http://www.military.com/news/article/co ... ESRC=eb.nl

 

Stolen Valor Act found unconstitutional

 

I wonder what else I can lie about.

Heard that earlier. How ridiculous. I guess libel and slander are thrown out the window. You can lie about anyone and they can't sue you now.

"It's okay, your honor, I was just lying about being a police officer. Where's the harm of impersonating an officer of the law if nobody gets hurt?"

Yeah, but it's the 9th Circuit.

 

That's the federal judge short bus.

 

The 9th Circuit is the most overturned circuit in the U.S. They're idiots.

 

I didn't read the opinion. I'll wait for the Supreme Court to weigh in.

 

I write in short sentences.

Wait, so you're arguing that lying should be illegal? Does that include exaggeration too or just outright lies? How about if someone feels like they've been mislead?

Wait, so you're arguing that lying should be illegal? Does that include exaggeration too or just outright lies? How about if someone feels like they've been mislead?

 

 

I don't think anyone is arguing that lying should be legal. I think we're all saying we can't believe this decision that came down from the 9th circuit.

I doubt the Stolen Valor Act as a whole will be affected by this case. I do think the SVA was properly applied in this case (of the guy who claimed to be a recipient of the MOH), and I don't think this had anything to do with his 1A rights getting trampled.

 

In this case, the guy lied, and, sure, according to investigation there was no personal gain nor was anybody harmed. However, with the SVA applied, the guy received a fair and equal punishment (community service at a vet hospital and a fine). Not like he was thrown into prison... though from doing the community service at the vet hospital, I'm sure he'll learn why stolen valor is such a big deal.

 

To me, the Stolen Valor Act and this case specifically have nothing to do with getting in trouble for lying. It has to do with respecting the military culture, and not taking advantage of something never earned. It makes my blood boil to even hear of this crap going on.

Wait, so you're arguing that lying should be illegal? Does that include exaggeration too or just outright lies? How about if someone feels like they've been mislead?

 

Good questions, questions I have as well. All stemming from this;

 

Alvarez was indicted in 2007. He pleaded guilty on condition that he be allowed to appeal on First Amendment grounds. He was sentenced under the Stolen Valor Act to more than 400 hours of community service at a veterans hospital and fined $5,000.

A panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with him in a 2-1 decision Tuesday, agreeing that the law was a violation of his free-speech rights. The majority said there's no evidence that such lies harm anybody, and there's no compelling reason for the government to ban such lies.

 

So he received no penalty. none

 

Then another

DENVER -- A law that makes it illegal to lie about being a war hero is unconstitutional because it violates free speech, a federal judge ruled Friday as he dismissed a case against a Colorado man who claimed he received two military medals.

 

Rick Glen Strandlof claimed he was an ex-Marine who was wounded in Iraq and received the Purple Heart and Silver Star, but the military had no record he ever served. He was charged with violating the Stolen Valor Act, which makes it a crime punishable by up to a year in jail to falsely claim to have won a military medal.

 

In fact, the reason SVA was enacted was because it ws shown that people give preffered treatment to those they believe are heros. Jobs, dinners, and in some cases VA benefits, to name a few. Although it can be said "why bother with some pathetic guy that wants to claim to be a war hero?" the REAL case is that they are acting as con-men -Emotionally and financially.

 

On case that was quoted in order to pass the act noted a used car dealer that specifically said he was a bronze star recipient. It was pointed out that there should be no question that there would be those swayed towards his business due to that statement.

 

So, what's it mean to me? I was recomended for a Bronze Star but had it down graded to an Army Commendation Medal. I know of some hard charging combat engineers that were caught up in some real shit out side of Falujiah that had the same thing happen back before they started realizing that officers that stayed on the FOB were getting more B Stars then the enlisted that were actually fighting. They deserved that medal, but now some shmo can just up and say he got a Silver Star and everyone is fine with that?

 

What's the difference you say? Well, for one, I know that if you have a medal people reach out to you to give you things. I was with 4 members of my unit on Veterans DAy one year and one of them got a B Star for merit. Who do you think got to speak to the news crews? Not the guys with the ACM. Not that I am surprised, its' just that now it is completely fine for a person claim to have a medal above that, will get time in a spotlight somewhere, and has totally trampled over some fine men and women that actually did something.

 

Victimless my ass. The veterans are the victims.