Did you earn the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration? If not, feel free to wear it anyway and claim you were awarded the medal – activist judges say that is perfectly fine.

Wannabe veterans now have free reign to lie and claim military service and awards that they did not perform or receive thanks to two recent rulings by activist judges.  Two cases, one in Colorado and one in California, were the first to challenge the Stolen Valor Act, a 2006 law meant to protect the honor of our nation’s heroes. 

Many cases of civilians claiming military service or veterans claiming awards which they were not entitled to have come to light in recent years.  Some of these people used false claims for personal gain, often at the expense of those who truly earned the awards.  It was with this in mind that Congress passed the Stolen Valor Act which punishes violators with up to one year in prison.

The first case involved Rick Glen Strandlof.  Strandlof claimed to be an ex-Marine who won the Purple Heart and Silver Star – despite having never served a day in uniform in his life.  More than his claims, Strandlof launched the Colorado Veterans Alliance using it to advance his anti-war politics.  He was hailed as a hero by many left-leaning politicians desperately seeking veterans that supported them including Congressman Jared Polis – until his deceit was uncovered by suspecting veterans. 

Last month, U.S. District Judge Robert Blackburn dismissed the case saying that there wasn’t “a compelling reason to restrict that type of statement.” 

Can you say WTF?

This was followed by a ruling yesterday by the leftist 9^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in California saying that it was perfectly okay for Xavier Alvarez of Pomona, CA to say he was a Medal of Honor winner.  Alvarez was a water district board member that claimed he won the nation’s highest award while serving in the Marines. 

Alavarez challenged the ruling based on the First Amendment’s protections of free speech.  The court, widely accepted as the most liberal in the nation, agreed.  As reported by the Associated Press:

A panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with him in a 2-1 decision Tuesday, agreeing that the law was a violation of his free-speech rights. The majority said there’s no evidence that such lies harm anybody, and there’s no compelling reason for the government to ban such lies.

The dissenting justice insisted that the majority refused to follow clear Supreme Court precedent that false statements of fact are not entitled to First Amendment protection.

These activist judges clearly are acting based on some demented interpretation of the United States Constitution.  Freedom of speech does not protect someone who commits an act of fraud which is exactly what these men were guilty of.  They willingly and knowingly portrayed themselves as something they are not for personal gain and they should be punished.

Chalk this one up as yet another case of activist judges stepping well outside the boundaries our Founding Fathers placed around them and all branches of government.

Cpl. Larry D. Harris Jr. perished on Thursday, July 1, 2010 in Afghanistan. God rest his soul.

It is with great sadness that I must report that Corporal Larry Harris of Thornton died yesterday in Afghanistan.  The 24-year-old was struck by a roadside bomb while on foot patrol in the Garmsir district of Helmand Province.

From the Associated Press: “The Marine Corps said he was a mortarman assigned to the Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Harris joined the Marines four years ago and was serving on his second combat deployment. He also served in Iraq in 2007. He won several decorations, including a Purple Heart, a Combat Action ribbon and a National Defense Service medal.”

There is little that can be said at a time like this but I am reminded of an extraordinary quote:

Some people wonder all their lives if they’ve made a difference. The Marines don’t have that problem.
~ President Ronald Reagan

Please say a prayer for Corporal Harris and his family – May God watch over them.

The Thornton Veterans Memorial Foundation is asking that anyone with more information about CPL Harris or his family contact them so they can ensure he is properly honored.  If you do, please email info@thorntonveteransmemorial.org. 

• On the net: DoD Press Release

The Thornton Veterans Memorial needs you! Please help honor ALL veterans.

A dedicated group of volunteers at the Thornton Veterans memorial Foundation announced that they will be starting construction on the first phase of the city’s veterans memorial.  This is an exciting milestone for all veterans – past, present and future – who deserve a memorial in their honor.

• Note: This memorial is for ALL veterans – not just Thornton residents.  Please help today!

The first phase of construction will include the center pentagon, educational signage and flag poles.  Further, all paver bricks that have been purchased will be engraved and laid in the memorial and its walkways at this time. 

