Military abusing rules to curtail free speech

The military has invoked Article 88 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, prohibiting both officers and enlisted men and women from using "contemptuous word" against the president of the United States, according to an unofficial statement to Ari Force personnel.

Military personnel face dismissal, confinement, and loss of pay for using "improper" words when discussing the commander-in-chief's scandal. The disparity in punishment for adultery is one of the biggest points of contention.

But our government is a democracy, founded on the precepts of religious and political freedom.

Article 88 was designed to keep the government from being separated against itself, which makes sense. Military officers outwardly speaking against government officials makes a government look unorganized and chaotic.

However, it was NOT designed to keep people from speaking their mind, under threat of dire consequences. Enlisting in the military does not remove one's democratic right to free speech.

The Air Force must stop misusing rules to control free speech right of U.S. citizens.