Stolen Valour

[jango999]

Dear Lady's and Gents.

A few weeks ago two young lads who's father serves in the forces today. Who's Grandfather was at Suez and Malaya. Who's Great grandfather was in WW 1 and 2 made a video called Stolen Valour for a school project.
This was removed after nearly 5000 hits on the first few days This was after a complaint was filed by one of the subjects of the film Mr James G Shortt who was exposed in the SUN a British tabloid news paper and other media outlets as a military faker. He claimed the film violated copyright.
We know the real reason he wanted it taken down.

As a result they took all pictures that were from Shortts IBA web site and only used those that were in the press and non existent combat magazines he had posed for and the web site ARRSE.
The thrust of the film is about people who lie about their service history for ego or wealth. It is an insult to the men and women of the armed forces who lay their life on the line doing the job Walter Mittys like James Shortt can only lie and dream about.
Here is the new updated version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoWEbOEswPU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoWEbOEswPU)
Please pass on to all in your address book and other forum outlets and show Walter Mittys like James Shortt that he cannot hide from his activity's. The end part is a good parting shot at the poser
Thank you.

[vecvechookattack]

It is an insult to the men and women of the armed forces who lay their life on the line doing the job Walter Mittys like James Shortt can only lie and dream about

No its not. I don't feel insulted at all. Leave then alone and let them move away.

[BOAC]

No its not. I don't feel insulted at all. Leave then alone and let them move away. - difficult to understand what you are trying to say, there vecec - without any 'provenance' to your username we cannot judge

Wikipedia has this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Shortt) of the man

[vecvechookattack]

All I am saying is that I have been in the Armed Forces for many years and have put my life on the line many times....but not once have I thought to myself..... "I do hope, that whilst I'm trying to avoid being shot down. that someone at home is faking the fact that they were in the Armed Forces"....

Nope, that thought has never crossed my mind and to be honest I don't give two hoots what they do.... So, I'm not going to sign a petition and Im not going to be too bothered whether they are exposed in the media or not.

[Shack37]

All I am saying is that I have been in the Armed Forces for many years and have put my life on the line many times....but not once have I thought to myself..... "I do hope, that whilst I'm trying to avoid being shot down. that someone at home is faking the fact that they were in the Armed Forces"....



Bravo,:D but I have the feeling, from reading other threads on this forum, you may be in a minority.

[Wrathmonk]

Vec/Shack

So, given you don't think about it whilst avoiding being shot down, when you are back on terra-firma / dry land are you still saying what this chap (http://www.pprune.org/jet-blast/380264-definitive-thread-walts-various.html)was doing/is doing doesn't pi55 you off just a little bit?

Or are you both walts as well....:E;):p!

[Two's in]

I am with Vecvec on this one - it's easy to confuse troubling mental issues with someone genuninely trying to live a lie, but it's not something that really insults you when serving, as you don't even give it credence in the first place. It is more likely that every web hit or story this individual reads about himself is serving his purpose, so its probably best not to help him on that score either.

[GreenKnight121]

I am with Vecvec on this one ..... but it's not something that really insults you when serving,

Maybe for those who don't give a sh!t about their service, or those they serve with.


I was a Sgt on active duty in the USMC when it came out that Lt. Col Oliver North (then serving [as an active duty USMC officer] on the staff of National Security Adviser R.Adm John Poindexter) had been wearing Vietnam combat medals he was not entitled to.

My opinion then, and still is now, is that he should have been courtmartialed under the following parts of the Uniformed Code of Military Conduct (UCMJ):
Article 107 "Making false official statements",
Article 133 "Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman"
Article 134 "disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, all conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces" (also known as "the general article).


Likewise, I feel criminal charges should be pursued against all those who make false claims of military service or of military awards to which they are not entitled.

This touches upon all who have ever served... If you don't wish to defend the honor of those who have served your nation, then you are supporting those who dishonor them through their false claims.

[oldpinger]

I think what really annoys me is not the sad t@ssers that pretend and aspire to do something for their country, rather the spineless idiots in various governments (insert your country here) that take for granted and abuse the committment of people willing to go out and get shot at for a living :mad:

I'm not trying to thread shift onto another bash Mr Brown thread, as it's world wide to a degree, and throughout history.

I say let the sorry little people have their fun as long as doesn't hurt anyone, get on with your job and have pride in the fact you're contributing, even if the politicians various don't appear to give a rats :oh:

It'll catch up with them in the end as it appears to have for this bloke- Karmas'a bitch!:ok:

Oh, and I'd be watching the video now if the net police at work would let me look at YouTube!:*

[Manuel de Vol]

There was a thread on this forum recently about a silly youth who got extremely drunk and pissed on a war memorial.

Opinion here - and elsewhere - hammered him.

He was embarrassed and apologised publicly. Many people (including me) will find it difficult to forgive him. - I can understand that somebody as pissed as he was might do something so outrageous and I can understand that foolish youths might just get so pissed (I've been that pissed) but forgiveness doesn't come easy.

A question:

Which is worse? Getting pissed out of your mind and pissing on a war memorial or staying sober and pretending (as James Shortt did) to be a decorated hero?

I've no sympathy for the drunken teenager. He has been 'named and shamed' and I've no doubt his behaviour is going to cost him dearly.

And the pseudo-hero is going to sue somebody for telling the truth?

I don't approve of the behaviour of either individual. One expressed remorse, and I may be able to forgive him (albeit slowly.)

The other is beyond the pale.

[Mr C Hinecap]

Can we leave the internet hanging parties to ARRSE where this is all very well documented.

[PPRuNe Pop]

Probably a good idea Mr C.

The last Walt went all the way in JB and I suspect they would be rather fed-up at having another.