I knew the anniversary was coming up and I went over to the old site a few times just to look at Steve's picture and meditate a bit. I often find myself wondering what his comment would be on something political or cultural... and it hits me (again) that he isn't here to comment. (I'm one of the periodic commenters.) I didn't know him personally, but ghod, I miss him.
And all of you are doing a great job keeping his flame going.
((((((Jesse)))))))
I'm not sure when I realized that today was the anniversary. I can't believe it's been a year already. I wrote about him today as well.
Many, many people are thinking about you guys today. Thank you for carrying the torch so well.
I miss his insight most of all. He could get to the heart of the argument in a flash, and his predictions about where things have been going have generally been spot-on.
Dang, it has been a year. I knew it was coming up. Here is to the memory of Steve, and thanks to you guys for stepping in.
I think Steve would be proud of what you guys at the GNB have done since he's left.
And I think he'd be even prouder of what the larger blog world is doing to bring alive the America we want.
Thanks for remembering Steve this way.
SP
If I knew for certain that he heard my whispered "I love you man" in that hospital bedroom I might have an easier time of this. This day is going to hurt - a lot...
Damn, one year already. I've just gotten to the point where I say 'I wonder what Steve would have said' instead of will say. While he was often short term wrong on his predictions, long term he was dead on. I remember his rallying the troops after 2004.
I just wish he was around to see today with Bush in disarray and Obama likely to be the first black prez.
I still miss him, and I'm glad y'all are around to carry on his passion.
Damn. This still stings.
Dammit - to think what he would be writing:
- Sen. Clinton's hubristic fall
- Scotty McClellan's sudden finding of conscience attached to his wallet
- William Kristol's "editorials" at the NYT
- The Yankees being in last place -> Fuck the Fucking Yankees
- Euro Football Championship starting in five days
- Summer barbeque posts
- New York City Politics
The News Blog was the first and last blog read of the day. I unfortunately never had a chance to meet such a wonderful man.
Hugs to Jen on a very difficult day (and hugs to the rest of you too whose lives he touched).
Steve Gilliard is dead. Long live Steve Gilliard!
Fuck the fucking Yankees!
(wasn't it this bear who had this pre-recorder?)
We miss you Steve.
You've been to the mountaintop, and you've looked over.
Jen, Gilly's family, good people of Group News Blog, take care, all of you.
Of all the things that I wish he could have watched in person, and that includes Sen. Obama's ascent, is watching Rudy Guiliani's fairly spectacular flame-out. I think that he would have gotten a big kick out of the cringeworthiness of it all.
Y'all have done real good.
Back in the days when I was first discovering blogs, I remember stumbling on Steve's on a day he was commenting about the war in Iraq and bringing to his entry an incredible amount of historical knowledge about the British colonial experience there. I remember thinking, "This guy's a genius." Thereafter, I read his blog every week day (even the entries on how to make perfect macaroni and cheese). As a blogger, he was at the top of the pile. No one has and no one can ever replace him. His intellect was tough and rigorous. His heart was warm and open. I miss him.
I go to his old blog to say hi, usually when I am up late at night and all of the house is fast asleep. we never met in person, but he was not only brilliant but a tremendous personal support -- online and virtual but personal nonetheless. 10 days after his death, my son turned 1. So that's my very personal anniversary. Steve, I only put Will into the Ipod onesie one time and not for long either; I wanted to save it for when you'd meet him. Now it sits in the same box as your NYT obit and looking at it breaks my heart. His kindness is irreplaceble, he cared so much that's why there is such an incredible void in the world.
yah, gilly ascho, yi'il naganaz alkaag
(yes, gilly my friend, we fight on)
I can't believe it's been a YEAR. I am so sorry for the pain of your loss. And so sorry for the great voice WE lost. Thank you for posting this.
Thank you all.
You all know that the bear had a custom sound chip in it, yes? I made it so that it squeaked "Fuck the Yankees" (in my falsetto voice) when you squeezed its hand. Gilly laughed 'till he cried when he heard it....
We all miss Steve, but I'd also like to (prematurely) congratulate GNB for becoming a great blog of its own. Steve would be proud.
I'm not sure of the quantity of readers, but in terms of quality, GNB is also, itself, a very major blog, LM.
You know, so much has happened since Steve's last post and last breath, and the scene is so different, that his passing seems like much more than just a year ago. There still isn't anyone out there that can engage my interest on line the way he did. No offense, LM.
You're close, LM, but Steve was a special case. It's funny to me when people refer to him as Afro or left, when in fact the guy was so unique that...
what the hell, there are no words.
Peace and barbecue, Steve, wherever you are.
I didn't notice that Jesse wrote this one!
If only there were words. Steve, you're missed.
GNB is such a wonderful, living tribute to him. Good on y'all.
And fuck the fucking yankees.
Jesse--
I'm among the thousands(?) who began as one of Steve's loyal readers and have followed the group over here. For what it's worth, I find a great deal of comfort in all of you. It's that particular level of thinking, outrageousness, humor, curiosity, sincerity and a willingness to really know your shiites from shinola that Steve attracted and brought together. Thank you for this post.
One of the things most fun about Steve was that, on his political blog, he'd open up a thread during the world cup and we had a group of folks from all over the world watching the game "together." What an experience. I loved him for his writing and insight, but loved him even more for that.
PS--just how many daily average hits are y'all getting there?
I loved Steve's anger ... and the way it made him research. He'd just pour history all over his blog then point at its pooling lessons.
steve is missed...i started reading his stuff back in the netslaves days (well I started readign netslaves, then steve started writeing there)...he had wonderful insight on jsut about every topic..and would (eventual) admit when he was wrong.
I would ahve loved to hear his take on the primaries I think this http://stevegilliard.blogspot.co...illarys-
in.html was his onyl post on the topic..he cleary didn't liek hiallry and knew nothig nabout Obama yet, even then he clearly stated why hillarys campaing faild...thats one predicition that he naild
Mama4Obama ! When asked for whom I'm voting--this mama's 4 Obama is what I always say. Get's me some looks, let me tell you.
I miss Steve still. It's especially frustrating right now because his take on Obama would certainly have been insightful and unique.
I knew by November of 06 that I couldn't vote for Hillary, and his was the blog where he and his commentors were articulating the reasons why not her better than anywhere else.
Fuck. There still isn't a voice that's stepped up to take his place.
Maybe there never will be.
Very sad. Nice post Jesse. hug.
moonglum - I remember that post! I had looked for it about the time I was saying the same thing and got banned on FDL for being a "misogynist". Go figure. I would love to have his take on this and how its gone down... FOR SURE! He was spot ON there with that post.
I mostly miss his war posts though... and his maps too. I would have loved to read his words on the Sean Bell outcome as well.
But then, I think of that first debate when the lightening struck and rattled them all up and how I'd thought "Well he's still fighting the good fight!". I think of that movie "Always" where Richard Dreyfus would .... well fool with people still on this side. Then I think of some pubbie gaffe, like when mccain says Iran is training al queada and I wonder if its not Gilly there feeding him lines.... you know, to be helpful and all. Ya never know.
Many Blessings upon his soul and for his family and friends.
Doc, I still cry for him, and I never even met the man. I remember when he took ill, how faithfully you posted updates and I would come and read and mostly lurk and occasionally check in at crazy hours of day and night fearing the worst and hoping for the best.
It is a testament to Steve as a writer, as a blogger, as a most erudite and colourful character that he affected so many. And still does.
Thank you for this wonderful memorial.
hugs to you Jesse, and all. I am so sad today.
but glad you guys came together to do the GNB.
Thank you everyone for your thoughts and comments.
love,
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