Stolen Valor

[BayGBM]

Apparently there are lots of people who want to pretend that they served in the military.  They want to pretend so badly that they actually acquire military uniforms/fatigues with medals etc. and parade around in public trying to enjoy the macho credibility of having been in the service.  This pretense is called “stolen valor” and it became such a problem that Congress passed the Stolen Valor Act of 2012 making it a crime to fraudulently claim to have received any military decorations and awards with the intention of receiving any tangible benefit.  The act was revised in 2013 after the Supreme Court ruled that casually lying by wearing uniform is a protected form of free speech.  There are dudes who walk around in these uniforms who are not breaking the law because they are not getting any tangible benefit—just social caché.

There is whole genre of videos about “stolen valor” on youtube where these imposters are called out and exposed.

I am all for exposing liars and frauds, but what is the point of pretending to have served in the military?  Can someone explain this to me?  What kind of loser do you have to be in order to do this? 

[bigmc]

donny is one of them

dresses up in his fake army uniform trying to procure panty

[240 is Back]

It's disgusting.  

I see it in bars.  Worse, those wearing Fire dept t-shirts talking about 'well, I'm starting the academy soon..." in order to gain a social advantage.  It only goes so far.  

The actual heroes in the bar - they sit there saying nothing.  Those who actually served and saw action don't talk about it 24/7.  

[Kwon_2]

Fake Fat

Fake Brew

Fake retard

[Dave D]

Some can't handle the daily battle with the weights,waking up and going to war in the gym.

Physiques  that are battlescared with dense lean muscle are our uniforms, generating attention when we're in plain clothes in public (Method101 knows what I'm talking about).

Others see the respect and honor we receive for our sacrifice and service, and realize they don't have they dedication or commitment so they buy the tshirt from bodybuilding.com.


Great thread asking GetBiggers why people would lie about ridiculous claims. There will be little soul searching being done after this.

[Kwon_2]

Stolen Valor is like pretending you have 18+ inch arms on Getbig.

[drkaje]

I still can't believe it was ruled to be free speech.

[Rudee]

"Check me out!"

[BayGBM]

It's disgusting.  

I see it in bars.  Worse, those wearing Fire dept t-shirts talking about 'well, I'm starting the academy soon..." in order to gain a social advantage.  It only goes so far.  

The actual heroes in the bar - they sit there saying nothing.  Those who actually served and saw action don't talk about it 24/7.  

I have no problem with anyone wearing a shirt.  I am guessing we all wear lots of t shirts from organizations we are not affiliated with, but by the time you are wearing full body fatigues or a formal marine uniform with hat and medals that's on another level.  For what possible purpose?  Somehow I think the people who do this are too cowardly to ever think of really enlisting.  

[Dave D]

Videos are great, similar to a natural bodybuilder calling out synthol users.

[BayGBM]

I still can't believe it was ruled to be free speech.

It IS a form of protected free speech; the Court's ruling was correct.  If you lie on a job application or other formal documents to receive a benefit like a veteran's discount then you are in violation of the law.

[FitnessFrenzy]

donny is one of them

dresses up in his fake army uniform trying to procure panty

this was found to be true by avesher. Donny was in the military.

[Dave D]

I have no problem with anyone wearing a shirt.  I am guessing we all wear lots of t shirts from organizations we are not affiliated with, but by the time you are wearing full body fatigues or a formal marine uniform with hat and medals that's on another level.  For what possible purpose?  Somehow I think the people who do this are too cowardly to ever think of really enlisting.  

[/b]

Bay of course they are to afraid to enlist. They do this strictly for attention and/or any perks/freebies. The people that are doing this aren't mentally healthy.

[drkaje]

It IS a form of protected free speech; the Court's ruling was correct.  If you lie on a job application or other formal documents to receive a benefit like a veteran's discount then you are in violation of the law.

It's great to read you again!

The court ignored stolen social benefits. Namely; what Vets and citizens feel when someone is being sincerely thanked for their service.

[Coffeed]

I first heard about this from that kid at the mall video posted above.

These guys have serious problems, but it's par for the course when you live in a society such as ours. The Kardashians being famous and enviable is more of a mystery.

