As a Marine, I’d disagree. My opinions WRT the SecDef or POTUS policy aside, I just don’t think a paper that is generally designed for a military audience ought to be picking sides.
Our roles and responsibilities are well spelled out in Title 10 (et al)… we work for the Executive branch including those political appointees properly appointed. In our ranks we have Republicans, Democrats, and a wide variety of Independents; our place is NOT to advocate for any party or group.
That is not in any way to imply I can’t have my own opinions or spend my off-duty hours in the same manner as my civilian counterparts – but it does mean I can’t represent both a political point of view AND my service simultaneously…. I can’t wear my uniform to a political rally, e.g. Along those lines, it would be inappropriate for the Marine Corps Association (et al) to vocally advocate for any political party regardless of whether those feelings are (or are not) privately shared by service members.
What’s next? Perhaps the Marine Times should call for the resignation of Gen Pace too? And Gen Hagee, while we’re at it? Might as well take on the VP too.
Again, please don’t take this to imply that I’d want to muzzle the media – but just think that publications with somewhat special status w/in the DoD (the Marine Times, e.g., can be found at the check-out counter of every MWR activity and most ready rooms / common areas) need to stay apolitical to preserve that appearance of impartiality.
