F the F'in Yankees!

Today would have been Steve Gilliard's 44th birthday. I've missed this patriot often over the past couple of years. And I especially missed him in this past election campaign. Somehow, I think he was still around, and the legion of followers who are "fighting back" are Steve's mark and memory in our world. Truly and often, the good die all too young.

I for one will never forget the hornet's nest he stirred when he put Michael Steel in blackface! Or his human and humane coverage of the NYC transit workers strike. Or the long treatises on history. Or the (waaay) optimistic predictions that the GOP would get its due (they finally did this year). Or the typos! To go back to Steve's archives today is to relive the agony and the ecstasy of these past Bush years - and miss all over again that wonderful voice he gave to so many of us.

The folks at the Group News Blog are keeping Steve's fighting spirit alive and well. Thanks for all that you do and reminding us today about the man we miss from our midst.

Steve, I miss ya! And yeah, F the effing Yankees!