Knowing Councilman Kirby Delauter as we do, we weren't surprised that he threatened The Frederick News-Post with a lawsuit because we had, he says — and we're not making this up — been putting Kirby Delauter's name in the paper without Kirby Delauter’s authorization. Attorneys would be called, Kirby Delauter said.
In fact, we spent quite some time laughing about it. Kirby Delauter, an elected official; Kirby Delauter, a public figure? Surely, Kirby Delauter can't be serious? Kirby Delauter’s making a joke, right?
Round about then, we wondered, if it’s not a joke, how should we now refer to Kirby Delauter if we can't use his name (Kirby Delauter)? Could we get away with an entire editorial of nothing but “Kirby Delauter” repeated over and over again -- Kirby Delauter, Kirby Delauter, Kirby Delauter? OK, imagine we agreed because of temporary madness or something funny in the water that week, how would we reference "Kirby Delauter" and do our job as journalists without running afoul of our lack of authorization?
Blanks? Sure, we sometimes use hyphens in the case of expletives. Perhaps we could do that: "K---- D-------." Or, perhaps, "Councilman [Unauthorized]." We giggled a bit more than we should have when we came up with "the Councilman Formerly Known as Commissioner Kirby Delauter," which doesn't seem as funny written down in black and white and includes his name, which defeats the point. Maybe we should just put his initials, "KD," with an asterisk to a footnote (KD*), or refer to him as GLAT, the acronym for his campaign: "Govern Like A Taxpayer." We could even make it sound a little hip-hop with a well-placed hyphen: G-Lat. Speaking of, could we get away with "K-Del"? Or we could simply go with the Harry Potter-esque "He Who Shall Not be Named." (Cue the lightning strike and peal of thunder.)
Yet we could take the low road down even further and childishly mangle "Kirby Delauter" into references you, the reader, would still understand. "Sherbert Deluder," say. Or "Derby Kelauter." "Shirley Delaughter" (and don't call me Shirley). We found a great automatic online anagrammer that generated all kinds of alternatives and could make it a challenge for our readers to decode each time we have to reference the councilman: "Rebuked artily." That was a good one. "Bakery diluter" is just silly but does have a ring about it. "Keyed rural bit" was another that caught our eye as somewhat telling, because Kirby Delauter's pretty keyed up. We're sure there's a joke in "Brutelike Yard" somewhere.
Discernibly, though, Kirby Delauter's ignorance of what journalism is and does is no joke, and illustrates one disturbing aspect too prevalent in conservatives’ beliefs: That the media are all-liberal stooges hell bent on pursuing some fictional leftwing agenda. Generally this "fact" is bleated when the facts on the ground differ from conservative talking points. Take Councilman Billy Shreve's abstract, almost nonsensical defense of KD*: "I think media outlets are cowards and they hide behind the label of journalists and that's a bully pulpit to expand their liberal” agenda. Cowards? Tell that to the families of the 60 journalists killed in 2014, or the 70 in 2013, or the 74 who died in 2012, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. All in pursuit of the truth, or the most reliable version of it at hand in the most dangerous regions of the world.
Edifying as it may be to lapse into name calling -- and yes, we allowed ourselves a little childishness above and maybe a little bit below -- we need to make one serious point the councilman needs to hear and understand: We will not bow to petty intimidation tactics because a local politician thinks he can score political points with his base throwing around empty threats.
Legally, Kirby Delauter has no case.
And why? Here's how Washington Post blogger Eugene Volokh, who "teaches free speech law, religious freedom law, church-state relations law, a First Amendment Amicus Brief Clinic, and tort law, at UCLA School of Law," nicely sums it up:
“Uh, Council Member: In our country, newspapers are actually allowed to write about elected officials (and others) without their permission. It’s an avantgarde experiment, to be sure, but we’ve had some success with it." You know, that whole First Amendment thing.
