Phony Marine Due For Arrest

The Denver Post ^ | 10.03.2009 | Nancy Lofholm

[RightWingConspirator]

Rick Glen Strandlof, a former mental patient who posed as a wounded Marine captain to found a statewide veterans group and campaign for political candidates, is being prosecuted under the Stolen Valor Act for making claims he received a Purple Heart.

[RightWingConspirator]

What are the odds that the candidates he campaigned for are Democrats?

[Nervous Tick]

>> What are the odds that the candidates he campaigned for are Democrats?

I don’t know, but I can tell you with 100% certainty that they didn’t say a word about party affiliation in the article.

No party affiliation + despicable deeds = ‘RAT

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

The investigation of the phony veteran took five months because the FBI also was investigating whether Strandlof used any of the money he collected on behalf of the Colorado Veterans Alliance for personal gain. Dorschner would not comment on what the FBI found.

[FlingWingFlyer]

It’s sad how many “veterans against the war” are not veterans at all. They’re nothing but a bunch of sorry ‘RAT SOBs. That goes for the crazy ones too!

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 33 > § 704

§ 704. Military medals or decorations

(a) In General.— Whoever knowingly wears, purchases, attempts to purchase, solicits for purchase, mails, ships, imports, exports, produces blank certificates of receipt for, manufactures, sells, attempts to sell, advertises for sale, trades, barters, or exchanges for anything of value any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, or the ribbon, button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration or medal, or any colorable imitation thereof, except when authorized under regulations made pursuant to law, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
(b) False Claims About Receipt of Military Decorations or Medals.— Whoever falsely represents himself or herself, verbally or in writing, to have been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the Armed Forces of the United States, any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, the ribbon, button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration, or medal, or any colorable imitation of such item shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
(c) Enhanced Penalty for Offenses Involving Congressional Medal of Honor.—
(1) In general.— If a decoration or medal involved in an offense under subsection (a) or (b) is a Congressional Medal of Honor, in lieu of the punishment provided in that subsection, the offender shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.
(2) Congressional medal of honor defined.— In this subsection, the term “Congressional Medal of Honor” means—
(A) a medal of honor awarded under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of title 14;
(B) a duplicate medal of honor issued under section 3754, 6256, or 8754 of title 10 or section 504 of title 14; or
(C) a replacement of a medal of honor provided under section 3747, 6253, or 8747 of title 10 or section 501 of title 14.
(d) Enhanced Penalty for Offenses Involving Certain Other Medals.— If a decoration or medal involved in an offense described in subsection (a) or (b) is a distinguished-service cross awarded under section 3742 of title 10, a Navy cross awarded under section 6242 of title 10, an Air Force cross awarded under section 8742 of section 10, a silver star awarded under section 3746, 6244, or 8746 of title 10, a Purple Heart awarded under section 1129 of title 10, or any replacement or duplicate medal for such medal as authorized by law, in lieu of the punishment provided in the applicable subsection, the offender shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.

and if he was wearing a Marine Uniform:

§ 703. Uniform of friendly nation

Whoever, within the jurisdiction of the United States, with intent to deceive or mislead, wears any naval, military, police, or other official uniform, decoration, or regalia of any foreign state, nation, or government with which the United States is at peace, or anything so nearly resembling the same as to be calculated to deceive, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.

[tcrlaf]

Of COURSE this DEMOCRAT was a fake, a Code Pinko member, a member of the DNC’s VoteVets, AND a member of International ANSWERS’s Iraq Veterans Against War!!

He founded the “Colorado Veteran’s Alliance” in 2007, with the help of Soros-funneled ANSWER money, got LOTS of face-time on local, and even NATIONAL TV, and pocketed a good bit of the money his ignorant donors sent him.

But, that was part of The Great War Against BUSH!, so it’s all cool...

[SC Swamp Fox]

You would be.....correct!

Leftist turd

[microgood]

Strandlof will be charged with one count of making false claims about receipt of military decorations or medals, a misdemeanor punishable by a year in jail and a $250,000 fine.

So if you are in a bar and are trying to hit on a chick and tell her you are a decorated hero, you can go to jail?

What a stupid law. Our idiot lawmakers really outdid themselves this time.

[Da Coyote]

If this guy campaigned for vets (as a fake), seems like he still did our military far more good than the Obamaloon. Sad commentary on our sorry septic tank dweller of a president.

[tcrlaf]

This is the guy who fronted International A.N.S.W.E.R.’s “Winter Soldiers” group at the 2007 DC Protest...

[elcid1970]

If someone is hitting on a chick in a bar while wearing unauthorized uniform, rank and decorations, I would say yes.

If he’s a civilian telling tall tales, I’d say no.

But I believe the public is becoming more aware of the old saying that those who saw the most in combat, talk the least about it.

In these days with daily combat deaths in Afghanistan, a barroom blowhard boasting about his `combat record’ and awards will pretty much convict himself out of his own mouth, IMO.

[ExpatGator]

What is your service experience?

[microgood]

What is your service experience?

I was never in the service.

But what does that have to do with making BSing illegal?

