Xavier Alvarez: Lied about MOH
The Act was first introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 19, 2005, by Representative John Salazar, a Democrat from Colorado, as H.R. 3352.[2][3] It was introduced into the Senate by Senator Kent Conrad, a Democrat from North Dakota, on Nov. 10, 2005, as S. 1998.[4][5] The Senate version was passed unanimously on September 7, 2006.[5][6] The Senate version then went to the same House Judiciary Committee that held the House version. The Act briefly stalled, but the House subsequently passed the Senate version, S. 1998, on Dec. 6, 2006.[7]
The purpose of the Act is to strengthen the provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 704 by broadening its scope and strengthening penalties. Specific new provisions in the Act include: granting more authority to Federal law enforcement officers, extending scope beyond the Medal of Honor; broadening the law to cover false claims whereas previously an overt act had to be committed; covering, mailing, and shipping of medals; and protecting the reputation and meaning of military heroism medals.[3][5] Under the act, it is illegal for unauthorized persons to wear, buy, sell, barter, trade or manufacture "any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces." In the 18 months after the act was enacted, the Chicago Tribune estimates 20 prosecutions. The number is increasing as awareness about the law spreads. [8]
The Act was likely passed to address the issue of persons claiming to have been awarded military awards for which they were not entitled, and exploiting their deception for personal gain. For example, as of June 2, 2006, there were only 120 living Medal of Honor recipients, but there were far more known imposters.[9][10][11] There are also large numbers of fake Navy SEALS[12][13] and Army Special Forces,[14] among others.
As the law is written, Hell Yes, is the simple answer.
Law seems superfluous. Just charge them with fraud...
...And who is [John Kerry], A close associate hints: There's a secret compartment in Kerry's briefcase. He carries the black attaché everywhere. Asked about it on several occasions, Kerry brushed it aside. Finally, trapped in an interview, he exhaled and clicked open his case."Who told you?" he demanded as he reached inside. "My friends don't know about this."
The hat was a little mildewy. The green camouflage was fading, the seams fraying.
"My good luck hat," Kerry said, happy to see it. "Given to me by a CIA guy as we went in for a special mission in Cambodia."
Kerry put on the hat, pulling the brim over his forehead. His blue button-down shirt and tie clashed with the camouflage. He pointed his finger and raised his thumb, creating an imaginary gun. He looked silly, yet suddenly his campaign message was clear: Citizen-soldier. Linking patriotism to public service. It wasn't complex after all; it was Kerry.
He smiled and aimed his finger: "Pow."
“Should Lying About Military Service Be A Crime?”
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uh, should lying about being an American be a crime...?????
Xavier Alvarez: Lied about MOH
All,
I find it very curious that in many cases lawyers have made claims of clients suffering from bipolar personality disorder, other mental health issues as a defense.
Should it be a crime?
Only if it invovles fraud.
Things like lying on your resume or lying to a woman to get her into bed are forms of fraud if it caused a person to take an action they otherwise would not have taken (and the person is damaged in someway). I don’t know why we need a special category for fraud about military service as opposed to anything else.
We’ve got too many laws already. We should be simplifiying things.
when are they going to charge Kerry?
If they commit fraud prosecute them, if they're caught lying about be a vet shame them.
The leftists resent how the Stolen Valor Act cramps the style of the phony vets and liars who tell all those wonderful stories about US “war crimes.”
The act forbids fraudulently claiming to have been awarded a decoration of the United States. These decorations are established by law and constitute the honors system of the United States. Having created these decorations, the United States is entitled, on behalf of itself and the true recepients, to protect that honor. I believe that the United States also has an obligation to do so.
This is not a matter of free speech, it is fraud. I don’t believe that the law says anything about military service, just the fraudulent claim to decorations or medals. The prosecutions that I have seen have been quite blatant. Persons who have never seen military service wearing multiple decorations including the highest valor awards, or politicians who stand to gain claiming that they are decorated veterans. If someone knows of some blowhard who claimed he was SEAL during some pubfest, and was subsequently prosecuted, let me know.
We used to throw people in jail because they were a danger to society. Now we throw people in jail because they make us mad. That is why we have the world’s largest prison population.
I believe anything that undermines the morale of our service-people should be tried, so that includes lying about having served.
However, most of those I know who DID serve say that it doesn’t matter if they get recognized or not.....it remains in their heart and their character.
Its crass, immoral, indecent, and just plain wrong.
Lying may be protected by the First Amendment but fraud isn’t.
I once claimed to be related to John Paul Jones. Of course I was 10 at the time...;)
Free Republic:Man arrested, accused of stolen valor (at 'rat mayor's inauguration)