That's why we're taking his threat with a pinch of salt. We've seen this behavior before (not just from Kirby Delauter) and it’s worth highlighting again. Bullying seems to be the only way Kirby "Don't say my name" Delauter feels he can lead. Only now, the target is not the public at hearings or occasional "punk" staff member, an arrogant, self-serving, whining middle school teacher or fellow "moron" commissioner, it's The News-Post. Instead of taking his job seriously like the voters demanded and the rest of the council seem to grasp, he's grabbing at distractionary shoot-the-messenger tactics that make a lot of noise but, to quote Shakespeare, a man who knew drama when he saw it, noise that "signifies nothing." Frederick County has big issues to tackle in 2015 and we have yet to hear Kirby Delauter sound out one single, sensible idea. He used the word "govern" in his slogan. Maybe he should apply that to his temper first.
Enough. Seriously. What's Kirby Delauter going to do? Sue everyone who's making fun of him on Twitter using the #kirbydelauter hashtag, or on Facebook? Boy, his attorney will be able to retire off that.
Reasonable men (and women) are required to move Frederick County forward. All Kirby Delauter is doing yet again is displaying his inability to control his temper, embarrassing himself, his district, the county and those who voted him into office. If he wants to govern like a taxpayer, he needs to respect the taxpayers whose money provides his paycheck, stop this silly, inflammatory nonsense, and get to work.
---------------------
* Kirby Delauter.
(140) comments
This editorial, especially in light of the tragedy in Paris, is indeed, Pulitzer material. For the noun, "jerk," thesaurus publishers should put "Kirby Delauter" in place of any other synonyms.
This article is the best thing I have read in a long, long time. Deserves a Pulitzer. In a sad, crazy week humor and brilliance were sorely needed. Here in Portland, Maine we also needed to inform a judge in the basics of free speech this week. Thank you, thank you. I wish I was a fly on the wall as you were all prepping. Laughter is the best medicine.
Blaine needs to pack his bus or fire engine up with his buddies Kirby and Billy and MOVE-ON this show on down the road !!!! Frederick Co. has suffered enough... No wonder we don't get taken seriously in Annapolis !!!! PS My I suggest Paul to provide bus driver and lawyer duties !!! PLEASE, don't go away mad, just GO AWAY !!!!
Apologies Regarding my last comment/complaint simply a misplaced paste for another story. Btw Still hearing a lot of Michigander laughter about this folly of Kirby Delauter :))
Very disappointed my comments are not being posted. No explanation. That too is censorship
Brilliant response to the Kirby Deluded threat against freedom of the press!
In the space of one editorial response, journalism roars again into it's rightful prominence.
Well done.
Please, keep inspiring your brethren to such journalistic heights.
We desperately need you and those of your ilk.
Though I live nowhere near your state, I was impelled to thank your paper for the brilliant response to the cretinous threat by Silly Kirby the Deluded Delauter . May he grow an IQ above Borderline and may his bulk be made up of a Parasympathetic Muzzle.
Ed, Maybe too much. Kirby is probably feeling a lot of stress from the whole country laughing at him. He goofed up, and the point has been made over and over. He does not need the FNP to pile on. Give the guy a little room to apologize and recover. Take the high road. If he still wants to sue,...then consider making fun of his name.
Kirby should be feeling a lot of stress...stress, I might add, that he brought on all by himself.
Check Delauter's record, he is a menace to anyone who dares to cross him. He is a walking time bomb It's only a matter of time before he explodes.
The only decent thing for Kirby to do is resign.
@Rational: There is a novelty that the FNP has cashed in on. There's been ample opportunity for editorial boards to ridicule in the past, boards that have received actual letters from attorneys, not just facebook posts. But, there's a reason why real journalists haven't taken the bait and haven't given in to their bloodthirst: Integrity. The public's appetite for blending comedy with news and diluting the journalistic ethic are negative pressures in our race to the bottom. And, there have always been been bottom feeding writers on this continent; I just wish we had a more reputable local news outlet.
I wish we had more reputable, ethical and civil politicians. We have some now, But unfortunately we've had to endure far too many boorish, wanna-be tough-guy, my-way-or-the-highway brutes like Kirby. I rarely harness any long-term ill will toward people, and Kirby and I are no strangers, but I think he should resign for the good of himself and our county.
Kirby Delaughter made 'em write what they oughter, cause if they didn't he sued.
Apologies to Texas John Slaughter
There is a petition going around...
