# Lawmaker does not understand first amendment **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 8, 2015, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304 "2015-01-08T12:56:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/61 "2015-01-08T18:43:15Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > [Lawmaker’s Facebook rant threatens media for “unauthorized” use of his name - Ars Technica](http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/01/lawmakers-facebook-rant-threatens-media-for-unauthorized-use-of-his-name/) > > “… how should we now refer to Kirby Delauter if we can’t use his name …” Which was [written by the Franklin News-Post Editorial Board](http://m.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/kirby-delauter-kirby-delauter-kirby-delauter/article_da85d6f4-fa3c-524f-bbf6-8e5ddc0d1c0a.html?mode=jqm), not Bethany Rodgers. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/62 "2015-01-08T18:44:10Z")
Because, obviously, the only way to get information of this nature is to talk to him. She couldn’t possibly have talked to other people, reviewed records of council proceedings, or actually attended open council meetings. That’s unthinkable. If she had made up his position on this matter, don’t you think he may have mentioned that? Because, you know, he didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/63 "2015-01-08T18:45:12Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > [Lawmaker’s Facebook rant threatens media for “unauthorized” use of his name - Ars Technica](http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/01/lawmakers-facebook-rant-threatens-media-for-unauthorized-use-of-his-name/) > > “… how should we now refer to Kirby Delauter if we can’t use his name …” You sure think Bethany Rodgers is a lot of different people. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/64 "2015-01-08T18:50:49Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > Wow, pretty much every single bullet point in this list is factually incorrect. Cite? Every single bullet point is directly stated in the original article. If the article is wrong, then give evidence. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/65 "2015-01-08T18:54:29Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Cite? > > Every single bullet point is directly stated in the original article. If the article is wrong, then give evidence. You give evidence. You’re the one who supports the “twist and lie” claim. Show us the original statements given by K-Laughter so we can judge. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/66 "2015-01-08T18:55:55Z")
> [@fachverwirrt](#): > > If she had made up his position on this matter, don’t you think he may have mentioned that? Because, you know, he didn’t. Are you serious? That was the entire subject of his facebook post. Do you truly not understand this? ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/67 "2015-01-08T18:55:56Z")
You know, **Peter Morris** , when the person you are doggedly defending comes out to publicly admit he was wrong, you might just want to take a step back and re-think things. (I mean, he even said, “I’m not afraid to admit when I’m wrong.” HINT HINT) Or you could keep digging, which is precisely what I expect you will do. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/68 "2015-01-08T18:57:06Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > One correction : the “lied and twisted” comment applied to an earlier and unrelated article … “a hit piece during the election” > > So, on the parking issue, she telephoned him for a statement. > > He declined to reply to her, based on prior experience. > > So she simply made up an opinion for him. > > You ask what his statement was? He didn’t make one. No statement at all. She invented a statement for him. And that shows her to be a liar. [QUOTE=Jan 3 Article in the FNP] Councilman Kirby Delauter, who is also a former commissioner, has joined Shreve in concern over parking for elected officials. Gardner has reserved three parking spots at Winchester Hall for council members, since the part-time officials will rarely all turn up simultaneously. [/QUOTE] Near as I can tell, that is the only mention of Kirby (we are on a first name basis now) in the Jan 3 article. Bethany seems to state that she, in her role as a reporter, is aware that Kirby agrees with Shreve. True, she does not supply a cite for that here. And at the same time that does not make it a twisted fact or a lie. It is possible to know something as factual without an authorized quote from an involved party. Example : I see two people walking down the street, hand in hand. They embrace and kiss passionately just before getting in a car to drive off together. I assume they are a couple. But neither of them gave me a statement to that effect. Basically, neither Kirby nor **Peter Morris** have proven that there is any twisting or lying involved in the reporters actions. Furthermore she never attributed any “statement” to Kirby. She simply stated his stance, in that he agreed with Shreve. Many ways she could know that without a statement from Kirby. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/69 "2015-01-08T19:00:05Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Are you serious? That was the entire subject of his facebook post. > > Do you truly not understand this? No, the entire subject of his Facebook post was not to use his name without his authorization and not to contact him. It said absolutely nothing about her making anything up. Really, it’s not that long a post. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/70 "2015-01-08T19:00:14Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > You give evidence. My evi8dence is the original article. What part of the article are you disputing? > [@](#): > > You’re the one who supports the “twist and lie” claim. Show us the original statements given by K-Laughter so we can judge. I already told you. She asked him for a statement. He refused to give one to her. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/71 "2015-01-08T19:01:56Z")
