In this photo taken Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, Doug and Pam Sterner are photographed in their home in Alexandria, Va. Pam is the author of a college paper that led to the drafting of a federal law in 2006, the Stolen Valor Act, aimed at curbing false claims of military valor, and Doug exposes phony medal winners.
ABSO-FRIGGIN-LUTELY!
If barry’s reelected it won’t matter anymore.
When I joined the Army National Guard in 1979, I quickly determined that IF everyone that told me they had been in close combat with “Charlie” had actually EVER fired their weapons, Vietnam would be a state by now.
I have to admit I’m concerned about freedom of speech. Especially when someone like obama is president. This was my concern with the Patriot Act. Bush pushed it. And then look who followed Bush.
The freedom of speech also means the freedom to not be truthful. Slim Whitman sang “It’s a sin to tell a lie”. He didn’t say it was against the law unless you’re under oath. Just expose them for the frauds they are and hope they’re shunned by society. And maybe get the crap kicked out of them by a REAL hero.
“I am a federal agent.” “I am a medal of honor winner.”
If #1, the prohibition of impersonating a federal agent is illegal, then what makes the second a question of ‘free speech’? Answer: Liberals like lying about military records.
That this is even before the SCOTUS is kinda stupid.
Alvarez was probably in the Second Special Forces Force Recon Para-Rescue Delta Force Ranger Seal Team.
We would have to shut down every bar if we arrested the patrons that were lying, however, lying about military service to an employer or any other person for monetary gain is fraud and should be prosectued as fraud.
These Stolen Valor utterances are statements of objective fact, not opinion, and if they can be proven to be lies then where in the First Amendment does it say "no consequences?"
Jesse (The Body) (The Governor) Ventura:
“You’re talking to an ex-Navy Seal here.” Playboy, November, 1999.
“I was in the SEALs during the Vietnam War, so I experienced firsthand how we, as Americans, were affected by that conflict.” Rolling Stone, December 30, 1999
“We’re a proud organization. If anyone tries to pretend they’re a SEAL, God help them.” Jesse Ventura Autobiography: I Ain’t Got Time to Bleed
OK Jesse, how about some reality:
Ventura graduated with BUD/S class 58 in December 1970 and was part of Underwater Demolition Team 12 (UDT). The UDTs were merged with the US Navy SEALs in 1983, 8 years after Ventura had left the Navy.”
Ventura never had a 5326 NEC (Seals), he was 5321 UDT and had no claim to being a SEAL and certainly none to SEAL Team One. He also did no combat UDT.
They made him a governor. Ventura used his freedom of speech to lie, embellish, promote himself and make a fortune doing so.
What would it matter if he claimed decorations or devices that he didn’t earn? Fraud is fraud right?
Freedom of speech also means freedom to lie or deceive. The government should step in only when someone is harmed by another’s lies.
Of course it’s insulting to vets with authentic decorations and devices.
Have we gone too far by criminalizing insults?
My Dad has a Purple Heart with a star (twice wounded) at Saipan. But it is not listed as an authorized decoration or device in his SRB. I have seen his wounds, that were documented by Navy Physicians on Saipan and the VA Hospitals he was treated for the rest of his life.
Stolen Valor?