Every now and again I run across something so thoroughly and astonishingly arrogant and stupid that it’s difficult to know what I could possibly add to it. This is one of those times….
When an elected public official can threaten legal action against a reporter for the high crime of…wait for it…using their name, what you have is a comedy gold mine. Not only that, Kirby Delauter has ensured that virtually every pundit and late night comedian will be using his name repeatedly. The arrogance of his attack on the reporter in question is stunning. When Delauter was elected, he became a public official, meaning that, among other things, he was open to scrutiny from the media. This means he doesn’t get to choose how his name is used nor who gets to use it. If he can’t handle scrutiny, he shouldn’t have run for office.
When last I checked, America was still (nominally, at least) a democracy with a free press. Part and parcel of having a free press is the recognition that the Fifth Estate has a role in monitoring politicians and holding them accountable. The people who elect politicians have a right to know what’s being done in their name. Delauter, being an authoritarian (and decidedly humorless) Republican, evidently feels that he’s above scrutiny and accountability.
Delauter could have simply swallowed his pride and allowed whatever slight he felt was done him to pass. In doing so, few outside his drab little corner of the world would have had reason to use his name. Instead, he compounded the silliness by accusing the reporter of pursuing a “Liberal agenda.” So, not only did Delauter reveal himself to have a thin skin and be completely unaware of his role and responsibility as an elected public official, he revealed himself to be little more than a common, garden variety Republican bully.
Nice work, Ace. Enjoy your 15 minutes of ridicule; you’re richly deserving of it. I eagerly await the cease and desist letter.
UPDATE: The Frederick News-Posts’s response (Kirby Delauter, Kirby Delauter, Kirby Delauter) is HILARIOUS….
