“Stolen Valor” by BG Burkett is a must read book for those who need to see how the media manipulates a narrative to suit their purposes. Since so many Journolist types are openly opposed to the military, it is in their best interest to play up every PTSD vet. Sadly, every time some loser lies and gets away with it, a real veteran, with real symptoms, gets ignored and the Military gets another black eye.
It is not “free speech” to lie about something in order to make a profit. (ie - a salesman is not protected if he tells you that the car you are looking at has never been wrecked when the title shows otherwise.) Claiming military medals does benefit the liar with an enhanced reputation that may afford them benefits or opportunities not otherwise available, so it should NOT be protected speech. I certainly hope SCOTUS gets this one right!
“Claiming military medals does benefit the liar with an enhanced reputation that may afford them benefits or opportunities not otherwise available, so it should NOT be protected speech.”
I have no problem with jailing someone for claiming this status on a legal document that has ramifications for hiring preferences or the like; outside of those circumstances, this is opening a Pandora’s box of trouble.