carrying guns and rifles, it can go too far. He didn't need to be deployed after casting this opinion. He could get hurt by a soldier who took offense to it. Just not worth keeping him around for everybody's good. < :-)

That's one way to get out. Go mental. No Catch-22 here.

4 yrs is too long in a war zone and many soldiers are beyond that by now.

It truely is the best thing that he can be back home with his family now and start building his life and family. I have never seen someone sent to jail for a "rap" before.

Globalists don't care about you even if you served in a war zone for 20 yrs = you must look out for yourself first before worrying about the globalist's cause.

Well, as much as I'm for free speech I'd rather here people arguing this is a breach of it, then in a few weeks hearing people lament how this guy had gone on a rampage and killed fellow servicemen and women, or Iraqi civilians. Everyone then would be screaming about how everyone ignored the warning signs.

I'm not saying that's what would have happened, but it could have. In any case, his family is happy he is coming home, and despite what he's 'suffered', he probably is, too.

Get this kid some behavioral health help NOW.

He's obviously a WT that still needs some help.

Taka

I know that many people would like to put all the rappers around the World in jail and feel society will be all the better because of it. -and maybe they are right.

-I am trying to think of the person here first. (hate the sin not the sinner etc) He was upset about his "stop loss" as I am sure most would be and felt he hard to verbalize his anger -being upset about the situation. I am sure he feels much better now since his life-path intervention. =He is not a "terrorist"

He screwed himself by freaking out over his stop-loss order. Anyone would have been upset about being retained in the military when they had planned to get out. However, the possibility is a part of his contract and he did sign up during wartime. I don't think it is likely that he is really a threat to be violent but what he did had to be taken seriously.

Shouldn't have signed up in the first place.

His country started this mess and he joined for the clean up "He previously served in Iraq in 2007-08." If the US Army was unfair to have tried to redeploy him just before discharge, that's his problem for joining an a morally culpable organisation that conspired to commit war of aggression.

I'm against George Bush and the war and the US in general. I'm not sure what to think of this guy.

Bagney it had nothing to do with the rap style. It was the message.

It appears that this soldier initially enlisted out of some reason that meant something to him, i.e., education possibilities, a way to get away from home, patriotism; but he became disallusioned over having to stay in past his pledge.

Sad end to a proud service. Not an initial mistake as alluded to by NationalistRE. < :-)

4 yrs is too long in a war zone and many soldiers are beyond that by now.

He didn't serve 4 years in a war zone, he only spent one tour of duty in Iraq which was one year to 15 months long.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sW20dU-fUI (rap video)

I still think it is within his constitutional rights to express himself verbally in any way he chooses.

Style or message does not matter. They are violating his rights that are allowed to him as an American citizen.

It appears that this soldier initially enlisted out of some reason that meant something to him, i.e., education possibilities, a way to get away from home, patriotism; but he became disallusioned over having to stay in past his pledge.

Beggars can't be choosers. I commend this man for volunteering to help restore order to the chaos caused by his country.

Bagsey I haven't heard of a single ban on Rap Music by the DoD or any individual branch of the service. Please enlighten me if I'm incorrect.

You've got 1000s of men with weapons with live ammunition. You have a member of your unit all pissed off that he has to serve past his enlistment. He's not going to pull his weight, he's going to upset the tone of the unit, he's pissing off unit commanders, his compatriots and causing a deterioration of morale and you're concerned about his rights. I'm much more concerned for his life, the life of the men he's with and the deterioration of the cohesiveness of the unit at large. < :-)

-So you are saying that soldiers that put out raps with violent content should be jailed -Or- do you just want the Walmart/Tipper Gore spliff/bleep? =What do you want or are asking for?

=This man was incarcerated for his rap.

This legal action has set a very dangerous precedent that puts many burgeoning rap artists careers in danger specifically burgeoning rap artists within the U.S. military community.

He should have fled to Canada.

Bagsey have you even been in the military?

If so, would your unit commander have put up with this kind of trash?

The military is a fighting organization, not a music center. I don't remember a single military occupation that required music as a part of their focus except the service band.

I can guarantee you that if he takes it to court and sues the military for their actions, he'll lose hands down. < :-)

talk what you want about the guy all you want. He's laughing all the way to the bank. Just checked out the youtube. He's got a good thing. He even getting cash in donations for his cause, what ever it really is, but he's banking and so I thought just for the effort, sign up and send him a bit for the superb entrepreneur spirit. No, I don't like the protest but hey, if you can make a buck then make a buck.

Of course, for those threatened, he should worry about who he offends so I hope he spends his money wisely. Just really gotta give the guys some credit.

The thing that sucks is that he won't get his military benefits now. He served one tour - braver than most who post here for doing his bit, and damned-well deserves to have said benefits. Stop-loss is a stupid idea. If a soldier is due for discharge during a deployment they should be discharged on time - and if two moths after discharge, find a replacement.

Stop-loss is a stupid idea.

If its stupid and it works it aint stupid!