Posted on Mar 22, 2015
Stolen Valor: How do we punish the phony "Hero"?
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The guy in the picture says it all. WTF?????
Since the "Supreme Court" shot down the Stolen Valor Act, is there any real recourse to punish the sleazebag through our judicial system? I find it strange that you can go to jail for impersonating a police officer, soldier, or government official, but you don't get squat if you are a "PX Hero" sleazebag. Below is an except from Wikipedia--
United States v. Alvarez, 567 U.S. ___ (2012), was a United States Supreme Court case in which the Court struck down the Stolen Valor Act, a federal law that criminalized false statements about having a military medal. The law had been passed as an effort to stem instances where people falsely claimed to have won the medal in an attempt to protect the "valor" of those who really had. While a 6-3 majority of the Supreme Court agreed that the law was unconstitutional under the First Amendment's free speech protections, it could not agree on a single rationale. Four justices concluded that a statement's falsity is not enough, by itself, to exclude speech from First Amendment protection. Another two justices concluded that while false statements were entitled to some protection, the Stolen Valor Act was invalid because it could have achieved its objectives in less restrictive ways.
Reaction from the political community and from veteran organizations were negative. Several months after the decision, both chambers of Congress passed new versions of the Stolen Valor Act based on the suggestions in the Court's opinion. Despite the Supreme Court having struck down the conviction under the Act, Alvarez remained in prison for fraud on other matters.--- You notice he didn't get squat for the phony awards.
Since the "Supreme Court" shot down the Stolen Valor Act, is there any real recourse to punish the sleazebag through our judicial system? I find it strange that you can go to jail for impersonating a police officer, soldier, or government official, but you don't get squat if you are a "PX Hero" sleazebag. Below is an except from Wikipedia--
United States v. Alvarez, 567 U.S. ___ (2012), was a United States Supreme Court case in which the Court struck down the Stolen Valor Act, a federal law that criminalized false statements about having a military medal. The law had been passed as an effort to stem instances where people falsely claimed to have won the medal in an attempt to protect the "valor" of those who really had. While a 6-3 majority of the Supreme Court agreed that the law was unconstitutional under the First Amendment's free speech protections, it could not agree on a single rationale. Four justices concluded that a statement's falsity is not enough, by itself, to exclude speech from First Amendment protection. Another two justices concluded that while false statements were entitled to some protection, the Stolen Valor Act was invalid because it could have achieved its objectives in less restrictive ways.
Reaction from the political community and from veteran organizations were negative. Several months after the decision, both chambers of Congress passed new versions of the Stolen Valor Act based on the suggestions in the Court's opinion. Despite the Supreme Court having struck down the conviction under the Act, Alvarez remained in prison for fraud on other matters.--- You notice he didn't get squat for the phony awards.
Posted in these groups: Stolen Valor
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 42
Posted >1 y ago
Looks like 3yr olds decorating a christmas tree. Looks like he was hit by a horse-shit grenade.
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1SG (Join to see)
>1 y
You got me, PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole.
I am pretty jaded, But you got me to laugh out loud.
I am pretty jaded, But you got me to laugh out loud.
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PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole
>1 y
It's probably my biggest peeve. I can't stand when people don't wear their uniform properly. And especially since this douche isnt even a service member...
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Posted 10 y ago
SFC Russell Campbell, the gentleman you picture is LTC Bo Gritz, and he is not a poser; nor is this likely a case of stolen valor, at least not in the conventional sense. It's difficult to see all of his medals, but I am sure that he was awarded each and every one of them, even though he displays them so sloppily.
The awarding of the various medals was, however, most unusual, with LTC Gritz actively following the progress of each recommendation, and perhaps suggesting or even writing the recommendations himself. You can read about it here: http://www.miafacts.org/gritz.htm
I'm attaching a photo of him in a neater presentation of his uniform.
His wikipedia article is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo_Gritz
The awarding of the various medals was, however, most unusual, with LTC Gritz actively following the progress of each recommendation, and perhaps suggesting or even writing the recommendations himself. You can read about it here: http://www.miafacts.org/gritz.htm
I'm attaching a photo of him in a neater presentation of his uniform.
His wikipedia article is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo_Gritz
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1SG (Join to see)
>1 y
Mr Gritz was once very well known for his repeated attempts at running for President of the United States.
From the picture, I think he should broaden his search and look to run for President somewhere in Central America.
From the picture, I think he should broaden his search and look to run for President somewhere in Central America.
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1LT Joe Schmuccatelli
7 y
He's out of uniform. Check out the following web site on this master of embellishment: http://www.miafacts.org/bopics.htm
Read it and weep...
Read it and weep...
If you have not read the article about how James "Bo" Gritz, LieutenantColonel (not Colonel), U. S. Army (Retired), obtained all these medals, click here and read the article.
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PO3 (Join to see)
6 y
Wow! never thought I'd see Schmuccatelli live and in the internet flesh! I mean your name is used for every object lesson I was ever given in the Navy. And to see that you were actually an Army Infantry Officer rather than the Seaman Recruit I was told you were is kind of depressing.
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Posted >1 y ago
I knew about Bo Gritz before today but had never bothered to read up on him...wow. There is something to be said for not tooting your own horn.
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