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Department of Defense blocks Christian business, issue goes to court
The Center Square ^ | 6/5/24 | Casey Harper

Posted on 06/05/2024 12:43:53 PM PDT by CFW

A Christian business selling dog tags with Bible verses won a legal victory this week in its long fight to overturn a government ban on its business.

The business in question, Shields of Strength, is run by Kenny and Tammie Vaughan and sells an array of Christian-themed inspirational jewelry. The business created military dog tags for U.S. service members, selling two million and donating another 2 million to inspire and encourage American troops.

However, after one group complained about the effort, the U.S. Department of Defense in 2019 ordered Shields of Strength to stop distributing the dog tags, saying they engaged in trademark infringement.

The Vaughns argue that the DOD is violating their First Amendment right to Freedom of Speech.

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


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Government
KEYWORDS: christians; deptofdefense; dogtags; persecution
This seems a clear violation of the group's First Amendment rights. I hope the Vaughn's prevail.
1 posted on 06/05/2024 12:43:53 PM PDT by CFW
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To: CFW

I suspect if it was quote from the Koran or some gay verse it would not have been a problem


2 posted on 06/05/2024 12:45:35 PM PDT by The Louiswu (Pray for Peace in the world.)
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To: CFW

Just curious - what was the Roman Army’s view on having Christian soldiers?

I imagine we’ll find a lot of similarities


3 posted on 06/05/2024 12:49:02 PM PDT by PGR88
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Comment #4 Removed by Moderator

Comment #5 Removed by Moderator

To: TonyinLA

The military will simply forbid soldiers to wear them.


6 posted on 06/05/2024 12:55:20 PM PDT by Husker24 (Pp)
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To: All

They should have inserted the word “woke”

The word our military really relates to....../s.


7 posted on 06/05/2024 12:55:32 PM PDT by Liz (This then is how we should pray: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name . )
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To: CFW

I’m major confused on this. Is the DoD saying dog tags are trademarked? Or is it the use of military seals? Either way, can we make sure the DoD doesn’t know about eBay? They’ll shut them down sure as shooting and I’ve got a ton of stuff to sell!


8 posted on 06/05/2024 12:56:24 PM PDT by Retrofitted
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“I can’t agree a dog-tag is a trademark-able item. Military is not a commercial enterprise and dog-tags have been in existence far longer than any “trademark” could last.”

The lawsuit doesn’t mention dog tags.


9 posted on 06/05/2024 1:09:09 PM PDT by TexasGator
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To: Retrofitted

” Is the DoD saying dog tags are trademarked?”

No. Dog tags are not specifically referred to but it makes a good headline


10 posted on 06/05/2024 1:11:18 PM PDT by TexasGator
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To: CFW

I wore ‘dog tags’ while out in the field or flying on dot Mil aircraft. Also had one laced into my boot.

I was given a St Christphor medal to wear with the tags. I’m not sure today if that would get me into some shit with the PTB running things today. SO glad I left when I did.


11 posted on 06/05/2024 1:17:11 PM PDT by ASOC (This space for rent)
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To: Retrofitted

I’m major confused on this. Is the DoD saying dog tags are trademarked?
= = =

Army manuals are not copyrighted as I understand, Govt. cannot do that.

However when the Post office went independent, they could copyright new stamps.

Trademarked??? I don’t know about that.


12 posted on 06/05/2024 1:37:12 PM PDT by Scrambler Bob (Running Rampant, and not endorsing nonsense; My pronoun is EXIT.)
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To: CFW
However, after one group complained about the effort

So it only took one complaint for the DoD to implement this illegal ban? It's more likely that the DoD solicited the complaint as an excuse to implement the ban - I'm sure there are plenty of Leftist orgs that will willingly oblige their fellow travelers.

13 posted on 06/05/2024 1:42:20 PM PDT by Major Matt Mason (To solve the Democrat problem, the RINO problem must first be solved.)
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To: The Louiswu

bingo


14 posted on 06/05/2024 2:24:46 PM PDT by BigFreakinToad (Remember the Biden Kitchen Fire of 2004)
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To: CFW

...the Defense Department ordered them (the Vaughns) to quit distributing them... Let that sink in a bit. The Defense Department has no authority to order civilians to do anything. It’s called Posse Commitatus. The DOD must have been activated by the President before they can impact civilians. Too many people in power will act as if they can do whatever they want until someone stops them.


15 posted on 06/05/2024 3:32:21 PM PDT by Rowdyone (Vigilence)
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To: CFW

When I was in boot camp, they handed us all a New Testament Bible. I wonder if they still do that.


16 posted on 06/05/2024 3:38:06 PM PDT by roving (Deplorable Erectionists Listless Vessel )
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To: roving
When I was in boot camp, they handed us all a New Testament Bible. I wonder if they still do that.

Was it the pocket-size New Testament with the durable cover?

I've heard stories about how those things stopped bullets from hitting the heart and saved lives during combat.

17 posted on 06/05/2024 4:43:29 PM PDT by Ciaphas Cain (If they can do that to Trump then they can do that to YOU. -- Lazamataz)
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To: ASOC

Good point re leaving when it was good ...

For a short time many many decades ago, I was Bn-S1. Needed new dog tags. Both sets (neck and boot laces) were slightly non-compliant when I was finished with the stamping machine.

Today we are so screwed up that I don’t know if nobody at unit level cares, or the DOD atually micromanages.

I haven’t looked at the AR for at least 40 years. I think the change I made in mine is now allowed.


18 posted on 06/05/2024 5:41:26 PM PDT by NelsTandberg ( )
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To: CFW

The Communist Purge Continues To Grow Exponentially & Nothing Is Being Done About It!

19 posted on 06/05/2024 5:50:00 PM PDT by SuperLuminal ( Where is Samuel Adams when we so desperately need him)
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To: ASOC

Dog tags laced into your boot, I knew a lot of guys that did that. Including me.


20 posted on 06/06/2024 4:48:54 AM PDT by ops33 (SMSgt, USAF, Retired)
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