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Law against posing as a war hero is unconstitutional, Colorado judge rules
Washington Post / AP ^ | July 17, 2010

Posted on 07/17/2010 2:45:37 PM PDT by Former Military Chick

A law that makes it illegal to lie about being a war hero is unconstitutional because it violates free speech, a federal judge ruled Friday.

U.S. District Judge Robert Blackburn dismissed a case against Rick Glen Strandlof, who claimed he was an ex-Marine who was wounded in Iraq and received the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. The military had no record that Strandlof had ever served, and he was charged with violating the Stolen Valor Act, which makes it a crime punishable by up to a year in jail to falsely claim to have won a military medal.

Blackburn ruled that the government did not show it has a compelling reason to restrict that type of statement.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Front Page News; News/Current Events; US: Colorado
KEYWORDS: congress; liberalfascism; liberalkoolaid; liberalliars; military; stolenvalor
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To: Former Military Chick

Then people can say they are policemen.


101 posted on 07/18/2010 5:02:38 AM PDT by PghBaldy (Like the Ft Hood Killer, James Earl Ray was just stressed when he killed MLK Jr.)
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To: Former Military Chick
Someone ask the judge what type of political speech is lying about being the a war hero?
102 posted on 07/18/2010 5:06:12 AM PDT by Vision ("Did I not say to you that if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?" John 11:40)
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To: Conservative Vermont Vet

Dubya has appointed his share of stupid district justices.


103 posted on 07/18/2010 5:17:20 AM PDT by Tribune7 (The Democrat Party is not a political organization but a religious cult.)
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To: Former Military Chick
then so is impersonating an officer of the law...
104 posted on 07/18/2010 5:54:39 AM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist *DTOM* -ww- NO Pity for the LAZY)
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To: P-Marlowe

FWIW, I agree with you. I’m a Vietnam vet. I saw no combat. I have no medals other than what everyone got.


105 posted on 07/18/2010 6:52:42 AM PDT by decimon
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To: Vision; xzins; blue-duncan; sirchtruth; Mr. Lucky; Mariner; Former Military Chick; loboinok; ...
Someone ask the judge what type of political speech is lying about being the a war hero?

FYI the Rutherford Institute, a conservative Christian legal defense organization that fights for Christian rights, such as the right to homeschool your children or to pray in school, or have Christian clubs on school campuses and other free speech and association issues related to religious expression, joined in the case arguing that this law as it was written is unconstitutional.

Now ask yourself, why would a Christian based first amendment group join in attempting to get this law overturned?

Obviously they see something insidious in this law that could be negatively applied to Christians and conservatives.

Look up the nanny-state left wing liberal who drafted the law and what that guy's current idea on squelching Liberty is and maybe you just might see that this Judge may have taken a step towards preserving YOUR precious LIBERTY by enforcing the First Amendment strictly.

My first reaction upon reading the headline was that this was another stupid decision by some out of touch left wing Carter appointee. Then before I made a knee jerk response, I took some time to think about it.

The law is a stepping stone to a more insidious agenda.

Be careful what you ask for.

You may just get it.

106 posted on 07/18/2010 9:10:21 AM PDT by P-Marlowe (LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o*)
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To: P-Marlowe

see questions in post 100


107 posted on 07/18/2010 9:37:19 AM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and proud of it. Those who truly support our troops pray for their victory!)
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To: xzins
In other words, when a con is taking place, it is illegal. I think we've already agreed on that. And, yes, WEARING an unearned medal could easily be criminalized, and I think it is already.

You're right, it already is and this portion of the law was not overturned. The only part that was overturned was the recent amendment to the law which made it a crime simply to claim that you had medals that you didn't earn.

However, misleading people by claiming to be a police officer should also be illegal depending on one's intent.

In most cases it is illegal because you are acting under color of authority. But if you are in a social situation (such as a bar or a school reunion) and you lie about being a police officer, then this is not a crime.

Should I be permitted, as after the Vietnam War, to claim to be a Viet Vet and lead the Vietnam Veterans Against the War, if I never was in Vietnam at all?

