Achy Faky (Purple) Heart

[Snide]

Wedding Crashers' Fake Purple Heart

The movie's characters, played by Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn, use the medals to pick up women. Advocates for a bill introduced by Rep. John Salazar of Colorado say it's no joke; impostors use fake medals or fraudulent stories of having been awarded medals to get ahead in business.

. . .

The movie's Web site included a "Crasher Kit" with instructions on how to win attention at a wedding.

"Print your own Purple Heart," it invited. "To get one of these babies, some dudes have to prove their physical, mental and spiritual strength with great feats of bravery on the battlefield. All you need to do is press the button below."

Socarides said it would be removed by the end of the business day. "This is a comedy, and it's intended to be funny," he said. "It's really not intended to offend anyone."

Not sure what to think of this, other than some people have no sense of humor.

 

[Hutch]

sorta depends on whom you are referring to when you say

....some people have no sense of humor.

 

[Mephisto]

Originally posted by Snide
Not sure what to think of this, other than some people have no sense of humor. [/B]

I haven't seen the movie (and probably won't), but you're right, some people DON'T have a sense of humor, especially if they were wounded to get their Purple Heart.

I know several Veterans who have received the Purple Heart and I know several who would be rather humorous in telling you the circumstances involving getting that award, BUT I'm not too sure many of them would think it funny that a couple of dorks would use that honor as a way to "get chicks."

Hollywood will be Hollywood and if there are guys out there who want to emulate two scumbags on a search for sex, let them! They'll eventually reveal themselves as liars and dickheads when they crash a wedding that includes REAL Purple Heart veterans, and likely some from the Iraq war that will undoubtedly be near their own age.

 

[crimresearch]

"Salazar's Stolen Valor Act, introduced Friday,....would allow prosecution of anybody who falsely claimed to have earned a military medal or a Purple Heart."


So these legislators want to pass a bill making it illegal to do something that is already illegal? And they don't even know that a Purple Heart is a military medal?


"Title 18 (U.S.C.), Chapter 33, §704 titled “Military medals or decorations” states:

(a) In General.--Whoever knowingly wears, manufactures, or sells any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, or the ribbon, button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration or medal, or any colorable imitation thereof, except when authorized under regulations made pursuant to law, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both."

 

[Bob Klase]

"Salazar's Stolen Valor Act, introduced Friday,....would allow prosecution of anybody who falsely claimed to have earned a military medal or a Purple Heart."


So these legislators want to pass a bill making it illegal to do something that is already illegal? And they don't even know that a Purple Heart is a military medal?


"Title 18 (U.S.C.), Chapter 33, §704 titled “Military medals or decorations” states:

(a) In General.--Whoever knowingly wears, manufactures, or sells any..."

That says it's illegal to wear, manufacture or sell. Where does it make it illegal to "claim"?

 

[Manny]

Either way the legislation would clear things up -- the Purple Heart is not one of the medals authorized by Congress. It exists by executive order. Same's true of any of a variety of service bars and special recognition. Congress authorizes the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross and Distinguished Service Medal, the Siver Star, the Soldier's Award, the Distinguished Flying Cross and a few specialized medals and awards.

 

[crimresearch]

" the Purple Heart is not one of the medals authorized by Congress. It exists by executive order. Same's true of any of a variety of service bars and special recognition."

The Purple Heart and the others are covered by that section of US code..it says 'for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces'...and they don't give them out to Cub Scouts.

I'm just guessing, but it seems like a politician grandstanding to me.


"That says it's illegal to wear, manufacture or sell. Where does it make it illegal to "claim"?"

It would seem to be pretty hard to go after someone for just 'claiming'.
They could always say they hadn't really meant it.

The hardcore fakes can't seem to resist showing up with some sort of uniform or decorations.

 

[Manny]

The Purple Heart and the others are covered by that section of US code..it says 'for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces'...and they don't give them out to Cub Scouts.

That's not correct. The medals "authorized" by Congress are those specified in 10USC57 for the Army and for the parallel sections of the Code for the other services. Congress regulates other medals, including the Purple Heart. I understand that Cub Scouts don't get these things. But under the law, the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, etc. are awarded by Executive authorization, not Congressional.

It is, doubtless, grandstanding as you say. But it would also clear up a loophole by including Executive-authorized awards in the class of awards covered under 18USC33.

 

[BPSCG]

Much more.

 

[BPSCG]

Much more.

 

[crimresearch]

That's not correct. The medals "authorized" by Congress are those specified in 10USC57 for the Army and for the parallel sections of the Code for the other services. Congress regulates other medals, including the Purple Heart. I understand that Cub Scouts don't get these things. But under the law, the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, etc. are awarded by Executive authorization, not Congressional.

It is, doubtless, grandstanding as you say. But it would also clear up a loophole by including Executive-authorized awards in the class of awards covered under 18USC33.

I'm missing your point..I know the difference, and the part I cited seems to cover all categories of medals, not just Congressionally authorized ones.

