Should It Be Legal To Lie About Military Service?

Congressman says it's time for such fibs to be outlawed

On the same day the Supreme Court upheld Obamacare it also struck down a law making it a crime to falsely claim to have received military honors. Rep. Joe Heck doesn't think the issue is dead, reports POPVOX.

The freshman Republican from Nevada is pushing a new version of "Stolen Valor" legislation, to be considered by the House in the coming weeks. While the Court in U.S. v. Alvarez ruled that the law as written was too broad and infringed on free speech, Heck contends his modified bill will pass constitutional muster.

Heck's legislation would make it a federal misdemeanor for anyone benefiting financially from lying about military service, records, or awards. Under the revised legislation profiting would also include receiving federal veterans and health care benefits, government contracts or jobs reserved for veterans.

The bill would not cover minor instances such as telling fake war stories to nab free drinks at a bar.

Via POPVOX.

Should it be a crime to falsely claim military honors?

[CanadianIndy]

A crime? I'm not sure. Probably not a felony, but maybe a heavily fining misdemeanor. Instead of sending the person to jail, give them a criminal record and immediately take all their money and possessions, then give all those possessions and their money to a established VA charity. Boom. Problem fixed.

[tomincali]

why would it be? it seems ok to lie to congress so lying has to be ok. its ok to break laws only if your are of a certain group.

with this administration telling the truth may soon be illegal .

[tomincali]

@Wilberhum prove it wrong.

[Fishbone345]

As much as Congress themselves lie, how is lying to them anymore of an importance? Whats the saying? Judge me when you walk on water?

[tomincali]

@Fishbone345 so you condone it?

[tomincali]

@tomincali also it is not a federal felony unless congress does it like holder did,also showing they support federal crime depending on who does it.

[questioner]

If congress bans lying the silence will be deafening!

[questioner]

Oh yes, the current or future President would never sign a bill prohibiting lying, so I guess it is a moot point.

[Nemesis3X]

Only if they are gaining anything by it. Though, theft by deception should already cover that. If they are just saying it to have people think they're "brave", as much as I'd like to be able to punch them in the face, it is still a free country. They have the right to be losers!!!

[marine1]

I guess it is only a bad thing if you get cought. What a shame. Perhaps we should start a web sight that post their pictures?

[wild_turkey6]

That is a great idea. Kind of like a sex offender registry but with lying douche bags.

[MongoAPillager]

thats a great idea,they still have their 1st amendment to lie,and you have yours to expose them,i think thats an idea that might get some traction in the right circles

[MarkJM]

That is an Excellent idea Devil Dog. Hey, fair is fair, if they want to lie and call it free speech, then we have the right to expose them for who they really are. I wonder if someone already started up a database of these SOBs. I also like Heck's modified Stolen Valor Act where it does become a crime if these liars try to leech off the VA for benefits that should be going to those who Truly Deserve them.

[CanisCanemEdit]

Dimestore Warriors have been around as long as there have been second-hand shops selling used uniforms.

I can remember being in Vincenza and running into one of my E-3's,(Private First Class) sitting with a couple of girls trying to be impressive and wearing his Class A's with 3 rows of medals and a set of Jump wings. The kid was fresh out of AIT and had been in country all of 2 months.

LOL! I never had the heart to chew him out in front of the ladies (he was a geeky little guy with red hair and freckles)...but we had a sincere chat about honesty, integrity and honor the next duty day.

Anyone that lies about their military service deserves to be held up to high ridicule and labled a liar. That's all. Just shamed.

[DARSB]

The unintended consequence of making it "a crime to falsely claim military honors" would be the overnight transformation of VFWs from pleasant Saturday afternoon beer-sipping locales into hotbeds of criminal activity.

[Wilberhum]

But, did you read? "The bill would not cover minor instances such as telling fake war stories to nab free drinks at a bar."

[DARSB]

@Wilberhum Ah, no missed that. This is the last straw for the wretched Politix Android app.