If you haven’t placed your order for a paver brick engraved with the name of a veteran you wish to honor or some other appropriate message, NOW IS THE TIME.  Orders for engraved paver bricks to be included in this initial phase of construction MUST be received by the Thornton Veterans Memorial by no later than Tuesday, June 29th. 

Please visit the foundation’s online store TODAY and place your order!  Don’t miss out on this opportunity to honor our nation’s veterans!

• Thornton Veterans Memorial Online Store

I have personally donated over $2,000 to the memorial and I encourage all area residents, civic organizations and businesses to contribute.   

Please consider making a tax deductible contribution to the memorial to help us ensure the men and women who have sacrificed for us have a place of honor.  Visit the Thornton Veterans Memorial website’s main page and click on the Uncle Sam image to give to the memorial today!

This hat was deemed 'inappropriate' for wear by a second grader in Rhode Island. (WPRI.com)

A patriotic young man thought he was doing a good thing by creating a patriotic and military themed ball cap and wearing it to school.  Officials at Coventry Public Schools in Coventry, Rhode Island thought otherwise.

Second grader David Morales took a camouflage ball cap with an American flag on it and with the help of his mom glued on plastic Army figures.  Because the hat supposedly violated the school’s ban on weapons and toy weapons, Morales was not allowed to wear the hat. 

Kenneth DiPietro, superintendent of Coventry Public Schools, told FOX News, “We don’t advocate having any concept of weapons in the school. (David’s) military theme was all welcomed. The only issue was the weapons displayed on the hat. The principal’s concern was not the theme, not the patriotism and not the soldiers.”

News flash for Coventry Public Schools – Soldiers carry guns.  Those same soldiers carrying guns are the reason you aren’t teaching in German or Japanese today. 

This is yet another case of public schools lacking any sort of common sense.  A weapons ban is understandable.  But should it really extend to an inch-and-a-half tall toy figure?

Despite the fact it was Islamic extremists that were responsible for the 9/11 attacks and dozens of others, we must use new language to describe the terrorists for fear of offending them.

In the latest move to use politically correct language in our war against terror, the Obama administration has decided that ‘Islamic extremism’ and other such terms are unacceptable.  News came out today that those terms will be removed from the key document that outlines the United States’ national security strategy. 

The effort to correct our vernacular so as to not offend Islamic extremists began soon after President Obama took office.  In March of last year the president decided the term ‘enemy combatant’ was not a term we would use to describe terrorists we capture.  That was soon followed by the decision that the United States was not involved in a Global War on Terror, rather it is an Overseas Contingency Operation. 

It is interesting to note that while we must discontinue the use of the ‘Islamic extremism’ for fear it might offend those in the Middle East, the administration had no problem warning of the ‘threat of right-wing extremism’ last April.  We dare not upset Islamic extremists but it is okay to brand our own citizens with such language.  Interesting. 

Before the administration decides that ‘Islamic extremism’ isn’t an accurate term, let’s take a quick walk down memory lane:

• In 1979 Islamic extremists stormed the U.S. embassy in Iran and took 53 Americans hostage.  They were held in captivity for 444 days.
• In 1983 Islamic extremists bombed the U.S. embassy in Beirut.  60 people lost their lives. 
• Also in 1983, Islamic extremists bombed American and French military barracks in Beirut.  299 people were killed including 241 American servicemen. 
• In 1985, the cruise ship Achille Lauro was hijacked in the Mediterranean.  The Islamic extremists that took the ship killed a disabled American tourist, Leon Klinghoffer, and threw his body overboard.
• In April 1986, U.S. service members again were targeted by Islamic extremists when a discotheque in Berlin was bombed, killing one American. 
• In 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed out of the sky over Lockerbie, Scotland.  Islamic extremists were responsible for 270 deaths.
• In 1993 Islamic extremists came to our shores and executed the first bombing of the World Trade Center.  Five people were killed, hundreds injured.
• In November 1995 a car bomb set by Islamic extremists in Saudi Arabia killed five Americans and wounded 30 others.
• In June, 1996, Islamic extremists once again targeted our American service members by bombing the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia.  19 brave Americans died, hundreds were injured.  It is worth noting that the Saudi Arabian government’s investigation blamed “Saudi Islamic militants.”
• In August, 1998, U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed by – you guessed it – Islamic extremists.  More than 200 people died, thousands were injured.
• In October, 2000 the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Cole was in port in Aden, Yemen when it was approached by a boat filled with explosives piloted by Islamic extremists.  The bomb detonated next to the Cole putting a 40 x 40 foot hole in the ship.  17 of my shipmates were killed and 39 injured. 
• On September 11, 2001, a day which many Americans seem to need prodding to remember, 19 Islamic extremists hijacked four airplanes and turned them into missiles against Americans on our own soil.  2,976 people lost their lives and thousands were injured. 

