Evening Buzz: Suspected Fake Marine Busted
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/CRIME/11/11/california.medals.charge/story.burton.courtesy.jpg caption="Steven Burton will make his initial court appearance in federal court at 9:30 a.m. Thursday." width=416 height=234 ]
Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer
On this Veterans Day, and every day, we honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. military. What we don't celebrate are military impostors. These fake heroes who say they’ve been to war, but who have never seen a single day of combat.
Tonight on 360°, Randi Kaye has the story of one man accused of stolen valor. The FBI says 39-year-old Steven Burton is a fraud, not a Marine.
According to investigators, Burton is actually a California bank employee who masqueraded as a war veteran, even wearing several medals – bogus medals. Though, not just any medals but some the highest military honors – a Purple Heart, given to those wounded or killed in action and the Navy Cross, the highest medal the U.S. Navy can award.
Tonight Randi will tell you who turned Burton into the FBI. It's a remarkable story.
We're also tracking breaking developments on the war in Afghanistan. A former top general is warning the Pres. Obama to think twice about sending more troops into the war zone. The commander-in-chief met with his security team again today to talk over options in Afghanistan. We'll have the latest.
Do you think the U.S. should send more troops to Afghanistan? Sound off below.
Join us for these stories and much more starting at 10 p.m. ET. See you then!
|
|
Filed under: Maureen Miller • The Buzz |
About this Show:
Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news. Tune in weeknights at 8 and 10 ET on CNN.
Questions or comments? Send an email
Want to know more? Go behind the scenes with AC361°
Subscribe to the podcast
On Twitter
Search the AC360 blog
I don't believe we can abandon Afghanistan but Military forces is the wrong solution. The culture in Afghanistan is not ready for what the military can accomplish; their efforts will be in vain. Send the troops home. Cultural change is a slow process (ie., Civil Rights culture in the U.S.). The only way to influence the culture is through long term educational and economic aid/assistance. I hope that Obama is looking into something beyond his Administration.
NO!
They should end the war now!
President Obama do not send ANY more troops to Afganistan. Your reelection depends on your campaign promises. Don't let the American people down unless we are being attacked!! Please start withdrawing troops ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Afghanistan is a black hole, and while I feel for those, especially the women, who will be left behind, it's not going to get better. LEAVE NOW !!!!
When one considers it took this President nearly three months to select a family dog, why is it impossible to believe he has made no hard decision on troop deployment?
hey obama support are troop,,send them the help there general says they need dont be weak on defense like democrats allways seem to be.so far im more afraid of your administation than i am of terrorist. dont worry about hurting the terrorist feelings these animals stap bombs to there kids,either give it all or admit were gonna turn and leave our troops with out what they need like we did in vietnam.
I hope the full force of the law is dealt out to this guy pretending he was a soldier – what a jerk.
I'm torn about Afghanistan; I would really like to see us come home. I know that there are long term advantages if we can clean up before we withdraw and be able to be allies with Afghanistan which would give us access to places in that area of the world. But I also remember how long Russia fought there and how they could never bring their war in Afghanistan to a satisfactory end and wound up just withdrawing. If that is the likely outcome for us then coming home now and building an alternative strategy for us in case we need it. Wasted effort bothers me but its the loss of life that accompanies it that is just heartbreaking. Why spend the youth of your nation on a wasteful exercise??
Thanks for the post. I am a former active duty Marine. I remember this fella's picture being passed around our circles and NO ONE had ever heard of the guy. Hope they nail him to the wall!
Semper Fi,
Brian
Good evening Maureen!
It will be interesting to hear the possibilities on Afghanistan. No one wants more war, but much has been invested on this front. And more: what are the possibilities of the Afghan population, if the US increase or not its effectives there?
See you ... Thanks!