No excuse for lying
Ron Whitney, Emporia
Thursday, September 2, 2010
My name is Ron Whitney. Some of you know me and many do not. For those who do not know me, I am a recipient of the Medal of Honor. I am also the most decorated war hero of the Vietnam War. I served in the US Army from 1968 thru 1971. I received an honorable discharge and obtained the rank of general. I am also a gifted editorial writer.
For those who do know me, you know that everything in the first paragraph is a lie. I do hope that all of my fellow veterans did not quit reading this after the first paragraph. If so, my phone will start ringing off the wall.
Apparently, it is OK to lie.
Recently, a person in California claimed to be a Medal of Honor recipient. A judge ruled that he has Freedom of Speech and therefore no violation.
Let me say this, the Medal of Honor is a sacred award earned by only a few and it is not alright to impersonate a MOH recipient under any circumstances. The Stolen Valor Act of 2006 is a federal law that prohibits falsely claiming to have won a military decoration. It is punishable by up to six months in prison, or a year for elite awards such as the Medal of Honor.
It seems that the “Freedom of Speech” is being used in ways that it was not intended. As far as I know it is still illegal to impersonate a police officer or impersonate a doctor. Granted there is some difference here, but through the eyes of a veteran, this is far more than just a lie.
And finally, isn’t it great that a Church in Topeka is allowed to picket military funerals and teach their children to deface and walk on the American flag. Oops there I go, lying again.
Ron Whitney
Emporia
joetraveler (anonymous) says...
Well said, Ron! As a veteran myself, I agree 100%.
September 2, 2010 at 12:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
It just gets more crazy everyday, but the American dream is not over. It is part of the American character to consider nothing as desperate--Thomas Jefferson. America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense, it is the other way around, human rights invented America--Jimmy Carter. The heart and soul of America is just over the horizon and around the next bend in the Flint Hills. Freedom is the right to be wrong and never the right to do wrong to others--if I had it my way!
September 2, 2010 at 1:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Ron,
Thank you for your distinguished service.
I must take issue with your last statement, however.
While I find the nut crew from Topeka and their actions deplorable, despicable, and degrading, they are within their rights of free speech guarenteed by the constitution and the bill of rights.
Is it ok to protest a soldiers funeral for anything?
NO!
Especially because that soldier fought and died for their right to protest.
Is it ok to disrespect or stand on our flag?
NO !
Especially because that flag stands for our great country and the many freedoms it's citizens have.
Those old guys who formed our country did an almost perfect job in the wording of our nations rules and laws.
We shouldn't tinker with or tweek those laws and rights that they and every veteran since have fought for.
We have the "Freedom Riders" who also exercise their rights of free speech to screen out the ugliness of those who would protest a funeral.
We have the VFW and the American Legion to teach proper respect and care of the flag.
What would happen if I witnessed such dispicable behavior? I don't know,I would probably lose it and smack some old hag, get arrested and sued and lose everything Hopefully, such behavior will eventually stop.
In the meantime, I THANK YOU AND EVERY OTHER VETERAN for keeping all of our rights safe and sound.
September 2, 2010 at 1:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
And any man wearing a medal he didn't earn, knows full well himself that he is not much of a man.
September 2, 2010 at 1:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cooter (anonymous) says...
1000% in agreement! Time was those frauds and charlatans would have been tarred and feathered!
September 2, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
allintogether (anonymous) says...
Thank you for your service Mr. Whitney. I appreciate it. Bit by bit, piece by piece the American way of life, our sense of honor and integrity are being eroded. Its funny that the only place where the erosion is being legitimized and mandated is in the courts and congress. Why do they hate us so much?
September 2, 2010 at 2:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Thank you for your service Mr Whitney, and thank you for an interesting and well written letter. The genius of it was that you wrote a letter that virtually everybody would agree with....the tragedy is that virtually nobody will think you are talking about them.
And you did it all without ever identifying your political ideology, so people of all persuasions will believe you are agreeing with them. Perhaps you weren't lying about being a gifted editorial writer.
September 3, 2010 at 7:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Hang the MOH lier and Fred both by the thumbs
September 3, 2010 at 7:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
I still don't understand how the protesting of funerals isn't harassment.
September 3, 2010 at 7:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Gee Toxic, it is but that is where "freedoms" come into play and thank heavens for "Freedom Riders"!!!!Today two words get used over and over, "rights" and "freedoms" I truly don't believe people understand the meanings of both words.
Biscuitboy, glad to see you are alive and kicking!!!!! Hope all is well.
September 4, 2010 at 12:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
sandman
All is well....and Thank You.
September 4, 2010 at 3:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
biscuitboy, see a NUMBER of us humans miss you when you aren't around. I didn't know how to get into touch with you but was VERY concerned. WONDERFUL, all is well!!!! Even though I don't always agree with you!!!!!!!
September 4, 2010 at 1:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
I still don't understand!
If I follow someone around with signs using degrogatory words and name calling. I'd get slapped with stalking or harassment.
Plus, I was under the impression you did not have to actually physically harm another person for something to considered assult, isn't the fear of violence considered assult too? Like, within reason and you have to be able to prove a fear of violance rather than "Oh I thought he was gonna hit me /drool".
If that's the case, wouldn't you be afraid of violence in that type of situation? I sure would be, esp. when the signs are expressing happiness for the death of whomever their protesting...
I don't get it. I must not be intelligent enough for this.
