(The Center Square) – A Christian business selling dog tags with Bible verses won a legal victory this week in its long fight to overturn a government ban on its business.
The business in question, Shields of Strength, is run by Kenny and Tammie Vaughan and sells an array of Christian-themed inspirational jewelry. The business created military dog tags for U.S. service members, selling two million and donating another 2 million to inspire and encourage American troops.
However, after one group complained about the effort, the U.S. Department of Defense in 2019 ordered Shields of Strength to stop distributing the dog tags, saying they engaged in trademark infringement.
The Vaughns argue that the DOD is violating their First Amendment right to Freedom of Speech.
This week, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division refused to fully dismiss Shields of Strength’s lawsuit against the government, meaning it will proceed in court.
“The First Amendment claims survive that test,” the ruling said. “Because the Constitution itself provides judicially manageable standards, a claim that agency action violates the Constitution is reviewable unless Congress’s intent to bar review is ‘clear.’ And nothing establishes such a ‘clear’ bar to review of constitutional claims here.”
The U.S. Army in 2012 had granted a trademark license to the business for its work, but later the Department of Defense changed course. In fact, the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps all previously gave trademark licenses for the business.
Kenny Vaughn said his business supports American troops and veterans and should not be targeted.
“Shields of Strength has been a source of strength and encouragement for our military heroes for over 25 years,” he said in a statement. “Every dog tag we ever made was at the request of the troops and their families and it was our honor to do so. The hardest part has been declining requests for the last several years. We look forward to the day we no longer have to say no to a Solider, Marine, Sailor, or Airman who is asking for a reminder of God’s promise.”
First Liberty Institute, a group involved in the case, welcomed the ruling as a win for Shields of Strength.
“The decision by the court is a victory not only for Shields of Strength and its owner, Kenny Vaughan, but also for the brave men and women of our armed forces and their families who gain divine inspiration from Shields’ replica dog tags containing biblical scripture and military insignia,” Senior Counsel and Chair of the Military Affairs practice group for First Liberty Institute Danielle Runyan said in a statement.
Rather than more secular Democrat Party promoted dog tags that indicate what political party their federal feral canines belong to, I’d rather see in addition to their rabies vaccinations, tagged proof that they have been inoculated from Trump derangement syndrome,,,,a disease way less dangerous to humans than rabies or COVID-19. What’s next??? No more crosses allowed in Arlington National Cemetery? Robert E. Lee who used to own that property has already been kicked out along with any statues of him left standing in the South. The brains of these liberals have been blown out every bit and often as the so called JFK “Eternal Flame” near his Arlington Cemetery gravesite that sits in Lee’s old front yard.,,,. visited by more people only by that of Audey Murphy, a real American hero from Texas,,,made in the USA, personally credited with dispatching over 230 NAZI soldiers during WWII,,,a real example of Irish American manhood, unlike fake blathering blarney BIden, who knew what American men in war were capable of accomplishing when given freedom of action in emergency situations. When the going got tough, tough Murphey got going, unlike Joe who thinks get going is an excuse to change his adult diapers.
You assume they can GET innoculated/cured..
The DOD just like the DOJ has been dominated by the treasonous, demonic Democrat Party.
John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
THAT IS why IF Trump wins.. AND That’s still imo a BIG if, the FIRST thing he needs to do, is GUT the FBI and DOJ.
Obama and Hillary’s Chicago comunity organizing mentor Saul ALinsky stated it best’
““Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins or which is which), the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom – Lucifer”
However, after one group complained about the effort, the U.S. Department of Defense in 2019 ordered Shields of Strength to stop distributing the dog tags, saying they engaged in trademark infringement.
Yes, you read that right, ONE group complained. Probably Christian hating alphabet losers.
What group was it, I wonder? HAMAS?
Probably those numpty atheists.
I don’t think the federal government should be allowed to trademark anything. The government belongs to the people, so the people should be allowed to use any federal or state logos without being sued.
Hey everyone this is important! Jesus said to his followers the following message: Mark 12:30-31 And you must love the Lord your God with all you heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second message is just as important. Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.
Good for \Kenny and Tammie Vaughan. If a company sells an item with which you don’t or like, just don’t buy. That’s called the free market.
Even the gubment SHOULD agree with that. But they would rather exert their power and influence and force an issue. This is so emblematic of the gubment’s unethical outreach. It should be STOPPED yesterday.
The big question is, why is our government so invested in suppressing Christianity? Over and over again we see Washington bureaucrats going after Christians for nothing more than expressing their faith. It would seem as if the elites in D.C. feel they’re in competition with Christ. Of course that’s true with all socialists.
WELL looking at how many seem to kiss the butt of mudslimes, ISN’T IT OBVIOUS?