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Medal of Dishonor
 By Tom Shoop | Tuesday, March 18, 2008  |  09:09 AM

Lying about serving in the Marines for 25 years and winning the Congressional Medal of Honor is contemptible. And it also may be criminal, the New York Times reports today.

Legal columnist Adam Liptak describes the case of Xavier Alvarez, an elected member of the board of the Three Valleys Municipal Water District in California. After describing his fictitious service and honors at a board meeting, Alvarez was charged with violating the Stolen Valor Act of 2005, a federal law that makes it a crime to lie about receiving certain military medals.

Alvarez is claiming the First Amendment protects his deception. He's drawing some support for that position among constitutional lawyers, but, it seems, little or no sympathy for the actions that got him in the position he's in.



Comments


Than you Otis Willie for your good work. Let them suffer the way most of us from Vietnam came home to, a Confused Nation. With stealing the Valor, be very carefull what you dream. In his case it may come true.

For all my Brothers in the Joint, welcome home this false witness with the regular (N.F.G. Treatment with honors), knee down my friend and service the True Warriors no matter where they are. Realty 101 is comming true!

This falls under, "beware of what you wish, it may come true". Good luck in the joint!

Larry
Siege of Khe Shan
Vietnam Veteran Class of 1968

Larry  | Wednesday, March 19, 2008 |  03:45 PM


"If" he can show documation about receaving the said medal then it a mute point. But if no such documation can be forth comming.. Lock him up and trow away the key.

BW Hanley  | Wednesday, March 19, 2008 |  09:17 AM


The constitution may protect telling fabrications and false stories I don't believe it should protect those who actually wear military medals not issued to them.

Men fought, died or suffer serious wounds mentally and physically to earn those medals don't cheapen them by protecting liers with the contitution.

Dennis Sheppard  | Tuesday, March 18, 2008 |  11:20 PM


I don't remember a part of the freedom of expression protections that include the freedom to LIE with impugnity!

Does he really think everyone is protected in unbridled deceit, liable for nothing, accountable to no one?....

He Must work for the ACLU in off hours!

Col A Matheson  | Tuesday, March 18, 2008 |  10:37 PM


When we start to outlaw bragging, and made up stories in this country, we may as well throw away the constitution.

Jack Spencer  | Tuesday, March 18, 2008 |  07:56 PM


He may very well have won the "Congressional" medal of honor by living in California. Fortunatelt the real medal is simply "Medal of Honor"

dan ketter  | Tuesday, March 18, 2008 |  10:59 AM


War stories are common. Lots of people want to be brave and daring.

I wish that I had a penny for every supposed: ranger, special forces, LRRP, seal, marine etc that claims the glory. There are web sites to search for the truth.

Wise Old Owl  | Tuesday, March 18, 2008 |  10:30 AM



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Government Executive Editor Tom Shoop takes a look at news and events affecting the federal bureaucracy, from the perspective of a longtime observer of government.

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