September 4, 2010 at 2:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Ron, The "religious" group you are talking about is a "church" who's only members are a family of lawyers. Their goal is to sue local governments who would violate their constitution rights or fail to provide protection after being granted a permit to protest. They deserve the public scorn and ridicule that they draw upon themselves but we would be better served to deny them the attention that they crave.
The Patriot Guard Riders exercise their constitutional right to assemble too. They create a barrier wall of American Flags and American Bikers (many who are veterans themselves) between the protesters and the family members of our fallen heroes. The Patriot Guard deserves our gratitude and support.
As far as someone wearing a medal that they didn't earn goes, I think one would have to be out of their mind to do that. I don't advocate imprisoning the mentally impaired...do you? lol :-)
Anyway, I've always had a great respect for you, your military service and your continued service to our community. Thanks!
September 4, 2010 at 2:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
The Phelps family has as much as stated in the past that their goal was to illicit the passage of prohibitive laws against their disgusting displays. The money received from the subsequent lawsuits is what they live on.
And they pass this off as freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
It's a crying shame that our freedoms can't be interpreted in such a way as to protect the wheat and still toss out the chaff. And this applies in situations far beyond the Phelps family.
September 4, 2010 at 3:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
I've never considered them a religious institution, I have always and will forever see this "church" as a cult.
September 4, 2010 at 5:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Oh no! Now that I read the story about the MOH case I take what I said back. This guy was a real arse. A pathological liar and an elected official who is sitting in prison for misappropriating public funds. Serves him right!
I like the one about the guy who wanted to impress his classmates during his high school reunion by dressing up as a decorated U.S. Marine. Too funny!
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article...
September 4, 2010 at 7:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
alfalfa (anonymous) says...
First of all, I am a rube. I read the first paragraph and was thinking "why haven't I ever heard the most decorated veteran lives in Emporia".
Second, as red blooded of an American as I am, the men who wrote the Constitution couldn't foresee everything. I am certain they never figured on deranged nuts protesting the funerals of fallen soldiers.
I don't believe the 1st amendment was ever meant to protect the kind of free speech the Phelps tribe is exercising, or lying about your war service.
September 5, 2010 at 12:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
irishemporia (anonymous) says...
Biscuitboy, the concern is who is going to decide what is wheat and what is chaff. With your journalism background, you know it's not a black and white issue.
September 5, 2010 at 1:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Yes irishemporia, I do understand your point and it is well taken. I think my comment was more of a rueful lament than a call to action.
I doubt the founding fathers wrote the First Amendment to license people to knowingly tell outright lies just to gain political advantage or to muddy the waters. But the original liar, by himself, causes little damage. The real harm occurs when that lie is picked up and passed on by untold numbers of like minded individuals...many of whom totally believe it to be true. This is what causes immeasurable damage to our political process.
A few changes in our Libel and Slander laws might help remedy the first part. But it does little to correct the bigger problem......that being people too readily accepting everything that fits their mindset as being the absolute truth.
September 5, 2010 at 2:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Sorry, but I should have added one more thing.
As long as we have large numbers of people that are all too willing to be duped by charismatic charlatans, we will have no shortage of charlatans all to willing to dupe them.
September 5, 2010 at 3:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
irishemporia (anonymous) says...
Agreed, biscuitboy. I do look forward to the day when I can picket fred phelp's funeral.
September 5, 2010 at 4:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I will gladly join you in that one and we can exercise our right to free speech to our hearts content. And the wonderful thing about it is we will do so basking in the protection of laws he himself helped to create. LOLLOLLOL
September 5, 2010 at 5:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
empgazfan (anonymous) says...
Actually it is not a case of free speech. It is a case of unethical behavior, or fraud. If the only thing the liar received for his lies about receiving a medal were undeserved respect and honor, then his behavior should be considered unethical but not illegal. If the liar were to receive items or services of monetary value, such as a job, a promotion, services or preferred treatment that others pay for, then his behavior should be considered fraud, which is illegal.
September 5, 2010 at 11:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
empgazfan (anonymous) says...
As far as Phelps and his gang of weirdos go, I recall 30 years ago when his identical protests were directed at abortion clinics. None of the people complaining today complained back then about his obnoxious speech. Today he has wandered into another venue and suddenly those who were silent and tolerant of his speech suddenly find it objectionable. Yes, he has the right to do this, just as he had the right 30 years ago. Putting up with him is the price we pay for the right to speak and print what we want.
September 5, 2010 at 11:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
empgazfan (anonymous) says...
The first red flag about these phony Medal of Honor winners is the fact that they tell you about it. Anyone who claims they have certain medals probably don't. They want you to think they do so they can get something from you. A genuine medal winner doesn't brag about it.
September 5, 2010 at 11:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
After abortion clinics Phelps and his merry band switched to gays for awhile before finally landing on soldiers funerals.
empgazfan is correct in his statement that the first two venues failed to prove satisfactory to him because his actions failed to illicit enough public outcry to result in the passage of laws discriminating against his sick displays. It wasn't until he struck upon the soldiers funerals that public disgust rose to the level that it proved profitable to him.
It could be argued that we opened up his sick protest of soldiers by being so complacent about his sick protest of abortions and gays.
September 6, 2010 at 3:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
biscuit, you are so very correct. Our best towards this group is to ignore. Just wish the news media wouldn't give them the attention they want and force US to turn them off!!!!!
Thank you FREEDOME RIDERS!!!!!!!!! Tis a sad shape this country is in when we have to protect the families so they may have the memories of those who have fallen for us and listened to their countries call.
September 6, 2010 at 6:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )