Stolen Valor Act

[davidlpope]

Perhaps "public shunning" is more in order (and more effective). I'm thinking something similar to the intro sequence from "Branded" with Chuck Connors...

David

[macwilkin]

Perhaps "public shunning" is more in order (and more effective). I'm thinking something similar to the intro sequence from "Branded" with Chuck Connors...

David

Careful...someone will start carrying a broken broadsword to the games...

T.

[Downunder Kilt]

Here in the land downunder it is pretty clear, and only in the last month a male person was convicted of fasely claiming to be an ex serviceman

Below is a precis of the relevent legislation

In Australia the key legislation is the Defence Act 1903 (Cth), strengthened in 2003.

Section 80A of that Act prohibits an individual from falsely claiming to be a returned serviceperson. Section 80B prohibits wearing of medals to which the person is not entitled (provision is made for wearing in films/videos and by family members of deceased veterans), with 80B(4) requiring that "a person shall not falsely represent himself as being the person upon whom a service decoration has been conferred".

[wildrover]

This. We, as a society, need to stop crying for new laws to cure what are mere social problems. If we as a society don't like what people are doing, we should ostracize those who do it. It's a mistake (and a dangerous precedent) to mis-use government to enforce what is merely a social matter.

I agree 100%. Too often these days, people seem to figure that if there's a social problem...usually people being either rude or stupid, or both...that the solution is legislation, not education, and the result is suddenly governing or authoritative bodies become responsible for the stupidity of their subjects or members, rather than the general public being made responsible for itself. I've said this elsewhere, maybe not on this forum, but our laws talk a lot about rights, and leave out responsibilities.

Here in the land downunder it is pretty clear, and only in the last month a male person was convicted of fasely claiming to be an ex serviceman

Below is a precis of the relevent legislation

In Australia the key legislation is the Defence Act 1903 (Cth), strengthened in 2003.

Section 80A of that Act prohibits an individual from falsely claiming to be a returned serviceperson. Section 80B prohibits wearing of medals to which the person is not entitled (provision is made for wearing in films/videos and by family members of deceased veterans), with 80B(4) requiring that "a person shall not falsely represent himself as being the person upon whom a service decoration has been conferred".

I like how it's so simply put.

Personally, I don't see how a restriction on lying about military service leads to a restriction on lying about speeding tickets, for example. It has nothing to do with telling lies, it's about taking credit for the efforts of another for yourself..."stolen valor", not "lying about being in the military".