As for another reason, that video pointed out that they might be trying to score a military discount. It's like dressing up like a cow at ChikFilA. Some people will dress up like anything for a discount!

[CalvinH]

Apparently there are lots of people who want to pretend that they served in the military.  They want to pretend so badly that they actually acquire military uniforms/fatigues with medals etc. and parade around in public trying to enjoy the macho credibility of having been in the service.  This pretense is called “stolen valor” and it became such a problem that Congress passed the Stolen Valor Act of 2012 making it a crime to fraudulently claim to have received any military decorations and awards with the intention of receiving any tangible benefit.  The act was revised in 2013 after the Supreme Court ruled that casually lying by wearing uniform is a protected form of free speech.  There are dudes who walk around in these uniforms who are not breaking the law because they are not getting any tangible benefit—just social caché.

There is whole genre of videos about “stolen valor” on youtube where these imposters are called out and exposed.

I am all for exposing liars and frauds, but what is the point of pretending to have served in the military?  Can someone explain this to me?  What kind of loser do you have to be in order to do this? 

"There were around 500 Navy Seals that served in Vietnam and I've met all 20,000 of them"-head of the Navy Seal museum.

[Tedim]

I use to laugh at PX Rangers.....18 yr old private with a Korea ribbon lol

pic me in Haiti

[Kim Jong Bob]

donny is one of them

dresses up in his fake army uniform trying to procure panty

[BayGBM]

It's great to read you again!

The court ignored stolen social benefits. Namely; what Vets and citizens feel when someone is being sincerely thanked for their service.

The social benefits are not tangible.  A discount for veterans buying a material good is "tangible"; a preference in job hiring for vets is "tangible."  Simply liking someone or respecting them because of their service is not.  If I decide to wear a stethoscope and pick up women in bars because they want to sleep with a doctor that is not a tangible benefit.  It is just taking advantage of naive women.  Official acts come with tangible benefits and typically require some sort of proof or affirmation via signature (like on a job application).  Feelings are not tangible and not covered by the law.

[OB1]

If I decide to wear a stethoscope and pick up women in bars because they want to sleep with a doctor...

LOL
That might actually work.

[SF1900]

These people are sad individuals. Deep down, they just want to be recognized and appreciated. They want to be seen. They don't want to feel so small in a grand universe. But, really, we are all "small," when compared to the universe. These people either need to actually enlist or find another way to be recognized.

[Kwon_2]

These people are sad individuals. Deep down, they just want to be recognized and appreciated. They want to be seen. They don't want to feel so small in a grand universe. But, really, we are all "small," when compared to the universe. These people either need to actually enlist or find another way to be recognized.

Exactly, the Aliens of Nibiru couldn't care less if we have ribbons or not.

They will treat us the same either way, royalty as peons.

[bigmc]

this was found to be true by avesher. Donny was in the military.

yeah on him posting a document that was mostly blanked out and could have meant anything

that ave for you always seeing the good in people

[SF1900]

Exactly, the Aliens of Nibiru couldn't care less if we have ribbons or not.

They will treat us the same either way, royalty as peons.

The life that exists on Planet Nibiru has more important things to worry about, like trying to align with Earth!!

[drkaje]

The social benefits are not tangible.  A discount for veterans buying a material good is "tangible"; a preference in job hiring for vets is "tangible."  Simply liking someone or respecting them because of their service is not.  If I decide to wear a stethoscope and pick up women in bars because they want to sleep with a doctor that is not a tangible benefit.  It is just taking advantage of naive women.  Official acts come with tangible benefits and typically require some sort of proof or affirmation via signature (like on a job application).  Feelings are not tangible and not covered by the law.

Women? Really, Bay?

Benefits may not be tangible but their effects can be seen. Last year, while waiting for a flight, Southwest they announced that some WWII Veterans were passing through to a connecting flight. Many of us applauded or went out to thank them. The effects on them (sitting up a little straighter, walking a little taller, smiles) were mirrored in onlookers. It felt like the gratitude lightened us all.

Someone shouldn't be able to steal an experience others fought hard to earn.

Playing doctor, 20" arms, 500LB bench press, and other silly shit isn't in the same category.