Freedom of Speech Curtailed at Ft. Bragg

If you’re a member of the media, don’t bother trying to show up for Sarah Palin’s appearance at Ft. Bragg. As the AP reports:

Fort Bragg spokesman Tom McCollum told The Associated Press that the military post's garrison commander and other Army officials had decided to keep media away from Palin's book signing, which will not include a speech. He said the Army did not want the Monday event to become a platform to express political opinions "directed against the commander in chief."

However, if you’re not a member of the media, feel free to attend.

So let me see if I can understand this – media, who reports on events such as this one, are not allowed to attend. The military doesn’t want reporters to show the large gathering that Palin brings, even though it has been acknowledge that she hasn’t made any political speeches at previous signings.

McCollum told us exactly why the media was prevented. He stated:

"The main reason is to stop this from turning into a political platform," he said. "There are Army regulations that basically prohibit military reservations from becoming political platforms by politicians."

He said only one politician can use that platform, "and that person does it as our commander in chief."

Yet Sarah is not a politician. She is no longer governor of Alaska, and is not actively campaigning. She does however have strong opinions concerning Obama.

McCollum said it's not clear if military officials consider Palin a politician but noted that she has been critical of Obama while promoting the book. She said in an interview with ABC News that Obama should provide more troops to Afghanistan.

What McCollum is saying is that if you criticize the president, your freedom of speech will be curtailed, no questions asked.

The military, which was supposed to be the protectors of American liberty, now appear to have taken the side of our Dictator in Chief. They’re standing silently by as Obama grabs more power from his bosses, you and I, while actively protecting him from those who speak out against his policies.

When did the military start forgetting it’s oath to defend the United States and at the same time allow itself to be used as a tool towards extinguishing liberty?

One thing is certain – when political and military power joins forces to suppress freedom of expression, nothing good will come of it. History is replete with examples of the tyranny which has been birthed by such unholy unions.