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/676/262/292/kirby-delauter-must-go/
Downloaded and re-read the new Frederick County Charter adopted Nov 6 2012 looking to see if a recall mechanism was included. Did not think so, but wanted to check. Unfortunately there is no mechanism for voters to remove Mr. Delauter until his 4 year term is up. One can only hope he will choose to resign rather than subject himself to the ongoing embarrassment.
If you say his name three times out loud in front of a mirror, does KD pop out and serve you with papers?
Too funny!
Kirby Delauter...
Shirley, one of the best editorials ever.
Truly outstanding.
Delauter comes across as an idiot, and the FNP (which undoubtedly thinks it is being so very clever) now comes across as childish. Congrats, or something.
Which is worse, being childish about the First Amendment, or the Second?
Gee..how about...both are bad??
Both are there, so they must be good. Which is more open to interpretation?
Best to be serious about all the amendments and change those that a majority do not like in an established procedure. But the educational system must have failed Mr. DeLauter. How else can one explain this lapse in judgment?
Not all change is good. Journalists used to have standards that differed from mere bloggers. Resisting the temptation to gloat over the mistakes of your political enemies, despite your proclivities in a "search for truth," was one of the things that differentiated a real newsroom. And do not pretend this is not an ideological axe being ground by the very unprofessional response from an entire editorial board. The very reason this story is so large is not because a politician did something stupid--examples of which are legion--it's because a paper stooped to his level, long-term reputation of the paper be damned. I suspect both parties will live in infamy, but, neither for good reasons. My fear is that this notoriety will bring the ethical standard of papers down to the blogger's level. Hopefully, it will pass and just cement the FNP as a second class paper to be read as any rag handed out for free, which just might be the new market price of its opinions.
Do you have any observations to make on the discordance between your views of the editorial board and the bulk of the comments? People from far and wide have praised the FNP response. Perhaps Kirby DeLauter was just too easy a target? Would pity have been better than ridicule?
No. His error in judgment is so great that the paper was obliged to point it out in the strongest language possible. Big lapses like this need to be answered immediately. This is way beyond partisan bickering. It strikes at the very roots of democracy.
One lapse may be forgivable, but the vitriol he wrote has been represented by him many, many times. I've seen it person many times, and well adjusted people do not behave like he does, especially as public officials. He may be a different person when not under political duress, as many have said, but I've never even seen him smile - it's a little creepy. He's had more than his share of lapses to be so easily forgiven.
I initially thought the FNP response was a bit over the top, but after re-reading it, and then considering the political anthology, of sorts, over the last 4 years, it was a fitting LTE.
He just issued a public apology, and I thought it was very tasteful. However, it sounded a little to Blaine-esque to be full acceptable right now. We'll see if he is able to follow through on being contrite. Blaine certainly was not.
One more: Notorious KiD
California here, for those who are keeping track. I read about this on a national news site: http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/01/06/frederick_news_post_responds_to_kirby_delauter_lawsuit_threats.html. How sad that a elected official does not seem to understand the Bill of Rights or the First Amendment. And I have to feel for the county executive and others who are forced to work with this buffoon.
Special thanks to the other commenters who noticed that the start of each paragraph spells out this would-be intimidator's name. The comments are as good as the excellent editorial! I also appreciated those who pointed out his company's poor reputation in the community: very educational.
BTW, if you are on twitter and you want to do a search, all you have to do is put in #K and you get this guy's name and all the comments.
But I'm not afraid of a lawsuit, so I'll list your name, Kirby Delauter! Feel free to sue me! I merely suggest that, before you threaten any lawsuits, you should at least check with your lawyer first, so that he (I assume you don't have a woman lawyer) can explain to you, in small words, why you can't sue a journalist for using your name, or sue people who make fun of you as a public official for threatening to sue people.
Does anyone know how to get Jon Stewart's ear? Or Bill O'Reilly's? Cliff Cumber would make a great guest!
As the owner of an excavation company, Kirby should know when to stop digging. His hole is now to deep to get out of.
Http//conservativefiringline.com/tag/kirby-delauter/
The Associated Press is running with the story, even called it 'Breaking News'.
http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/threat-to-sue-over-publishing-a-name-backfires-big-time-1.2176700
I wonder how DELAUTER feels about being infamous? I wonder if he even knows the difference between famous and infamous?
