It's OK to fake a Medal of Honor now.

[dainthomas]

9th Circuit (shock!) calls Stolen Valor Act unconstitutional.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/08/17/BA541EVG92.DTL

Did a search and couldn't find anything, so sorry if it's a repost.

 

[waggy]

yeah disgusting.

it should be legal to at least kick there ass.

 

[her209]

I don't get why this is a big deal.

Is someone a douche bag for lying about receiving medals or awards? Yes
Should it be illegal? No.

 

[Jaskalas]

In general I understand why.... though it does leave something to be desired. Such as law that turns this into federal document forgery or some such. It is illegal to forge a federal document, yes?

 

[dfuze]

Leave them in a room with those who actually earned the award for their punishment.

 

[SAWYER]

We can't have it illegal to lie or all of our politicians would be in trouble

 

[dainthomas]

In general I understand why.... though it does leave something to be desired. Such as law that turns this into federal document forgery or some such. It is illegal to forge a federal document, yes?

This might be the way to rewrite the law.

Perhaps the penalty could be community service at the local VA hospital!

 

[BoberFett]

If you can't lie about military service, where will we get our politicians?

 

[MotF Bane]

Smith almost makes sense, right up until he throws out that slippery slope.

 

[MotF Bane]

In general I understand why.... though it does leave something to be desired. Such as law that turns this into federal document forgery or some such. It is illegal to forge a federal document, yes?

That's a good idea actually.

 

[MotF Bane]

Leave them in a room with those who actually earned the award for their punishment.

It'd be a rather empty room, unless you extend that to families.

 

[MotF Bane]

If you can't lie about military service, where will we get our politicians?

Heh.

 

[kage69]

I think my sadness over this is tempered by the knowledge that the military has already disrespected and cheapened the concept of rewarding combat merit with stunts like the one involving Jessica Lynch. I think lying posers like the guy mentioned in the case should receive all the media attention possible. Real vets will eventually provide some deterrent of their own.

 

[Fear No Evil]

It'd be a rather empty room, unless you extend that to families.

All military heros are dead? When the hell did that happen?! I might have to let some people know their grandparents and parents are dead!

 

[MotF Bane]

All military heros are dead? When the hell did that happen?! I might have to let some people know their grandparents and parents are dead!

Rather does not mean completely, and go ahead, look up the statistics on the Medal of Honor.

 

[MotF Bane]

I think my sadness over this is tempered by the knowledge that the military has already disrespected and cheapened the concept of rewarding combat merit with stunts like the one involving Jessica Lynch. I think lying posers like the guy mentioned in the case should receive all the media attention possible. Real vets will eventually provide some deterrent of their own.

The military... or the politicians that control it? :hmm:

 

[Thump553]

In my mind very questionable and shakey grounds for that decision-freedom of speech includes "speech" that is demonstrably and objectively false. Carried further this ruling calls into question the validity of statutes regarding perjury, false swearing, fraudulent financial statements-heck, maybe even tax violations (under the theory that I have a constitutional right to lie through my teeth on my tax return).

I suspect this decision is an aberation that will be reversed.

 

[jackschmittusa]

Quick fix: Muster him back into the service (perfectly legal, you can be recalled for the most vague reasons), apply all applicable charges under the UCMJ if he repeats the claim. If he renounces the claim, publicly announce it, and put him on KP for a year.

 

[PokerGuy]

I suspect this decision is an aberation that will be reversed.

No, that's not possible, not from the 9th circuit, they are known for their solid decisions that never get reversed when reviewed by sane judges. :awe:

 

[ZzZGuy]

If lying about a medal can be classified as a crime, Smith said, so can lying about one's age, misrepresenting one's financial status on Facebook, or telling one's mother falsehoods about drinking, smoking or sex.

*woosh*, right over the heads of the people on this board.

 

[BoberFett]

In my mind very questionable and shakey grounds for that decision-freedom of speech includes "speech" that is demonstrably and objectively false. Carried further this ruling calls into question the validity of statutes regarding perjury, false swearing, fraudulent financial statements-heck, maybe even tax violations (under the theory that I have a constitutional right to lie through my teeth on my tax return).

I suspect this decision is an aberation that will be reversed.

So you think that lying about military service is on the same level as

- Lying while under oath
- Lying on a written document that say is truthful
- Fraud
- Tax evasion

Do you think people who stretch their qualifications on resumes should be in prison too? Fuck, we better start building more cells.

 

[Thump553]

ZzZGuy: I'm not saying society should classify every lie as a crime, but do you agree with the foundation of this decision that lying is constitutionally protected free speech? Further, do you contend that the legislature constitutionally does not have the power to make those ridiculous examples criminal behavior if it passes a law declaring them so? Note I'm not talking about the wisdom of such a statute but whether the legislature has the constitutional power. Sorry, I just don't see your woosh-I see a very poorly reasoned appellate decision.

Boberfett: my point was that if lying is constitutionally protected free speech how can ANY lies be illegal, regardless of their perceived importance?

 

[Amused]

I understand this ruling. It makes sense.

You can STILL be convicted criminally or sued civilly for fraud if you use such a lie for financial gain or to swindle someone. But to simply tell a lie should NEVER be illegal.

 

[nobodyknows]

I don't get why this is a big deal.

Is someone a douche bag for lying about receiving medals or awards? Yes
Should it be illegal? No.

If y0u want to go to the bar and spin some yarn about the time you won the Medal of Honor, that's one thing, but if your running for a public office and present youself as a retired Marine who had won the Medal of Honor that's an entirely different matter IMO.

LOL, We have to at least have "the appearance" of some accountability of our public officals.

 

[dammitgibs]

But you can't say great person on the radio