Stolen valor in Houston: man arrested

[joe817]

Indeed TLynn. Well put Greg, and thank you!

[buffalo_speedway_tx]

First off the actions of this person are just not right. There are far too many good young people losing their lives in the military today in defense of our nation. Their valor and sacrafice should never be forgoten or lessen by imposters.

I do believe subsequent news stories have indicated that he was in the Army and came out a private. I suspect he is mentally imbalanced based on his actions at the party and on the news cast.

[bdickens]

The title of this thread should be editid. This scumbag is not a man.

[jmorris]

I wasn't aware of the stolen valor act but OTOH, I still thought it was illegal to wear the American Flag or a replica thereof.

From the Flag Code...

No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagcode.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/faq.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The problem is that though the Flag Code is law, there are no penalties for violating it. And the Supreme Court has ruled that enforcement would be a violation of the first amendment.

But then, IANAL. Not even on TV.

[marksiwel]

I wasn't aware of the stolen valor act but OTOH, I still thought it was illegal to wear the American Flag or a replica thereof.

From the Flag Code...

No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagcode.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/faq.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The problem is that though the Flag Code is law, there are no penalties for violating it. And the Supreme Court has ruled that enforcement would be a violation of the first amendment.

But then, IANAL. Not even on TV.

Well then this would be illegal right?

Also no part of the Flag used as a Costume?
You tell that to Captain America

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

December 22, 1942
Congress passed Public Law 77-826; Chapter 806, making the Unites States Flag Code the law of the land. Since there is no stipulation for enforcement, the law is voluntary and ruled by respect for the flag and our country.

So yes you are correct there are no penalties for violating the Flag Code and yes both images above are violations of the Flag Code.

the Flag Code is emplace so that one can properly and respectfully fly the American Flag. Some fly the flag and think they are being patriotic but by not flying Old Glory in accordance to the Flag Code is disrespectful.

[chabouk]

I see more "patriots" violating the flag code than protesters. Flag clothing, 4th of July flag napkins, tattered flags on display, etc.

A protester who burns the flag does more to honor the intent of the flag, than someone throwing that stars-and-stripes windsuit in the trash.

The proper method to dispose of a retired flag is through burning. Outlawing burning in protest means outlawing the exact same act, based solely on political intentions.

[marksiwel]

I see more "patriots" violating the flag code than protesters. Flag clothing, 4th of July flag napkins, tattered flags on display, etc.

A protester who burns the flag does more to honor the intent of the flag, than someone throwing that stars-and-stripes windsuit in the trash.

The proper method to dispose of a retired flag is through burning. Outlawing burning in protest means outlawing the exact same act, based solely on political intentions.

you also see those Car Dealerships with the Texas and American Flags left up 24/7 360 days a year. Or Apartment complexes that have the Texas Flag upside down (Almost always by mistake). Or People who have one on the front of their house and leave it up at night, and let it get in a state of disrepair.
Most people dont even know there is a Legal Flag code.
I honestly done see the problem with wearing an American flag Old Navy shirt or something similar

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

the problem with wearing the flag on a shirt is that most people dont see it as a flag but as clothing. So when it gets too small or old they throw it away rather than disposing of the flag in accordance to the flag code. there is nothing wrong with leaving the flag up 24/7 so long as it is properly illuminated, half staffed when neccessary and replaced when neccessary.

the correct way to dispose of the flag is to cut the union from the stripes and burn the pieces. the difference in this burning and a protester burning is that the protester is using the burning flag in a symbolic manner to represent their hatred for America. if you are uncomfortable with burning the two pieces you can take the union and stripes and seal them in a box and bury it.

[williamkevin]

the problem with wearing the flag on a shirt is that most people dont see it as a flag but as clothing. So when it gets too small or old they throw it away rather than disposing of the flag in accordance to the flag code. there is nothing wrong with leaving the flag up 24/7 so long as it is properly illuminated, half staffed when neccessary and replaced when neccessary.

the correct way to dispose of the flag is to cut the union from the stripes and burn the pieces. the difference in this burning and a protester burning is that the protester is using the burning flag in a symbolic manner to represent their hatred for America. if you are uncomfortable with burning the two pieces you can take the union and stripes and seal them in a box and bury it.

Also remember that you can take your worn flag to your local American Legion and they will dispose of it properly, complete with ceremony.

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

the problem with wearing the flag on a shirt is that most people dont see it as a flag but as clothing. So when it gets too small or old they throw it away rather than disposing of the flag in accordance to the flag code. there is nothing wrong with leaving the flag up 24/7 so long as it is properly illuminated, half staffed when neccessary and replaced when neccessary.

the correct way to dispose of the flag is to cut the union from the stripes and burn the pieces. the difference in this burning and a protester burning is that the protester is using the burning flag in a symbolic manner to represent their hatred for America. if you are uncomfortable with burning the two pieces you can take the union and stripes and seal them in a box and bury it.

Also remember that you can take your worn flag to your local American Legion and they will dispose of it properly, complete with ceremony.

very true...along with the American Legion, the VFW, AMVETS and the Boy Scouts also dispose of the Flag with a ceremony.

[chabouk]

the difference in this burning and a protester burning is that the protester is using the burning flag in a symbolic manner to represent their hatred for America.

Ah, there's the problem with imputing motive, as I noted above.

I know a military veteran, who served in combat conditions rescuing downed pilots, who burned a flag in a "symbolic manner" because of her great love for America, and the Constitution, and for the rights enshrined therein. She loves her freedom of speech, and freedom of property, so much that she felt compelled to demonstrate against a law that said she couldn't burn her own flag as a political protest. So, she did.

[marksiwel]

the difference in this burning and a protester burning is that the protester is using the burning flag in a symbolic manner to represent their hatred for America.

Ah, there's the problem with imputing motive, as I noted above.

I know a military veteran, who served in combat conditions rescuing downed pilots, who burned a flag in a "symbolic manner" because of her great love for America, and the Constitution, and for the rights enshrined therein. She loves her freedom of speech, and freedom of property, so much that she felt compelled to demonstrate against a law that said she couldn't burn her own flag as a political protest. So, she did.

Like I told a friend who asked my why I cared so much about the 2nd
"Its not just about the 2nd, the 2nd is the most physical of the amendments, its something I can hold in my hands, but I'm not just about the 2nd, I'm about all of them, I'll defend the right of the KKK to spout their nonsense as much as I will fight for you to be able to take Mass on Sunday."

[cougartex]

[suthdj]

Instead of speading good tax dollars on this moron by putting him in jail, why not give him a uniform(Hot Pink) that id's him as a valor fraud and force him to wear it for a year. I also like the idea of sending him into the military to earn the awards.