Our beloved Democratic Underground has been infiltrated by the enemy

[burythehatchet]

That's the only explanation that I can come up with.

Let's consider the facts and some questions:

We can probably agree that the reich wing is quite interested in our discussion forum. With 41,000+ members and growing, DU is fairly well recognized.

We can probably agree that our opponents would love the opportunity to do whatever they can to disrupt our unity and derail our efforts to prevent this country from going to hell in a handbasket.

So what would these people do to hurt our community?

One answer is the obvious freeper who comes in, racks up 12 posts and is tombstoned quite efficiently.

Another answer is that we have been infiltrated by a number of "members" who take a much more subtle approach. They plant little seeds of doubt in our minds. They make us question our allegiances. They turn us against each other. Heck, they might even have a gold star.

I'm sure that each of us can identify at least one or two of these "contributors".

Before anyone gets all up in arms, lets clarify a couple of assumptions. The first is that we are progressives because we are open to new information. We understand that most issues are nuanced and that the "good vs. evil" bullshit is reserved for ... well you know who. So spirited debate is part of our make-up. That, however, is far different than something like linking to some right wing rag that's running their smear of the week - "court documents show that John Kerry was importing Thai toddlers to serve as hookers during his senate campaign". Then the poster will say: "this isn't true, is it?" No asshole its not true, but lets go ahead and talk about it for the next 4 hours.



What can be done? Very little I imagine. The only thing I can think of is to NOT RESPOND to the BS. Every time you respond it bumps the large turds back up to the top of the list.

[onehandle]

1. Yep. nt

[mistertrickster]

2. Good post--I agree

I don't think it's a huge problem but it is worth mentioning from time to time.

[Kazak]

3. No doubt...

there's some of that going on.

[molly]

4. Hit the nail on the head

we need to stand strong and laugh in the face of anyone who doubts our strength and our purpose.

[billybob537]

5. I hate to do it but

I gotta quote Newt "just let it wither on the vine!"

[Goldmund]

6. Come on...

"They plant little seeds of doubt in our minds. They make us question our allegiances. They turn us against each other."

this sounds like some Evangelist preacher.

[9215]

12. Are you one?

((Just kidding)).

Nice one. I was thinking the same thing. :thumbsup:

[mdmc]

18. The only good v. evil bullshit I see here are anti Nader threads

Is that what is being discussed here?

[still_one]

7. Do we know for sure?

What are the DUs forum rules?

[Hell Hath No Fury]

11. Yes, anyone who has been here...

for a period of time can see very clearly that there are some very low-lying/effective (professional?) disrupters onboard.

As long as they play by the DU rules, there is no reason to eject them. The really good ones can do this with no problem at all.

And there are some VERY good ones here...

[tlcandie]

8. Hehe gotcha! I usually only hang out in LBN, but was asked to look

at a post here and found one of these people posting here with LONG threads!

I posted that if you want to know the facts check out LBN where all is debunked with straight facts by those in the know!

Simple as that. I'm not arguing with them or debating. A waste of time. I have started not even opening their threads because of this fact. IF I do it is to see some such as Judilyn and others absolutely bury them with facts and rebuffs to the point that they do not repost unless someone takes their bait again.

Hope more will take the time to discover LBN and find out just who these folks are and side-step their time consuming rantings!

[burythehatchet]

10. Good strategy tlcandie

I guess I've been a bit naive about this stuff.

[TacticalPeek]

9. A proper prescription, Dr. Hatchet.

I noticed one of those that's lain fallow for over 45 minutes now.

DUer discipline is rewarding (though sometimes hard to muster).

:evilgrin:

[skypilot]

13. The moderators tombstoned...

...one to those "is this true?" assholes last week. I wanted to trash him with other DUers but the moderators said that wasn't allowed. For quite some time now I've been suspecting that this site is just crawling with freeper trolls--with both high and low post counts.

[peachy]

14. Do we need to be cheerleaders?

Sure there are probably some who are here just to plant doubts just as you suggest. But I submit that some of us still have real and I think justifiable doubts about the DNC and the candidate apparent John Kerry. It does nothing to warm my heart to the party when I read stories like this one :

Convention Plan Puts Protesters Blocks Away
by Rick Klein

Protesters at this summer's Democratic National Convention in Boston may be confined to a cozy triangle of land off Haymarket Square, blocked off from the FleetCenter and convention delegates by a maze of Central Artery service roads, MBTA train tracks, and a temporary parking lot holding scores of buses and media trucks.
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0220-02.htm

And when I here the constant whining from the Democrats about Nader's choice to run. If Kerry is concerned about Nader he should start speaking to the issues that Nader brings to the table instead of trying to pull his chair out from under him.

Believe me I want to get rid of shrub as much as anyone does but I think its a terrible mistake to simply accept Kerry as he is and not call some of the unsavory aspects of his stand on issues into question.

[SoCalDem]

15. "They" have been with us, always...

"Alert" is the best defense...or "ignore".... I am sure that there is a bit of "fun" that they like to have , when they see all their threads on the latest page, and at the top of the forums..but they will drop like stones, if people do not respond..

There are, of course, coordinated efforts from time to time.. But the troll magnet threads are good , because they can all gather there and have a tombstone party of their very own..

The best thing to do is to avoid threads that start like:

My cousin/husband/brother/sister/neighbor/boss/friend etc/ said that Hillary did/said/wants to.............

Help me answer this terrible/vile/scary/stupid/....email/letter/column..

Any/Most threads with the word Poll..Freep..Unfreep..Freeper..Rush..Hannity..Boortz..Ann Coulter.. in the subject line...

Threads that are sourced to Washington Times, Newsmax, or any of the rightwing rags..

Every reply to "them" , just gives them an opportunity to gather more "numbers" and blend in even more..


All that being said, just because someone disagrees with you, does not necessarily make them a freeper :P

[mdmc]

16. I have to respond to this Bullshit

We already can hide threads and ignore posters. What more do you want?

Before anyone gets all up in arms, lets clarify a couple of assumptions.
The first is that we are progressives because we are open to new information.
<(okay...I don't agree, but I'll allow your opinion)>

We understand that most issues are nuanced and that the "good vs. evil" bullshit is reserved for ... well you know who.
(how do you explain the Nader=Bush threads? Nader is MORE progressive than Kerry, why the good v. evil bs? Are these the disrupters that you speak of?)

[MAlibdem]

17. if lurkers and freepers can plant seeds of doubt in your mind

you must not have very strong convictions

who are you? maybe you're a cloaked RETHUG! im starting to feel like john proctor...

WITCH! WITCH! In league with the deviL!

[Cat Atomic]

19. So what? If they can make a solid argument then we SHOULD

listen to them. We should be able to question our own assumptions. Our positions should stand up to scrutiny.

[Gman]

20. You must be talking about crap like this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=1239241&mesg_id=1239241

The author appears to be defending "judicial activism" which has about as much validity as a catch phrase as "partial birth abortion".

[Moderator]

21. If you have a question about DU

policies and procedures, please ask in ATA.

This is a big message board, and you will often see things you don't agree with. We strongly encourage the use of the "hide threads" function and the "ignore" function.

Thank you.