Concerned Trolls

[Fla Dem]

I have come across several threads recently where individuals have expressed concern, or are questioning why HRC hasn't been out on the campaign trail more, why she hasn't been talking to the press, why cable news isn't covering her more often, why she isn't attacking Trump more, her poll numbers are dropping etc, etc, etc.

I know there are the "concerned trolls" who throw memes out there to disrupt and upset. But like me there are DU'ers who genuinely worry about thing and might express those worries in a comment. If for nothing more than to have more knowledgeable, calmer DUers talk us down and tell us everything's going to be alright.

Of late I have seen some of these "worried" posters getting slammed for expressing their worry and being called "concerned trolls". Many of them DO have low post counts. But there's been a few who have been around for a while. Looking at their other posts, I'm not seeing a trail of posts bashing Hillary. What if these are just ordinary HRC supporters who like me just need some encouragement and assurances.

I recently stopped into my County's Democratic Party headquarters for a lunch with the local candidates before the primaries. While there I met a number of both volunteers and people like me who came to meet the candidates. In conversations I more than once mentioned DU as my "go to place" for staying connected with the Democratic movement. Several people expressed an interest. I would just hate to think that some of those people or any newbe joined DU only to be berated or even ppr'd because they didn't express themselves more positively.

So all I'm suggesting is we don't immediately label someone a "concerned troll" just because they express some concern. If their other actions warrant it, then fine; concern troll away.

That's all, just had to express my "concern".

[unblock]

1. it's becoming a bit like sarcasm. some people can't recognize it properly.

concern trollism is when someone abuses the expression of "concern" to simply introduce a right-wing story or meme.

genuine concern is, well, genuine. a legitimate democrat who is hoping for a democratic win in november but is genuinely worried about something and trying to figure out is we can improve our strategy.

for years, no one seemed to have much of a problem distinguishing these two, but lately, even the word "concern" seems to be a red flag for some people.

[Chemisse]

2. That gnawing worry is constructive.

We all need to be thinking about what we can do better to promote Hillary and the down-ticket Dems this fall.

[Orrex]

3. I believe that the standard two-step goes like this:

1. Express "concern"
2. Complain that you're being called a "troll" by "bullies"

Repeat until credible.

[True Dough]

4. I haven't been part of this forum for long

but I have already formed an appreciation for this place. There are many knowledgeable and open-minded forum members here.

I have noticed, however, a few people in particular who are very quick to either accuse or make insinuations about others' motives, including their long-standing brethren. There ought to be as much vigilance over the reactionary conduct of those forum members as there is in regards to anyone expressing concern over an aspect of HRC's campaign. Clearly, any forum member who starts multiple threads to express "concern" should be monitored closely or challenged, but a single thread should not automatically become a witch hunt, at least not if the thread is as well-worded and well-intentioned as the OP's here.

[kstewart33]

31. TD, bingo.

I posted a thread a couple of days ago voicing concerns about the Clinton campaign and suggesting actions that I think would improve her campaign and poll numbers. Result: posts questioning my motives.

It's discouraging to post a perspective and get that kind of immediate response especially when I've booked one month of volunteering for Hillary in October. I work from home and am setting aside projects to do everything I can to help her win my state.

Why can't we discuss concerns about how Hillary is doing especially if it leads to an insightful discussion (which my post did not)? No one wants to be a constant Debbie Downer, but it's just as bad for DU to become a 24/7 pep rally for Hillary that squelches any talk about concerns.

[treestar]

5. I wish people would quit worrying

If they are genuinely worried, it does not seem reasonable at this time. We get posts like this every four years. This particular year, the worry does not seem justified. We just have to GOTV. I suggest being worried suggests ignorance and maybe it would be better to ask why Hillary is or is not doing something the worrier thinks should be done. The worrier is probably wrong - Hillary is on her second presidential campaign and her opponent is a moron. The worried should ask themselves if they are genuine why they are worrying, find out why they are wrong, and how they can help rather than drag others down.

[Kali]

7. two letters

G and W


THAT is why some of us are not complacent.

I will probably never be able to brush off moron opponents ever again.

(never mind the unhinged hatred so many people have for the Clintons)

[Fla Dem]

9. +1000 If I had a crystal ball, and could see the future, that would be one thing.

But don't and I can't. B v G was a heartbreaking turn of events and plunged us into a 14 year war stance, never mind the historical harm in death, destruction and political upheaval in the Middle East.

There was no expectation Great Britain would vote to leave the EU. I saw a number of people interviewed that said they merely voted for it to send a message, they never thought it would actually happen. Well now they reap what they sow.

[treestar]

20. why does it have to be either complacent or worried?

I think optimism with a hearty effort to GOTV is appropriate, not worry and second guessing every little thing and exaggeratedly thinking every little thing will result in the unlikely and more unlikely every day Trump Presidency.

[Stand and Fight]

30. You said it perfectly. Thank you.

[treestar]

23. GWB just got lucky

And Nader had an effect.

[trotsky]

25. Yep. Gore should have been a shoo-in.

Economy doing well, a budget surplus, peace.

You are right, many of us were stunned that it was close enough for the Supremes to award the presidency to Bush. I won't breathe easier until every network has called it for Clinton on election night.

[Kermitt Gribble]

8. So this election is all locked up?

No one should feel confident about a Hillary victory until the votes are counted - especially with an MSM treating tRump like a legitimate candidate.

[Egnever]

10. Yes it is and has been since before the primaries

the math is just not feasible. It just isn't. If you do more than look at just national polls and actually look at the state by state polls you can see it yourself.

