We told you yesterday about Minnesota anti-gay heavy-metal evangelist Bradlee Dean‘s—cue Doctor Evil voice—$50 meeelion lawsuit against Rachel Maddow, which his attorney promises will “end her career.” We only skimmed the complaint though, and glossed over the best part: Apparently Dean is upset that Rachel Maddow made fun of his first name. From the complaint:
On or about August 9, 2010, Defendants Rachel Maddow, MSNBC and NBC broadcast a segment on The Rachel Maddow Show that outrageously disparaged Bradlee Dean’s physical appearance, his first name and his profession as a heavy metal entertainer and his standing in the community and represented that he and YCR had advocated the execution of gays.
“Bradlee with two E’s if you’re Googling,” is how Maddow put it. She referred to him later in the broadcast simply as “Bradlee with two E’s.” People have been shot for less! But here’s the thing: “Bradlee” is not Bradlee Dean’s real name. His legal name is actually Bradley Dean Smith. He goes by “Bradlee” presumably because it’s more punk rock; it is, to use his language, a lifestyle decision. As for his appearance, well, we’re not passing judgment. But Dean did show up to deliver the opening prayer at the Minnesota House wearing a white track suit, and on Wednesday he arrived at his own press conference to announce said $50 million lawsuit wearing a black Minnesota Twins jersey. In fairness, it was a button-down.