Mr. President I have to ask, if Islamic extremists aren’t our enemy, then who is?

• Don’t miss any new rants!  Become a fan of Tony’s Rants on Facebook!
• On the net: Obama Bans Islam, Jihad From National Security Strategy Document

The Preamble to the Constitution of the American Legion is recited before every meeting of the Legion.  It is a passage that speaks to all Americans, not just Legionnaires, and calls them to truly noble goals.  It serves as a reminder of the mission of every citizen of this great nation and the responsibility we all bear.

I have been meaning to post this for some time now.  Please read and study this as I truly believe it speaks volumes.

The American Legion Preamble to the Constitution

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY WE ASSOCIATE OURSELVES TOGETHER FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:

To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America;

To maintain law and order;

To foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism;

To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the Great Wars;

To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation;

To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses;

To make right the Master of Might;

To promote peace and goodwill on earth;

To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy;

To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.

Related:

• Obama’s jobs speech – Says ‘taxpayer’ twice, ‘I’ 132 times
• Another overseas trip for President Obama, another bow of submission
• Eyes forward, Mr. President!
• President of the United States bows to King of Saudi Arabia
• More gaffes from the Obama administration

H/T: Michelle Malkin, Paying tribute to the Navy Corpsman

The United Navy – Then and now

Then – If you smoked, you had an ashtray on your desk.
Now – If you smoke, you get sent outside and treated like a leper, if you’re lucky.

Then – Mail took weeks to come to the ship.
Now – Every time you get near land, there’s a mob topside to see if their cell phones work.

Then – If you left the ship it was in Blues or Whites, even in home port.
Now – The only time you wear Blues or Whites is for ceremonies.

Then – You wore bellbottoms everywhere on the ship.
Now – Bellbottoms are gone and 14 year-old girls wear them everywhere.

Then – You wore a Dixie cup all day, with every uniform.
Now – It’s not required and you have a choice of different hats..

Then – If you said “damn,” people knew you were annoyed and avoided you.
Now – If you say “damn” you’d better be talking about a hydroelectric plant.

Then -The Ships Office yeoman had a typewriter on his desk for doing daily reports.
Now – Everyone has a computer with Internet access and they wonder why no work is getting done.

Then – We painted pictures of pretty girls on airplanes to remind us of home.
Now – We put the real thing in the cockpit.

Then – Your girlfriend was at home, praying you would return alive.
Now – She is on the same ship, praying your condom worked.

Then – If you got drunk off duty, your buddies would take you back to the ship so you could sleep it off.
Now – If you get drunk off duty, they slap you in rehab and ruin your career.

Then – Canteens were made out of steel and you could heat coffee or hot chocolate in them.
Now – Canteens are made of plastic, you can’t heat them because they’ll melt, and anything inside always tastes like plastic.

Then – Our top officers were professional sailors first.  They commanded respect.
Now – Our top officers are politicians first.  They beg not to be given a wedgie.

Then – They collected enemy intelligence and analyzed it.
Now – They collect our pee and analyze it.

Then – If you didn’t act right, they’d put you on extra duty until you straightened up.
Now – If you don’t act right, they start a paper trail that follows you forever.

