Reno Blog Battle: Meme, Money, and a Protection Order

Michael Leonard, a local blogger, is fighting back against Reno mayoral candidate Eddie Lorton after a temporary protection order (TPO) was issued against him. Leonard argues that the order is unwarranted and that his actions do not meet Nevada’s legal definition of harassment or stalking. He says the meme he sent, a popular “Breaking Bad” image, was not threatening but simply part of everyday online culture.

The Spark

• Meme sent: Leonard sent Lorton a meme with the caption “I am not in danger, I am the danger.”
• Lorton's reaction: Lorton viewed it as a menacing threat and filed for a TPO on March 3.
• Leonard’s response: On March 12, he filed a legal motion to dissolve the order and recover attorney fees.

Leonard’s Arguments

• Misinterpretation of pop‑culture: The meme references a specific episode where the character declares he is “the danger,” an internet meme now used for satire.
• Political criticism vs. safety: Leonard claims the TPO was a tool to silence political criticism rather than protect personal safety.
• Timing concerns: The TPO was filed shortly after Leonard reported alleged campaign finance violations, suggesting retaliation.

Background on Leonard’s Blog

• Blog name: Mike’s Reno Report.
• Past support for Lorton: The blog previously praised Lorton and even sent an invoice for unpaid “in‑kind” contributions to the mayoral campaign.
• Invoice details: $150 per hour for blog posts supporting Lorton, totaling over a thousand dollars for a single article.
• Leonard’s stance: He never demanded money; he only wanted Lorton to report the contribution properly, as required by state law.

Legal Proceedings

• Court hearing: April 13 will decide whether to extend the TPO.
• Attorney’s view: Lorton’s attorney described the meme as a clear threat.
• Leonard’s counter: He maintains that a reasonable person would not see the meme as an actual threat, especially given the political context.