[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.

[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.

[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?

[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.

[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.

[pabianice]

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