Why do "conservatives" troll here?

[Cary]

Do they really think that posting their nonsense is going to affect us? For the life of me I don't understand those people. They're so stupid. How do they get by?

[PubliusEnigma]

1. Because this place actually works.

Thus the need for silencing on Election Day 2016.

[shanny]

13. "works"?

It's a major benefit to be able to talk to like-minded people but in what way could "silencing" DU have had any effect on election day 2016?

[PubliusEnigma]

16. This is a major hub for communication. The news comes early here.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

48. No it's not, and no it doesn't.

A couple thousand active users here. And the news gets here no quicker than my facebook feed. Nice to chat with like-minded individuals, but let's not fool ourselves.

[PubliusEnigma]

52. Cool story, bro.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

89. .

[samnsara]

54. i do get the news here faster than on tv.. dont do FB for obvious reasons..

...but I see info posted here before I see it on any other network im part of.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

88. That's because the internet is faster than TV. nt

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

128. Same... indeed, this place is my #1 source for news that interests me.

[lunatica]

103. You are wrong.

Last edited Thu Oct 11, 2018, 02:18 PM - Edit history (1)

Not only does the news get here quickly because of it’s relevance, but it gets dissected and analyzed, with backup links which shows a thorough knowledge of how to prove your opinion is based on facts.

This was especially true after the SCOTUS selected George Bush when the media was sharply slanted to the Right because it was owned by Murdock and company. Over the years outlets like MSNBC started leaning Left, and therefore towards factual reporting. It started happening around the time Rachel Maddow got her show. That was 10 years ago. She is definitely a Left leaning host, but she is also meticulously faithful to facts. That is the heart of her success.

Democratic Underground was aware of her from her first day on her show and it has been instrumental in spreading the word about her.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

106. I believe you mean Rachel Maddow... And DU had NOTHING to do with her popularity.

Delusions of grandeur.

[lunatica]

107. Thank you for correcting my spelling

But you are still wrong. I didn’t say DU Is the reason for her popularity. I said we knew about her from the first and were instrumental because we knew to follow her.

How else do people get known? Magic, or simple word of mouth?

[Dr Hobbitstein]

108. I'd say she became known for all the times she filled in for Keith Olberman, who was EXTREMELY

popular during the Bush years. A couple thousand people on a very small message board has very little pull with anything...

But it's a nice place to chat with people who have like-minded interests. In this case, politics of the Democratic variety.

[lunatica]

113. She became known to us, a minority.

If that’s what you think of DU then you’re not paying attention. But more power to you.

[bearsfootball516]

51. I love DU, but it's not like it's some kind of political game-changer on a nationwide level.

It's mostly a few hundreds posters or so who like to talk about politics. On a nationwide scale, it's a drop in the bucket with no real influence though.

That doesn't mean it doesn't serve a great purpose, as a place for us to gather and talk about news/rant about Trump and Republicans.

[Blue_true]

92. Exactly. nt

[njhoneybadger]

91. That's right

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Trolls don't troll to change people's minds.They just want to stir the pot

and start arguments - which is why they never should be fed.

[scarytomcat]

83. exactly they think it is fun to irritate people they disagree with

to me it just shows their complete ignorance of everything including their religious views

[Grassy Knoll]

3. They Like To Show How Immature They Are To Their Idiot Friends.

[DFW]

4. Because "get a life" is not enforceable in a court of law

These people are angry and lonely. They have little else to do. This gives them something to occupy their time, and gives them some "company," after a fashion--or at least the illusion of it.

[Hortensis]

35. :) Yes. Aggressive hostility is characteristic of a

large subtype of conservatives. And they also need to reinforce their convictions of being right in the face of all evidence to the contrary. Put those together and they're often sneaking around here, looking for especially stupid comments. This particular type is conforming and needs to belong to a group, even if it's just on line, and strongly prefers attacking in packs, so they'll copy whatever feeds an illusion of superiority and take back to wherever to win their group's approval and tear into it together.

[LAS14]

5. I've never seen a troll post. I don't think. Is it against...

... the rules to point to some? If not, would someone do that?

tia
las

[marble falls]

9. Here:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=11266244

This is his locked account:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=349954

Trolls get the air pretty darn quick around here.

