# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/121 "2015-01-08T21:13:23Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I did not ask you any questions that are in any problematical. You’re asking me to trust you that you will do the same. > I don’t trust you. OMG man! just say ok! who cares what he asks? you’re not forced to answer anyway! ---
**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, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/122 "2015-01-08T21:23:40Z")
Just because Peter Morris is on a weird and inane lecturing trip doesn’t mean running coach needs to humor him. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/123 "2015-01-08T21:26:52Z")
nm ---
**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, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/124 "2015-01-08T21:27:05Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I don’t trust you. 1. Why not? What are you accusing me of? 2. Why would you need to trust me? I will ask you some very simple questions. You answer them. If you do that, then I will answer your own very loaded questions. Where does trust come into it? ---
**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, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/125 "2015-01-08T21:59:22Z")
I’m n’ot playing your game. I asked you to back up assertions you’ve been making. The questions I asked are not loaded, merely requesting you back up the assertions you’ve been making. Why does that require I answer questions of unknown content from you? ---
**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, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/126 "2015-01-08T22:12:33Z")
What unknown content? You do understand that I’l ask the questions before you answer them, right? Your questions are VERY loaded. And they have been backed up. Repeatedly. And when you say you don’t trust me what exactly are you saying? ---
**Author:** ![Fallen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@Fallen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fallen)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/127 "2015-01-08T22:16:29Z")
I don’t understand how anyone can conclude based on info so far (maybe I missed something) that the reporter engaged in “sloppy” work. Having something confirmed by the object of an observation of fact is not required in order to make it (even if it turns out to be incorrect, and you only confirmed with two sources v. three). What boggles my damn mind is why someone wouldn’t be more concerned about DeLauter’s mental health that he’d in essence become all but hysterical (he definitely threw the internet-equivalent of a tantrum), given the actual references to his name. Had she written an article about a kiddy porn ring or corruption scheme, I could understand, but: > **[Shreve raises staffing, parking concerns](https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/shreve-raises-staffing-parking-concerns/article_0db3b44a-30ac-5582-b7b3-4cf00d0ded9e.html)** > > Former Commissioner Billy Shreve had adopted a system for accessing his county office: His badge admitted him to most areas of Winchester Hall, and he stashed his office key in > **[Delauter to The News-Post: Don't use my name without permission](https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/delauter-to-the-news-post-don-t-use-my-name/article_e965025f-6c48-5a02-b162-600dfd2b5495.html)** > > Frederick County Councilman Kirby Delauter wrote on social media that he plans to sue The Frederick News-Post if his name or any reference to him appears in print without his "_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. Seven spaces will be available to council members on designated meeting dates, when they are all expected to be present. The county will also pay for the council members to use the parking deck if the Winchester Hall spaces are full. But Shreve says officials might show up for a board or commission meeting, a discussion with a business executive or another event that isn’t necessarily a designated council gathering. ‘You’re elected to represent the entire county. We should at least have a parking space,’ he said. [Sob!] 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." * * * Delauter is free to explain how the references are “twisted” or “lies”, and he’s free to ask Gardner whether she or anyone in her office confirmed that he expressed concerns about parking spaces, or asked her to “take parking spaces away” from whomever/no longer allow X or Y (presumably in his and other councilpersons’ minds lesser people who don’t need one). ---
**Author:** ![Fallen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@Fallen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fallen)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/128 "2015-01-08T22:20:36Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > What I’ve read is the original article, and the comments on it made by YOU and others. > > So, the original article, and your posts, and those of other people aren’t factually true? > What about that doesn’t make sense? > > You do understand that it’s a standard phrase used in reputable media, right? I don’t know how our comments (or the articles) help you assert that the reporter did something wrong. It isn’t a fact that the reporter did anything wrong, unethical or improper. That’s your opinion. It doesn’t make sense that, in relation to the articles in question, you seem to think it’s some kind of ethical breach that this reporter was supposed to say “I contacted Delauter and he declined to comment.” (It’s not clear why you’d interpret what I said as evidence of any lack of understanding of “declined to comment” as a phrase used by journalists.) I made a mistake assuming you’d be able to defend your weird assertions. I don’t know to whom I should apologize for that, if anyone. 