Unless you are financially defrauding someone or otherwise committing a criminal act, then this law is a clear violation of the First Amendment to the constitution and hopefully will get struck down at some point.

[microgood]

In these days with daily combat deaths in Afghanistan, a barroom blowhard boasting about his `combat record’ and awards will pretty much convict himself out of his own mouth, IMO.I just do not see a crime committed here. There are no victims.

[Little Bill]

Show her your DD 214, especially the awards section, Limp Dick w/V device.

[microgood]

Show her your DD 214, especially the awards section, Limp Dick w/V device.

I am trying to make a point. The WWII generation would not have cared a whit about someone claimng to be a veteran. Of course the had quite a bit thicker skin than the current generations, who feel victimized by nearly everything.

[xrmusn]

What does that have to do with making BSing illegal?
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
One thing sitting in a bar hitting on chicks and making false claims.
It is entirely something else collecting money or running for office claiming you were something/somebody you weren't.

By never having served, you have no idea of the comradery and the significance of EARNED awards and in some cases ‘they’ were reluctant to grant awards when earned.
To have someone just put it on is not only a slap in the face to those that served but it also dishonors those that gave all.

[Erasmus]

I guess I'll have to stop using Jackie Vernon's pickup line at the beach.

"Pardon me miss, could you help me find my Congressional Medal of Honor? I seem to have lost it in the sand."

[The Comedian]

My spidey sense is tingling, indicating a DoJ case being dropped via Holder aka "The Black Panthers' Best Friend"...

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[Dan(9698)]

Unless you are financially defrauding someone or otherwise committing a criminal act,

How about is he is saying he is an undercover policeman?

I think impersonating a law enforcement officer is a criminal act.

This law makes impersonating a service member a criminal act.

It is the same.

[bmwcyle]

[microgood]

It is entirely something else collecting money or running for office claiming you were something/somebody you weren't.

I think it is fine to out them as liars and scoundrels. I just do not agree with criminalizing it. Otherwise we have good cause to throw all our politicians in prison.

By never having served, you have no idea of the comradery and the significance of EARNED awards and in some cases ‘they’ were reluctant to grant awards when earned. To have someone just put it on is not only a slap in the face to those that served but it also dishonors those that gave all.

Maybe so, but throwing someone in jail over it does nothing to restore respect for anyone. Respect is earned, not coerced. Showing someone to be a fraud is fine and encouraged.

[xrmusn]

..otherwise we have good cause to throw all our politicians in prison. etc...
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
In a lot of cases, it sure works for me.

I am sorry, not about to get in a peeing contest here but I don’t have the time or patience to get your mind accustomed to the comradery angle etc.

Nothing personal, just something that you have to live to understand.

[microgood]

I think impersonating a law enforcement officer is a criminal act.

This law makes impersonating a service member a criminal act.

It is the same.

Maybe if you are trying to exert military power over someone, like someone else in the military maybe, but if you are a grandpa telling a grandson about all these medals you got, then it is not the same. The first is assuming the power of the office/job. The latter is telling lies about some power they said they had 30 years ago. But Gramps will go to jail with this new law.

[ExpatGator]

Thanks for your honest answer.

To dishonestly pose as a service member is always done to defraud, in one way or another. The honor built by service members is of value and it is fraudulent to claim that honor. As a libertarian type of conservative I see nothing wrong with this law.

I am a disabled veteran, and I gave twelve years of my life to protect your right to state your views. That is a valid use of your 1st Amd. rights. Stealing the honor of better men is not a protected right.

[Little Bill]

I don't think so, they would have probably have beaten him to death and dumped him in the alley.

I joined a VFW Post in Mass along with all of my Viet Nam pals. The Post, dominated by WW2 and Korean War Vets who thought that we not quite worthy, which led to some embarrassing moments.

Vets know who Vets are, you are either scum or a brother in this day and age.

[A.A. Cunningham]

This law exists because of pukes like you.

[Hot Tabasco]

So if you are in a bar and are trying to hit on a chick and tell her you are a decorated hero, you can go to jail?

if you are proven to be a liar it sure beats the heck out of getting your butt kicked up and down the street then into the back alley.........

[microgood]

I am sorry, not about to get in a peeing contest here but I don’t have the time or patience to get your mind accustomed to the comradery angle etc.

Even if I could understand it, I would still be against this law. And although I did not experience it myself, I did work for the Navy for 13 years during which I worked with many active duty personel as well as exmilitary personell. And I saw first hand how hard these people work during deployments under the most stressful conditions I have ever seen.

I have the upmost respect for all who serve in the military and I will always fight to preserve those very things they are fighting to protect, among them being the Constitution of the United States, which I believe this law violates.

[Dan(9698)]

But Gramps will go to jail with this new law.

And so he should.

He probably would tell stories like Kerry where he impugns people who actually did serve in the Military.

[SZonian]

Not if you served and only claimed what you earned.

It’s when you start laying claim to something that you didn’t earn that gets vets riled.

