When free speech isn't all that free

Jesse Nieto is wondering why they call it free speech if he can't express himself.

Nieto is a retired gunnery sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps who has a civilian job at Camp Lejeune, N.C. His son Marc Ian Nieto was one of 17 Americans killed in October 2000 when Al Qaeda launched an attack on the USS Cole, so he is understandably annoyed at any sort of political correctness toward Muslim terrorists.

His personalized license plate says "USS COLE" and he had several bumper stickers and decals on his car expressing his feelings. One of them said "Islam = Terrorism" and another said "Disgrace my country's flag and I will shit on your Quran."

His stickers apparently violated base rules against political statements, and MPs removed some of them from his vehicle. He's suing, saying his right of free speech was violated.

I'm a big free speech guy, but I don't think he's got much of a case. Camp Lejeune has the right to set rules, and no one is forcing him to work there. If he wants to work somewhere, he has to accept that there are rules.

Not that I don't sympathize.