Stolen Valor Act unconstitutional

[Scanker19]

It is not. It is perfectly legal to dress up as a police officer and go about my business. If you run for office and claim to have won the medal of honor, did that claim influence people to vote for you? If you won can the argument then be made that your lies directly benefited you? That is exactly what Xavier Alvarez did. If I was in a job interview and I have valor awards on my resume, could I be considered for a job above other people because of it? If I said I was a Navy SeAL and then got stuff for free because of it, it that also ok? The thought that this is a victim less crime is foolish. The notion that I am mad about stolen valor because of my lack of military medals is also a foolish one.

Its not victimless if they steal no one is arguing that. There are laws in place for that.

So tonight maybe I should go down the the fire line in Colorado Springs dressed in my firefighting best. As long as I don't claim to be a firefighter then it is perfectly Ok. I can answer peoples questions, look official, maybe even make it on the news. In the world that you people want then that is perfectly acceptable.

That's not the same as saying months from now, "I was there fighting fires." Unless you're applying for a job with the FD.

[spyder]

It is not. It is perfectly legal to dress up as a police officer and go about my business. If you run for office and claim to have won the medal of honor, did that claim influence people to vote for you? If you won can the argument then be made that your lies directly benefited you? That is exactly what Xavier Alvarez did. If I was in a job interview and I have valor awards on my resume, could I be considered for a job above other people because of it? If I said I was a Navy SeAL and then got stuff for free because of it, it that also ok? The thought that this is a victim less crime is foolish. The notion that I am mad about stolen valor because of my lack of military medals is also a foolish one.

So tonight maybe I should go down the the fire line in Colorado Springs dressed in my firefighting best. As long as I don't claim to be a firefighter then it is perfectly Ok. I can answer peoples questions, look official, maybe even make it on the news. In the world that you people want then that is perfectly acceptable.

You apparently didn't read my quote very well where I said it is different because military personnel do not have any power in the civilian world where a cop does. It's different.

Now would it be right of you to pretend to be a firefighter to get some kind of recognition? No. Should lying be illegal if it doesn't hurt anyone? No. Now the moment that it gets into legal ground and starts hurting/defrauding someone else, yes, it should be illegal.

I guess however "in the world that you want", the government should be able to tell us what is moral and what isn't, and be able to punish us as it sees fit. Maybe in your world, they can make it illegal to cut in lines, or, chew with your mouth open in public... that's just annoying...

[Ridge]

Besides, impersonating a cop or other position of authority is already illegal at the local level.

[Scanker19]

I guess however "in the world that you want", the government should be able to tell us what is moral and what isn't, and be able to punish us as it sees fit.

No, only for the Military since they are some sort of protected class.

[Fmedges]

Besides, impersonating a cop or other position of authority is already illegal at the local level.

It's only illegal if I claim to be a cop. Looking like one is perfectly ok.

[Fmedges]

You apparently didn't read my quote very well where I said it is different because military personnel do not have any power in the civilian world where a cop does. It's different.

Now would it be right of you to pretend to be a firefighter to get some kind of recognition? No. Should lying be illegal if it doesn't hurt anyone? No. Now the moment that it gets into legal ground and starts hurting/defrauding someone else, yes, it should be illegal.

I guess however "in the world that you want", the government should be able to tell us what is moral and what isn't, and be able to punish us as it sees fit. Maybe in your world, they can make it illegal to cut in lines, or, chew with your mouth open in public... that's just annoying...

But defrauding people for benefits is indeed what is happening. If it truly is a victim less crime than why is it so easy to find people benefiting from the lies they spread about their "service".

[spyder]

If you put that you were in the military on a job application, it is illegal I'm pretty sure also as it is fraud. I'm just arguing that the guy in a bar saying he was in the military is just a dumb ass, and no, that kind of stupid shit should not be punishable by law. If you are getting something legal out of your lies, I say that they should be punished. Again though, the loser that poses as military personel past or present just to look cool, is just a loser doing nothing illegal, unless you make being too much of a loser illegal.... I might go for that though.... J/K

[lifeon2]

I'm going to go with it not being illegal as far as the military folk being pissed about it yeah you probably should be. I certainly would be. On the flip side of the coin I know a couple of fellas I went to school with who served during peace time but since it has become a "thing" they happily lie like hell about their service which now includes a liberal dose of combat experience because it gets them free drinks and laid. IMHO they are every bit as bad seeing as what they do cheapens what are actual combat vets have been through. Another example actually comes from my high school days when one of our local LEOs who was also retired military pistol whipped his wife into the ICU when she caught him cheating and wanted a divorce. He disgraced 2 uniforms and got paid leave for it. Shouldnt both of those examples also merit a beat down?

Just tossing a little devils advocate out there.

As always to our actual vets and everyone still serving you have my thanks after all since 1775 you folks have made and kept us free to have these very discussions.

[Fmedges]

If you put that you were in the military on a job application, it is illegal I'm pretty sure also as it is fraud. I'm just arguing that the guy in a bar saying he was in the military is just a dumb ass, and no, that kind of stupid shit should not be punishable by law. If you are getting something legal out of your lies, I say that they should be punished. Again though, the loser that poses as military personel past or present just to look cool, is just a loser doing nothing illegal, unless you make being too much of a loser illegal.... I might go for that though.... J/K

I agree with you on the situation posted, but again the reality of this is people are benefiting from it.

[Rucker61]

It's only illegal if I claim to be a cop. Looking like one is perfectly ok.

Unless you're accompanied by a construction worker, Indian chief, cowboy and soldier. Then it's fabulous.