[MontanaMama]

11. As a new member of MIRT

I can’t even believe the number of trolls that bubble up here on DU. I had no idea. The experienced team members are impressively adept at sniffing them out and sending them on their way.

[canetoad]

18. Remember that line from 'Contact'?

Jodie Foster is flying through time and space and the most amazing light show and she gasps...."I had NO idea"

[MontanaMama]

22. Just like THAT!

[Brother Buzz]

21. MIR Team members don hip boots and patrol the sewers of DU 24/7....

dislodging turds before they backup into DU.

MIR Team member extraordinaire, Ed Norton, learned all about politics after working under city hall for three weeks (one of the perks of the job).

[NurseJackie]

29. ...

[mcar]

55. ...

[Ms. Toad]

122. Just try to keep a bit of healthy skepticism about you.

I spent a couple of terms on MIRT - and a number of members were too heavy-handed on the eject button.

Not to say there aren't trolls - some very recognizable, and many repeat offenders.

But there are others who say dumb things because they are just finding their way here, and are booted for - as an example - saying Democrat Senator instead of Democratic Senator. I grew up among strong democrats who used democrat/democratic interchangeably. Using it incorrectly is not inherently trolling - but I can guarantee that since you've started there's been at least one conversation within MIRT - and likely at least one banning - based on nothing more than a low post count member misusing of the word Democrat.

(Not the only example - but one that happens frequently enough that I'm confident you'll recognize it.)

There's no harm in not booting someone immediately - they may just be klutzy. You've got to 100 posts before they are out of MIRT reach - and it's not like their posts are likely to kill anyone. Unless they are one of the recognizable repeat offenders, or are blatantly vile, give them a bit of rope to explore or hang themselves.

/soapbox

[pretzel4gore]

15. Calling someone a troll...

Not a good idea. Opinions can vary- for example, i think Venezuala is being set up for some kinda fascist secret op...there are critics of the antifas here, but they aint trolls, i dinnae think.
Whats to stop trolls from calling, ahem...ME a troll- im further left then most (I think the Saintly Che was ...a saint) i love Fidel and suspect Stalin was 'gamed' by some real nasty people who gave us the ColdWar etc but maybe im wrong...maybe the Revolution was a mistake as the majority of common folk truly are fascist /racist bullyboys....

[disillusioned73]

63. I was called a bot yesterday..

crazy times..

[RobinA]

98. Back During Early Bush Jr

if certain people didn't agree with you they accused you of being with Bush psyops. The champion of that is gone now, probably blew himself up trying to prove that you could fly radio control airliners carrying bombs under their wings into NY skyscrapers.

[disillusioned73]

112. Oh boy, I missed all that..

Although, Bush has been rehabilitated since.. hadn't you heard...

He gave someone candy..

[Cary]

40. Volunteer for MIRT and you will see them all day long

That is what prompted my question. The trolls keep coming and I just wonder why.

Human nature fascinates me, and often baffles me.

[LBM20]

6. Please stop saying "conservative." They are RADICAL RIGHT WING TRAITOR DON CULTISTS.

[elleng]

27. Yes. Thanks, not remotely conservative.

[Separation]

119. They suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome

I always get a confused reply from them saying that I may be confused about what TDS actually is.

Here is my reply:
Symptoms include:
Inflated ego, Blind obedience, Small hands, False patriotism, Low IQ, Diarrhea of the mouth, Regular Diarrhea, Thoughts of grandeur, and Explosive diarrhea.

If suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome please see a Dr immediately!

[lindysalsagal]

34. Who, ironically, think they're "centrists" or "Middle of the road."

Most don't think they're right wing.

[Merlot]

87. Sorry, "conservatives" this is what you've become

Everything, and I do mean everything that trumpft has done has fallen right in line with the conservative playbook.

If romney were president, he'd be doing most the same stuff, just putting a better face on it.

The conservative beliefe in "smaller government" means that they ultimatly want to privatize everything. They will never stop.

All those republicans that have left the party? they'd be running back if pense or cruz or rubio became president. They're just embarrased that trumpft doesn't hide the agenda as well as the more polished politicians do.

[Cary]

114. Note my scare quotes.

They are not conservative. They are fascists.

