Steve Gilliard, 1964-2007

It is with tremendous sadness that we must convey the news that Steve Gilliard, editor and publisher of The News Blog, passed away June 2, 2007. He was 42.

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.

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

Steve meant so much to us.

We will miss him terribly.

You have to read this

Odd Question
Posted by: robynartem
Posted on: 02/20/2007 at 6:29am (1 of 867)

As someone who had an extensive childhood abuse history, the answer to the question is terror of being killed or harmed further. Kids can't run and it is never thier fault for being abused or taken. It lies strictly on the heads of the adults to look out for the children and not the other way around. In order for them kids to grow up feeling safe and loved we need to show compassion and anger on thier behalf for what has happened to them, instead of advertently or inadvertently blaming them for abuse.


I AGREE WITH YOU
In Response to: Odd Question
Posted by: sjnirella
Posted on: 02/20/2007 at 8:37am (2 of 867)

Robyn, Thank you for sharing. I am so sorry that you were abused and that no one came to your rescue. I understand. I also grew up in a violent, abusive home. Teachers even told my parents that I had an active imagination. I am so glad that you put the responsibility on the adults. I could just hug you for that. Accountability and responsibility are their's and never, never, never a child's. Even w/ excellent counseling and attending support group meetings, I battle feeling safe along w/ trusting others. Some days are better than others. I am learning to trust God.


the failure of adults
In Response to: I AGREE WITH YOU
Posted by: iresonate
Posted on: 02/20/2007 at 9:09am (3 of 867)

It never surprises me when the school system fails to recognize signs of abuse. Having had zero schooling in this area,I still say its not difficult to discern with daily communication. I am glad you found something to place your trust in. Trusting yourself is important,too.


Kidnapped As a Child: Why I didn't Run
Posted by: moley0815 - dio51
Posted on: 02/20/2007 at 9:38am (4 of 867)

I can not believe that you are allowing Bill O'Reilly on this show for the purpose of claiming he's on a crusade to catch pedophiles! His recent remarks about that poor 15 year old boy who was kidnapped were unbelieveable. He stated the 15 year old boy probably liked it better living with the pedophile that kidnapped him because the boy didn't have to go to school, was allowed to do pretty much what he pleased and was probably having more fun than if he lived with his birth parents. It didn't take the group in Florida long to ditch him as a speaker at $500 per plate dinner regarding those same remarks about the 15 year old liking living with the pedophile. This indeed is a low point in programming choices for Oprah.


Why...
Posted by: tewanna1
Posted on: 02/20/2007 at 10:02am (5 of 867)

Just wanted to say, I understand why we don't run. Growing up in an abusive situation, my family used to say we will take you if it gets too bad, for me and my twin one day to run away and go for help. To be returned to the same hell we were running from, sometimes all you can do is stay. I like the Ludacris song Runaway Love from his Release Therapy...Music helps in understanding among prayer and growth...


BIll O'Reilly
Posted by: mjjonline1
Posted on: 02/20/2007 at 11:23am (6 of 867)

Hi Oprah, Bill O'Reilly had a Sex Offense charge pending against him until he settled "to Protect his Family". Most do not have the money to settle this type of incident so, they plea bargin (to protect their families) or because the Attorney suggest they have a 50-50 chance of doing more years in prison.NOW, O'Reilly wants to never talk about it again (His incident). O'Reilly is just as bad or worse than most in prison for this charge. He Loves to intimidate people and act as if he is God. More and more each day people are seeing through O'Reilly. This is just one more way to get ratings for Fox. Have you ever noticed how angry he gets when someone brings up his faults?Yet, he does not allow anyone to say anything against his character or to really voice their opinions. He gets loud and shuts up the conversation immediately. A week or so ago he told a women with her own opinion that this was not what they discussed and that if she wanted to continue with what she was saying that she would not be on the show again (perhaps not exact verbage, but close). How great it must be to have the money to get out of this charge. PLEASE, do the reasearch. Not all with this charge are "Sicko's". They did a moral wrong and they are paying for life by registering. VERY few deserve to have to pay with the type of law that O'Reilly is pushing. I am glad that more and more people find this man and his nasty ways as disgusting as I do. HE loves this control "FACTOR". Please read the following: Bill O'Reilly, plaintiff settle harassment suit NEW YORK (AP) — Citing a need to shield his loved ones, Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly has settled a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by his former producer. All cases and claims between Bill O'Reilly and Andrea Mackris have been withdrawn. "This brutal ordeal is now officially over, and I will never speak of it again," O'Reilly said on Thursday night's edition of his talk show, The O'Reilly Factor. O'Reilly, who is married with two children, also dropped an extortion lawsuit against his accuser and her lawyer. Both sides have agreed to keep the details confidential, O'Reilly's attorney said. Andrea Mackris, 33, who was a producer on the show, sued the top-rated TV host Oct. 13, alleging O'Reilly made a series of explicit phone calls to her, advised her to use a vibrator and telling her about sexual fantasies involving her. Earlier that day, O'Reilly, 55, filed a lawsuit accusing Mackris and her lawyer of trying to extor


