SCOTUS shoots down the Stolen Valor Act.

[Tunanut]

http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions...11-210d4e9.pdf

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
Syllabus
UNITED STATES v. ALVAREZ
CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR
THE NINTH CIRCUIT
No. 11–210. Argued February 22, 2012—Decided June 28, 2012
The Stolen Valor Act makes it a crime to falsely claim receipt of military decorations or medals and provides an enhanced penalty if the
Congressional Medal of Honor is involved. 18 U. S. C. §§704 (b), (c).
Respondent pleaded guilty to a charge of falsely claiming that he had
received the Medal of Honor, but reserved his right to appeal his
claim that the Act is unconstitutional. The Ninth Circuit reversed,
finding the Act invalid under the First Amendment.
Held: The judgment is affirmed. Pp. 3−18.
617 F. 3d 1198, affirmed.
JUSTICE KENNEDY, joined by THE CHIEF JUSTICE, JUSTICE GINSBURG,
and JUSTICE SOTOMAYOR, concluded that the Act infringes upon
speech protected by the First Amendment. Pp. 3–18.

[david1833]

Time to reactivate the poser squads.

[IEDmagnet]

And the founding fathers just rolled in their graves again. Not to mention SCOTUS upheld Obamacare.

[zanshin]

Better too much freedom than not enough freedom, though.

The other night I asked at Bass Pro if I got a veterans discount (I had gotten one on Memorial day just because I was wearing a veteran cap). Cashier said you betcha, got your ID card? I told her they don't give ID cards to vets, only to active duty, retirees and VA cards to those receiving ongoing treatment. She said, nope, guys show them to her all the time, all I had to do was get one from the VA. Turns out there's a company that sells cards if you fax them your DD214, but it's not an authorized card from the VA or DoD. (And I always wonder who they also sell your info to.) So now I'm thinking about making my own ID card and printing it out and laminating it. After all, I'm a vet.

But now it's not a crime for anyone to do that, and you know they will to get 10% off.

[Purple]

Although the SVA was well intentioned, I have always thought there were huge problems with how it was written but, with some general modifications, would work.

On another note, it pisses me off when some jacka$$ like Alvarez gets away with lying his way through life, though.

And so it goes...

Purple

[OutLaw]

Damn, I didn't see this was already posted and started another thread with same subject. Looks like the courts won't maintain the honor earned by our brave soldiers so it's up to us to ferret out the liars and expose these cockroaches to the light.

[Old All American]

Damn, I didn't see this was already posted and started another thread with same subject. Looks like the courts won't maintain the honor earned by our brave soldiers so it's up to us to ferret out the liars and expose these cockroaches to the light.

That's how our system works best anyway, when the PEOPLE make it work. I agree with Purple the law was well-intentioned but written poorly. It is up to WE the people to expose liars and frauds wherever we find them and shame them (if that be possible) publicly.

My own take is that it is a sad day indeed when our 1st Amendment is used to protect liars, pornographers, and flag burners while forbidding a football team to say a prayer before a game. But that's where we are at and it is up to us to make the changes we feel need to be made. Maybe we can stop our Founders' spinning- their spirits must be getting dizzy by now.

Zanshin, when you sign up with the VA you can get a VA ID card at any VA clinic or hospital (maybe any VA office but I don't know about that); most businesses accept American Legion, VFW, or DAV membership cards as well. BTW, Lowe's offers 10% discount to vets all year long (some businesses only do it on the appropriate holidays) - something I didn't learn til recently. Had I known about that sooner I don't want to think of all the money I'd have saved on building supplies over the years - but I'm taking advantage of it now.

[zanshin]

I've been on the VA roles ever since my medical discharge in 12/84. Never got an ID Card. If I go to a VA hospital and qualify for ongoing care, I can have a photo ID card made and sent to me. Like I said, I wore a hat and they gave me a discount; when I asked without the hat, they wanted proof. Maybe I'll get my DD214 tattooed on my ass...

[RAMKILR]

I've been on the VA roles ever since my medical discharge in 12/84. Never got an ID Card. If I go to a VA hospital and qualify for ongoing care, I can have a photo ID card made and sent to me. Like I said, I wore a hat and they gave me a discount; when I asked without the hat, they wanted proof. Maybe I'll get my DD214 tattooed on my ass...

Around these parts most stores want a photo ID showing veteran status. Last time I asked a Lowe's I showed my American Legion card, and my DD214 - the manager said "nope - need a photo id". Now that I've got a VA card with my ugly mug on it I'll try again next time I'm buying something from Lowe's...

[Old All American]

Around these parts most stores want a photo ID showing veteran status. Last time I asked a Lowe's I showed my American Legion card, and my DD214 - the manager said "nope - need a photo id". Now that I've got a VA card with my ugly mug on it I'll try again next time I'm buying something from Lowe's...

Maybe it depends on the manager. I used my DAV/American Legion cards for years, depending on which I could find. Then I got a picture VA card and that was even better, since I got upped to 100% a few years back and got my ID card back it's all a moot point.

Seems to me a DAV or VFW card along with a picture ID like a drivers license ought to serve.

Of course, you could always ask the manager what outfit he served with.

[Jeff82]

*I can't even think right now. I'm speechless*

[IEDmagnet]

This is just making it legal for Obama to wear a bunch of medals on his new Dictator suit if he wins reelection.

[Para-327th]

This is just making it legal for Obama to wear a bunch of medals on his new Dictator suit if he wins reelection.

They will go nicely with his fraudulent Nobel Peace Prize.

[Para-327th]

All I have is my 82nd Abn Assoc. card (and my DD214 which I don't carry with me). Can I get a VA card even if I am not combat and / or disable vet? I also have health insurance so I don't need the VA for that either.

[Old All American]

All I have is my 82nd Abn Assoc. card (and my DD214 which I don't carry with me). Can I get a VA card even if I am not combat and / or disable vet? I also have health insurance so I don't need the VA for that either.

For awhile they were taking all veterans, if you had insurance they would charge your insurance for non-service connected conditions and "cover" any co-pay left over. A few years back due to budget considerations they becan cutting back on enrollments. I received some sort of letter about a deadline, but as I was already enrolled (and only see VA docs for service-connected problems (and I don't really trust them for that too much, but figure they broke it so...) I didn't pay much attention. I don't think it would hurt to write or call your local VA regional office about getting some sort of card - don't know if they have one for non-medical purposes or not. Your State may have its own Department of Veterans Affairs office. I know my State, Alabama, does. We used to have one in every county but times are tough. I know our local veterans affairs officer in my home county did more to help me when I got out than DAV and the American Legion combined (and I'm a lifetime member of the DAV and longtime member of AL). Just some suggestions. Hope they help.