[YessirAtsaFact]

7. Pissing off liberals gives them a thrill

Last edited Thu Oct 11, 2018, 10:16 AM - Edit history (1)

So much of their motivation involves spiting us.

[Thekaspervote]

75. There's a silver lining in that. It wastes time that they could be working for their own candidates

[Caliman73]

8. They enjoy upsetting people. They go brag to their peers.

You will often see on right wing sites that a poster will link to a forum here or some other liberal site and brag about "making the libtards heads explode" or how we are so intolerant for shutting them down.

Typically stunted adolescent behavior.

[vlyons]

10. Trolls project their dissatisfaction and unhappiness outward

Happy and content people don't troll. I'll bet hardly anyone here feels the need to hang out at a rabid RW forum and vomit out hatred towards them. Trolls are deeply unaware, unmindful people, who blame others for their own misery.

[yonder]

20. +1. yep

[Freddie]

30. If we went to a RWNJ site

We’d be banned in minutes. They have NO tolerance for any opinions that deviate from the party line.

[Progressive Jones]

31. I know this to be true. n/t

[vlyons]

37. Yeah but why would I ever be motivated to go to a RWNJ site?

Why would I pollute my mind with hatred and stupidity? I feel very very strongly that it is important to maintain a calm peace of mind, while we go through these degenerate times. We need to help each other to stay calm and clearly focused on electing Dems and doing what we can to create a more enlightened society.

[LakeArenal]

12. They always need the last word.

I find putting certain folks on ignore has helped enormously b

[vlyons]

28. they think having the last word

nullifies everyone else's words. I NEVER watch any of trump's speeches.

[IluvPitties]

14. They have nothing better today.

[vercetti2021]

17. Why do they troll?

Because when you have no job and live in a basement you have to have something to do with your miserable life.

[Solly Mack]

19. To cast asparagus.

[ProudLib72]

23. I like asparagus

After Bush Sr, I liked broccoli too.

So dumb throwing away perfectly good food like that. Don't they know there are children starving in... Oh wait, they don't give a damn about any children.

[Solly Mack]

24. It's an old DU joke.

I like vegetables.

[ProudLib72]

25. To cast aspersions?

But deplorables think it's "asparagus"?

Get a brain morans, it's "asparagus"!

They are so dumb...

[Solly Mack]

26. Yes, exactly.

[Progressive Jones]

32. Wasn't Louie Gohmert involved in the asparagus aspersions? n/t

[ms liberty]

33. Yes, he was the first to cast asparagus. n/t

[Solly Mack]

50. I believe so. He's a deplorable. They were always deplorables.

[oberliner]

36. Haven't some DUers trolled "conservative" message boards?

I feel like that used to be something some folks did at one point.

[RandiFan1290]

41. A hit dog will holler. nt

[oberliner]

43. Can you clarify what you mean by that?

[Kingofalldems]

101. I just scrolled slowly down this thread knowing what was coming.

You are correct.

[oberliner]

132. I appreciate that

I know we've sometimes disagreed on things, but it does mean a lot when you are supportive.

[betsuni]

44. You still doing that Mineral thing?

[oberliner]

45. Can you clarify what you mean by that?

[betsuni]

47. Can you?

[oberliner]

131. I don't know what "The Mineral thing" is

So I was asking if you could explain what it is or clarify what you meant.

[LanternWaste]

61. Ism anyone arguing otherwise?

'I feel like that' your responses to a thing are rarely answers to a thing.

[oberliner]

133. No, I don't think so

I was just suggesting that some people on DU may have gotten some amusement in trolling conservative message boards. Perhaps those who have had that experience could help shed light on what motivates such behavior.

[anarch]

38. to annoy people?

That seems to be the raison d'être for trolls of any stripe.

[MrScorpio]

39. Because they're ill-tempered assholes without any lives of their own

Just ignore them, they’re losers.

[Cary]

42. As a MIRTer I have to see their stuff and deal with it

I am not complaining. After seeing a brutally obvious troll posting crap like he or she would be greeted as a conquering hero of some sort, I just wonderred WTF?

Perhaps there is some sort of lesson in their inane efforts?

Or perhaps a moron is a moron? I mean they can read our posts. What would make them think they had anytbing to offer us?

