Has Dave Burris Lost It?
Go check out Down With Absolutes. Apparently Dave Burris has demanded Mike’s source for a photo that he posted last week of a possibly intoxicated Bill Lee in a Dewey Beach watering house. Apparently Dave has threatened that a subpoena will be coming Mike’s way if he doesn’t give it up soon.
So what the hell is up with that? Dave thinks that he can litigate his way out of this? Out of what? What in the world could this have to do with anything? And why get so Protackian about it?
Personally, I thought that the marks on his chest were sweat, but now I wonder.
Tags: Blogosphere, Delaware, Republicans
I’ll admit I’m not up to speed on this local stuff, and maybe this is a dumb question, but… Is Dave Bill Lees lawyer? Why would he threaten legal action over a picture of a public official?
This seems a little over the top.
http://www.downwithabsolutes.com/index.php/2008/05/12/legal-threats-from-mr-fsp/#comment-111469
Especially since the picture in question is nothing. I don’t get the fuss.
And, Burris does not have legal standing to request a subpeona of a third party’s picture absent a fidciary relationship. Now if the picture was one of those threatened by Madame X and had Still and Burris daisy-chaining each other while wearing black leather lederhosen, then Dave could have a cause of action, but only if the contents were photo shopped in such a way as to harm his character with the public; and that would be a tough stretch.
I think Burris got royally punked by Mike Matthews. HEH!
here is the caption from Ryan’s blog
[past happy hour]:
8:33 p.m. Bill Lee (former candidate for governor and judge in the Tom Capano case) shows his support for Claire Walsh in next month’s town election.
“And, Burris does not have legal standing to request a subpeona of a third party’s picture absent a fidciary relationship.”
You’re absoultely correct. I will not be requesting a subpoena.
We could all chip in and post the picture on a billboard on I-95. Not that Lee has any hope of winning the election. The billboard wouldn’t make a difference in the race. But it would piss off Burris. And that would make it funny(er).
I thought republicans hate lawyers and all the lawsuits they create that tie up our legal system?
This has nothing to do with anyone taking or possessing the picture, or with Mike posting it, writing on it or having possession of it. The picture itself and its use on this site is harmless.
Comment number 9 was posted with the same wording over on my site. Is this your standard line now, Mr. Burris? Because I’m not done yet.
No, I just want people to know what it’s not, since you failed to inform them of that fact. I can’t wait to see how I become the bad guy in all of this.
Oh Lord, so now I’m twisting the fact that you threatened me with a subpoena should I not divulge the name? Dave, don’t make me whip out the fucking emails. I’ll do it. I’ll release everything except the part where I stated we were “off the record.”
I own this story right now. You started it and I’m going to end it. You and the rest of Lee’s ravenous sloths got pissed off that I dare post a photo of the golden boy in an kinda-sorta unflattering light. You wanted to know where I got the photo — and at any costs. So, you tried to intimidate me by threatening a subpoena. And you got called on it.
Like I said, I own this story now. And I’m not done.
I can’t wait to see how I become the bad guy in all of this.
your continued arrogance and ignorance are the only thing preventing you from realizing you’re the bad guy. Not time my man
By the way, do the above comments make me sound like Dave Burris? It’s ego all the way on this one!! And I can match up with the best of ’em!
is this gonna end up like that show “Jake and the Fat man”?
Who’s Jake and who’s the fat man? Because, trust me, both Dave and I would have to fight over the latter.
lol, I was going to leave that for you to decide my man.
This is odd. But funny as hell. Especially the comment by “Jesus tap dancing christ” over on DWA.
Dave, if there is really is evidence that you got all threat-y over this, you should probably just suck it up and say you are sorry. This isn’t likely to end well if you don’t.
Ryan. Dude. Read up. Or do we need to publish a “Who’s Who and Who’s Pissed at Who in The Delaware Blogosphere”?
By the way, I have known Bill Lee (slightly, through my wife’s church) for many years and I think he’s a pretty good guy. And I doubt that that photo proves or even really suggests anything. This is one where well enough might have better been left alone.
What might have been better left alone? Me goofing on the photo? Or Dave threatening me with a subpoena?
Dave might have better left the threats alone. Your MO is goofing. Goof away.
I Second that.
I can’t believe people are surprised that Bill hangs at the Dewey summer scene. He’s kind of a joke among the Dewey regulars. Ask around Mike, there are a lot more embarrassing photos out there than this one.
