Back in 2012, Brett Kimberlin created a pirate-themed website called the Bloggers Offense Fund. That led to his being referred to as The Dread Pirate Kimberlin. Eleven years ago today, I posted Dread Pirates Compared–Roberts v. #BrettKimberlin.

* * * * *

The Dread Pirate Roberts, so the story goes, is a pirate of near-mythical reputation, someone feared across the seven seas for his ruthlessness and swordfighting prowess, and who is well known for taking no prisoners. Ships immediately surrender and give up their cargos rather than be captured, a fate they imagine to be certain death.

The Dread Pirate Kimberlin is more like a legend in his own mind, a pretender who wishes to be feared for his ruthlessness and legal ability and to be known for vanquishing all comers in court. Critics, he thinks, should immediately stop telling the truth about him and give up their First Amendment rights at his command.

It turns out that Dread Pirate Kimberlin’s legal acumen seems to be as fictional as Dread Pirate Roberts’ existence. And no one will surrender to Dread Pirate Kimberlin.

* * * * *

As the mockery continued, Pirate became interchangeable with Pro-Se, Performer, Protestor, Protector, Perjurer, etc., and when Kimberlin failed to pay court-ordered sanction, Dread morphed into Deadbeat.

BTW, The Deadbeat Pusher Kimberlin is still the Speedway Bomber.