Trolling is bad for the Dem brand -- Official resigns over offensive tweet

[nashville_brook]

Here's an example of an internet writer who, as a communications volunteer for his local party, has managed to tarnish the Dem brand by simply being a dick. Specifically he tweeted to a speechwriter for Sen. Ted Cruz saying, "May your children all die from debilitating, painful and incurable diseases."

It's is horrible on many levels. Grown-ups should know that you that you don't say anything online that you don't want to have go viral. Right? We know that.

But the one that fascinates me the most is that this person thought this it was okay to do this *as a party comms volunteer.* Why do you think that is? What made him think this was okay?

I noticed today that this same person has a history of trolling @ggreenwald and other progressive/left bloggers. His history of this goes back years. Apparently it's what he does to unwind.

So I'm thinking he's probably developed the habit of fighting on the internet. He's done it for so long that he found himself thinking it was okay to do that no matter what.

We can and should demand better of ourselves. The Ted Cruz's of the world are pushing horrible policy that we need to put a stop to. People like this Dem comms volunteer make that more difficult. And WE, actually might be making that more difficult if we allow discourse to always default to "internet fighting."

It's a bad habit, that's bad for the Dem brand. And the worst part is that it's dumb. If you can't argue your side clearly and with a smile, then you don't have your argument down.

It's great to disagree and flesh out ideas. But the lazy habit of being a dick, has a way of coming back to hurt you (and in this case, the Dem brand).

Democratic official resigns over offensive tweet

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/09/20/5755083/sacramento-county-democratic-official.html


A Sacramento County Democratic Party official has resigned over an offensive tweet that involved a fellow Twitter user’s children. Tempers flared Friday as House Republicans voted to defund President Barack Obama’s signature health care law, which led to some questionable Twitter decisions.

Amanda Carpenter, a speechwriter for Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, tweeted to urge Republicans on. Then Allan Brauer, communications chair for the Democratic Party of Sacramento County, lashed out with a response involving Carpenter’s kids.

That didn't sit too well with Twitter users, who raised a chorus of condemnations. The exchange made it to the website of the National Review and to the Drudge Report, both prominent conservative outlets.

“Publicly wishing death on a mother’s children for her political views is an utterly unacceptable tone in partisan discourse,” Sue Blake, chair of the Sacramento County Republican Party, wrote in an email to The Bee. “I ask that my counterparts in the Sacramento Democrat Party repudiate this type of rhetoric and immediately separate themselves from these kinds of partisan attacks on women.”

Brauer ultimately apologized, writing to Carpenter that “I am truly sorry for my tweet” and “Your kids are not fair game.” Carpenter accepted his apology.

But it did not end there. In an email, Democratic Party of Sacramento County chair Kerri Asbury said the party had sought and accepted Brauer’s resignation.

“The comments by our volunteer communications chair are appalling and inexcusable,” Asbury wrote. “No matter what our political disagreements may be, wishing harm is never an acceptable response during heated public debate or any other time.”

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/09/20/5755083/sacramento-county-democratic-official.html#storylink=cpy

[tularetom]

1. Do you think for a minute if the situation was reversed

that the republican party would call for the resignation of one of their own who had wised death on the children of a Democratic official?

It's a horrible thing to do but I have trouble getting too worked up over it when I consider that question.

[nashville_brook]

3. It's not the resignation that's a problem

It's the stupidity.

[tularetom]

14. Republicans close ranks around their stupidity

And the press admires them for their loyalty. Regardless of how stupid the stupidity was.

When Democrats do the same the press crucifies them for the stupidity. And ignores the loyalty.

This is obviously a very misguided act and the individual who did it probably deserved termination. Ted Nugent says far worse every time he opens his piehole and the press loves him.

However, as I stated, I won't lose a lot of sleep over it. I hear of death threats to the president, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and every other elected Democratic official every friggin day and I have yet to see any outrage over it expressed in the liberal media.

[nashville_brook]

15. my point actually follows on yours - as Dems we have higher standards

and we're also left to our own resources since the mainstream media isn't in the business of helping us.

especially eye-opening that this sort of attention comes to a relative 'nobody.' something to think about.

[tularetom]

22. My comment was directed more at the incompetence and bias of the media

than at the idiot who made the comment.

[nashville_brook]

29. in this case, the RW'ers went to friendly media first

which is exactly what we should do. this story would have been picked if the parties were reversed. the only bias in a story like this is that *everybody* loves failure. if a low-level GOP comms guy did this -- and was fired for doing so -- it would play out the same way.

[nolabear]

5. But that's how things go to hell in a bucket. "If they're going to do it so can we."

There's a difference between rolling over and getting down in the dirt with them.

[JDPriestly]

20. Actually we lose elections when we allow Republicans to get by with this stuff and we don't

Last edited Sun Sep 22, 2013, 10:33 PM - Edit history (1)

criticize them strongly enough when they do it.

Neither side should do it.

We should have good discussions but not threats or death wishes.

[nashville_brook]

28. having no tolerance for trolling also gives more weight

to calling it out when we see it. if our folks are going out slinging poo it makes it more difficult to do that.

[DirkGently]

7. The point is it's counter-effective.

Whether or not Republicans care whether they look stupid for doing the same thing misses the point.

It's not like it's an effective thing we refrain from out of politeness.

It's an asshole thing we refrain from because we're not assholes.