[mfcorey1]

46. They know the truth resides at DU. After fronting for the right, they drop by for a dose

of sanity.

[dembotoz]

49. Right to lie groups used to show up in my Facebook feed

Did not seek them out but I sure responded to their bullshit..
Good times

[mcar]

53. I wonder that about all their trolling

Like it'll change our minds.

[Cary]

56. I can only guess of course

They post the same old unsupported conclusions as if they were edicts from God and they would somehow come here and part the waters and slay our first born. I mean if I were interested I would go to FoxNews or Rush Limbaugh directly.

The rank stupidity of those people (and I use that term with the utmost disrespect).

[mcar]

60. Yep

[kentuck]

57. They are looking for the truth.

They know their side is full of shit.

[Cary]

59. Doubtful

From the old saying about the 4 types of people, they know not but think they know. They are fools. Shun them.

[disillusioned73]

58. Easy..

they are appealing to the "moderate" wing of the Democratic party - it's why Joe Manchin gets a pass while others to the left are continually smeared and marginalised.. actually it is quite effective and sound strategy - in certain circumstances..

[Cary]

62. I am moderate and they don't sppeal to me

Nor do I need trolls to help me judge the radical left. Ridiculous.

You take something here on which we have consensus and twist it into something divisive. That's on you.

[disillusioned73]

64. "radical left"

there you go..

[Cary]

65. There I go what?

Be specific. I will wait for an answer.

[Cary]

66. The subject here is right wing trolls

You changed it, or tried to.

[disillusioned73]

68. No I didn't..

I agreed with your assessment and gave my opinion why I think they do it.. The fact that you don't like or disagree is fine, but then the fact that you use the term "radical left" is quite telling, the next step is "alt-left".. these are right wing creations to disparage ppl on the left.. the same ppl that got run over in North Carolina last year - maybe you should re-think using it because your only feeding the right in those instances..

[Cary]

69. You changed.the subject

And you used the term moderate.

What is the antonym for moderate? I rest my case.

[disillusioned73]

82. I guess we'll never know..

why "conservatives" troll here..

according to many, Nikki Haley is a "moderate" - words cease to have meaning anymore..

[Cary]

84. What's your point?

I have gained insight. It is not a definitive answer but such is the human condition.

Nikki Haley is not my concern. Democrats outnumber Republicans. Our problem is getting Democrats to vote, not Nilki Haley nor how Republicans regard her.

The radical left, like Stein supporters, are lost too and we don't need them. You complain about them being marginal. They are marginal. That is as it should be.

It is okay to change the subject to Joe Manchin for no good reason but then it is equally okay for me to point out the fact that you are changing the subject. In fact that is the correct way to deal with it, as far as I know. Right wingers do this kind of red herring thing all the time. All radicals do. It is part of being radical because, you see, if you agree and work towards concensus you are not radical. And what's a radical to do when he or she is no longer radical?

[Blue_true]

93. I am Left-Center.

And I don't remotely consider what they think sane. They are highly unlikely to influence me.

[Cary]

94. Of course

[emulatorloo]

116. So you think GOP trolls are coming here to "promote" Joe Manchin?

And these trolls are “promoting” Manchin to manipulate left-liberals and progressive members of DU into accepting Manchin?

Sorry, that doesn’t make any sense.

GOP’ers hate Joe Manchin. They want him gone. They want a reactionary Republican in his seat.

[disillusioned73]

121. Well, he votes with Republicans..

so what better way to sow discord among Dems then supporting someone who votes with Republicans and trump ... what is it 60% of the time?.. not complicated, we are talking about provocateurs aren't we? Then of course they turn around and attack in campaigns.. repubs are hypocrites.. it's what they do, I keep saying that and folks around here keep getting offended that I call republicans hypocrites.. it's odd (not you)

[R B Garr]

124. This is quite a stretch and the attempt at being counter intuitive does

look like a contrived effort at divisiveness. It looks entirely like projection on your part. Joe Manchin is one person in a conservative state, so there really is no mystery why he doesn't embrace socialism.

[disillusioned73]

136. Socialism!! I got BINGO ;)

[R B Garr]

137. That's a laugh with your z0mG MODERATES concern...

[MineralMan]

67. Same reasons they troll anywhere.

They don't last long here, thanks to MIRT.