As long as you don't ask for money. But if you ask for money under false pretenses and you get it, you could and should go to jail for a long time. (See Jim Bakker).

If I'm attempting AND succeeding at having a political impact, because I'm acting "under the color of authority", is that misrepresentation protected speech?

Lying for political gain is a long standing tradition in America. Lying to gain money is a crime.

OK?

108 posted on 07/18/2010 9:44:26 AM PDT by P-Marlowe (LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o*)
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To: P-Marlowe

Thank you for sharing your insights, dear brother in Christ!


109 posted on 07/18/2010 9:52:43 AM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: P-Marlowe

You are likely quite right.

Thx.


110 posted on 07/18/2010 2:12:09 PM PDT by Quix (THE PLAN of the Bosses: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2519352/posts?page=2#2)
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To: All

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 04, 2007
Supreme Court Rules Politicians Have Right to Lie
It shouldn’t surprise, given the state of the law, our courts and our politicians, and, in fact, it actually makes sense, but still, it’s a bit… disconcerting.

The Supreme Court of the State of Washington ruled today in a 5-4 decision that candidates for political office have a constitutionally protected right to be free from prosecution for lying in their pursuit of office.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1906945/posts


111 posted on 07/20/2010 3:26:08 AM PDT by Einherjar
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To: P-Marlowe

It’s not a FS issue. It’s a fraud issue!


112 posted on 07/20/2010 7:55:08 AM PDT by sirchtruth (Freedom is not free)
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To: P-Marlowe

It’s not a FS issue. It’s a fraud issue!


113 posted on 07/20/2010 7:55:18 AM PDT by sirchtruth (Freedom is not free)
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To: sirchtruth
It’s not a FS issue. It’s a fraud issue!

If it is a "fraud" issue, then this law was unnecessary and overreaching and the guy should have been prosecuted for fraud.

But the statute that was declared unconstitutional made it a crime simply to claim to have earned medals regardless of the reason for making the claim and without regard to the traditional elements of fraud which require that the person to whom the statement is directed must actually rely upon the statement to their detriment and that there be damages.

That is why it is unconstitutional.

Fraud is not protected speech and never has been. There have always been laws against fraud and this decision does not affect any of them. Bragging is protected speech and always has been. This law outlawed bragging. Hence, it was unconstitutional.

Get it?

114 posted on 07/20/2010 9:05:10 AM PDT by P-Marlowe (LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o*)
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To: Former Military Chick

..but go try to be a fake attorney or judge and see what happens to you.


115 posted on 07/20/2010 9:14:23 AM PDT by WOBBLY BOB (drain the swamp! ( then napalm it and pave it over ))
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To: Former Military Chick
Billy Ray Valentine: I was in...Sang Bang...Dang Gong...
I was all over the place, a lot of places.

Policeman: What unit?

Billy Ray Valentine: I was with the Green Berets, Special Unit Battalions...
Commando Airborne Tactics...Specialist Tactics Unit Battalion.

Yeah, it was real hush-hush.
You hear about Agent Orange?
I was Agent Orange...Special Agent Orange, that was me.


116 posted on 07/20/2010 9:37:28 AM PDT by BlueLancer (I'm getting a fine tootsy-frootsying right here...)
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To: BlueLancer

“I CAN SEE!!”


117 posted on 07/20/2010 9:38:19 AM PDT by dfwgator
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To: P-Marlowe
Get it?

What you apparently don't get is, LYING is fraud.

118 posted on 07/20/2010 3:24:25 PM PDT by sirchtruth (Freedom is not free)
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To: P-Marlowe
Get it?

What you apparently don't get is, LYING is fraud.

119 posted on 07/20/2010 3:24:37 PM PDT by sirchtruth (Freedom is not free)
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To: sirchtruth
What you apparently don't get is, LYING is fraud.

Are you pretending to be a lawyer?

120 posted on 07/20/2010 3:30:24 PM PDT by P-Marlowe (LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o*)
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