The Stolen Valor Act - Overturned

via Slinking toward Retirement

A man’s lie about being awarded the Medal of Honor is protected by the 1st Amendment, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals concludes.

Xavier Alvarez

Nothing in this decision undermines laws against fraud. Misrepresentation for financial gain is not protected speech any more than a deceptive advertisement is. But when the purpose of a lie is ego gratification, the proper response is scorn, not a jail sentence.

What's your opinion, agree or disagree?

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Lightning Bolt and Lightning Phelps

CNN reports on the historic eighth gold medal for Michael Phelps.

Phelps won some races by ridiculously large margins, others with the closest of finishes -- most memorably, his seventh gold by one-hundredth of a second over Serbia's Milorad Cavic in the 100 fly.

What fantastic Olympic action!

For many of us, an even more exciting and awe-inspiring performance was that of the Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. The lead he took and ease with which he won the race, setting a new world record along the way, was just phenomenal. The New York Times has the story.

Top 10 Medal Winners

COUNTRY				TOTAL
United States	17	18	22	57
China	28	13	9	50
Australia	8	10	11	29
France	3	9	10	22
Russia	5	8	8	21
South Korea	7	9	4	20
Germany	9	5	5	19
Britain	8	3	7	18
Japan	7	5	6	18
Italy	6	5	5	16