The Bigsibling Blog

There is a case going on right now in California (go figger) that pits the Stolen Valor Act against the First Amendment (that’s the one that guarantees us free speech for you folks in Parma, OH). 

See, back on 2005 Congress passed the "Stolen Valor Act" which makes it a federal felony for one to say they have won medals in the military, when they, in fact, did not. This essentially broadens the scope of the law that was already on the books making it illegal for any person to falsely claim to have received the Congressional Medal of Honor. Now folks can be found guilty for saying they have…oh…for example…received the Navy Cross, or they were maybe a Navy Seal, when they weren’t.

One would think that an elected official might – just might – know better than to go around making claims like this. And I believe in most cases one would be correct in that assumption. Not so with Mr. Xavier Alvarez. Last year this ignoramus was at a water district meeting where he (for reasons only known to the laying bastard idiot) claimed to have received the CMoH for his deeds as a Marine.

Of course, some people just couldn’t take him at his word on this, and they did some checking (who knew someone would check out a story some politician tells about himself?). Lo and behold this guy never even served in the military, let alone received any awards.

Now he is being charged with the Stolen Valor Act, and his defense is…that’s right; "My lies are protected speech." Now, I do have to admit that I believe everyone has the right to be a moron, and that all too frequently people use that right. I also believe that everyone has the right to tell a lie if they want to. And that lies, by and large, are protected by the First Amendment. However, there are a couple of extra issues going on with this case.

This guy lied about receiving the highest honor any person can receive in the armed forces. The people that receive these medals are true American heroes. This guy’s lies trivialize the tremendous sacrifices of the true recipients and their loved ones. And for this, his lies should not be protected speech. Anymore than the lies of a con-artist should be protected speech. This guy, and every person who lies about either serving in the military or receiving unearned commendations should be thrown in the klink for a year or so, and should also endure a hefty fine as well. And maybe even have to clean off the memorials for our fallen servicemen that reside in the national mall with a toothbrush.

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