[Cary]

72. Which just adds to what I find so odd about it

Years ago I posted at FreeRepublic for a short time. I was careful, not so much to decieve as much as to try to engage. These right wingers aren't making any effort at all which to me shows incredible arrogance.

I did not last long at FreeRepublic. I got bored pretty quickly and the lesson I learned is that even back then there was nothing to be gained by engaging them.

[MineralMan]

73. Most people who come here to troll aren't actually intending

to change anyone's mind. They're just here to vent. Most trolls are not very bright people. They are tossed out quickly.

We do, sometimes, have very smart trolls who manage to post here for long periods. They skirt the edges of what is acceptable, while trying to sow doubt and fear. Sometimes they pretend to be even more progressive than most of us, as a disguise.

Eventually, however, almost all of them are eventually discovered and shown the door. Most of us can point to some such trolls, who had free rein here for a long time. Most disappeared after the 2016 election. Most, but not all.

[Cary]

77. Yes, but those who make an effort are different

Don't you think?

They're not so goonish, as you point out.

I had a fellow trying to soft peddle Unindicted Co-Conspirator in real life yesterday. I didn't want to engage him, actually. He told me about how great the economy is because of Unindicted Co-Conspirator, how unfair the press is.

Blah blah. A smart fellow, too. But I just said no, Unindicted Co-Conspirator is a traitor and a criminal.

We are a deep blue state. He is welcomed to waste his vote here.

[dlk]

70. They Are So Insecure in their Beliefs the Idea of Anyone with a Different View Scares Them

They have try to erase it however they can.

[Autumn]

71. They are non starters. There are a couple who sign up over and over but they

have their tells and MIRT take care of them right away. I learned on MIRT they are mainly amusement, they really can't convert anyone with half a brain.

[Cary]

74. I see.

I don't think I have ever converted anyone to anything, but that has never been my goal.

I have found common ground and worked with others toward common goals, quite often, in spite of soke disagreement.

Have you experienced that?

[Autumn]

78. My comment was on the conservative trolls that sign up here to disrupt, not members

I disagree with. I don't run into any conservatives who post here. If you want to discuss finding and working with people that you disagree with you should start an OP about that.

[Cary]

80. Where is that rule written?

Alas I did the OP here, but was unaware that I was not allowed to ask you a question.

Am I to assume that you never find common ground and work with people toward a common goal in spite of disagreement?

Are you saying here that you and I disagree?

[Autumn]

81. Where did I say it was a rule? I didn't. I commented with my opinion on trolls,

as mentioned in your OP. If someone wants to talk about how to find common ground with conservatives and starts an OP on that that I will opine.

[Cary]

85. How about just answering my question?

Is it that complicated?

[George II]

76. You're talking about new signups, which are handled very well by MIRT. However....

....there are a number of "conservatives" who have been long-time members with tens of thousands of posts here.

They don't espouse conservative ideas or values, they'd get booted in a minute. But they do sow discord among true Democrats and liberals, accomplishing their goals without outing themselves.

[Autumn]

79. I've never encountered anyone who can influence me against true Democratic

and Liberal ideas or values. I do have a question though, should MIRT members be discussing, as you put it, DUers " who have been long-time members with tens of thousands of posts here." Obviously they have committed no TOS offense if the admins allow them to stay.

[disillusioned73]

86. That sounds like a lot of work..

years & years of "acting" like something your not, the exact opposite frankly.. come to think about it, since it has been done on twitter, I guess it's possible here as well..

"When Russians at the Internet Research Agency interfered in U.S. politics, they created false online personas and fake political groups to amplify divisive messages that already had a homegrown American audience. It’s not too far from what some U.S. political consultants are doing themselves"

[link:https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/democratic-bot-network-sally-albright_us_5aa2f548e4b07047bec68023|

[Blue_true]

90. They need something to do?

Eating Cheetos and torturing little animals only take up so much of their time. So they look for other outlets.

[TheRealNorth]

95. Psychological Warfare

Bury things in piles of shit, and people will stop looking/seeking information from DU.

