Question

What is the major difference between the majority and dissenting opinions on false speech and the Stolen Valor Act?

Answer 1

The Stolen Valor Act says:

“Whoever falsely represents himself or herself, verbally or in writing, to have been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the Armed Forces of the United States, any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, the ribbon, button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration, or medal, or any colorable imitation of such item shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than six months, or both

Answer 2

I believe the answer is: Stolen Valor had a punishment if a person lie, but in false speech the person is protected by the first amendment the freedom of speech

The stolen valor act provide a legal punishment for people who knowingly pretend to obtain some sort of medal from millitary service in order to receive a financial or social gain . False speech on the other hand, tend to be political or ideological , and mostly still protected under the first amendment.