Blogger Down

Steve Gilliard, 1966-2007


It is with tremendous sadness that we must convey the news that Steve Gilliard, editor and publisher of The News Blog (www.thenewsblog.net), passed away early this morning. He was 41.

To those who have come to trust The News Blog and its insightful, brash and unapologetic editorial tone, we have Steve to thank from the bottom of our hearts. Steve helped lead many discussions that mattered to all of us, and he tackled subjects and interest categories where others feared to tread.

We will post more information as it becomes available to us.

Please keep Steve's friends and family in your thoughts and prayers.

Steve meant so much to us. We will miss him terribly.

- the news blog team

I was introduced to Steve Gilliard's blog by a family member and I had been hooked since then. Steve was an well educated, articulate man and was armed with a very acerbic yet humorous wit. His news blog was a collection of perspectives ranging from the political, current, events, food and his own personal life. He often wrote about his nephews and nieces and it was quite touching how he doted on them.

People often labeled Steve as a liberal blogger but I do not think that title fit him because everyone was in his cross hairs. Liberal and conservative.In the world of straight shooters, Steve Gilliard was a Marine Corps Sniper.

I have to admit there were times when I disagreed with Steve's posts but he always backed up his arguments with a PhD level of evidence and a preacher's passion. Yet, he did not resort to the usual posturing that you see with a lot blogs that are simply shills for causes.

Steve was someone you could not bulls**t because not only was he sensitive to the malarkey of the world but he would not tolerate it in his presence. In fact, the moment he sensed it, he would hunt it down and dismantle it with the greatest of ease and with very colorful language.

Health problems have plagued Steve for quite awhile, in fact he has detailed his medical history on his blog. When he recently had to go back to the hospital, I figured he would return in a couple of weeks. That was not to be.

I would have loved to see Steve's take on the current real estate market, particularly how minorities are suffering through the sub prime mortgage mess, Iraq, Virginia Tech, Rosie O'Donnell, the View, the presidential race and I know he would have had a ball with how that douchebag infected with TB that was allowed to roam free and risk infecting others.

And I would have paid money to see Steve in a four way debate with Bill O'Reilly, Anne Coulter and Michelle Malkin. Steve would have had them all in fetal positions with their thumbs in their mouths.

You'll see where I am coming from when you read his blog. I hope they never take it down.

My condolences to Steve's family, Jen and his friends. He will be missed.