Illinois bill targets phony war heroes

STLToday.com ^ | 3/15/2006 | Philip Ewing

[Mike Bates]

SPRINGFIELD, ILL.

People who pretend to have earned some of the nation's most prestigious military medals, including the Purple Heart, the Medal of Honor and others, could pay a fine of up to $200 under a bill being considered today by the state Senate.

"For one in our society to falsely represent themselves as having received that very, very important recognition, I think is a serious offense not only in law but to our morality," said Rep. Dan Burke, D-Chicago, the bill's sponsor.

It makes exceptions for actors, historical re-enactors and costumes at Halloween.

The measure, which originally applied only to Purple Hearts, has passed the House unanimously with strong support from veterans groups. A Senate committee amended it to include other medals, and then endorsed it unanimously Tuesday.

[Mike Bates]

A fine of up to $200 doesn't seem adequate for what the bill's sponsor deems "a serious offense." Not that it would discourage the slugs, such as those depicted in "Stolen Valor," who make false claims. I think this is just another "feel good" piece of legislation the 'Rats can point to as evidence of their support for the military and veterans.

Michael M. Bates: My Side of the Swamp

[Kewlhand`tek]

in case anyone missed it. the movie "wedding crashers" has a scene in it where they display purple hearts at weddings to get women. on their web site as a promotion they had a "wedding crasher kit" in it were purple hearts that you could print out. Fortunately there was a big enough stink about that I believe they did pull it.

[SR 50]

Ray Nagin had better stay out of Illinois with his military dress or he could get some hefty fines.

[A.A. Cunningham]

"It makes exceptions for actors ..."

[FlingWingFlyer]

It makes exceptions for actors, historical re-enactors and costumes at Halloween.

No exceptions for politicians. Those boys are going to have to clean up their act and knock off their phony "veteran" crap.

[SR 50]

That's right, Kerry could be fined in Illinois if he even mentioned his three Purple Hearts.

[proxy_user]

But probably not constitutional.

Under the First Amendment, you can claim to be an alien from the planet Saturn if you want, provided you don't commit fraud. I think they would have to show that those claiming to be military heroes weren't just blowing smoke, but intended to advance their career or gain political office fraudulently.

[Condor51]

Hmmm... does this law exempt guys in bars trying to pick up chicks? And will John Kerry will have to stay out of IL?

[Mike Bates]

No exceptions for politicians.

Like Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, who certainly was the right age for 'Nam, but so far as I can tell never served and now wraps himself in veterans' issues. The state's Dept. of Veterans Affairs homepage carries a supposed quote from him:
"These veterans were there for us, so let’s tell them, ‘we’ve got your back,’ said Lt. Governor Pat Quinn."

[Mike Bates]

Under the First Amendment, you can claim to be an alien from the planet Saturn if you want. . .

And here I thought I was the only guy using that scam.

[Gefreiter]

Well maybe it would help reduce the number of MACVSOGSpecialForcesGreenBeretForceReconJungleSEALRangerDeltaNinjas that seem to congregate in dive bars.

I'll never understand why for some folks it's not enough to say that they served; they have to be Sgt Rock too.

[Mike Bates]

Hmmm... does this law exempt guys in bars trying to pick up chicks?

Maybe I've run into the wrong gals, but among the ones I've encountered, claiming that you dodged the draft to stay home and get rich is a much more effective line.

[xenophiles]

It makes exceptions for actors, historical re-enactors and costumes at Halloween.

Exceptions like this are signs of a badly written law. The law should forbid attempts to convince others (falsely) that one has received these decorations; walking around on stage, at a Civil War reenactment or among witches and goblins with tin on one's chest is obviously not such an attempt.

Personally I don't think there should be such a law at all. For practical reasons certain specific types of misrepresentation are and should be forbidden: pretending to be a police officer, a licensed physician, the owner of a bridge, a long-lost heir and so forth. But I see no practical reason for a law against telling whoppers about the fish one has caught, the battles one has fought or the awards and decorations one has received.

[Mike Bates]

I'll never understand why for some folks it's not enough to say that they served; they have to be Sgt Rock too.

Maybe it's the same mentality used by folks who phony up almost everything. In the service I ran into a guy who said he was from Chicago. I said, me too, what part are you from? He said actually he wasn't exactly from Chicago, but from some town in northern Wisconsin no one ever heard of so he found it easier to say he was from the Windy City.

[xarmydog]

It is a start.Anyone who misrepresents themselves as a war hero or vet for that matter,should be locked up for life in Leavenworth.Unless,of course they are a liberal actor who wears it to make megabucks,and turn around and bash the Military.It is mind boggling how many there are.

[pabianice]

I've always thought a good beating was a better punishment.

[Mike Bates]

But then 'Rats couldn't take a bow for their patriotism.

[hdstmf]

It is a start.Anyone who misrepresents themselves as a war hero or vet for that matter,should be locked up for life in Leavenworth.Unless,of course they are a liberal actor who wears it to make megabucks,and turn around and bash the Military.It is mind boggling how many there are.

How about including anyone who throws "their" medals over the White House fence?