Supreme Court overturns Stolen Valor Act

[kjf101]

brief article from LA Times regarding Stolen Valor Act.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2 ... -law-.html

any thoughts or comments?

kevin

[medalguy]

Possibly now the act can be written as it should have been the first time: Allow recipients, families, collectors, and museums to own, buy, or sell the medal as they see fit. Allow the display of the medal. Allow the collecting of the medal. Allow the study of the medal. Allow the sale of the medal. Take those who unrightfully claim to be recipients of the medal and "war heroes" and toss them under the jail.

[kjf101]

Hi Medalguy,
As much as I would love to see that happen I don't think it will. I think they SC only allowed someone their free speech. I can say I earned this and that, etc. But who knows, maybe some good will come out of it.

kevin

[megan]

The UK's Army Act 1955 (sadly now repealed) had the right of it. A serving member of the armed forces was forbidden to sell his medals. Anyone - in or out of the service - was forbidden to claim he had received or to wear any medals not awarded to him. And that was it, any other legitimate trading or display was allowed.

Megan
http://www.medals.org.uk/

[JB Floyd]

Unfortunately, all common sense and rational thought has left the stage on this one. We're left with hysteria and political agendas.

By applying the words "for fraudulent purposes" to the list of prohibited actions at the beginning of the law, we could solve many of the problems that are so hotly (and generally incorrectly) debated. Unfortunately, many of the major players prefer to use this case to generate support/membership.

[wmd5481]

Has the OMSA met with the congress and offered to educate them or to help write a bill? I think this group has the experience and understand to provide our law makers with wording that would take care of the issue.

People who place a ribbon on their chest and say they did something to great deserve to be publicly defrocked and humiliated for their fraud. They steal from those who gave their life, arms and legs and in some cases all or part of their sanity. They steal from those who serve and protect society and receive very little for their service. We should toss them under the bus and send them to jail.

But let's educate congress and get a law that will do what is right.

[James Roller 2]

I have contacted my Rep. Hartzler who co-sponsored the bill and who is on the House Armed Services Committee and subcommittee on military personnel. She is receptive to a discussion. I will try to explain the position of a collector. If I could review the OMSA position on the original bill it would be helpful. Jim Roller

[megan]

Great idea, James.

UK law, as I said earlier, used to have a very sensible provision which protected the 'honour' of awards without transgressing on the ability of collectors to go about their normal activities. It didn't survive to the current laws regarding the armed forces in this country, alas. If you want a copy as an exemplar of 'good' legislation on this point, I'll dig it out for you.

Megan
http://www.medals.org.uk/

[James Roller 2]

Definitely would appreciate that Megan. It is my understanding that medals, even VC, can be bought and sold in UK. It seems to me that this is a matter of personal property rights, and that the free market in UK is the reason so many VC's now are on display at the Imperial War Museum. Without their purchase and later donation, they would be in safe deposit boxes or overseas, which is what is happening to the Medal of Honor. If one inherited a MOH, or purchased one many years ago, gifting it to a museum is not even deductible. Jim

[megan]

Please PM me your e-mail address (or drop me a line at mine, on the front page of my website) and I'll see what I can sort out for you.

Good luck with the quest to educate your legislators!

Megan
http://www.medals.org.uk/