As a vet, I abhor people like this. I am proud of my service and the fact that I didn’t get to participate in the current campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan doesn’t bother me. It was Uncles call. I haven’t found anyone yet who would say that my service was any less worthy than those currently serving.

Your problem is that you’re not looking past just the Stolen Valor aspect of this. The guy posing as a vet was doing so for personal gain. He’s also a ‘rat and it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if he was somehow involved with the IAVA who are part of Soros’ ilk.

Our “idiot lawmakers” enacted this law at the behest of many legitimate veterans groups to put a stop to this kind of behavior. Are you saying you want this behavior to be allowed and to continue?

SZ

[SZonian]

"Of course the had quite a bit thicker skin than the current generations, who feel victimized by nearly everything."

You had better do one of two things, either retract that statement or review it to see if you did a piss poor job of writing.

If it's as you meant it, then that statement alone tells me and any other veteran all we need to know of you.

SZ

[Little Bill]

Don’t talk until you have been shot at and seen your friends and comrade’s bleed. Go back to your mothers basement, smoke a few dubes, and rethink your argument.

[microgood]

This law exists because of pukes like you.

No it doesn't. I never have and never would, even on an anonymous forum claim I was ever in the military. The law exists because we have criminalized everything in this country. That is the current generation's solution to every problem.

The right to BS goes back to the Magna Carta days, so this law is quite a setback.

[cookcounty]

"I am trying to make a point. The WWII generation would not have cared a whit about someone claimng to be a veteran. Of course the had quite a bit thicker skin than the current generations, who feel victimized by nearly everything.

No, a lot of Viet vets have had their fill of the very long parade of phoney vets slathered over by the gullible press who repeat and reprint their anti-military idiocies without question or corroberation.

---And the WWII vets, God bless them, never had to put up with reading that kind of slanderous crap in the hometown newspaper.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Actually, back in those times they would have just kicked his a—. Now it’s simply a crime. I have no issue with either issue.

[Dan(9698)]

so this law is quite a setback.

Why should a puke like this be allowed to influence public opinion by falsely stating he participated in war crimes?

It is giving aid and comfort to the guys trying to kill the troops.

In case of the Viet Nam war, it caused Congress to cut all funds and so lead to the defeat. The Winter soldiers and Kerry did this and it caused great damage.

This guy was working to undermine the Military to defeat George Bush. It worked.

[microgood]

Our “idiot lawmakers” enacted this law at the behest of many legitimate veterans groups to put a stop to this kind of behavior. Are you saying you want this behavior to be allowed and to continue?

But whenever they write such a law, they make them so vague as to make it applicable to virtually any case. If you are making financial or political gain then that is fraud. But a Grampa telling his grandson a tall tale actually can be prosecuted the way this law was written.

[microgood]

Why should a puke like this be allowed to influence public opinion by falsely stating he participated in war crimes?

He shouldn't. And if this law was tailored to those kind of activities specifically, I would be fine with it. Under this law, you could be BS ing a girl in the bar and go to jail for a year.

[SZonian]

It’s a stretch to assume that a grampa is going to be thrown in jail by telling tall tales to a grandson. They haven’t gone after anyone like that. They’re only going after those who are making these claims for personal gain.

Kerry should have been the first test case for this law.

SZ

[tioga]

and how do you know this? have you researched the law?

[microgood]

Actually, back in those times they would have just kicked his a—.

Yep.

[microgood]

And so he should.

So he going to have to confess he was shoveling sh%% in Lousiana I guess.

[Dan(9698)]

you could be BS ing a girl in the bar and go to jail for a year.

So -- Stop BS ing the girls.

I don't see the problem.

[microgood]

The honor built by service members is of value and it is fraudulent to claim that honor. As a libertarian type of conservative I see nothing wrong with this law.

I limited in scope, I do not either. If you are trying to gain from this type of misrepresentation, I have no problem. But it sure looks like it could go after anyone that says it around the campfire or in otherwise fairly harmless circumstances. And if they can, they will.

[microgood]

I was just reading section (b) of post 5 above, where it says (emphasis mine):

"Whoever falsely represents himself or herself, verbally or in writing, to have been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the Armed Forces of the United States, any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, the ribbon, button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration, or medal, or any colorable imitation of such item shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than six months, or both."

[microgood]

I don't see the problem.

It's the slippery slope. Next it will be football tales and fishing stories rather than war stories.

[microgood]

It’s a stretch to assume that a grampa is going to be thrown in jail by telling tall tales to a grandson. They haven’t gone after anyone like that. They’re only going after those who are making these claims for personal gain.

Oh, it will happen all right. Prosecutor's love the stretch the power of any law they are given as far as it will go. They just arrested a grandmother in the Midwest for buying two bottles of cough syrup, so yes they will.

[SZonian]

Here’s a link to the actual resolution. It only talks about claiming medals not earned, not tall tales of action. So if grampa only tells a tale with some embellishments, he’s safe. If he knowingly claims any of the medals mentioned, then he’s in trouble, as he should be.

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_bills&docid=f:h3352ih.txt.pdf

SZ

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

Why don’t you ask the owner of FR what he thinks ?...