Yeah, can’t wait for the one with vomit all down the front of him after he couldn’t hold his own. ” IT’S NO SECRET, I LIKE TO DRINK ALCOHOL AND GO TO PARTIES” his own words in the Journal. Dave, you are truely becoming the laughing stock of Delaware politics.
Yes, I told Mike that he would probably be subpoenaed for that information. He probably will.
I also told him repeatedly that he was in no way a target, and that the problem had nothing to do with his posting the picture, which was perfectly fine except for bad taste.
The only thing I would have done better was the second email of the 29, which was a little too short and to the point.
Print the emails if you want, Mike.
Also, I wouldn’t say “I own this story” when you don’t even KNOW the whole story. But hey, do what you want.
Uh, the story is, Lee was hammered. and you don’t like the photo because it might surface in late October just before the election. End of story.
Fascinating, Mr. FSP. Simply fascinating.
HALARIOUS…
I think it is time we see the emails.
Let’s put it to bed.
I don’t see how this makes Bill Lee any different from Hillary Clinton, both People of the Proletariat who prove it by drinking in public.
I’ve been telling you all for some time that Dave Burris is a political thug and clown. Just think of it. How can Dave Burris sue someone over a photo about someone else? He knows he can’t do it. But he acts the bully and tries to make Mathews do it anyhow.
The man acts like a thug. I’ve been telling you about him and trying to expose his real nature.
Perhaps from now on some of you will give me the benefit of the doubt.
Dave is representing the interests of the GOP here who wonder about the person who might have sent the picture.
I say Mike has the upper hand all the way here.
It’ll be very interesting for me personally to see what everyone’s reaction will be later this week when the rest of the story is revealed.
Dave –
Your Paul Harvey routine is breathing life into this thing.
What is the rest….of the story?
Rest of the story? About a picture on a blog? This better be good, Dave.
Right now all I can see is the “story” you created.
Truth is… I wasn’t the least bit interested in this post over at DWA until you upped the ante. Now I’m all ears.
Jason,
Obviously “great” minds think alike! 🙂
I dunno, Jason. A story that involves subpoenas about a picture that has been hanging around the Internets for 2 years has the whiff of desperation about it.
Or maybe the story involves somebody’s divorce proceedings, otherwise it’s just tawdry.
Jeez, not even the picture DWA ran of Mohammed with a bomb brought out the wackjob threats like this. And this is just Bill Lee with a beer!
I think the game is to try and suppress the next set of pictures.
“It’ll be very interesting for me personally to see what everyone’s reaction will be later this week when the rest of the story is revealed.”
Ooo, ooo, ooo, let me guess! The pictures are somehow related to the fire at Copeland’s business!
Wow, Dave, you are getting lots of attention!
LOL!
OOO, the FBI and the US Attorney’s office is supposed to be involved!
LOL
Dana – huh?
I know, you are shocked that I don’t know, but wtf are you talking about while responding to yourself in #42?
Nevermind…I just saw the update on Mike’s entry which linked to your posting of it. I should have figured you two swapped emails. So gossipy!!! Can’t wait for the TMZ version!
I wonder why Mike didn’t post that himself?
The G-men are involved now? Sweet.
I’ll only not be pissed at Burris if somehow Protack is involved. Then, that would make all of this worth it.
As an aside – what if Matthews refuses to reveal his sources? Who’s going to stand up for freedom of the press?
“Nevermind…I just saw the update on Mike’s entry which linked to your posting of it.”
How typical of you to start blabbing protecting your buddy before you even have the evidence.
Dana, if you are allowed to reflexively attack Burris, why can’t others reflexively believe in him?
“I’ll only not be pissed at Burris if somehow Protack is involved.”
I’ve posted the e-mail exchange at my site. Burris says the photo was used elsewhere than Mike’s blog…that’s why the Feds are interested. So I’m thinking mail fraud…make the connections.
If so, why does Burris presume to think it’s his job t0 ask Mike for the source? Isn’t that the FBI’s job? And why is he revealing the existence of a FBI investigation?
Sounds awfully irresponsible to me…like someone who can’t keep an important secret because he wants to be perceived as a bigshot.
“Dana, if you are allowed to reflexively attack Burris,”
Faulty premise
Faulty how? Immediately upon hearing that the word ‘subpoena’ may have come from the keyboard of Dave Burris, what was your reaction? My guess is that ‘concerned trepidation’ encompassed about 0% of your response. Ditto ‘curiousity’, ‘ bemused resignation’, or ‘journalistic detachment’.
