1. DO NOT ENGAGE. And 2. AN OBSERVATION.

[cyberpj]

I don't suppose this post is considered pin-worthy because it's just my opinion but I wish it was pin-worthy, at least in this group.

We can join together to make a difference in the look and tone of DU.

1. DO NOT ENGAGE.

When noticing a post that's deliberately INFLAMMATORY, FALSE or BAITING YOU with RIDICULOUS TITLE QUESTIONS if we could just resist the instant urge to respond, eventually that post/thread would drop and die when that posts supporters tired of talking to themselves. This advice works for either side of our current campaign candidates.

When you constantly engage and snipe with your opposition you are only serving to keep their messages on display and at the top of the individual posting pages.

I repeat, DO NOT ENGAGE.

2. AN OBSERVATION.

Once you start noticing the number of recommends on the posts/threads that make it to the top of the GREATEST list you begin to see just how many more Sanders supporters there really are here. Of course that may change now that people have been pointing it out but for the past couple of months it has been quite true.

I have watched many many of the ridiculous Clinton posts grab about 5-10 responses or recommends and then die quickly. That says something people. There is a high probability that some number of paid agitators and/or zealots have joined to do just what they have been doing for some time here.

If you're paying attention you'll notice increasing numbers of these deliberately INFLAMMATORY, FALSE or BAITING posts every time Sanders wins any contest or has any sort of good fortune (or bad) in the press. But you can also notice the newcomers don't stay for long; their usual tactic is to shoot and run. Let them.

If we could just pull this off for several days I think we might notice a change in the appearance of posting pages that just might, MIGHT, help return DU to it's former, less ridiculous, self.

Oh.
And p.s.
This advice would include BOTH sides' need to stop posting items that are intentionally misleading, false, snarky or baiting.
Yes, that means all of us.

Perhaps I should give up on this hope of seeing DU return to it's former, more adult, more respectable self.
Believe me, I have just as much trouble as anyone resisting the urge to respond to the absurd and I have often failed.
But ever since the phenomenal number of ridiculous posts and ongoing wars about The Pope and Sanders I am renewing my effort.

Join me anyone?

[In_The_Wind]

1. Ah, what the heck, DU Rec!

[jillan]

2. Especially ones that call us cult members ;)

[noretreatnosurrender]

3. The Agitators

who don't support either candidate are usually the ones who respond to each others posts but I do agree with you that real Bernie supporters should avoid the usual suspects threads like the plague.

[Android3.14]

4. Yup

You see the truth of it.

[azmom]

5. I put that one on ignore. Nt

[rhett o rick]

6. I am in. nm

[Dragonfli]

7. You are right, I have wasted easily a thousand posts engaging talking point Brock smear puppets

Since this primary began, and that says a lot considering I have only posted a bit over 9,000 posts in twelve years.

Feeding trolls=bad.
Let troll sink in water under bridge=good.

I will repeat this as often as necessary until I retrain myself away from dispensing troll kibble, it only attracts them.

Thanks for the wake up post, I needed it.

[Dragonfli]

13. It is more fun! When discussing Bernie with Bernie supporters issues are actually discussed

And posts are intelligent, informative, and sometimes just morale boosters needed before phone banking or canvassing.

Why, dare I say it, it is like Discussions on DU used to be! Not the AOL like chat-room it is becoming, and maybe I will try that rubber band trick, my forehead is getting rather sore and my dog has taken to looking at me like I'm nuts at times. LOL.

[JudyM]

21. I am slowly learning to walk away but it is still difficult. Because the lies... and standing up for

other Bernie supporters.

I have only 1 DUer on ignore.

[Matt_in_STL]

8. A good rule of thumb is to check their transparency page before responding

If their transparency page is visible, don't bother as they are most likely not operating in good faith.

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

9. It is difficult sometimes the OPs in GDP make my blood boil...

But alas it is true many of them are designed to get a rise out of people.

[winter is coming]

14. Put them on ignore.

I've got a few not on ignore, just to know what the talking point du jour is, but I choose the ones who are so over-the-top that I laugh when I see their blantant bullshit.

[polly7]

10. I'm probably one of the worst for responding and I do see your point.

I will try.

[BernieforPres2016]

12. I have already been there

I have put every Hillary supporter on Ignore because I wasn't seeing any substantive posts from them, only agitation material. So I don't see the vast majority of it. Over the last week or two, I have been putting maybe 2 or 3 more a day on Ignore. They are virtually always people with only a handful of posts.

If you don't see it, you won't be tempted to respond to it.

[Xipe Totec]

15. I'm getting carpal tunnel on my ignore button finger.

The ignorees are legion.

So are their threads, and their groups.

They are going to have a very hard time talking to me in the unlikely event that their candidate prevails.

Something they should have considered earlier.

[Juicy_Bellows]

16. I practice a passive ignore system.

I know most of the honest ones from the shit flingers by now and ignore accordingly.

[ladyVet]

20. Well, the answer to that is to not recommend this place to newbies.

If you know someone who would be a good fit, send them to Jackpine Radicals instead. Sane, helpful and lots more fun.

Personally, I wouldn't send anyone to this place. It's full of crap unless you liberally use the ignore feature. I have no desire to engage with paid operatives, trolls and those too ignorant to bother looking up something so they can make a judgement based on fact and not the latest talking point they say on the MSM or the web somewhere.

One of the first things I learned about the internet was SOB: scroll on by. Just because crap is posted doesn't mean you have to answer it. Doesn't matter how untrue, flame baiting or stupid it is. Just don't respond. It's like kids throwing a temper tantrum, if you ignore it the fuss stops.

[Zorra]

22. I probaby have somewhere between three and four hundred on ignore.

Life is good. nt

[senz]

23. Yes, I agree this points the path ahead for us.

It's like going through a maze with little obstacles/landmines set by the opposition. But we have to get around them and keep going.

Time is short; we can't afford to waste it on their games.