Is it just me

[billh58]

or is there an inordinate number of trolls and freepers who regularly post on DU?

I've been a lurker on DU for a few years mainly because I was, until recently, a moderator on another Liberal blog. During those years of "lurking," however, I never noticed the number of obvious right-wingers posing as "progressives."

I have no problem rationally discussing differing political points-of-view with reasonable "declared" Republicans or Libertarians. I have no respect, however, for obvious trolls posing as fellow Liberals (a few with over 1000+ posts on DU), and then attacking Liberal positions with thinly-veiled RW talking-points and arguments.

I guess that the longer I read and post here regularly, the more familiar I will become with who is genuine, and who is a disrupter. In fact, I have already discovered a few of the latter -- I think.

Incidentally, I am a lifelong Liberal Democrat, retired, and reside on Maui in Hawaii. Thanks for allowing me participate on DU.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. HEY!

I think you're right. They seem to need to show up here a lot since Obama took office.

Gee, a Democrat in the Oval Office.

A black man in the White House.

Yeah, they're losing their minds. But, the game of Troll Hockey - when someone spots one, and we all start slapping it around - can be very satisfying. Catharsis, and all that.

And, even though you've been around for a while, may I offer you a great big ?

The beer-drinking pussycat is glad to see you, too................

[billh58]

2. Thanks for the welcome! n/t

[WillyT]

3. Welcome To DU, billh58 !!!

:bounce::toast::bounce:

Glad ta have ya aboard!!!

:hi:

[billh58]

9. Glad to be here! n/t

[JHB]

4. Depends on what you think an ordinate number of trolls would be.

We've had these "flaps" before.

[billh58]

7. LOL!

I'm not sure what an "ordinate" number of trolls would be to the owner and moderators of DU, but my personal tolerance level for accomodating them is extremely low.

Then again, that's just me...;-)

[EFerrari]

5. DU is a big place. We do get a lot of frequent flyers here.

Welcome, though, billh58.

[sharesunited]

6. Good going on that Maui locale! What's your view of why universal coverage for kids failed in HI?

[billh58]

8. Short answer?

Poorly written, coupled with a Republican governor. The "official" excuse is that too many people took advantage of a loophole that allowed them to drop their paid coverage in order to participate in the State plan.

[sharesunited]

12. The public option was swamped and underfunded, then.

And needed someone to fight for it despite all the other demands made upon the state budget.

[billh58]

13. Ironically

the Keiki Plan was co-sponsored and co-funded by Hawaii's largest Health Insurance company, HMSA. Hawaii is indeed a special place, and still has mandated employer-provided health coverage.

Here is a link to a recent news article for a little more background:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,439607,00.html

Sorry for the source...;-)

[Mind_your_head]

10. No, it's not just you.

....they are easy to spot, imo. They often "are first in line" to give a response and they also purport to be knowledgable about every possible thing/locale/situation/celebrity/book.....they've been everywhere from Zanzibar to Barkley Square ;-) and still spend an inexplicable amount of time posting on the DU (no offense to DU).

I "call 'em as I see 'em".

[liberalmuse]

11. By Job I think you're onto something.

I see the post count and the star and think they must be a liberal, but there are some people who post nothing but criticisms. If you call them on it, they will cry persecution. Interesting. I'm by no means a kool aid drinker, I'm someone who realizes things could be better while also being able to be grateful for what I have. I mean, we could have McCain/Palin to bitch about, so I see no point in ripping President Obama to shreds.

Then there is that time of year when long time posters have outed themselves. I've not been around when that happens, but I guess some people have nothing better to do than to pretend they are something they are not, and then get some sort of kick unmasking themselves. These are supposedly adults.

[darkstar3]

14. I don't think it's just you,

but I also don't think it's a new phenomenon. I think there are the same number of trolls now as there always have been, but their tactics have changed of late.

I bounce back and forth between here and a place I call "the sewer." (Some people here may know it by another, very inauspicious name :)) People ask me why I go there, and my only answer is that I find it interesting to see what the enemy has to say about us, and also to watch their heads implode from time to time. But my point here is that they usually brag about trolling on our boards. You'll see posts talking about how they've managed to "hide from the liberal SS" for so many posts. I'm absolutely positive some of them are still here, stirring shit up on our board and bragging about it to their nearly illiterate friends.

Now, however, it seems that some of them just can't hold it in for more than a few posts. That "premature" issue may stem from real-life problems, but more likely they're just a little more on edge lately because "they's a DARKY in the WYTE HOWSE!!!!!!"

[billh58]

15. I well know "the sewer"

of which you speak. One of their regular features is titled the "DUmmie FUnnies," and is obviously written by those who are not honest enough identify themselves on this site.

Like you, I occasionally lurk on FR for the shear pleasure of watching them self-destruct.

[global1]

16. I'm Also Beginning To Think There Are Some Freeper Trolls On DU......

that unrec good threads just to stifle the discussion. Can't prove it - but I've seen some strange behavior on threads that provoke good discussion and get some rec - only to go back to '0' when it looks like it could be to pointed at bad RW behavior. They take on names so one would think they are progressive or on our side - but really they seem to be infiltrating.

That is the only thing I have against the 'unrec' function. It gives an opportunity for messing around by freepers.