Carlisle Barracks blocks Web site: Censored editor vows First Amendment fight
The First Amendment- a nice concept, until someone gores your sacred cow. Then it suddenly becomes inflammatory speech.
CARLISLE - A freedom of speech battle is brewing over a decision by Carlisle Barracks leaders to block access to an Internet site that purports to uncover military corruption.
The move to bar Army post workers from logging onto militarycorruption.com was taken to "preserve morale, good order and discipline," barracks spokeswoman Lt. Col. Merideth Bucher said.
"The command blocked access to the Web site from government work stations because of complaints by Carlisle Barracks employees that this site consists of rumors, unsubstantiated allegations, innuendo and personal name-calling," Bucher said.
A monthly feature on the site is "Carlisle Barracks Capers," a column that lampoons, and sometimes praises, military and civilian workers at the post.
Glenn MacDonald, a retired Army Reserve major and former reporter who is the Web site's editor-in-chief, called the blocking "blatant discrimination."
"It is illegal what they've done and they're going to have to answer for that," said MacDonald, who served at the barracks in the mid-1990s.
"What about the people who go to ESPN.com, who go to the Drudge Report?" he asked. "They just don't like me reporting that the emperor has no clothes."
Indeed. Especially when the emperor really HAS no clothes....
