Stolen Valor & Phony Vets: Is there a silver lining?

Hehehe... sounds like your rose colored glasses are firmly set upon your nose!

You're right. But news is news, and if there's no big news to report, smaller stories take the headlines - this you know! It's a great thing that public opinion has changed to support veterans even if they don't support the war. It makes me shudder to think about what would happen if the longest war in our history put a negative stigma over all veterans' heads the way Vietnam did. I can't complain too much about a few slimeballs trying to take advantage of the positive situation my fellow vets are in.

Besides, there is something REALLY satisfying about dragging these guys' names through the mud after they made such efforts to inflate their egos... in a 7th grade ha ha kind of way! ;)

There is something unqiuely American about taking a pin to the inflated egos of the mighty. As much as Americans love to see someone rise up from the ashes or from humble circumstances, we love to see hubris paid back and those that think too highly of themselves knocked down a peg. So, yes-that part really does feel great.

On the other hand, that's a great insight from Seventh Son as to the changing status of Veterans in America. It must feel gratifying to have come from a generation when they were in a sense reviled to the elevated and honorable status they have reclaimed. Part of that is through the efforts of good people to point out their sacrifices and dedication, part of it is probably guilt that people feel for not making those sacrifices themselves...and hopefully part of it is recognition of what a gift to your fellow Americans you make when you choose to serve.

I think the any genetleman or lady who chooses to falsely represent themself as a veteran should be given the opportunity, at the expense of the State and good people of this nation, to reflect upon the error of their ways...in a nice grey bar motel for a period not necessarily more than 1 year. Really good thinking time I would say. We can chip in for three meals a day and take that worry away from them. I'd say we owe it to them.

i keep seeing this mention of the current operation being the longest in our nations history.... i have a different view, on june 20th, 1950 the North Korean army invaded the South... the war of my time ,in 1953, settled down with a cease fire.. not an armistice like big 2 or nam, by my counting, on june 30 this year, the Korean War will be 60 years and counting.......

The Korean War, as succinctly summarized on Wikipedia:

"The Korean War was a military conflict between the Republic of Korea, supported by the United Nations, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union. The war began on 25 June 1950 and an armistice was signed on 27 July 1953.

The war was a result of the political division of Korea by agreement of the victorious Allies at the conclusion of the Pacific War. The Korean peninsula had been ruled by Japan prior to the end of the war; in 1945 following the surrender of Japan, the peninsula was divided by American administrators along the 38th parallel, with United States troops occupying the southern part and Soviet troops occupying the northern part. The failure to hold free elections throughout the Korean Peninsula in 1948 deepened the division between the two sides, and the 38th Parallel increasingly became a political border between the two Koreas. Although reunification negotiations continued in the months preceding the war, tension intensified. Cross-border skirmishes and raids at the 38th Parallel persisted. The situation escalated into open warfare when the North Korean forces invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950. It was the first significant armed conflict of the Cold War.
The United States and the United Nations came to the aid of the South Koreans in repelling the Communist invasion. After early defeats at the hands of the North Korean military, a rapid UN counter-offensive repelled the North Koreans past the 38th Parallel and almost to the Yalu River, the People's Republic of China (PRC) came to the aid of Communist North. With Communist China's entry into the conflict, the fighting took on a more dangerous tone. The Soviet Union materially aided North Korea and China, and the threat of a possibly nuclear world war eventually ceased with an armistice that restored the original border between the Koreas at the 38th Parallel and created the Korean Demilitarized Zone, a 2.5-mile (4.0 km) wide buffer zone between the two Koreas. North Korea unilaterally withdrew from the armistice on May 27, 2009, thus returning to a de jure state of war."

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As a veteran I amazed at the number of times someone will tell me that they were in "black ops" with either Special Forces or Navy Seals. When they start telling me about the medal they have "won" (generally the term they use) I start gathering as much information as I about the person so that I can give the information to the FBI. I can not believe that these so called heros believe that everyone who served in the military are so stupid as to think that these braggards are ex special forces or seals. Those who have served with those units do not have to brag about their service. Lets keep turning in these phony heros

Thanks for finding the time to share this with us, just loved it.

Sorry Jane, but Wikipedia isn't always entirely accurate, since it relies on anyone who wants to, to add content. There was an Armistice signed as a cease fire, not a peace treaty. There was a cease fire and that's it. That's why they have that cute little building in the middle of the bridge on the 38th. That's where the 2 sides meet.

From the bbc

"The 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice, with neither side able to claim outright victory.
Fifty years on, the truce is still all that technically prevents North Korea and the US - along with its ally South Korea - resuming the war, as no peace treaty has ever been signed.

Both sides regularly accuse the other of violating the agreement, but the accusations have become more frequent as tensions rise over North Korea's nuclear programme.

When the armistice was signed on 27 July 1953, talks had already dragged on for two years, ensnared in testy issues such as the exchange of prisoners of war and the location of a demarcation line."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2774931.stm

Link to the agreement

http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/korea/kwarmagr072753.html

Jane, I have reread your post and have to say that we are in agreement, after all. My apologies if mine came across as not agreeing with you.

I too, am disgusted at what is transpiring. It seems to be getting worse. I have witnessed first hand that public shaming does very little. These "thieves" prey upon the unknowing and hurt the real heroes, many of whom choose to go through life quietly with dignity. These imposters need to be confronted at ALL levels, and jail or fines is a partial answer and somewhat of a deterrent! Put pressure on the Florida lawmakers, and hold the FBI accountable to do their jobs! The silver lining starts with US!

Joe Masterson
3rd Generation American Legion
Smynra GA

Once again, the ACLU has shown its true, anti-American colors. We dare not tolerate a group or an individual who blatantly confuses a form of identity theft and overt lies with free speech. Is there any point for a individual to appear in a court of law, raise his hand, and swear that he's now telling the truth when he is in court because he's a liar?
Is it not bad enough that we recently had a president who was not above using lies to protect himself? Perhaps these manipulating liars will use the ACLU's dubious talents to mount a Clinton Defense. If lies can be used in court to subvert and thwart the truth, then our days as a nation are numbered.

I am very interested in this matter and would like to know more about what is going on. To say that someone is something they are not is to distory the trust others place in that one. To find that the ACLU will accept such is disgusting. I have heard over the years of some of the other cases they have supported, many I agree with. But today they have gone too far. This is no different than someone presenting documents to state they were an attorney, and represent others in court. That has happened in many examples, even one as a Assistant DA. Yet the ACLU would state that all those sent to jail, later to found innocent were not hurt by such? They should have their credentials checked as well as their brains!
Mike

Please give me some examples of how to check and document the validity of some of these people's claims to be something you feel they are not.

Please give me some examples of how to check and document the validity of people's false veteran claims. The county Veterans Service office says their records are not open to the public.
thanks in advance Steve