blogger interrupted

My first real introduction to Jerid Kurtz was after Buckeye Politics went down in January, 2006.  Jerid was blogging at Live From Dayton as Blue Collar Baby, and when my blog disappeared suddenly, Jerid’s blog held a candlelight vigil complete with kids holding signs saying “Where’s Russo?”

I immediately knew we’d hit it off.

Since then, Jerid and I have become good friends.  It’s weird how closely his early career has reflected my early days in politics - law school, field organizer, more into politics than a legal career.  When he ended up in law school at Case, I thought I was in some kind of bend in the time space continuum, looking at myself 15 years ago.  

But Jerid is unique.  His blogging has made Ohio’s political landscape so much more interesting, so much more entertaining.  You can feel people let their guard down around Jerid, because they know he’s one of the good guys, and they know that he’ll be fair should their name show up on his blog.  It was this credibility, the Charlie Brown “cute factor” I used to call it, that made Jerid, well….himself.  It was his voice, and his alone, at BSB.

Jerid is one of the few people who gave me a little help when I needed it, encouraging me to blog at BSB when the last thing I wanted to do was have my head above the parapet.  He helped me find a place in this weird bloggy world again, and working with him at the Cleveland Debate this February was a true joy (until he lost his god damn car keys!).  

Some reaction out there already.  Earthquake seems a bit over the top.  Jill sings her one-note tune.  Naugle wallows in himself.  And Ralph King is the resident ass.  That’s what Jerid could do.  He made people reveal their true selves.  And that’s a great thing to leave behind, even if sometimes we have to see things we don’t want to see. 

Thanks for all you’ve done, Jerid.  For me, for our discourse, and for Ohio.  Your voice is gonna be missed.  Until then, some random cuteness in your honor.

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