It is just not possible for trump to win or any generic republican for that matter (trump actually makes the situation worse for them). They have destroyed themselves when it comes to the demographics of the nation. There aren't enough white men anymore to carry an election.

[Kermitt Gribble]

13. No need to vote then, right?

Complacency hurts voter turnout.

[Egnever]

15. Well if you want to run scared that is certainly your choice.

The people that will see my post is small and the MSM is going to call this a horse race all the way to election day despite the truth.

I am not much worried about complacency. You are certainly free to do so but I don't think it reflects reality even a little bit.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028145999

[treestar]

22. Exactly the straw man fallacy is in constant use on DU

Being optimistic does not automatically translate into "complacent."

[Stand and Fight]

32. Why such black and white thinking? It's possible to do both...

Be confident and vote. Why in the world do you see the two as mutually exclusive? That's very strange.

[LanternWaste]

35. Yet it is completely inconsequential to the Electoral College turnout.

"Complacency hurts voter turnout."

Yet it is completely inconsequential to the Electoral College turnout.

[treestar]

21. Why not?

Why to be optimistic and confident. That doesn't mean doing nothing to everyone, you know.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

26. My questions to persistent worriers

are:
1.) Do you or do you not trust Hillary and her team (and the DNC) to run a competent campaign?
2.) Do you believe that Hillary and her team (and the DNC) are "resting on her laurels" and have become complacent/believing that Trump will just hand us a win in November?
3.) Do you really believe Hillary and her team (and the DNC) are trying to "throw" this election to Republicans- either in the Presidential race or Congressional races?
4.) Are you sure that Hillary is really not doing anything? Or is the MSM just still giving Donald "walking dumpster fire" Trump significantly more attention?
5.) Do you have ideas for what Hillary and/or the DNC could be doing better and if so, are you calling and writing them to share your wisdom?
6.) Are you feverishly working to encourage other people to GOTV for Hillary/Democrats on Election Day to deny Donald Trump the WH (and Republicans as many Congressional races as possible)?

There are so many better things to do with our time than sit around and worry aimlessly, especially about things that I'm fairly certain Hillary and the DNC have already been thinking about and trying to address.

[redstatebluegirl]

6. There are some long time member snobs here.

They went after me early on, so much so I swore I was going to leave and never come back but I put on my big girl pants, used my ignore button and stuck it out.

I am more moderate than many DU'ers especially the Bernie supporters which during this election cycle makes me a target. I am also very anti gun nut so that doesn't help.

I would hope that some of the members who have been here a while would leave their "I'm smarter than you" attitude at the door and let some new members in.

With that said, there were some trolls sent here by the opposition who I called out during the primaries. You can tell if they are truly trolls or not pretty quickly.

[Fla Dem]

11. Glad you stuck it out.

Some won't. Some good progressive/liberals who could contribute to this site in the long run. But when met with hostility they just say, "not worth it".

[cwydro]

14. Good for you for hanging in there.

Sadly, there are many on DU who like nothing more to "pile-on" another poster. Especially if the poster is a newbie.

There are bullies here, and you'll get to see who they are. You'll also see who those posters are who love to join in on a pile-on. Almost always the same ones.

[redstatebluegirl]

19. I just ran into one of them in another thred. I answered him or her but I plan to hit ignore.

Life is too short to deal with that kind of anger.

[Motley13]

33. You are so right, I see it here today

you can explain your disagreement w/o being insulting or making fun of the poster, which seems to be the only purpose for some posters.

[awoke_in_2003]

12. I do worry

that the media will accomplish there goal- getting Trump in office. I never underestimate the stupidity of the American public. With my wife being Mex-Am, maybe I just worry more than I should.

[Egnever]

16. Something that should ease your mind

The media makes money from a horse race. They are going to do everything in their power to keep this thing close right up to the election(or make it appear close even though it really isn't). However the PTB that run those stations almost to a man have come out against Trump. They will play out the game but in the end they will tank him. They do not want trump as president.

They want a horse race that is all.

[awoke_in_2003]

18. I hope so

In a sane world, she would be mopping the floor with his ferret head.

[Stand and Fight]

29. "Their" is the possessive form. "There" denotes a place...

[rainlillie]

17. Clinton's people are not doing her any favors.. She should be out there more.

.

[martin mike]

24. I'm still not clear on what a concern troll even is

[Stand and Fight]

28. Let me google that for you...

[Stand and Fight]

27. Can't stand one of them... They've been concerning trolling since the primaries in the same way.

Did it in the HRC group too during the primaries. So transparent.

[LanternWaste]

34. Is not the rational reaction to a personal concern simple research to find the relevant answers?

Is not the rational reaction to a personal concern simple research to find the relevant answers?

Should I personally fail to see a thing, I immediately presume it's not due to an actual absence of the thing in question, but to my own ignorance of the thing in the here and now.

Should I have concerns that Clinton is not appearing as much as I'd prefer, wouldn't it be my first responsibility to simply engage in some basic research to see if that is indeed the case rather than relying on my own subjectivity?

[TipTok]

36. It'll be fine...

Hillary could not say another word until Nov 5 and still win. Trump is the best thing to ever happen to her in her political career.

[Glassunion]

37. This is concerning to say the least.

[UMTerp01]

38. I agree with the OP

I'm a worry wart naturally and with the prospect of Donald Trump as President there is huge concern for me because that will literally be Defcon 1. So yes I have posted before showing genuine worry and got met with trolls mocking my "concern". Like really????!!! If you are super confident then great. Not all of us are. Some of us think "worst case scenario" too much. So yeah I don't appreciate my legitimate concern being dismissed in such a juvenile fashion.