Get the troop-bashing trolls off of DU!

[brentspeak]

Here are some comments from posters who may -- or may not -- be genuine "progressives":

The behavior of our "brave troops"

Edited on Fri Jun-02-06 05:13 PM by (....)
in Iraq is truly disgusting.

When not bullying or torturing, they're behaving like Murder, Incorporated:

"It looks like the killing of Iraqi civilians is becoming a daily phenomenon," the chairman of the Iraqi Human Rights Association, Muayed al-Anbaki said...." http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/02/iraq/main1677...


Scuuuse me if I won't salute.

...........................................................................................

I know war is hell, but why shoot babies? Why rape women?

Edited on Fri Jun-02-06 04:41 PM by (.....)
We know that these things have been going on for years by American troops.

So if our troops are stressed and have PTSD, it is OK
to rape women and kill babies.

As you can see sir, when you try to defend the indefensible
you get into very shaky ground.

..........................................................................

Legitimate outrage over any possible atrocities committed by US troops is certainly justified -- as long as it's directed against individual troops; brazen, broad-brushed slams against US troops in general, or saying that this or that soldier must of course be guilty -- even before a trial -- are not only never justified, they're totally against DU rules. It's impossible to keep up with these troll-like "US troops are murderers! baby killers!" using the 'alert' button. Without stifling legitimate, intelligent criticism of military actions, I say: Please ban those who are clearly bashing American troops. Let them go back to anarchist.com or freerepublic.com (depending on their motives for posting their messages on DU).

[stepnw1f]

1. I Wondered the Same about You (nt)

[SharonRB]

2. You're right.

We can't let the actions of a few color our feelings for the troops in general. There are "bad eggs" in any group and the percentage of troops who committed these atrocities is very small in comparison to those who are honorable. The vast majority of the troops deserve our support even though we abhor the war.

[Coexist]

3. the sicker the comments, the more quickly they get posted

on The Proud 29%'s sites. Imagine that. I can't figure out how that happens.

On an unrelated note - I found this cute graphic:

[brentspeak]

8. That's it in a nutshell

There's a contingent of trolls who sign up here for the sole purpose of discrediting these forums.

[Bluzmann57]

4. Agreed

The people who commited these alleged atrocities, and I say alleged because we are all supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, are individuals and not indicative of all troops. It's sorta like saying all people of a certain race are thieves, or all Liberals are wimps or something along those lines. We all know that isn't true. Generalization is wrong. Period.

[Critters2]

5. Free speech is a bitch, ain't it?

But that's what the troops are killing people and breaking things for. At least, that's what I'm told.

[brentspeak]

14. No message forum is 100% "free speech"

Every board has rules. You're apparently under the delusion that anything and everything is allowed to be said here.

[Critters2]

15. And you're under the delusion that

you're the decider.

[Selatius]

6. I object to your use of "anarchist" in that manner

I consider myself a moderate libertarian socialist (you can call it "anarchism"), and I have NEVER generalized US servicemen as an army of baby killers and murderers.

If those soldiers involved in Haditha are guilty of murder, then they're guilty and could arguably be called "baby killers." But that doesn't include soldiers who are not guilty of shooting civilians and killing children, and I never painted those people as such.

You're guilty of overgeneralizing anarchists as hateful like Freepers just as those who are guilty of those overgeneralizing all soldiers as baby killers.

[brentspeak]

20. Well, in that case, my apologies

[uppityperson]

7. Isn't calling out other DUers like this against the rules?

Aren't you supposed to email mods directly if you have a problem like this? Isn't this what the alert button is for?

[brentspeak]

9. I deleted the posters' names

So no one is getting called out.

[uppityperson]

11. hmmm, quick search of it shows up who they are.

I understand the sentiment, push alert button and pass over to the mods. Andyou are supposed to contact them directly I thought, not do this.

[gizmo1979]

13. Rules Rules we don't need no

stinkin rules.

