GrogNews Follow-up: General Ballduster McSoulpatch

A few weeks ago we introduced you to General Ballduster McSoulpatch, who was trying to claim a variety of military awards and ranks to which he was not entitled. The mil-bloggers went nuts and reported him to the FBI.

They got him. Busted.



And the court cases seeking to claim stolen valor is a First Amendment issue?

Federal courts are wrestling with 2006’s Stolen Valor Act, which makes it a crime punishable by up to a year in jail to falsely claim to have received a medal from the U.S. military, even if the liar makes no effort to profit from the stolen glory.

Men charged in Colorado and California are challenging the law, saying the First Amendment protects almost all speech.

Federal prosecutor Craig Missakian argued deliberate lies are not protected and said the Constitution gives Congress the authority to raise and support an army, which includes, by extension, “protecting the worth and value of these medals.”

The Stolen Valor Act toughened a law forbidding anyone to wear a military medal that was not earned. It received unanimous approval in the Senate.

Dozens have been arrested as veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq are being embraced as heroes. Many of the cases involve men who simply got caught in a lie without profiting from it. Virtually all the impostors were ordered to perform community service.

In one case, a man posing as a war hero was accused of using his status to get discount airline tickets and a free place to stay.

As George Washington said...

Military historian Doug Sterner said it embodies George Washington’s wishes, noting that Washington created the Purple Heart and wrote: “Should any who are not entitled to these honors have the insolence to assume the badges of them, they shall be severely punished.”

By: Brant