They claim "Who does this hurt?", it hurts everyone of the always very small minority of this country, as the country refuses to demand they sacrifice in any way, who serve it and defend it! But more importantly those who have served, or still do, and are 'awarded', not 'won' as some media use that term, medals and ribbons during that service it's much more then just the many ways of spitting on their service, hollow words of support, cheap symbols of same and false flag waving patriotism, there are real reasons medals and ribbons are 'awarded'. Many having to do with being wounded some for their actions in protecting those they're serving with especially in our wars and occupations of choice the country almost fully supports, as same country ignores the results from as the soldiers come home!
SUMMARY
Falsely claiming a Congressional Medal of Honor could land you in jail according to the Stolen Valor Act, a federal law making it a crime to lie about a military decoration. Margaret Warner and Marcia Coyle discuss a case involving that law under review by the Supreme Court plus a case involving ownership of Montana riverbeds. Transcript>>>
MARCIA COYLE: Well, lies are speech. The First Amendment protects speech, but it doesn't protect all lies.For example, perjury, fraud, those are crimes. The First Amendment doesn't protect defamation and libel. There are some exceptions, but it doesn't protect them. But, in all cases in which the First Amendment doesn't protect a lie, it's because there's been a requirement that there be an intent to do harm or harm has occurred.
That brings us to the problem with the Stolen Valor Act.
snip MARCIA COYLE: But what is the harm?
And, again, Mr. Verrilli had to respond and say, even though it's not written in the law that there be harm, the harm is that there's been a misappropriation of the esteem that goes along with these awards. He said, very bluntly, the government's saying, when we give these awards, it's a big deal. Then, if the government stands by and lets some charlatan misappropriate that, that's harm, and it's harm to the courageous men and women who have earned these medals.
Watch Supreme Court Hears Free Speech Case Over Stolen Valor Act on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.
Feb. 22, 2012 - There was the former Navy SEAL Pennsylvania pastor, the silver and bronze star-winning defense contractor and then the Congressional Medal of Honor-winning California local official -- each with inspiring stories of service to the nation and heroism in the line of fire. The only problem was, none of it was true. read more>>>
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