Sparks Tribune's Tom Darby Takes Strange Trip to Cobblerville

Just when you think the whole "Who is CobbGobbler?" search couldn't become any more bizarre, in bumbles a new super-sleuth touting secret ties to the National Security Agency, constitutional protection and threats of going to Dick Gammick.

Oh, and he also has solved the mystery and helped save (or, perhaps, implicate) an unnamed candidate from disgrace by giving him time to "correct any paperwork deficits that might exist".

I know you're probably thinking that it is just some crank blogger who is drifting in and out of their own fantasy world and, sadly, you are only half right. You see, our sleuth is also intrepid Sparks Tribune city reporter Tom Darby. And before you start shouting "MSM! MSM!", remember, it's the Sparks Tribune.

Now, if you haven't read it yet in the paper (though he says his editor is prepared to go with a "three or four part series") , that's because it is posted only on his blog -- Tom Uses His Words.

While Darby uses his words he, unfortunately, doesn't appear to use his brains. Apparently overlooking the fact that the CobbGobbler brouhaha had been well-researched on Mr Jerz and Inside Nevada Politics, he missed the whole juicy story of cobbgobbler.com being registered in Mike Dillon's (Ty Cobb's opponent in AD-26) name. Instead he zeroes in on the Chuck Smith registration of cobbgobbler.net.

But that is minor compared to the wild story he spins on his blog. Now in the tale Darby purports to be true he uses code names for the participants to protect their privacy. To make it easy on Dullard Mush readers I'll translate. "#1" is the CobbGobbler, "#2" is Eric Odom and "Friend" is failed AD-26 candidate Richard Disney.

The excitement all apparently began August 6 when #1, errr CobbGobbler, emailed Darby asking him to investigate Cobb's residency. Instead of using his reporter resources to quickly determine that the residence in question was legal (like Mr. Jerz and the Dullard Mush did), Darby turns to the NSA! That's right, the agency that is supposedly protecting us from terrorism apparently moonlights off/duty by tracking down IP addresses for "drinking buddies" had made the determination that the CobbGobbler is none other than ... Eric Odom.

So after telling CobbGobbler/Odom that the "NSA already has you. You might as well come out and play legally," Darby continues by letting him know that if he had only given himself up he would have protected him. With the solemn code of a journalist's right to protect sources, you ask? No, it's because Darby is "a true Constitutionalist".

At this point Odom (code name "2", which I'm sure he loves) emails Darby to complain about being blamed for the web site. He denies being the CobbGobbler and the two go back and forth until a third party joins the fray.

The third party, only identified by Darby as a "friend", is none other than Disney, who readers will recognize as the first figure in the whole NICPAC business-for-endorsement scandal. And, adding to the intrigue, Odom was cofounder of NICPAC and paid consultant to Disney.

As all good journalists do when presented with an interesting story, Darby threatens to "turn it over to (the) Washoe County District Attorney for review." But, in a nice gesture to Disney, he writes Odom he is "hesitating to give (Disney) enough time to correct any paperwork deficits that might exist. I don't want him to go down because of your silliness." I'm sure Richard appreciates the implication.

Of course Disney doesn't help himself as he later writes Darby, "It does not bode well. As far as paperwork, I have everything filed correctly. What other paperwork can you think of that I might need?" and the always confidence-inspiring "I have an appointment to meet with my attorney to make sure all of my bases are covered. Thanks for the heads up."

So what is one to make of all this. Is Eric Odom the CobbGobbler? Or his Tom Darby just a weaver of tall tales who, at best, is a blowhard with a semi-vivid imagination, at worst, an ethically-challenged journalist who would tip off a political friend to something illegal?

While I'd being willing to bet the CobbGobbler is someone associated with Odom's Battle Born News, the writing styles of the two don't really seem to match.

As for Darby, perhaps his editor should take a peek at his blogs. I'm sure if she did, Darby would be able to blog full-time from the comfort of his home.

UPDATE (8/22): On Monday, August 21, the Sparks Tribune banned blogs by staff members. Darby's blog went dark soon after.

UPDATE (1/11): Darby was dismissed from the Sparks Tribune shortly after the above controversy.