Information on GOP "concern trolls":

[brentspeak]

Here is some info on these vermin, that people should be aware of in the 11 days before Election Day.
Do you see self-styled "Democrats" and "progressives" on these boards brazenly attempt to rally discontent against the Democrats? Make you think that your vote won't count - so why bother voting? Say something so over-the-top ridiculous it sounds like one of Rush Limbaugh's parodies of his stereotypical liberal? Then you may just have encountered a "concern troll".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concern_troll
A concern troll (the name is derived from the concept of an internet troll) posts to an internet forum or newsgroup, claiming to share its goals but actively working against those goals.

Typically, the concern troll expresses "concern" about group goals or plans for productive activity, urging members instead to attempt some activity that would damage the group's credibility, or alternatively to give up on group projects entirely.

Examples

In 2006, political concern trolls were "outed" in New Hampshire and New Jersey, after blog comments claiming to be from supporters of a political candidate were traced to the IP address of paid staffers for that candidate's opponent.

On September 21, 2006, the New York Times reported that Democratic weblog BlueJersey.com had traced multiple comments coming from pseudonyms like "cleanupnj" and "usedtobeblue" to a single IP address in the campaign offices of Republican candidate for the US Senate Thomas Kean Jr. (NJ). Comments from this IP address claimed to come from supporters of Kean's Democratic opponent Robert Menendez but expressed a range of "concerns" about Menendez. <1> Email signed by Kean's campaign spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker also originated from that IP address--as did a later comment to BlueJersey signed "blueforever06" claiming to be from "an ardent democrat who used to enjoy reading this blog" and deploring their accusations of concern trolling against Kean's staff. <2> Questioned about these incidents, Hazelbaker denied involvement and told the New York Times, "It's a blog. You can't believe what's posted on blogs." Hazelbaker told reporters that the IP address in question (70.90.20.85) was not hers. The Newark Star Ledger reported, however, that it is "the same IP address that appears on numerous official campaign e-mails sent by Hazelbaker to The Star-Ledger through the course of the campaign." <3>

On September 25, 2006, Republican Congressman Charlie Bass acknowledged that one of his staffers had been posing as a "concerned" supporter of Bass's opponent Democrat Paul Hodes on several liberal NH blogs. Using the pseudonyms "IndieNH" or "IndyNH," Bass's policy chief Tad Furtado posted from a government computer in Bass's US Congressional office, saying (among other discouraging messages) that Democrats shouldn't waste time or money on Hodes, because Bass is unbeatable. <4> An eight-year veteran staffer in Bass's office, Furtado resigned after his role as "IndieNH" made local news. <5>"

[Moloch]

1. You mean like all the diebold defeatists...

trying to supress voting on Nov. 7 by complaining our votes don't count?

[damntexdem]

14. And does this mean that we are not supposed to express worry?

For the record, I have already early voted a straight Democratic ticket. But the main reason that I think that my vote, on no-paper-trail electronic machines, may be counted is that my area and state are so red that they might not bother to steal votes here.

For the record, I urge all others to vote straight Democratic tickets.

Now, that said, I am extremely CONCERNED that the upcoming elections on Nov. 7 will be stolen. I hope not; but come Nov. 8, we should not be surprised into inaction if the results smell funny.

[Moloch]

19. Most of the Diebold problems are taking place in Ohio.....

and Ohioans are so incredibly sick of the GOP that the polls show them badly losing the governorship and a senate seat. The GOP are doing so badly that it looks like we're going to pick up 5 HOR seats... so yeah, if blackwell or dewine win everyone will know something is fishy.. they wouldn't dare try...

[Atman]

43. No, actually, that is not what op meant

In fact, I could just as easily say YOU'RE one of them, telling everyone not to worry about Diebold and everything will be wonderful. Which side would benefit most if we just ignore e-voting fraud, hmm? So which GOPper's campaign do YOU work with? I see you don't even donate... :shrug:













Look, I'm not seriously trying to call you out, just trying to make an example of your ridiculous post. Conflating genuine concerns about a very real, serious issue into one of subversive trolling is just nonsense. That is NOT what the op was about, and you know it. Or you should.

.

[AlCzervik]

2. "I'm worried" "I don't want to sound pessimistic but---"

[JuniperLea]

3. "What if we really are screwed"

[Beetwasher]

4. This Post Concerns Me

Should we really be attacking our own? You know, there are legitimate gripes Dems have of other Dems. I thought we believed in free speech. We should be careful about purging people we don't agree with. :evilgrin:

[Zodiak]

8. The election is close

some of us think that is a time to rally and purge.

Not everyone does. I like that rallying Dems is like herding cats.

Their heart is in the right place, though.