And because being an asshole does not work.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

18. So. You think we should behave according to Republican behavior standards. I do not. nt

[sabrina 1]

19. Yes, I do think they would have been forced to condemn such a comment

even if it was only because of the backlash it would have received.

It was a disgusting comment and we should not base our behavior on the behavior of those we claim to find abhorrent and then give a pass to such behavior when it one of our own.

The Dem Party Chair did the right thing. We've all had enough of this kind of trash talk. On all sides.

[MrModerate]

21. They probably would . . .

Because the furious and widespread response would rub their noses in the offense in such a way that ignoring was not an option. Just as has happened with the Sacramento Democrats.

[DeSwiss]

23. Went right over your head didn't it? n/t

[tularetom]

24. Actually, it apparently went over yours

You should really try to read these posts more carefully.

[DeSwiss]

25. ....

[Nine]

32. Of course they would.

You'd be insane to think otherwise.

I'm sorry you have trouble getting worked up over someone telling a mother he wishes her children would die painful deaths. For me, the outrage and disgust came pretty easily.

[nashville_brook]

39. +1

that's really the bottom line -- we don't want this kind of stink on us.

[Savannahmann]

35. Sure, the Republicans would.

The individual would be fired from the Official Party position, and end up in a PAC somewhere in a smaller office, but the same or perhaps a little more pay. Perhaps the offender would be sponsored to crank out a Republican leaning newsletter but that would be an unofficial position which did not reflect the party's official position.

Gotta think it through Amigo.

[MisterP]

2. moving dialog ever-rightwards isn't "hurting the party" in their eyes

in fact, I'll say it: the more they're allowed to post their delirious screeds at the same time that lefties are offered to be shown the door for not playing nice with the coddled, sheltered, bratty avowed and admitted neocons, the more they win

[nashville_brook]

4. It's interesting that this dustup comes

From the right-leaning faction of the party. It's not very pragmatic to hang it out there like that.

[Fumesucker]

6. That's unacceptable behavior, the party was correct to ask for his resignation n/t

[Vanje]

8. Yep.The "Communications volunteer"

was communicating the wrong message.

What the heck is a "communications volunteer" ?
Is that someone who "works" for a political team, by getting in conflicts and insulting others on online message boards?
Is that a real thing?

[nashville_brook]

9. apparently he thought it was the job description...he's also a freelance writer

his consultancy business is called "Writing it Right for You." so much #fail in that name.

seems like a comms person would be cognizant of messaging and tone, just to name two areas that could be improved.

[Vanje]

11. Um. I laughed at the first line

http://writingitrightforyou.com/

[nashville_brook]

12. omg..."It Matters How You Say It..."

what's extra funny is to google his name along with the keyword "tweets" and check out the images tab. yikes. i hope he has a fallback career in mind.

[DirkGently]

10. Wonder if these types imagine themselves

... to be PR geniuses, cackling as they "stir the pot," or if it's really more a product of a disturbed and angry person looking for any excuse to spew bile.

[nashville_brook]

13. my theory is that the compulsion is driven by feelings of powerlessness

He doesn't look to be a 'mean' person...however that would appear. in this photo the Daily Mail ran (UK, wtf?) he looks like someone who listens to Prairie Home Companion and knows a few pie recipes by heart.

[DirkGently]

33. It's always the grinning sap with the kitty poster

... who's privately frothing and trying to throw daggers. Terrified of confrontation, but seething to inflict some damage from a safe distance.

It's more of a cry for help than a propaganda tactic. I can't imagine even the most cynical professional communicator thinking that kind of vile pot-stirring garbage convinces anyone of anything.

[DirkGently]

16. "my counterparts in the Sacramento *Democrat* Party"

Even in a call for civility, Republicans can't put down childish namecalling.

Telling, that.

[nashville_brook]

27. such a tired and lame smear.

[DirkGently]

30. It's become a knee-jerk, mainstream expression.

Needs to be called out in every case, in my opinion. I don't go for "Republi-tard" or "Repuke" or whatever, because it sounds equally infantile, but at least those names live mostly on the Internet. "Democrat Party" has become official, sanctioned lingo for Republicans.

We need to be the ones elevating the discussion here.







And anyone who won't can suck it!

[mac56]

17. "If you can't argue your side clearly and with a smile, then you don't have your argument down."

Right on.

[giftedgirl77]

26. This is a perfect example of why I will

never ever ever ever be in a position such a this. It takes all of my might to play nice on a daily basis at work, there is no way in hell I could maintain my composure dealing with those idiots.

I'll stick to fucking with them on Twitter & at their stupid Tea Party meetings. Eventually I'm going to get my Rep to look like a complete asshole on camera.

[Nine]

31. Trolling is ok as long as you're not "official"?

Why don't you spend your time registering new voters, helping a campaign, or one of the many, many other positive ways you could be spending your time?

[giftedgirl77]

36. You know what they say when you assume something, right?

I actually do assist in productive ways as well, however, sticking to topic was in regards to direct communication which is not my forte.

But hey thanks for the advice from way up on that horse of yours.

[Warren DeMontague]

34. Fucked up thing to say, to anyone, ever.

They were absolutely right to demand his resignation.

[nashville_brook]

37. the person's twitter history makes that tweet almost seem tame

language-wise, at least. i'm sure they thought very little of this particular tweet -- like, it wasn't colorful enough.

[IronLionZion]

38. Dude crossed the line, and this is why I avoid twitter

damn, sometimes I wonder about the stuff posted on this forum, some DUers would not be able to hold any official positions even as dogcatcher.