Stolen valor act unconstitutional?

That's one judge. Who's ruling might well be overturned.

And even if it is not it isn't a wide ranging decision as written. It is very specific and won't effect you with the IRS in any way.

Admiral Mullen became asked a very comparable question those days. His answer became rather that it became as much as the lawmakers and judges. The quadriplegic who asked the question did not look extraordinarily happy with the Admiral's answer. What the asker did not comprehend is that Admiral Mullen, as a protection tension guy, has regular some limits on his very own freedom of speech. Mullen can not criticize Obama (a lesson typical McCrystal found out the annoying way) nor can he criticize the judges who made the ruling. And he rather can not positioned on a Medal of Honor on his uniform (in spite of the shown fact that he has a lot different medals besides), because it rather is a court docket-martial offense and he'd could take an early retirement, perchance without advantages. besides the shown fact that, Mullen additionally suggested that on the instant there's a lot of scrutiny on Medal of Honor impostors. the typical public embarrassment could be particularly sufficient punishment for impostors. in spite of the shown fact that for what it rather is nicely worth, i think of that sentencing impostors to community provider at a VA well being middle is honest and suitable.

If I understand it correctly, the recent court ruling allows people to claim to have received military medals and ribbons which they did not receive, and to claim military service which they did not serve without penalty of law.

If a politician lies, he or she is still subject to voter disapproval (or voter apathy). If you lie to the IRS, you're still subject to the standard penalties and other negative actions from the IRS.

A medal for valor in combat means something, but, unfortunately, most of the ribbons are silly little vanity ticklers. I was in the Navy for twenty years, and was never impressed by the guys who wanted everybody to see all of their pretty ribbons. Navy regulations said that I had to wear my top three ribbons, so that's all I wore. The negative opinions from all of those people who got fat heads from their "I've-been-there" ribbons didn't mean anything to me.

They can, but if people discover it's a lie they shouldn't vote for them for that reason.