Supreme Court strikes down Stolen Valor Act

While the Obamacare ruling is currently dominating SCOTUS-related news, another decision took place this morning. SCOTUS struck down the Stolen Valor Act, a federal law that made it illegal to lie about military honors.

From The Wall Street Journal:

The court voted 6-3 Thursday in favor of Xavier Alvarez, a former local elected official in California who falsely claimed he was a decorated war veteran.

Justices Alito, Scalia, and Thomas dissented.

Naturally, a few people made light of the decision:

I'm outraged the Supreme Court struck down the Stolen Valor Act. Now the Congressional Medal of Honor I won seems useless.—
Dan Burt (@DanBurt) June 28, 2012

#SCOTUS struck down Stolen Valor Act is slap in face of our armed forces members past and present—
Wayne Harrell (@JWayneHarrell) June 28, 2012

#StolenValorAct – Arguments may be sound, but can't say I agree w/ ruling. #SCOTUS nbcpolitics.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/…—
Lily (@lilynotriry) June 28, 2012

As the granddaughter of military and seen people locally pretend to be soldiers when they're not, striking down the Stolen Valor Act hurts.—
Megan Lavey-Heaton (@MegsLeigh) June 28, 2012

I didnt lift the flag at iwo jima for this s*** MT @jstrevino "Stolen Valor" act struck down…painful to my fellow Merrill's Marauders—
  (@mtanji) June 28, 2012

Big news for the alcoholic uncles of America, the Stolen Valor Act was ruled unconstitutional.—
Hatey McLife (@Hatey_McLife) June 28, 2012

Others celebrated the ruling as a victory for free speech:

Woo! Court strikes down Stolen Valor Act. Another victory for free speech.—
Megan McArdle (@asymmetricinfo) June 28, 2012

Win for free speech: Supreme Court says "right to lie about medals & military service…protected by 1st Amendment" latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/06/…—
Justin D. Martin (@Justin_D_Martin) June 28, 2012

Really puts First Amendment first. RT @mattwynn: Stolen Valor decision is intriguing, too. Go free speech, even if you're a Class A Asshat.—
Kevin Schaul (@kevinschaul) June 28, 2012

Great news for free speech. RT @katieleebarlow: Stolen Valor Act violates the First Amendment—
Will Burgess (@willburgess11) June 28, 2012

Score one for free speech. #SCOTUS affirms Ninth Cirtuit's finding that Stolen Valor Act is unconstitutional. Leaves room for a new version.—
Christian Trejbal (@ctrejbal) June 28, 2012

But the general consensus on Twitter was a mix of disappointment and anger:

I understand free speech but really? RT @iava RT @ABCWorldNews Supreme Court Strikes Down Stolen Valor: You Can Lie About Military Service—
Rachel Kahn Taylor (@RKahnT) June 28, 2012

Sick. Resume Updates to SOAR=> #SCOTUS Strikes Down Stolen Valor: You Can Lie About Military Service abcn.ws/LiH6vL @IAVA—
Steve Haddad (@SNHaddad) June 28, 2012

Horrible. Absolutely Horrible. SCOTUS strikes down Stolen Valor Act on.msnbc.com/LRa0lX via @nbcpolitics—
Amber Titus (@authenticmomm) June 28, 2012

SCOTUS strikes down Stolen Valor Act! is incredibly wrong!!! lying about a medal of honor is a breach n trust not free speech smh—
Buffies Snatcher (@JusCallMePolo) June 28, 2012

Not good for veterans who fought, died, for our country. Supreme Court strikes down 'Stolen Valor' act. on.wsj.com/N9Tocr"—
Trevor Smith (@trevorjsmith) June 28, 2012

Not only did they uphold Obamacare, a sham of a health care bill, but they also struck down Stolen Valor Act?—
Melissa E. (@DreadfulPenny81) June 28, 2012

So w/ ACA & Stolen Valor rulings today, SCOTUS basically said we don't have to like something for it to be constitutional.—
David Carnes (@davidmcarnes) June 28, 2012

SCOTUS apparently thinks protecting vets & heroes from phonies & scum is evil. Stolen Valor Act unconstitutional? BULLSHIT!—
A Bear (@Edohiguma) June 28, 2012

How is Stolen Valor different from say impersonating a police officer which IS illegal?—
Dede (@teh_Dede) June 28, 2012

Sad. Lying about valor should not be protected speech. RT. @natlsecuritycnn: Justices dismiss Stolen Valor Act.—
Matthew Gilbertson (@MattRGilbertson) June 28, 2012

A little upset today that the Supreme Court threw out the Stolen Valor Act. I don't think this is what the 1st amendment was made for—
Vote Moose (@prezmike25) June 28, 2012

This some bullshit RT @cnnbrk: Supreme Court strikes down law making it a crime to lie about military medals earned. on.cnn.com/Lw6U5R—
-Stony.✌❤ (@St0ny_) June 28, 2012

But the story might not be over yet.

Wtf. RT @SCOTUSblog #SCOTUS invalidates Stolen Valor Act, but Congress may be able to rewrite the statute.—
Ben (@The_Superhoo) June 28, 2012

***

On another interesting note, as a testament to the power of Twitter, the news on Stolen Valor broke via Twitter at the same time it was announced on NBC.

NBC: Supreme Court strikes down Stolen Valor Act—
Jesse Rodriguez (@JesseRodriguez) June 28, 2012

9th Circuit affirmed in Stolen Valor case.—
Josh Dorner (@JoshDorner) June 28, 2012

When it comes to breaking news, the MSM really is no match for Twitter.

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