[brentspeak]

10. Dems with legitimate gripes don't try to rally discontent with other Dems

They employ constructive criticism, and discuss things in a helpful manner. They also understand the need for solidarity in the weeks before Election Day.

Concern trolls...don't.

[Beetwasher]

17. I Hope

You got the snark in my post.:evilgrin:

[brentspeak]

18. Whups

I didn't understand the little grinning devil, but now I do. I'll put the dunce hat on me head.

:dunce:

[Rockstone]

30. Exactly

We're supposed to focus our energy on attacking ourselves by looking for trolls? For what purpose? As you stated we are in solidarity mode so what would trolls be accomplishing anyway?

The whole conversation is a waste of effort that could be devoted to getting out votes. Why are we talking about bullshit instead?

[Mr_Spock]

5. "THE FIX IS IN!!!!!"

That one really bothered me...

[Quantess]

6. You mean like this?

I'm concerned about Rush Limbaugh. I'm concerned he might have a microphallus.:evilgrin:

(I just wanted to give your thread a kick)

[Quantess]

21. Or this:

I'm concerned that Rush might be a bloated windbag and a hypocrite.

[Quantess]

32. I'm concerned about Rush Limbaugh.

I'm really concerned about his obesity. Not just that, but, my concern that the cholesterol in his blood may be the cause of his erectile dysfunction is overwhelming to me. I can only imagine that erectile dysfunction, and possibly having a microphallus, fosters a bitter outlook.

[warrens]

7. Gee, have we had a couple of those here lately?

I see them report back to FR giggling about how they got over 1,000 posts of pablum, then start complaining about how Ford isn't liberal enough, etc. etc.

They're pretty blatant about it.

[Freedom_from_Chains]

9. "Tad Furtado " Oh geeze, this can't be this guy's real name! LOL

[Straight Shooter]

11. Good point. But I'm actually more worried about the over-optimistic people.

Not just on DU, but the population in general. I'm scared witless that people will see the trend of Dems being ahead and think their vote and their help in getting others to vote isn't so important anymore.

As for "concern trolls," yeah, they get me down sometimes. I'll see some good news on a thread and it makes me want to post a happy bounce :bounce: but then someone will post a real downer about Diebold, or Rove and other wily nefarious Repubs, or some other such doom-and-gloom. I'm learning to pass those by, but I've been wondering why the hell they're so prolific on DU. We're here to support each other and make our "dreams" come true, not shoot them down. A positive attitude is the best thing to create the energy to get out there and rally the people.

[brentspeak]

13. I'm worried about that, too

Complacency and resting-on-laurels is a sure-fire, guaranteed way to lose.

[MGD]

12. The point of any dialectic is to arrive at a deeper truth.

Arguing amongst ourselves leads to a better understanding of reality and should, therefore, not be hindered by mindless paranoia.

[damntexdem]

15. Yes, I'm all for mindful paranoia instead.

And I'm certainly in favor of arguing among ourselves.

And voting Democrat on Nov. 7, or better before.

[JNelson6563]

16. Yeah, pretty heavy on the lunacy lately

heavily laced with hysterics. Sad.

Julie

[greeneyedboy]

20. here's a fine example. there's usually one per day at least in corporate news.

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/061022/30dems.htm
mostly a transparent hit piece about the scary Democratic agenda if/when we take over the House, with a few "concern troll" paragraphs thrown in for "balance", worrying about how Pelosi et al. will deal with the "partisan Democrats" in their base.

[mmonk]

26. Pffft

"partisan democrats". Man, what do they think we've endured since this crowd took office? These republicans aren't partisan? And someone saying the democrats shouldn't overreach doesn't think we've endured overreaching at new heights? What a joke. Transparent indeed.

[Rockstone]

29. They have companies dedicated to producing astroturf online

i remember one about seeding blogs with favorable opinions.

I just don't read the repetitive I'm worried articles. There's too much interesting stuff to bother with yet another opinion.

[Beetwasher]

22. OMG!! WEBB IS DOOOMED!!1!!1!!

I'm very concerned about it. :evilgrin:

[guinivere]

35. Are you series?!??11

The internets are doomed cuz Al Gore invented them !1!1!!






Edited to add that I'm concerned. Very, very concerned that others aren't as concerned as I am about the concerned trolls.

[Rockstone]

23. This type of accusation is a disruption tactic in itself

It creates a paranoid sub-population of thought police who ultimately contribute to an environment that is hostile to free thinking, original thinking and wondering. This serves to scare away new users who get attacked the first time someone has a difference of opinion. It's a "shrinking tent" attack strategy.

There is value in alerting users of thoughts that are basically losing strategies, but that can be done without attacking posters. The point is if there are disruptors, the mods can do their jobs, not some self appointed gang of hostile users.