How typical of you to start blabbing protecting your buddy before you even have the evidence.
You got all that from what I commented? You’re just little ol’ judge and jury aren’t ya’? In case you missed the prior comment, I know, you are shocked that I don’t know, but wtf are you talking about while responding to yourself in #42?
Guess what, hangman, I didn’t know what you were talking about until I saw what you posted from the email between Mike and Dave that presumably Mike sent you (I have since been caught up).
Which, btw, was one reason why I limited myself from emailing bloggers except for a very certain few a long time ago. With a little exception, people are so ready to throw each other under the bus if it meant more hits.
Randy,
You can email me anytime and have complete confidence that I would never share conversations with the public like I’ve done with my back-and-forth with Dave yesterday. This is certainly an exception and if you asked any of my sources, you’d know I keep good relationships and always respect their privacy. Something Dave Burris doesn’t seem interested in honoring.
I love the a la carte flexible ethics in search of more attention. Beautiful.
Sheesh…anyone smell a red herring in the room?
This is what Burris does. He’s stayed quiet all day because he knows his shit is toast. Then he discovers one little, irrelevant chink in the armor and decides to spin this into “I’m the winner now.”
I don’t know. Burris seems awful confident. There’s got to be more to the story.
I don’t doubt there is a story. His placing me into the story is where I’m calling him out. Don’t fucking intimidate me to give up one of my sources is where I’m coming from.
Dave’s Lickspittles,
Try noticing this one more time. IN THIS THREAD Dave told Mike to go ahead and publish the e-mails.
“Print the emails if you want, Mike.” (#26)
He did: through me.
Neither you or your overlord have a basis for complaint.
“Which, btw, was one reason why I limited myself from emailing bloggers except for a very certain few a long time ago.”
Oh, if I had known that I could get e-mails from you, I would have let up on your master’s hypocrisies long ago.
Geesh.
Are you kidding? The whole crux of this controversy you’re trying to create is that I asked you for your source and then “threatened” you with a subpoena. Your whole argument is your strong sense of journalistic ethics, which you now cavalierly toss out the window when it suits you.
“Dave, don’t make me whip out the fucking emails. I’ll do it. I’ll release everything except the part where I stated we were “off the record.””
Again, thanks for the red herring, Mr. Burris. At this point, it doesn’t matter. You’re scum of the highest order.
Now you’re claiming you DIDN’T threaten me with a subpoena? This is pure comic gold.
You stay silent all day and then you find one slip-up of mine. Just like a Republican.
BTW, tell me what was so stunning in the OFF THE RECORD section of those emails that they actually need to remain “off the record?”
“Now you’re claiming you DIDN’T threaten me with a subpoena? This is pure comic gold.”
No. Just that I went way out of my way to indicate that it wasn’t about you or your blog or that there was any threat to you.
“You stay silent all day and then you find one slip-up of mine. Just like a Republican.”
Unfortunately, I have a job, kids and things that require me to do other things than sit in front of a computer all day.
“BTW, tell me what was so stunning in the OFF THE RECORD section of those emails that they actually need to remain “off the record?””
That’s not the standard I learned in college. I learned that off the record meant off the record. I wasn’t taught that journalistic integrity was flexible according to one’s need for attention.
In the end, no ones cares about your “journalistic integrity.” Including you, apparently.
Dave, shit or get off the pot! Pussy.
I will. Thursday.
You know what? Thinking back, this isn’t even the first time Matthews has violated my confidences.
Note Dave’s blatant spin. He claims there was no threat to me. Yet he told me if I didn’t give up the name, then I would be subpoenaed. Anyone with the most basic knowledge of judicial procedure knows that if I were subpoenaed and compelled to give the information and refused, I could be found in contempt of court and be ordered to jail or pay a fine or both.
Tell me, how is that NOT a threat to me? Spin away. It’s your job as a high-ranking political operative in the party. Oh, wait. You’re actually not.
Dave can’t keep his ducks in a row so now he goes digging.
Go back to the emails and count how many times I referred to there being no threat to you.
I know, I know, the pic of Bill isn’t at the Bottle and Cork. It’s a survailance camera at the post office where Joanne Christians mail was stolen. And possibly Bill was the culprit.