[tridim]

10. You're not the free speech police..

I've never bashed the troops here, but if there's a reason to do so I will.

[brentspeak]

18. ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/forums/rules.html

"This is a moderated discussion forum with rules."

(just like all other message boards)

[uppityperson]

19. ...

Respect the moderators and administrators, and respect their decisions. You can help make their job easier by clicking the "Alert" link on any post that might need moderator attention. Please understand that moderating errors and inconsistencies are inevitable on a large website like this. If you have a question about DU policies, or if you have a concern about an action a moderator has taken, please contact an admin privately.

AND

Do not publicly accuse another member of this message board of being a disruptor, conservative, Republican, FReeper, or troll, or do not otherwise imply they are not welcome on Democratic Underground. If you think someone is a disruptor, click the "Alert" link below their post to let the moderators know.

[Critters2]

25. Must be something wrong with brentspeak's

alert button

Mine works.

[brentspeak]

26. Oh, believe me, I've been using the 'alert' button

I'm simply urging more mod use of the 'ban' button.

[tridim]

22. I've read the rules.. What's your point?

[Ksec]

12. Yes, only those who glorify military are allowed to opine.

I disagree brentspeak.

You have the right to praise anyone you want.

You dont have the right to stifle anyone who disagrees with the glorification of anyone who has gone through boot camp.

Allowing this to happen without much ado will only assure it keeps happening.

[mike_c]

16. no-- there is nothing sancrosect about "our troops..."

...whan they fight in the service of fascism and imperialism-- and I defy you to argue that the war against Iraq is anything else. The war against Iraq is a war of aggression. What part of that don't you understand? The "just following orders" defense was thoroughly discredited at Nuremburg, and their oath compels them to refuse "unlawful orders." The courts martial are not standing with them in this obligation, but their authority comes from us-- they prosecute the war against Iraqis in our name. I damn well do have the right to criticise them-- if I had my way I'd demand that they cease their aggression against Iraq immediately. Not six months from now, not six minutes from now. Every minute spent occupying Iraq compounds the crme of aggression "our troops" are involved in.

[blue sky at night]

17. I totally agree

that general statements about anything won't wash. On the other hand, I feel we need to hold someone responsible for this mess, perhaps the Military LEADERSHIP? When someone says the BUCK stops here, then we are beginning to act like adults. Guess we may be waiting a while with the bunch of assholes we have running the war now. I hope you will abide the folks who are morally outraged, like me, they are suffering. BTW, you won't catch me flying the flag or honoring this "country" anytime soon, perhaps never again as long as I live.

[Nimrod2005]

21. They are killing babies in my name, what would be an appropriate reaction?

In your opinion?

[brentspeak]

24. "They"? Who's "they"?

You want to be a little more specific?

[Nimrod2005]

27. The American soldiers who fired their M16s into the babies and children...

and unarmed civilians, did you miss the news?

[Critters2]

28. Shhh

you're not supposed to say unkind things about the sainted troops. Ever.

[TahitiNut]

23. It's a shame that the morally superior, more emotionally mature, ...

... more responsible people who so easily shift the blame to troops in a combat zone who're eating rotten food, dealing with equipment and supply shortages, going through 'stop-loss' and multiple tours aren't signing up to demonstrate their greater ability to maintain their sanity and not lose control under intolerably insane conditions. After all, this is supposedly a 'democratic' nation where we believe that we all should participate and should share in the fruits, sweet or sour, of our common wisdom. Why leave military service to people so many DUers believe are "beneath them"??? Is it not OUR military? I regard the hypocrisy as appalling - and without any redeeming democratic value whatsoever. There's almost nothing more hypocritically 'democratic' than the "let George do it" digital democrats, imho. At least the plutocratic right-wing keyboard kommandoes admit they're social Darwinists and believe in a caste system.

[pinto]

29. Locking.

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Thanks.