Kirby, you are a public figure, if you do not want your name in the paper, you need to get out of o
Politics.
B & K ~ You got the negative attention. Now is your last chance to publicly apologize (both of you) for the petty mess. Respect is earned by reciprocation. Give the community, Jan, and the rest of the world an opportunity to respect you, by having the back bone to standup, smile, laugh at yourself a little and apologize. Admit you made a mistake and you are ready to do what you were elected to do, mean it, and do it, or else resign. Otherwise, I really do not see this settling down for a very, very long time. Doing so could settle this a little and in maybe a few years it will be old news, just like the black book, etc.....
Jan ~ When you can gain some sort of composure from this mess, please make a professional public statement, to get us back on track. Reel this in and get it under control and lead the way you have shown you can. Maybe a press conference to let the world know how you and the council plan to move forward and work professionally and collaboratively on the real business at hand for our county. (hint: not parking spaces, keys, or silly stupid statements that certainly one must wish he never said). This is taking up too much valuable time, and threatening to mar the opportunity for the council to get to business. Reel them in like a teacher in the classroom, when the class clown has gotten out of hand. We've had a laugh, now move it forward and get to the other mess that is the business of this county. This is all getting old and must be quite distracting at Winchester Hall.
At 9:47 PM on Tuesday a post post was submitted by KirbyDelauer which read "SUED! Boom. All of you are sued. Be expecting a call from my attorneys." Is this our Kirby? Could he actually be this stupid?
Kirby Delauter Kirby Delauter Kirby Delauter. An elected official who is a bully who does not understand freedom of the press. Certainly newsworthy. He might feel more at home in Russia.
Best editorial ever, VERY well done. Some folks call it childish but, come on, someone needed to give Kirby his comeuppance.
Good morning from Oregon! Brought here via NPR. Funniest story and editorial I've read in quite awhile. I'm a public official. And were I KD I'd be apologizing and resigning. How horribly embarrassing for you all.
Btw, is that cute reporter single?
Best Regards,
Bret A. Lieuallen
As a law student who just finished my First Amendment class last semester, I sincerely appreciated this piece. My only problem is this: I'm from Oklahoma, and as all Oklahomies know, there is only one KD--that's Kevin Durant, of the Oklahoma City Thunder (the real MVP). KD would never stoop to threatening to sue someone over this sort of issue (and, as a public figure, he would have no standing to sue as he's in the same boat as the public official formerly known as KD/he who shall not be named/Shirley but don't call him Shirley). My only suggested edit would be to find a different abbreviation for Kir Bee De Laughter (I don't want to be accused of typing out his actual name) which can't be confused for the always awesome Kevin Durant. What's his middle name? Perhaps we could include that initial in there.... Could we add a Sr. Jr., III, or IV to the end of it? Maybe even a MD, PhD, or Esq.? Unlikely, but it'd help to ensure that this jackass's shenanigans weren't mistakenly imposed upon the real KD. Good luck finding an attorney who will bring suit arguing against the First Amendment and the freedom of press/public official doctrine, Mr. KD-but-the-other-KD-not-Durantula-MVP-KD.
12(or more) more "cowards" were murdered today in Paris for the audacity of lampooning radical Islam. It's good to know where Kirby stands on the free press.
Looks like we all should be on the lockout for KD's attorney, Algonquin J. Calhoun.
When my wife went to vote, I gave her a list of names not to vote for Hint it was the B'Lane and his cronies. How 3 out of 4 got re-elected I won't understand. We got the Bully out, but his cronies are still causing trouble. And this is National now, how embarrassing for our county! If Frederick wasn't on the map it is now. Just look at where some of these commentors are located..way to go. All this over a parking spot. My my, how will Shirley D. handle a serious legit issue...oh well...still laughing...another crooked politician...lmao![smile]
Childish.
Yes, I agree. Kiby's behavior is quite childish.
Kudos , Frederick News-Post!
I wonder what sort of blasting powder it would take for the naysayers on this thread to move from their entrenched ideology enough to recognize a true threat to freedom when they see it.
Really, it's tragic that this wilfully ignorant numbskull was given a position of power and the chance to misuse it.
