Stolen Valor act struck down by SCOTUS

[ECSNorway]

Among several other rulings yesterday, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that falsely claiming to have served in the US military and/or to have been awarded medals for such service is, in fact, constitutionally protected speech, and that the Stolen Valor act, which prohibits such frauds, is unconstitutional.
*sigh*
I am deeply, deeply, deeply disappointed to see this, and hope that Congress can indeed pass the alternative legislation already being suggested (criminalizing the use of such deception to seek monetary gain or other considerations).
--
Sucrose Octanitrate.
Proof positive that with sufficient motivation, you can make anything explode.

[Rev Dark]

I am deeply, deeply, deeply disappointed to see this, and hope that
Congress can indeed pass the alternative legislation already being
suggested (criminalizing the use of such deception to seek monetary gain
or other considerations).

They have; there are already laws on the book to cover such things and they mostly fall under fraud.
A recent example.
http://www.wjla.com/artic...cted-of-fraud-74783.html
Lying is not in and of itself illegal.  Hell there are dipshits like the Hovinds, Ken Ham, Ray Comfort, Kirk Cameron and Casey Luskin for whom lying is big business.  Yes.  Lying and misrepresenting yourself as a member of the military is a loathsome act; so is lying to people about science.  You don't need separate and distinct laws to cut them out; you use the ones that are already in place.  Whether it be the ones noted about or those sited in the Dover trial.
You also have to do your due diligence.  When Jesse Macbeth shot off his mouth; no one did their due diligence in evaluating his claims.  He eventually got nailed on multiple fraud charges. 
Xavier Alvarez, while something of a scumbag; has not met the definition of fraud under law; I think his case is valid - as free speech is hugely important - even for scumbags.  Fortunately the court of public opinion is not going to treat him kindly and his career as a public servant is at an end.
Shayne

[CattyNebulart]

Fraud is illegal but merely lying cannot be unless you want to get rid of the concept of free speech.

Do you want all the people that complained about death panels in the healthcare law arrested and locked up? Because it's an obvious lie.
E: "Did they... did they just endorse the combination of the JSDF and US Army by showing them as two lesbian lolicons moving in together and holding hands and talking about how 'intimate' they were?"
B: "Have you forgotten so soon? They're phasing out Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

[ordnance11]

You really can't fool all of the people all of the time.
__________________
Into terror!,  Into valour!
Charge ahead! No! Never turn
Yes, it's into the fire we fly
And the devil will burn!
- Scarlett Pimpernell

[Jinx999]

If they can't make the claim, they can't be mocked for claiming it.