🙂 ---
**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, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/129 "2015-01-08T23:08:36Z")
> [@Fallen](#): > > I made a mistake assuming you’d be able to defend your weird assertions. I don’t know to whom I should apologize for that, if anyone. 🙂 See, you’re just being insulting. I’ve shown the evidence, but you WON’T see it. you prefer insults to constructive discussion. I will waste no further time with you. ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/130 "2015-01-08T23:34:02Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > I will waste no further time with you. Thank God. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/131 "2015-01-08T23:57:08Z")
This has gone totally off the rails – I’m going to move it to the Pit. ---
**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 9, 2015, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/132 "2015-01-09T00:28:25Z")
I never participate in pit threads, so this will be my last post in the thread. ---
**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 9, 2015, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/133 "2015-01-09T00:53:46Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > I never participate in pit threads, so this will be my last post in the thread. Coward. At least it gave you a way out. ---
**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 9, 2015, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/134 "2015-01-09T00:55:33Z")
> [@Fallen](#): > > . . . 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." Well, this is probably what Delauter is so upset about. I didn’t see it in the original link. Even so, he needs to simply address the materiality of this point, and not the fact that the reporter mentioned his name. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/135 "2015-01-09T01:08:04Z")
Is **Peter Morris** always like this? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/136 "2015-01-09T01:09:50Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > I never participate in pit threads, so this will be my last post in the thread. From your lips to the gods of “thank god.” ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/137 "2015-01-09T01:21:12Z")
This was the most bizarre thread I’ve read in a while. I saw the post count and thought “Ha ha, I bet there’s lots of good poking fun at Delauter in this thread. Dopers sure know how to laugh at public idiocy.” But then it wasn’t quite what I expected. I don’t know why anyone is assuming that the request about parking attributed to Delauter is false. Seems like somewhere between his threat to sue and his apology, he probably would have set the record clear on that issue if that was the problem. And there are lots of ways that such a factual issue could be verified aside from him confirming it on the record. Going back to the earlier question of whether it was reasonable for a politician to request not to be contacted by a journalist, why can’t the journalist simply say “Councilman Delauter declined to comment” in every future story. It’s true. He declined to comment on all future stories. No need to keep bugging him every time. If he changes his mind, he can always pick up the phone to the local newspaper (or login to facebook, I guess) and say “I would like to be contacted for comment on future stories that mention me.” ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/138 "2015-01-09T02:18:41Z")
Here’s the way I believe it went down. -The reporter heard from one of the other parties in the article that KD also wanted more parking spaces. -She contacted KD who did not call back. -She wrote the story without explicitly saying “according to source X, KD also requested additional parking spaces; KD himself refused to comment” -KD either does not actually share the above opinion or did not want it public and therefore was angered at what he felt was him being quoted without attribution -KD, instead of posting his actual opinion on the parking situation and asking the reporter not to quote him in the future without his consent instead got pissed and wrote his little rant which (perhaps unintentionally) actually asked the reporter to never mention him at all -The paper, which apparently does not have a high opinion of KD, took the rant literally and ran with it instead of simply posting a clarification that “KD’s concerns about the parking were conveyed to the reporter by source X; KD himself declined to comment” -KD realized that what he actually wrote is ridiculous and apologized In short, everybody overreacted and nobody comes out looking good although the paper was technically in the right and their editorial was freaking hysterical. Finally, based on all of the above, I would suggest that Mr. Delauter consider anger management. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/139 "2015-01-09T02:36:14Z")
Wow…you’d think Bethany Rodgers is the Amazing Randi in disguise or something… ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304/140 "2015-01-09T03:35:32Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Wow…you’d think Bethany Rodgers is the Amazing Randi in disguise or something… Woo. Woo woo! 😉 A test of board history knowledge for the more newbie among us. CMC fnord! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawmaker-does-not-understand-first-amendment/709304.md?page=8)