Buffoonery of Kirby Delauter's magnitude needs to be deflated with a sharp piece of writing just as you did here.
Your tone was exactly right, in a way that a ponderous denunciation would not have been. This yutz should be treated as the brat he is.
Welcome to the "good ole boy net work of Fedik conty".. This issue portrays the last few years of mindset.
We the public need to acknowlege, Never, never again vote Tea Party, package groups into any office.
This was a historic failure of government the past number of years.
Is Mr Delauter going to Hire Mr P.Smitth as his attourney. ?
is it legal to strip top soil from a neighboring property and sell it? And is it okay to leave a pile of trash fill dirt in its place? While you laugh at an 85 year old widow that asked you to "please clean up your dirt pile you left in my field?" When there shouldn't have been any excavating on her property to begin with? I guess I better stay silent, I don't want to clog the court docket up, it appears as if it's going to be a full docket with Kirby vs FNP. Lol
I have personal experience with Kirby's excavating company. I wonder, is it legal to strip top soil
Oops, I misspelled the name that cannot be written. Please remove the "GH" from by previous note.
So when he was running for office, did anyone see his picture in the news? Did he get their "okay" first?
Great!! Hilarious!!!!! But a bit sad that an elected public official has absolutely no understanding of the First Amendment, that pesky little
thing that allows political discourse and helps hold our government accountable.
This is not without precedent. Centuries ago God proscribed use of his name by the Israelites. Jewish literature and oral tradition responded by using the unpronounceable (in English) YHWH to represent God. Perhaps KRBDLGHTR imagines himself in the same exalted company.
Hello to all the people from around the country and around the world that are tuning in!
I'm a Native of Frederick County Md. (Locally pronounced: Fredick Murlan, or many call it 'fredneck')
You have not heard all there is to hear about our Beloved Kirbie.
1. He is an owner of an excavating company. However, he did not build his company. It was handed down to him from his father/grand father. So Kirbie has never really had to work to get anything. he is accustomed to everything being handed to him.
2. When Kirbie served in the last term as a commissioner - he went to great length to change the county rules so that his excavating company can bid on and contract for county projects WHILE HE SERVED AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL!!'
3. There is a video, and I'm not making this up, of a county meeting where Kirbie calls a county employee a "punk".
Kirbie's new theme song:
All I want is a parking spot
We all want what we ain't got
Good one!
Great job! It is time our elected officials do some real work instead of complaining of how they are portrayed in the press. If they do stupid things, they should be held accountable.
Bravo from NYC! II am overjoyed to see the "fourth branch" performing its traditional check and balance role for the people in the USA! Finally! I hope other news organizations take note and follow suit! We the people have missed you!
Best. Editorial. Ever!
I'm in Elmira, New York if you're tracking. We have elected knuckleheads like this too!! Keep up the journalistic excellence! Thank you for making my day begin with a smile.
Seems like Kirby Delauter has dug himself into an even deeper hole......
and they said it couldn't be done.
Hello from Australia! I was aimlessly clicking away reading foreign news articles and came across this one about "the name which cannot be mentioned" ( I'm only putting that down as I do not want to get into any trouble by typing the full "name that cannot be mentioned". Looks like this news is gaining international attention and it did give me a smile. But rest assured, can i say we too have similar things like this over here but as far as i know, not about using names without permission. Thanks for reading this and now i have to find out where Frederick , MD is.
H.L. Mencken is rolling in his grave (because he can't claim the byline on this excellent editorial). Humor and truth are the foundations of civil discourse. Keep it up, FNP!
For free speech/first amendment, for bullies everywhere and because the other guy that defended him called the media cowards, you should run this. You articulate this beautifully: "That the media are all-liberal stooges hell bent on pursuing some fictional leftwing agenda. Generally this "fact" is bleated when the facts on the ground differ from conservative talking points." Love it.
As another commenter posted, I too am disenchanted with local politics and disgusted that party lines get idiots elected to local govts (and in the US House & Senate as well) all across this country because people dont pay attention and/or dont want to learn or read before voting!!
I think you're doing a really great thing, make this duche own his actions and words.
