With an increasing number of “Beltway Patriots” running this country and our military defense budget- lying about past military service had become sport. So, Congress decided to do something about it with the “Stolen Valor Act” back in 2006.
Problem was- it made lying punishable by imprisonment- which if it had been extended to Congress – they’d be meeting in prison.
A federal appeals court on Monday upheld an earlier ruling by three of its members that a law making it illegal to lie about being a military hero violates free speech.The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision strikes down the so-called Stolen Valor Act passed by Congress in 2006.
via Federal court: Stolen Valor Act unconstitutional – San Jose Mercury News.
As a veteran, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve run into jerks telling me they were in Special Forces- and when confronted with my unit coin– I’ve drawn a blank stare.
The reality is- our country doesn’t value integrity or military service anymore. We reward CEOs who destroy our economy, we elect idiots who embarrass us, and we pass a lot of laws that we don’t enforce- including one requiring 3% of all government contracts are supposed to go to Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses– and then ignore it.
Lip service is the best we can do these days- military service has been trivialized.
If you want to “Thank a Vet” – start here: Buy Veteran. It’s a voluntary program.
How about a new “stolen valor” act that makes it illegal to question any veteran’s awards or service unless the allegations are in the form of a court affidavit under oath? Those inspired by Rove and his swift boaters would benefit from some down time.
David,
Is “unit coin” a euphemism?
@concerned- please read the link provided to “unit coin” before asking stupid questions.
We were having this conversation last night about all these people saying how they were in Special Forces or whatever (it usually doesn’t take more than a little math to figure out they’re full of B.S.). Never thought of asking to see a unit coin.