Army jails soldier for 'threatening' rap song

Here is a story that you will probably see cable news talking heads screaming about very soon. Sadly, the media craves controversy more than substance, and will bypass many amazing stories of military bravery and sacrifice in favor of negative, divisive topics like this one. I plan one post about this story.

The Coastal Courier in Georgia reports that a Fort Stewart soldier has been jailed after writing a rap song that the Army says is filled with threats toward fellow servicemembers. Spc. Marc Hall allegedly wrote the lyrics excerpted below for a rap song called "Stop Loss," which protests a highly-publicized Pentagon policy. The article said the song lyrics appeared on the soldier's personal website.

If I do drugs, I’ll get kicked out
But if my time is out I can’t get out
So the good die young I heard it out your mouth
So [expletive] the Army
And everything you’re all about
Like Obama says “Somebody be held responsible”
But some of ya’ll gonna be held in the hospitals whenever possible
To pursue my own journeys in life, through my own main obstacles
Since I can’t pinpoint the culpable
They want me ’cause misery loves company
I’m gonna round them all up
Eventually, easily, walk right up peacefully
And surprise them all
Yes, yes ya’ll up against the wall
Turn around, I gotta a [expletive] magazine with thirty rounds
On a three round burst, ready to fire down
Still against the wall I grab my M-4
Spray and watch all the bodies hit the floor
I bet you never stop loss nobody no more

An attorney who is considering representing Hall if supporters can raise enough money to pay his fee said the soldier served in Iraq and did not want to return and leave behind his wife and newborn baby. He said his potential client writing the song was simply an exercise of free speech.

While I feel sympathy for the stress Hall must be feeling and appreciate his service in Iraq, it seems like the Army is doing the right thing here, especially in the wake of the terrorist attack on Fort Hood. While I anticipate the media will condemn the military for "throwing a soldier in jail for writing a song," imagine if the Army did nothing and then an act of violence followed? The same reporters would then blast the military for "missing warning signs." Also keep in mind that the military has different rules for personal conduct than you and I face in everyday life. Although if you wrote a song condemning your boss and posted it on your personal website, I am sure you'd expect some sort of consequences too.

The valid point of debate here may be whether the Pentagon should instead give the soldier counseling and other assistance instead of charging him with a crime. Since I do not know all the circumstances of his situation, it's difficult for me to form a fair opinion on that aspect. What seems indisputable here is that the Army is being extremely cautious after the tragedy at Fort Hood, and I'm having trouble coming up with a good reason to fault them for that. Please feel free to offer your comments below, whether you agree or disagree!