Supreme Court strikes down STOLEN VALOR ACT!

[acctnt shan]

And in this country our Constitution gives you the right to be a liar, as long as your actions harm no one.

Technically that's not even true

 

[Tangerine]

Natasha, you put that far too nicely, but that disgusting view isn't the intent of this thread, I'll leave it.

I don't know...I can see both sides of the argument, but it just seems so wrong to give someone the 'right' to wear medals they didn't earn...it's a matter of respect.

I don't think this ruling gives them the right to wear medals they haven't earned. It gives them the right to SAY they earned medals. Two different things.

 

[darkcgi]

this act has holes which should be plugged for future use

 

[Alien Allen]

they can just rewrite the law and get it right and this will be settled

at first blush I was thinking WTF but the reasons to turn it down make sense.

I thought it was illegal to impersonate a serviceman too though?

 

[Darrell]

They need to zone in on specifics; some dirtbag, lying about serving just to get laid should not be punishable. A man or woman masquerading as a vet at a funeral, parade or memorial service is a totally different thing.

Stolen valor is stolen valor is stolen valor. There is no difference regardless of the circumstances.

 

[Johnfromokc]

they can just rewrite the law and get it right and this will be settled

at first blush I was thinking WTF but the reasons to turn it down make sense.

Damn. More agreement.

I thought it was illegal to impersonate a serviceman too though?

It is and always has been for as long as I can remember.

 

[Darrell]

It is and always has been for as long as I can remember.

You are correct, 18 USC 702, to be exact.

 

[Tangerine]

I believe this clarifies the distinction between "impersonating" - as in dressing up in a false uniform and making claims as if you had some form of authority - vs. simply making a a story that you once served in the military. One is a fraudulent action, the other is simply speech, which the SCOTUS clarified should be protected.

Like it or not, freedom includes the right to be an asshole.

 

[hart]

It is disgusting to impersonate a veteran.........but a crime I don't know. I agree with those that say the Act needs to be worded tighter......

I, myself have always respected those that have served our country and looking at the service men and women that have had medical/mental problems lately serving sure has not gotten easier..............

 

[Alien Allen]

Damn. More agreement.



It is and always has been for as long as I can remember.

I guess I did not pay enough attention to the case at hand. If they were not wearing a uniform or medals and merely claiming they had been then it is a difference.

On the other hand we have a lot more pressing needs than congress pissing away time worrying about this type of issue.

Just let if need be existing laws re fraud be used if need be.

 

[retro]

Stolen valor is stolen valor is stolen valor. There is no difference regardless of the circumstances.

Again... the law made the act of lying a crime, which is a violation of the First Amendment. Do you see a difference between people lying about military service and people lying about things they've done or experienced in order to make people like them more or so they can seem more important or "special" than they actually are? I know a whole lot of people (in person, online, and even here) that do the latter... should that be a crime? Or is it simply claiming that you were in the military that upsets you? Because ultimately, both of those scenarios shouldn't be punishable... yet you think that one is worse than the other.

 

[retro]

You are correct, 18 USC 702, to be exact.

Would you prefer that people be drawn and quartered rather than the punishments already on the books?