Anyway..too much fuss over a Hollywood publicity stunt.

 

[crimresearch]

Much more.

I've been simultaneously repulsed and fascinated by the various military/vet fakes and phonies for many years.

 

[BPSCG]

I don't think service frauds should be fined or imprisoned.

Just sentence them to six weeks' KP in the nearest boot camp. I promise you, they'll never claim they were in the service again.

 

[Snide]

Re: Re: Achy Faky (Purple) Heart

I haven't seen the movie (and probably won't), but you're right, some people DON'T have a sense of humor, especially if they were wounded to get their Purple Heart.

So what sensitive topics (e.g., the Holocaust, Pedophilia, Alcoholism, etc.) are fair game for humor, and what are not?

I know several Veterans who have received the Purple Heart and I know several who would be rather humorous in telling you the circumstances involving getting that award, BUT I'm not too sure many of them would think it funny that a couple of dorks would use that honor as a way to "get chicks."

Nope, but a couple of dorks didn't...except in a fictional movie. You do realise the subject of the ridicule was the dorks and not the vets, right?

Hollywood will be Hollywood and if there are guys out there who want to emulate two scumbags on a search for sex, let them! They'll eventually reveal themselves as liars and dickheads when they crash a wedding that includes REAL Purple Heart veterans, and likely some from the Iraq war that will undoubtedly be near their own age.

Oh please. Don't even pretend to say you believe this was a serious attempt to inspire 'emulation,' or that anyone would actually print it off and try it.

 

[Luke T.]

Stolen Valor Act of 2005

Mike Hammer claims to be a former Navy Seal who won the Medal of Honor for being shot twice in Vietnam . Not only did he use his claims and falsified records to gain employment and health care, he went on to con $45,000 from a widow he met at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center.

In the words of the widow:

“I am a VA employee at Bay Pines VA Medical Center, Bay Pines. Mr. Hammer was a patient and a CWT worker at this hospital when I met him. I was widowed 3/3/01 and Mike knew about the time I spent taking care of my husband before he died… he took me for over $45,000…

“I have since had contact with a Susan in Savannah who told me he did exactly the same thing to her. He also did this to a woman in South Carolina named Krissy, who had his arrested for domestic violence, she was beaten and choked by this man… he told me and many people here at the VA that he was trained to kill in the Seals and had already killed a man who molested his daughter, but according to his father, he’s never been married or had kids. This man is a predator and I want to see him exposed before any more women are taken in by him.”

Hammer falsified records claiming to be a decorated veteran and used that status to con the government and unsuspecting women – but he cannot be prosecuted because he did not display medals on his person.

In 2004, a small paper in Arizona ran a two-full-page story of local "hero" Gilbert Velasquez, who claimed to have participated in the “Blackhawk Down” mission and the capture of Saddam Hussein.

The article featured a front-page photo with Velasquez holding multiple awards including TWO Silver Stars, Legion of Merit, Bronze Stars, Purple Hearts. Despite holding the photo of these medals he claims or telling a reporter his DSC was buried with his godfather—and despite gut-wrenching "war stories" of combat, lost buddies, and personal heroics – this man cannot be prosecuted under current law.

I say the sentence for such a thing should be that the offender be locked inside the local VFW bar for about an hour or so.

(edited to bold relevant parts)

 

[pgwenthold]

Hammer falsified records claiming to be a decorated veteran and used that status to con the government and unsuspecting women – but he cannot be prosecuted because he did not display medals on his person.

"Falsifying records" and "fraud" are not persecutable crimes?

If nothing else, they are grounds for plenty of civil action.

Why is using claims of military decoration as a means for defrauding others any worse than using fraudulant claims of, professional athletics or even college education?

Isn't the crime here _FRAUD_, and not "claiming military medals"?

 

[crimresearch]

Yes, fraud can be treated as a crime.

And the same group of real SEALS who have exposed many of these imposters, have also gotten some of them fired from the jobs they got with faked resumes....and in some cases, even kicked out of 'the local VFW bar'.

(Where they may have been sitting around BSing about their Navy careers and talking big about what should be done with anyone caught faking their service record).

 

[Snide]

I say the sentence for such a thing should be that the offender be locked inside the local VFW bar for about an hour or so.

(edited to bold relevant parts) http://www.homeofheroes.com/herobill/index.html

Excellent!!

 

[pgwenthold]

I guess I still don't understand why "Fraudulantly using military valor for personal gain" is any worse than "Fraudulantly using X =/= military valor for personal gain," deserving specific treatment under the law.

 

[StaticEngine]

I recently helped a friend shoot a music video, which had a military theme to it. While searching for an outfit for our actress, I was shocked to discover that I could buy real military insignia at the Army/Navy Surplus Store, and that anyone could purchase it, regardless of military affiliation. I asked about the legality of purchasing and wearing these insignia, and the store clerk informed me that I could do whatever I wanted with them, as long as I didn't use them to try to gain access to a military base.

I didn't see any Purple Hearts, but then, I didn't look for one.