The other day my friend, Jeff Coryell, came on to Kos to tell folks how Ohio Congressman Steve LaTourette got him fired from his job as a paid blogger at Ohio's largest newspaper, Cleveland's Plain Dealer.
Today I was terminated from my engagement as a freelance blogger at the Cleveland.com blog "Wide Open" as a direct result of intervention of Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Township) of the 14th Ohio Congressional District, in retaliation for my previous blogging about his re-election campaign and my financial support for two of his election opponents.
Apparently the Congressman was not happy this blogger had been hired by the paper, so he did what Republicans do best. Called up his friends at the Plain Dealer and asked them to activate the 'ole "incumbent protection racket" and squelch Jeff's job for blogging Jeff did on his independent blog before he even started working for the PeeDee. That must be convenient - I wish the paper would cave to my demands whenever I called. But I digress. We need your help. More after the flip.
Jean Dubail, editor of the PeeDee's online operation, has openly admittedCongressman Steve LaTourette contacted them about Jeff's employment.
BSB: Jean, you've read Jeff's account. I'm curious, did LaTourette contact the paper and raise concerns about Jeff's employment, and did that in turn affect his employment at the paper?
Jean Dubail, PeeDee: True, LaTourette – or his office – did complain...
Apparently, among other things, Steve LaTourette told the paper he would never speak with them again if they retained Jeff on staff. And so the paper did what any self respecting media organization would do, completely ceded all autonomy, caved, and ceded to LaTourette's demands.
Let's be honest. I'm pissed. Jeff's pissed. Nearly every other blogger in Ohio is pissed. And if you've ever had a local politician get cozy like this with a paper in your neck of the woods, you're probably pissed too.
So please, take a second and listen to Jeff about what he thinks we should do to Steve LaTourette and his media manipulation.
If you're motivated, angry, or feel sympathy for Jeff, please take a second and help us Sack Steve.