[FollowTheMoney]

No, period.

[FollowTheMoney]

lying is not OK. To me it's nothing more than theft by deception. And I would like to see thieves hung.

[Wilberhum]

I like the bill. But there is little you can do to dishonor those who have no honor.

[wild_turkey6]

That is true, but I would hope that any benefit that they got from lying about this would be stripped away. (Fired from work, voted out of office, etc).

[ibcingu]

ABSOLUTELY NOT. It should be considered a major crime & the person who did it should be thrown in jail for a while to give them some time to think about it. Anyone who would do that is a just plain --- COWARD.

[Lasvegas711]

Anyone, who shamefully intentions attempt to deceive, deliberately, those who fought and died, as members of United States America military, Heroes circle, should be punished.

[ir0nw0lfe]

Yes, it is fraud and should be charged as such. If it is used for financial gain then is should be charged under fraud laws already on the books.

If for political gain then charged as voter fraud.

If military service is claimed by someone just shooting their mouth off, then I recommend that it gets sorted out without legal recourse the old fashioned way, a closed counseling session with some veterans.
Some things are sacrosanct, military service is one of them.

[Thunderchicken]

Thank you! That could not have been said any better.

[VCP]

No. Unless there are some things left out of this excerpt of a story. There is nothing here that would break a law with proper background checks. If the employer or the people giving out awards or granting government jobs or are to lazy to do background checks. Then the liability is on their shoulders. Just another politician trying to addore red tape to a simple procedure, "background checks". Also I might add a republican adding the red tape and bigger government as usual. Kinda reminds me of Clint complaining about something that wasn't there. Stupid Clint.
PS. Actors should stay out of politics. Just think how much better we would be if Reagan had taken that advice!!

[Decent-Dissent]

I wear my dogtags as a conversation piece, as well as a SUPPORT OUR VETERANS wrist band... But l never served.

[Your_Name_Here]

I agree but it would be difficult to enforce unless the statement was in writing and could be attributed to a person beyond doubt.

Let's just go ahead and attach a rider to tha bill stipulating a mandatory ten years in prison for any politician caught in a lie. I know it would increase the national debt by another 50% building enough prisons to hold all the lying politicians but it would be money well spent.

[Kellso]

It should be illegan to lie about ANYTHING that gives one unfair advantages.

[Sam_I_Was]

Well... if it is, then I guess we're going to have to fine or imprison several actors - in fact, anyone who has ever put on a uniform in a television series or big screen movie - because after all, isn't acting just lying? And these guys do it for money, so... Hmm, I do hope the definition of what kind of people they're going after isn't too broad.

[Nat]

If politicians want to ban lying on anything, they should start with themselves and make the lies they tell illegal. Then they can go on to ban what others are lying about.

Look at all the lies told by politicians in every election. Heck, they don't even have to be in an election. Look at this comment by Congressman Allen West:

About 78 to 81 House Democrats "are members of the Communist Party.... It’s called the Congressional Progressive Caucus."

Shouldn't that kind of statement be illegal?

Politicians should rake up all the lies in their own back yard before complaining about what someone else is doing.

[seedtick]

Let's try to understand why someone would lie about that...what does a person gain by doing it? At the very least he/she is trying to gain recognition and respect in a fraudulent manner. And, if it is a politician seeking office, there should be legal consequences. This is absolutely committing fraud upon the public for personal gain and that is a crime. Anyone claiming hero status should be sued by those who actually served and became real military heros.

[wild_turkey6]

I agree with you there. Unfortunately, politicians take the position of "I misspoke" instead of "I'm a lying dirt bag." It is the equivalent of saying, "I'm sorry you're too dumb to understand what I was trying to say." Two PoS's lately were Mark Kirk (R) and Richard Blumenthal (D). Both did serve, but embellished on their records. Lack of integrity crosses the aisle.

[marine1]

is anything in this country, right or wrong anymore?