OK, so there was never a mention of me getting a subpoena? A subpoena IS A FUCKING THREAT, you moron. If I don’t give the name, then it could have drastic implications to either my livelihood or my checkbook should I be found in contempt of court. Do you not understand the bullshit you’re typing?
mail fraud ia a federal crime.
You’re right, Mike. Everyone’s out to get you.
Wow…just wow. Dave, with you I don’t know where the comedy ends and the seriousness begins.
Oh, if I had known that I could get e-mails from you, I would have let up on your master’s hypocrisies long ago.
Swing-and-a-miss! How does your logic work in coming up with your conclusions?
Point is, it’s best to keep it public from the get-go, which forces some temperment. If not, I’m sure you will whip out some archived document someday to plunge directly in the back of an old friend.
Bill Lee is wearing a Claire Walsh campaign sticker in the photo. She ran and won in the last Dewey Beach election. The question is she a D or R?
She’s a democrat! Nice to see our Republican Gov. cantidate supporting the other side.
Dave, shouldn’t you get to the bottom of your mail fraud claim, before you get the feds involved in another high profile case here in Delaware? Do tell how that case that you promised us was coming is developing.
Smitty,
Your buddy tried to intimidate Mike Matthews w/ being subpoenaed. It was first thing out of his mouth when Mathews told him he wouldn’t give up his source–the very first thing he said in reply.
Then read the rest of the e-mails–notice the imperious, contemptuous, condescending tone he uses w/ Matthews. You have said NOTHING about that. Burris’ behavior was uncalled for:
1. He’s not entitled to know Mike’s source if the FBI is looking into it. The FBI knows how to talk to Mike.
2. And what is Burris even doing letting anyone know about an FBI investigation? I assume Burris was talked to by them (assuming any of this true), so why is he tipping off people about it?
But not even that can bring you or RickJ to say one word of rebuke to Burris about his behavior.
That is truly ill.
Maybe rickj and rsmitty know more than you.
“Maybe rickj and rsmitty know more than you.”
I’m sure they do. And so does Tom Ross from what I hear, but I’m quite sure that they don’t know that it’s Dave Burris’ job to dig up info for the FBI doing an active investigation.
Let’s face the apparent reality here. Dave knows something is going on, so he ON HIS OWN thought he would try to score some additional info (and was willing to intimidate Matthews in his 1st reply w/ a subpoena w/ NO further explanation in that reply) . Why would he do that? I believe the answer is obvious: if Burris could be credited w/ giving lots of helpful info to the FBI, his chits go up. He looks like a bigshot.
Hi Gang–It’s been a long time–but I can clarify–the post office investigation is resolving–the post office admits full responsibility for the mishandling/disappearance of my mail. I am awaiting some sort of calculated reimbursement, when lo and behold there’s been a reassignment of duties and this case….I’ll be happy to follow up with you as the situation unfolds….how good of you to remember!!! But on another note–shame on all you Delaware political bloggers for not one mere mention of school board elections today!!!! If ever there is a pure public service that you can VOTE on without the entanglement of partisanship–a school board election is just that–one of the largest budget items, and reflection of community values that we truly have a say in…If it is true that “all politics is local”….you “enlightened” bloggers have been derelict in your esteemed pulpits of civic responsibility by not reminding nor directing readership to the polls today. But no–we’ll wait until a “bigger office seeker” blows by with some canned plan for education, and funding…and solutions…because we weren’t paying enough attention locally to know our schools’ strengths and weaknesses–before abdicating to the state fairy godmother (father) to make it all better. You have a grass roots chance to cast a vote deciding your local school district’s future direction–and I wonder how many of you squandered that privilege by not showing up at the polls–but by gosh will autopsy every word a party candidate spews about educational reform that is broad based, overused, and populist.
Congratulations to Edna Cale and Julie Johnson of Appoquinimink for their local school board victories, and the much anticipated dedicated, local service they will perform. Congratulations to all the Delaware district winners tonite—and thank you to all who cared enough to run…and cared enough to vote. I think I’m done now…here help me move this soapbox….thanks!!!
But on another note–shame on all you Delaware political bloggers for not one mere mention of school board elections today!!!! ”
We have been appropriately chastised. You are correct. 🙂
Hope you are well.
I’m holding my breath, Dave promised us a reason for the subpoena on Thursday!
AFTER VIEWING THE PHOTO I HOPE SOMEONE DROVE THE JUDGE HOME