> [@leftfield6](#): > > Basically, neither Kirby nor **Peter Morris** have proven that there is any twisting or lying involved in the reporters actions. Furthermore she never attributed any “statement” to Kirby. **She simply stated his stance, in that he agreed with Shreve**. Many ways she could know that without a statement from Kirby. As a side note, I wonder why he’s so bent out of shape over a mention that he agrees with Shreve(or anyone). Why not just release a statement clarifying his position over what seems to be a very, very minor issue? ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/72 "2015-01-08T19:05:27Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > The entire article supports my statement. Have you actually read her comments in the article? Are you saying that Delauter is in fact _not_ concerned about parking for elected officials? Is that the problem here? ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/73 "2015-01-08T19:06:56Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > My evi8dence is the original article. > What part of the article are you disputing? > > I already told you. She asked him for a statement. He refused to give one to her. So go ahead and point out where she said in the article “Delauter said he thinks I’m wildly attractive, and would happily leave his wife to be my sex slave.” or something similar. I linked the article for you and everything, so it should be pretty easy. He’s mentioned exactly twice in the article: "Councilman Kirby Delauter, who is also a former commissioner, has joined Shreve in concern over parking for elected officials. Gardner has reserved three parking spots at Winchester Hall for council members, since the part-time officials will rarely all turn up simultaneously. " … “Delauter, R-District 5, has asked Gardner to take parking spaces away from her government affairs liaison and her chief administrative officer and designate them for the council. She has declined to do so, but is working to identify a fourth spot for council members, she said.” The second is a statement of fact, which I’m assuming Gardner told the reporter. And it’s not a huge jump to assume that if Delauter asked for more parking spaces for elected officials, it’s because he’s concerned about parking for elected officials. If your position really is that all a politician need do to kill an article in which he’s mentioned is refuse to comment on it, then the whole 1st Amendment and concept of a free press is a farce. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/74 "2015-01-08T19:06:57Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Cite? > > Every single bullet point is directly stated in the original article. If the article is wrong, then give evidence. Taken point by point: > [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > 1. He gave an interview to a journalist. True > [@](#): > > 1. That journalist “twisted and downright lied” about him. It is true that he claims this. The truth of his claim has not been established > [@](#): > > 1. He publicly denounced that one specific journalist for lying. I see no mention of him publicly denouncing her, at least before this Facebook post. He let her know that he would no longer speak with her. > [@](#): > > 1. he stated that he would give that specific journalist no further interviews. True > [@](#): > > 1. That journalist continued to harrass him Opinion based upon your definition of “harass”. > [@](#): > > 1. he warned that journalist that he would take legal action if she continued. Distorted: he specifically threatened legal action if she used his name again “unauthorized”. > [@](#): > > 1. she then continued to twist and lie. You have provided no evidence of this. It is certainly not stated in the article. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/75 "2015-01-08T19:08:30Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > I already told you. She asked him for a statement. He refused to give one to her. There’s nothing in the article that she asked for a statement or that he refused to give one. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/76 "2015-01-08T19:09:32Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > As a side note, I wonder why he’s so bent out of shape over a mention that he agrees with Shreve(or anyone). > Why not just release a statement clarifying his position over what seems to be a very, very minor issue? The issue is with this specific journalist, who seems to have a habit of making up stuff about him. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/77 "2015-01-08T19:11:44Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > The issue is with this specific journalist, who seems to have a habit of making up stuff about him. You keep making these sweeping statements, but never offer any information to back up your assertions. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/78 "2015-01-08T19:15:45Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > There’s nothing in the article that she asked for a statement or that he refused to give one. “she contacted me by phone yesterday, I did not return her call” ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/79 "2015-01-08T19:16:28Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > The issue is with this specific journalist, who seems to have a habit of making up stuff about him. Please, for the love of god and apple pie, take 30 seconds to copy and paste the part of her article you claim she invented out of whole cloth. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/80 "2015-01-08T19:22:46Z")
> [@leftfield6](#): > > You keep making these sweeping statements, but never offer any information to back up your assertions. All the information I have stated is contained in this article: > **[Lawmaker’s Facebook rant threatens media for “unauthorized” use of his name](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/01/lawmakers-facebook-rant-threatens-media-for-unauthorized-use-of-his-name/)** > > The First Amendment: How does it work? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304.md?page=5)