Also, I am not from Fredricks co but saw the link on a national public online article. I feel really bad for the citizens of Fredricks co, MD for having this guy help make decisions for your area for the next 4 years, if I understand correctly. Maybe a good national embarrassment is needed for the people who voted for him so maybe next election they will pay attention!? Anyway, good luck, good luck to us all!
Seriously... can I buy some ad space in The Frederick News-Post? I just want the name Kirby Delauter printed in my purchased ad space. Maybe even in Comic Sans just to piss some extra people off?
I am not from Frederick but saw the link to the article on a national news site - SO glad I clicked and read. I smiled ear to ear reading the entire thing through -twice!! Nice job FNP - wish you were writing about some of the blowhards in Washington DC - we all could use a breath of fresh air like this!!!
Good job FNP, brilliant response! Hey Kirby Delauter, thanks for making sure that not only the people of Frederick county know what an idiot you are, but now the entire nation knows it too! Way to embarrass Frederick County and your district!
Lol, that is funny! Now I know the name Kirby Delauter and KD. But, hey this can be a free publicity too.
Seriously, this may not have been a good response by the FNP. We really need this to go away and let Jan and the hmm...council get to work.
This is perfect. Quick-witted AND intelligent -- what a combination! This Kirby Delauter is obviously a buffoon. He's now a national laughingstock, and I can't think of a better response to the whole thing than this. Many kudos all around.
OK, let me get it all out:
How about "He Who Must Not Be Named"?
If you say #kirbydelauter #kirbydelauter #kirbydelauter in front of your mirror exactly at midnight, will he appear to sue you?
Maybe he just doesn't like his name (his parents did name him #kirby). Should we start a gofundme for him to legally change his name to something that can be printed in the newspaper without fear of legal action? Might I suggest "Narcisso de Blowhard"? No? How about "Imso Litigious"?
#BethanyRodgersforFrederickCountyCouncil #saveBethany #KirbyDelauter
This is why people need to pay more attention to local politics. This man honestly shold resign. He clearly holds no respect for the
American Values of which he proports to defend. He is clearly a coward, and I am offended by the voters who cannot see past their own petty ideologies to elect public officials who are willing to serve their constituents instead of their own personal agendas. Start listening to these people before they elect them. Too many people have died to protect the rights that this man clearly disparaged. We are clearly entering into the era of Kardashian Politics when stunts like this energize a political base, God help us all.
If you guys started a kick starter to alleviate your "legal fees," I'd totally donate. #kirbydelauter2016
FNP staff: now that this story has hit the national (and sadly, international) stage, please understand that many of us in Frederick County want more in-depth reporting on the topic: what is the Republican Central Committee saying about how this man is representing their "brand?" What do his fellow Councilmembers (aside from Shreve) have to say? What about the people of District 5? What about asking Frederick County attorneys about his desire to challenge the First Amendment--would anyone take his case? What is the alleged "hit" story that he references in his Facebook post? Has Bethany ever felt physically intimidated or threatened as a result of her reporting on DeLauter? Given his previous behavior, it's hard to believe there's not more to report on here. Please give us "the rest of the story..."
Fantastic. Posted to Facebook and Twitter. I'd like to get t-shirts made with Kirby Delauter's face on it. #kirbydelauter
SUED! Boom. All of you are sued. Be expecting a call from my attorneys.
Hahahahahahahha! Thank you, Kirby Delauter.
Well done FNP - humor with a point.
What a fantastic editorial! Kudos to the FNP for publicly standing against this doofus Kirby Delauter. This incident reminds me of a guy I covered when I was a newspaper reporter in the 1980s. A city councilman in the town where I worked called me one night (see, Kirby Delauter, the councilman and I had a good rapport and often talked with each other) and told me the paper needed to run a correction because, subsequent to the publication of an article in which we had reported the councilman's opinion on some topic or other, he had changed his mind. That councilman had a doctoral-level understanding of the role of the press compared to this Kirby Delauter fellow.
Seriously, as a middle-aged, relatively well educated person, I am disheartened by the increasingly poor quality of our elected officials. I'm not sure which I find more appalling, Kirby Delauter's arrogance or Kirby Delauter's ignorance. And by the way Kirby Delauter, I'm in Alabama. It takes some doing to become a laughing stock here, but Kirby Delauter, you have managed it!