[Cary]

120. Spreading their pathogens?

[RobinA]

96. I'm Not Even Sure They Do

I'm sure there's a person through now and then who tries to stir the pot, but I think the whole troll thing is way overblown. I know I've been called a troll, and I'm not. I've seen other people being called trolls because they didn't happen to agree with the groupthink of the moment. Anybody who thinks the Democratic Party could be doing something different gets called a troll. Many of us were concern trolls when we expressed worry that Trump would win the election (how'd THAT work out). There's a bit of self importance among some people around here.

[NurseJackie]

97. What a nice compliment...

96. I'm Not Even Sure They Do

What a nice compliment to your hard-working MIRT team!

[RobinA]

99. Well, If Trolls

really are trying to break down the doors around here, take it as such. The troll-calling I see that makes it to the board is usually simple disagreement.

[Cary]

100. Trolls really are

It's a fact.

[uponit7771]

134. That "worked" great only if you think Red Don won the election without Russia's help. He's a traitor

... and don't think anyone wanting to be right about anything "working is going to change that.

[redstatebluegirl]

102. Because they HATE us! They hate us more than they like Trump and his minions.

They are driven by hate of "libtards" and other left wing tree hugging, minority loving liberals. IN their small minds we are to blame for their lot in life, the fact they the straight white man is becoming a minority.

[Cary]

104. So they say

I have nomdoubt that they are hate and fear driven. Racism is certainly a core value of theirs but they seem to have an ability to rotate their objects of their hate to suit the moment. And that dovetails with their love for lying.

[Alea]

105. Real conservatives?

Or Democrats that don't echo with the chamber? They're treated the same. Don't echo with the chamber and you're a troll, russian bot, or a conservative. How do you tell them apart?

Real conservatives probably do it to screw with Democrats. Democrats that don't echo with the chamber, well maybe they're the ones that don't eat nothing burgers and haven't gone stark raving crazy. They all get lumped together though so I don't see how to tell them apart.

Full disclosure, I rarely echo with the chamber and don't live on a steady diet of nothing burgers, but I do vote Dem.

[LanternWaste]

110. Observation and common sense.

"How do you tell them apart?"

Observation, contrast, and common sense. Sincerity is much tougher to fake than half-wits realize.

It's not as difficult as one realizes, and with the stakes so damned low (inconsequential, even), getting it right or wrong is about as critical as the choice of pudding flavor on an island no one's ever been to.

[LanternWaste]

109. I'm guessing they're furiously typing and rationalizing an answer to this...

on a few on other boards as we speculate... specious arguments, false equivalencies, fallacy after fallacy; all designed simply to rationalize their petulance as cleverness or some alien brand of humor.

My guess is trolls do their little thing simply to feel more effectual, more important, more clever than they are.

After having been disciplined by his parents, the little third-grader who burns ants with a magnifying glass simply to feel like he's in charge of something... anything rather than simply a little third-grader.

And when someone asks why the child is doing it? 'Well,' the child responds, 'research, humor, analysis, take your pick-- whichever one makes me sound more clever than I am.'

[mokawanis]

111. I don't know why they waste their time trolling, but

I think there's been an increase in trolling lately, including several posts I read today.

[Phentex]

115. To learn how to spell...

[emulatorloo]

118. ...

[emulatorloo]

117. Stirring the pot, posting flame bait, starting fights.

[Mosby]

123. No clue

I post at discussionist a little, and am constantly accused of being a sock, because apparently every one over there has multiple accounts. Seems like a lot of work to me, lol.

The worst repeat MIs here aren't technically trolls, they are people who can't get along with others, and attack anyone who disagrees with them.

[Cary]

125. I think I llasted for a dozen posts over there

Many vile posters at that place.

[Mosby]

130. same here, it didn't take long for me to realize it's pointless

Every once in a while I post something just to piss them off.

[Cary]

135. Pointless, and boring

If I wanted to hear stupidity I would go to Fox or Breitbart myself.

[mahina]

127. Almost always very transparent too.

I hope a little light seeps in to their hearts and minds while here.

[Cary]

129. Blatant

No doubt unfazed by logic or reason. People generally are emotional and these people, these trolls, are not the best or the brightest. Half of the population has an IQ under 100 and Unindicted Co-Conspirator's cult followers.are 30% of the electorate. That puts them at what? 85, max?