Re: Stolen Valor
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wolvenhaven</div><div class="ubbcode-body">To get back on track with this thread. SCOTUS today overturned the Stolen Valor Act stating that lying about military service/medals awarded while detestable and sickening, is protected under the First Amendment as free speech. </div></div>... Not exactly on track, because Sniper V is in Canada.
With regard to the Act, though, the plurality opinion stated that the Stolen Valor Act “seeks to control and suppress all false statements on this one subject in almost limitless times and settings,” and applies “without regard to whether the lie was made for the purpose of material gain.” This means that if the Act were upheld, it would justify the regulation of speech regarding almost anything. In short, the government failed to present evidence that the pohibition on speech was necessary: it provided no evidence that the significance of military medals had been effected and the Court stated that therefore counterspeech was the remedy. </div></div>
Wonderful and insightful synopsis as to why if the Supreme Court had selectively legislated the Stolen Valor Act, it would have been a diminishing of the Constitution. People forget that the Constitution's sole purpose is to limit the control of government over citizens. As sad as it is, the people honored for their military sacrifice would have had all that they sacrificed for diminished Constitutionally, over some losers lying about their military careers. It is a sad state of affairs however, when it comes between my emotions and the Constitution, I want to uphold the Constitution. It is the greatest invention of the human race.