So sophomoric. Takes one to know one I guess. But, this article represents the entire editorial board instead of just one crank reporter. Is this the quality of "journalism" I should expect from my local print news monopoly? Mr. Delauter may be ignorant of the 1st Amendment, but I'm not sure which one of you is more embarrassing to this community.
Hmmmm, let's see. It's Kirby by a mile.
If you only knew Birdy Caller like us local folk, you would understand that this criticism is beyond well deserved. What goes around comes around, indeed.
Ooops, just saw NewLocal that you are a local. You must not pay attention to local politics. If you did, you would know what an absolute jerk Kirby is. This is well deserved and entirely appropriate.
AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME!!! The best thing I've read in YEARS!!!
Public officials are public employees thank you for putting this one in his place.
I'm sure there are many who applaud Mr Delauter's approach. This includes both historic figures like Mao Tse Tung and modern statesmen like Vladimir Putin. I guess the saying is true, you can judge a man's character by the company he keeps.
Oh, and by the way, Freedom of the Press is not a liberal or Democrat position. I'm neither. Shame on you Mr. Delauter.
Surly DeLaughter
Best editorial ever!!! This article has been in the Washington Post and a small town Chicago newspaper. This K-person (don't want to be sued) is making us all look like country backhill people!!!! Ashamed to admit I live in Frederick with this K-person in office and his handling on matters. How did we ever elect him. I can just here the impeachment thoughts turning now!
First letter of each paragraph. Nice touch!
Anagrams are fun. Maybe you could use a different one as a "word for the day" feature every day and the answer could always be, "Kirby Delauter."
One of the most outrageously immature things I've read since junior high, most of which I wrote.
Surely nostalgic for anyone with fond memories of Saturdays in detention.
They really need to include Billy Shreve in this...... neither are fit to serve.
I saw this article on Facebook and loved it so much I created an account with FNP (though I do not live in Frederick County) to comment: Well done. I smiled from ear-to-ear while reading this and have no idea who this pathetic soul is but so wish I was a fly on his wall when he read it. Loved every word. And I especially love the first letter of every paragraph.
If you enjoy this then do a search for Blaine Young (our previous dear leader who was just voted out of office), and enjoy the rest of the soap opera. You couldn't make up some of this stuff if you tried! It's been like daycare here over the past 4 years. Thankfully we have some adults now in charge.
While I agree with the point you were making, I have to say that the editorial was "over the top." Continue the good job you are doing covering local politics but please don't stoop to his level.
Someone thanked the voters for getting him on the Board of Commissioners (tongue in cheek), and I was thinking the same. Who said that the voters are smarter than the politicians believe? Case in point!
I'm 62 years old and a lifelong avid reader of newspapers - and this is the best editorial I believe I have ever read. Congratulations on a job well done, and my condolences to the taxpayers represented by a certain thoroughly named nitwit.
To begin with, I do not consider the FNP to be liberal and I am liberal on most issues. So, as far as I am concerned, Kirby is all wrong. Now the FNP could have printed a lot more about Kirby, during the election, but they did not - and I wish they had. Maybe it would have stopped some from blindly pulling that R lever. Sure, most of them, by now, realize how wrong they were, but it is too late.
I do have some empathy with Kirby, I feel he has been embarrassed enough - not that I have not enjoyed it. But I don't want Kirby to do anything irrational either. So, I am going to leave Kirby alone from now on and if he wants me to call him "Mi-Lord", I will.
More waste of my time, getting so tired of this crap from both sides. GROW UP!
Quit reading the paper!
Your editorial is spot on, especially because you pointed out Mr. Delauter's inability to hold his temper, that he is wasting tax-payer money by his behavior, that he does not understand the First Amendment or that as an elected official, he can be and will be called to task by the newspaper and citizens of this county. I am embarrassed by his and Mr. Shreve's behavior both now in the Council and as commissioners: petty, rude, and crude. I did notice some people commented that he was smart because he got himself elected. Sadly, this is not the case. To quote Francis Bacon: "he doth like the ape, that the higher he climbs, the more he shows his arse."
-slow clap-
Thanks for the laugh.
