Don Mohler wants you to know he is not Ron Burgundy—even if you think he is.
For more than two weeks, speculation has been that Mohler, chief of staff to County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, is the Patch commenter who takes his name from the Will Ferrell movie Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.
“I am absolutely not Ron Burgundy,” Mohler responded with a laugh when asked by a reporter.
Mohler said he is certainly aware that some people believe he and “Burgundy” are one in the same.
“Burgundy” appears, at least most of the time, to be pro-Kamenetz and comments on stories about Baltimore County government.
“I hope he's at least clever,” Mohler joked.
A number of other readers, some anonymous, some not, have speculated publicly on Patch that Mohler has been trolling stories under the assumed moniker.
Meg O'Hare, a former school board member and blogger for Parkville Patch, also speculated Monday on her blog that Burgundy was Mohler—though she never actually names Mohler.
Over the last two weeks I've personally received no fewer than 18 emails or calls from people who held similar beliefs. I pointed out to Mohler that "Burgundy" had even made comments that sounded similar to unpublished statements he had made to me—a comment that made Mohler chuckle.
“I am fascinated by this culture of people who sit around and make up fake names so they can comment on stories,” Mohler said.
There is one thing about all the speculation that irritates Mohler.
“It's the people who defend me, the ones who say I can't be Ron Burgundy because I don't know who Ron Burgundy is,” Mohler said. “That's what offends me. I am not culturally illiterate.”
Mohler goes on to say he's seen the movie "at least 100 times" and is a Will Ferrell fan.
“I even know the meaning of ‘Ma! The meatloaf!’” said Mohler, quoting Ferrell's character Chazz Reinhold in Wedding Crashers.
So, at least for now, the legend of Ron Burgundy continues.
Stay classy, Baltimore County.
Buck Harmon
7:01 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
I have concerns with anyone that would watch the same movie"at least 100 times".
My bet is that he is Ron Burgundy.... just because he says that he's not proves no more that he's not than saying he watched the movie a bunch of times.
The shame here is that you can't trust the guy...
Meg O'Hare
7:03 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
I too had doubt about the Ron Burgundy character until the comment from D. Flynn. Just because someone denies something does not mean it is not true.
Bart
7:16 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
We all kow Don is Ron. NOBODY watches a movie 100 times unless it is "The Big Lebowski"
Bryan P. Sears
8:03 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Bart: Are you "the dude?" :-)
Bart
11:07 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
No, but I am an achiever! Let's go bowling.
JDStuts
8:46 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Wow. Glad he cleared that up. Now exactly which Merrill Lynch rep sold him the fraudulent investment in Mainsail II?
Remember, he doesn't have to decline to name Series 7 reps due to confidentiality clauses. That's public information.
And not for nothing...why does Kamenetz invest in Philip Morris and Altria?
Buzz Beeler
9:55 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
I'm not quite sure I would take seriously the word of a man who may know who lost the $21 million in pension funds. I watched a movie a 100 times. It was "All The President's Men."
M. Sullivan
9:06 am on Thursday, May 3, 2012
"Ron Burgundy" may well be just someone who purposely takes the contrarian stance just to stir up arguments.
Karl
10:16 am on Thursday, May 3, 2012
Regardless of Ron's motivation(s), I don't give him any credence. Whomever he is (obviously a Mohler supporter) take him with a grain of salt and rub it in his wounded strategy.
Steve
3:03 pm on Thursday, May 3, 2012
Why are you even guessing? Beeler has posted on here before that he has "informants" that tell him where people are posting from.
Buzz Beeler
3:25 pm on Thursday, May 3, 2012
I also know what you had for breakfast this morning. I'm surprised you have noticed me passing by yet.
Lablover
5:07 pm on Thursday, May 3, 2012
Ron Burgundy and Don Mohler can't be the same person. Otherwise Ron Burgundy would only say "no comment!".
Meg O'Hare
1:05 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Ron Burgundy could need the outlet after so many "no comments".
charles richardson
10:11 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Meg, if I may be so bold to refer to you that way, I'm extremely disappointed in the fact you leave this comment but fail to acknowledge the other "left" messages in other blogs. Disappointed because I thought your blog on vitriol was well thought out, perhaps a bit one-sided but such is your right. It was hoped that you really believed in what you were writing but as the situation continues to unfold the fear that it's strictly one-sided, and it's your side only, that your views have simply become words on a computer and not a true belief. Again, I hate to sound redundant but the only word to describe the situation is disappointing. I now unfortunately believe, and based on this latest comment and the silence on the others, you have lost all credibility and that your words mean nothing. I really had hoped for more.