Forgiveness & Understanding
Posted by: adriennewi
Posted on: 02/20/2007 at 11:52am (7 of 867)

It makes me so upset that people just don't understand the amount of fear that one human being - adult or child can possess. I have been the victim of Stockholm Syndrome (as an adult) and find it incomprehensible that a person could even ask the question of why a child wouldn't run or tell. As an adult, I was in a situation where my family was being threatened. There is nothing I wouldn't have done to protect my family...and I complied with his requests because I truly had fear. On one hand, I felt sorry for him (hence the Stockholm), but on the other, I was full of the most intense fear and anxiety I had ever experienced. How dare anyone ask what a child could possibly feel in that situation? We need to learn about compassion, forgiveness and understanding and focus less on judgement.


Why Bill O'Reilly?
Posted by: mrsbacchus - life is either a daring adventure or nothing
Posted on: 02/20/2007 at 12:23pm (8 of 867)

I am very confused by the teaser for tomorrow's show with Bill O'Reilly. Surely your producers are aware he was dis-invited from being the keynote speaker at the annual fund raising dinner for the Center for Missing and Exloited Children after his awful comments on the Missouri boy, held kidnapped for 4 years that "the kid probably liked it." I know how low Bill O'Reilly can go, but Oprah--you too? Why give this man one more moment of publicity, much less allow him to stand as a peer to you? If he can be so calloused towards the victim of a kidnapping any soapbox he is on about pedophiles sounds hollow and opportunistic. Perhaps this is one guest that should be reconsidered.


Bill O'Reilly??? You must be kidding, Oprah
In Response to: Kidnapped As a Child: Why I didn't Run
Posted by: vbee5154
Posted on: 02/20/2007 at 12:59pm (9 of 867)

I couldn't agree more with moley0815 and the other posters who have questioned your judgement about having Bill O'Reilly on your show tomorrow. His comments about Shawn Hornbeck were despicable. He actually said that Shawn didn't leave because "there was something about his situation that he LIKED", that he was able to run around and do whatever he wanted, and he was having more fun there than with "his old parents" (I'm paraphrasing here, but that was the gist of his comments). You have to be aware that there was a huge protest directed at the NCMEC in Naples, FL., because BOR was scheduled to be their keynote speaker at an annual fundraiser. Craig Akers, Shawn's father signed an online petition directed at the NCMEC, and was quoted in the St. Louis Dispatch saying that BOR's comments infuriated him. Oprah, you, of all people, having been abused yourself, should understand how O'Reilly's "blame the victim" attitude is terribly destructive on so many levels. As the survivor of rape as a young teen, I have fought against this attitude all of my life. I am 42 now, and it still haunts me at times. I felt that I couldn't tell anyone what happened to me, in great part because of the shame I felt, and because I knew that this attitude existed amongst people that I should have been able to go to. I know that your shows are pre-taped, but I sincerely hope that you will reconsider airing this show tomorrow, and take some time to investigate the remarks made by BOR, and then re-edit your show as you see fit.

Labels: oprah, wingnuttery