Kirby, you're a genius. I wonder when they'll figure it out. [beam]
Thanks for such a humorous editorial! While I and hordes of your readers enjoyed the playful way you pointed out to Kirby just what an imbecile he is for attempting to bully you, the bigger issue is is Delauter or Shreve fit to hold office?
I signed up for this thread, just so I could write "Kirby Delauter". The alliteration is just too great.
The worst of #KirbyDelauter referenced in the editorial (Tune: Bad to the Bone): http://youtu.be/eRFAl2TPVGg
I named them The Four Stooges back when Young, Smith, Delauter and Shreve were on the BoCC.
You have my permission to refer to him as Curly Delauter.
They were also called the Fabulous Four or the Fab Four for short but my favorite is the Fatuous Four.
One thing I'll say for Kirby: he never made the mistake of smiling for a photograph. Because the last thing you want accompanying a story like this is a photo of you with a great big grin on your face.
award-winning headline :)
I vote Dirby Kelauter
I don't think that will get Kirby elected![beam]
Fabulous editorial!
I saw the article in the paper this morning and had a good laugh. So glad FNP has no intention of being bullied. If this elected official spent more time doing his job he wouldn't have time to threaten over silly things. Good job FNP![beam]
FNP, thank you for this mid-week gift. You were doing so well, but why did you put "and women" in parentheses in the last paragraph. We are out here and in public office and we, too, want Frederick County to move forward.
This may be the best thing I've read in the FNP. You have renewed my pride in being a citizen in Frederick after Kirby Delauter embarrassed us all AGAIN with his antics. I hope voters have a long memory next go-round. Keep up the great work FNP!
Someone just pointed out the first letters of every paragraph. Quite clever FNP.
He has buried himself and embarrassed Frederick County in the process. He should "man up" and take a big bite of humble pie and 1) Admit he acted like an ignorant child not a councilman, 2) Apologize to Frederick for being such an unprofessional hot-head; and 3) He should resign - He is not fit for office.
Fabulous!
Perfectly written. Mr. Delauter has successfully gained national notoriety for his complete lack of knowledge about the First Amendment and for threatening the FNP.
Outstanding! Bravo!
And to think we could have had Mark Long, a true leader and gentleman representing us in District 5. Instead we have the bully Kirby Delauter who doesn't even understand the constitution. Thanks a lot STUPID voters who elected him. And for what - to make us all look stupid?
[thumbup]
Very tastefully and well written! Sometimes the best way to respond to negativity is with a good laugh. Although, I'm fairly certain HE won't find it very funny. Oh well ...[beam]
Excellent editorial. I am concerned that the main point KD fans take from it is that you call yourselves (i.e., the FNP staff) liberal and they will run with that, rather than seeing the broader point (i.e., first amendment rights).
Lot of people are ego-centric that include politicians, scientists and FNP editorial writers and others who think too much about themselves. By writing this editorial you are responding to DeLawter's and paying attention to his threat. I am not sure what purpose you are serving by belitling DeLawter?
Who's DeLawter?
Maybe you should refer to him as Kim Jong Delauter. He seems to want to have the same control over the press as the North Korean government does.
Bst editorial ever! Not only is it accurate, its also unbelievably funny.
Move over Dave Barry. Step aside Gene Weingarten. Cliff Cumber is in the house.
Both hilarious and on point.
sure wish FNP would have taken the high road here. This whole editorial is very amateur hour. FNP is obviously on the right side of this tiff with Delauter, but ... act like you belong.
Nah. It's perfect.
Normally I would agree with your sentiment, but SO MANY PEOPLE over the years have been harassed, bullied and otherwise held in disdain by Kirby Delauter, I think we all deserve the opportunity to laugh heartily at his absurdity.
Not only bullied, harassed and held in disdain, but if you remember, the first county employees fired by Blaine, Kirby, Billy and Paul were the county building inspectors who had a history of citing Delauter's family business. This was retribution and he ruined lives because of a personal grudge.
Absolutely.
That I did not know.
Link to WashPo's article mentioned above: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/01/05/this-post-shamelessly-uses-frederick-county-md-council-member-kirby-delauters-name-without-authorization/?hpid=z4
Very well said!
BRAVO FNP editorial team![beam]
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.