With an increasing number of “Beltway Patriots” running this country and our military defense budget- lying about past military service had become sport. So, Congress decided to do something about it with the “Stolen Valor Act” back in 2006.
Problem was- it made lying punishable by imprisonment- which if it had been extended to Congress – they’d be meeting in prison.
A federal appeals court on Monday upheld an earlier ruling by three of its members that a law making it illegal to lie about being a military hero violates free speech.The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision strikes down the so-called Stolen Valor Act passed by Congress in 2006.
via Federal court: Stolen Valor Act unconstitutional – San Jose Mercury News [1].
As a veteran, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve run into jerks telling me they were in Special Forces- and when confronted with my unit coin [2]– I’ve drawn a blank stare.
The reality is- our country doesn’t value integrity or military service anymore. We reward CEOs who destroy our economy, we elect idiots who embarrass us [3], and we pass a lot of laws that we don’t enforce- including one requiring 3% of all government contracts are supposed to go to Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses [4]– and then ignore it.
Lip service is the best we can do these days- military service has been trivialized.
If you want to “Thank a Vet” – start here: Buy Veteran [5]. It’s a voluntary program.
4 Comments To "Of course lying is still constitutional"
#1 Comment By truddick On April 1, 2011 @ 2:58 pm @ 2:58 pm
How about a new “stolen valor” act that makes it illegal to question any veteran’s awards or service unless the allegations are in the form of a court affidavit under oath? Those inspired by Rove and his swift boaters would benefit from some down time.
#2 Comment By Concerned… On April 1, 2011 @ 10:53 pm @ 10:53 pm
David,
Is “unit coin” a euphemism?
#3 Comment By David Esrati On April 2, 2011 @ 8:28 am @ 8:28 am
@concerned- please read the link provided to “unit coin” before asking stupid questions.
#4 Comment By Thomas On April 3, 2011 @ 12:22 pm @ 12:22 pm
We were having this conversation last night about all these people saying how they were in Special Forces or whatever (it usually doesn’t take more than a little math to figure out they’re full of B.S.). Never thought of asking to see a unit coin.