Then – Medals were awarded to heroes who saved lives at the risk of their own.
Now – Medals are awarded to people who show up for work most of the time.

Then – You slept in a barracks, like a soldier.
Now – You sleep in a dormitory, like a college kid.

Then – You ate in a Mess Hall or Galley.  It was free and you could have all the food you wanted.
Now – You eat in a Dining Facility.  Every slice of bread or pat of butter costs, and you can only have one.

Then – If you wanted to relax, you went to the Rec Center , played pool, smoked and drank beer.
Now -You go to the Community Center and can still play pool, maybe.

Then – If you wanted a quarter beer and conversation, you could go to the Chief’s or Officers’ Club.
Now – The beer will cost you three dollars and someone is watching to see how much you drink.

Then – The Exchange had bargains for sailors who didn’t make much money.
Now – You can get better merchandise and cheaper at Wal-Mart.

Then – If an Admiral wanted to make a presentation, he scribbled down some notes and a YN spent an hour preparing a bunch of charts.
Now – The Admiral has his entire staff spending days preparing a Power Point presentation.

Then – We called the enemy things like “Commie Bastards” and “Reds” because we didn’t like them.
Now – We call the enemy things like “Opposing Forces” and “Aggressors or Insurgents” so we won’t offend them.

Then – We declared victory when the enemy was dead and all his things were broken.
Now – We declare victory when the enemy says he is sorry and won’t do it again..

Then – A commander would put his butt on the line to protect his people.
Now – A commander will put his people on the line to protect his butt.

For more information:  HBO – The Pacific

Is it right for retailers to take advantage of Veterans Day without offering anything to veterans? They should at least get the punctuation right.

Certainly nothing is sacred when it comes to the dog-eat-dog world of business, particularly in the retail business.  Any possible opportunity to increase sales is guaranteed to be exploited.  Some events however should be above this and none more so than Veterans Day. 

In the week leading up to the holiday many retailers advertise their ‘Veterans Day Sale’.  We all know the meaning of the holiday and how important it is to ensure our nation’s heroes are honored. 

Some retailers honor veterans by offering special discounts that only that elite group of people can receive and this is an extraordinary measure for them to take and it is appreciated.  Applebee’s, Golden Corral, Lowe’s, Home Depot and some others are among this group that thanks veterans for their service by offering discounts or free meals in the case of the restaurants.

But what about another group of retailers, those that attempt to capitalize on the holiday and veterans without offering anything in return?  Is it right for them to take this holiday and use it solely to increase their sales while not so much as offering a discount to those whom the holiday honors? 

Many retailers do this but it has long been a bone of contention with me and veterans groups.  Here in the north metro area, one major retailer is a habitual offender – American Furniture Warehouse.  Every year in the week leading up to Veterans Day they run ads touting their sale.  The ad always includes a picture of owner Jake Jabs and his brothers in their uniforms from when they were in the service. 

Certainly Mr. Jabs’ service and that of his brothers should be commended – as should that of all veterans.  Further, his good works in the community are well known, particularly with Easter Seals and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. 

However, as a veteran himself, Mr. Jabs should be sensitive to capitalizing on his service and that of other veterans.  If he is going to offer a Veterans Day Sale, he should offer something to veterans.  To my knowledge, he has not made veterans causes a priority.  One local veterans organization tried desperately to get American Furniture Warehouse to sponsor a major event that drew tens of thousands of people last year.  Despite the endorsement of the Thornton store manager, they received nothing but the run-around in trying to get Mr. Jabs’ assistance. 

We use one store here as an example but they are not the only offender – there are many out there.  Here is a message to them:  At least give something back to those who you seek to take advantage of and capitalize on. 

And one last note for everyone, especially retailers that use the holiday in their ads – it is called Veterans Day.  Not Veteran’s Day and not Veterans’ Day.  An apostrophe denotes possession and the day does not ‘belong’ to veterans.  It is a day to honor veterans.  At least get that much right.

Related:

• Special Message – Veterans Day 2009
• Adams 12 to name new aquatics center in honor of veterans
• Post & News: Thank you veterans – Please pay $25.00