Best solution would be if DU could implement a way to coagulate threads into categories that you can easily ignore. for example tag all the worry threads into one bunch. Too many repetitive threads really muck up the place.

(that's my two scents)

[Beetwasher]

24. Feel Free To Post All The Concern Threads You Want

I'll feel free to mock them w/ wild abandon.

[WCGreen]

36. As well as I.....

[AlCzervik]

25. no it really isn't, around elections we get an influx of the "Concerned"

and "Worried" and sometimes you have to seperate the wheat from the chaff.

[Rockstone]

27. I don't doubt you on it

And it should be a moderator issue. Throw them into a sub board or something. The lounge.

But also there is an constant underlying element of "oh you're a Freeper because I don't agree with a thought you posted" this is more of a concern because it is a direct and constant detrement to the community.

The worriers thing - think about it. This is a place you come if you are a die hard progressive already. We're not really the "sway crowd" and I don't think anyone is staying home on election day because some freeper poser says he's worried. So what I'm saying it that it's an off-target attack at best and at worst it is just some honest DUer posting their feeling and getting attacked for it.

[Toucano]

28. That's what has me so concerned, too.

Sorry, couldn't resist. LOL!

This is a tactic long used in the flesh world, and it lends itself easily to the cyberworld.

It's actually not as effective if the troll is a new user. You can undermine people better if they trust you and they trust you if you're around a lot.

[Quantess]

44. Does the "shrinking tent" theory

refer to Rush's penis shrinking under his tent of flab?

[emulatorloo]

31. I am so concerned about 'concern trolls' that I'm kicking

and linking to a similar thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2491807&mesg_id=2491807

Lots of concerned people on DU tonight

[Maraya1969]

33. I do not trust the ones that say "Democrats won't do anything to fix

the problem" The naysayers. If you are really a Democrat you will fight for the Democrats not try and kick them down.

[brentspeak]

34. kick...due to recent Concern Troll sighting:

The OP has just been tombstoned. And his thread received ten votes for "greatest page" before it was locked.

[leftofthedial]

37. and then there are the concern trolls who pretend to be "concerned"

about the loyalists who have legitimate concerns about the direction of the party or the position of a candidate.

they have the effect of preventing the party or candidate from adopting better, more effective positions and doing a better job of representing his/her/its constituency.

[MODemocrat]

38. More commonly known as sock puppets

I see people like that in my local newspaper; pretending they "were" democrats, but now, "with things
going so badly", they want to vote for a party who shares their values, so they're changing to the republican party. You can spot those kind right off the bat. They're trying to be coy, but they're too
stupid to get their point across. :+ :+ :+ :+ :+ :silly: :silly:

[brentspeak]

39. .

[MadHound]

40. Great, now I have another stupid label tagged onto my ass around here

Now, for bringing up legitimate concerns about vote fraud, I'm to be shunned for being a "concern troll" Despite the reality that there has been voter fraud and disenfranchisement in the last three elections, what, we're supposed to be all happy happy joy joy, locked into some unrealistic group think around here that denies reality? Really now:wtf:

I've been a member of DU since '02, I've worked for Democratic candidates and issues for over thirty years(longer than a great many posters have been alive), I've given blood, sweat, tears and cash to the party on a regular basis, have voted consistently Democratic and will do so again this year, yet because I prefer to live in a reality based world, am cognizant of the probability that we're going to see voter fraud again this year, and all the sudden I'm unclean, untouchable? Is this where this board is going? FUCK THAT!

It's a goddamn shame that people around here have gotten increasingly narrow minded in what they think should and should not be posted. I'm sick of people who are neither mods or admins determining who should and shouldn't be shunned. This is goddamn jr. high shit, division of people into groups and cliques of the cool kids and the rest.

Look, if you want to stick your head in the sand and pretend that our elections are squeaky clean, and that the Dems are going to sweep back into Congressional power, fine. Actually I hope(and am working hard) that such a thing happens. But it is the prudent person who plans also for the worst possible outcome in order to be better prepared for the future, because sunshine and roses isn't always the outcome that we're dealt, especially in politics. Now if all you're going to prepare for is the best possible scenario, you are doing yourself, the party and this country a disservice. And you're doing it a double disservice by trying to cast out the realists, the pragmatists, the ones who are preparing for ALL possible scenarios. But hey, go ahead and form up your little clique of cool kids, and pretend that all is sunshine and roses.

We realists will continue to worry and prepare for those clouds on the horizon. Just remember to thank us later when the rain begins to fall. After all, it would only be polite.

[brentspeak]

41. Have you said that it's no use to even bother voting?

Or that "the fix is already in"?

If you bring up potential election fraud, but don't make it sound like "there's nothing we can do", then you're not a concern troll, and no one with any common sense would even make that accusation.

Sheesh...

:eyes:

[LeftCoast]

42. Oh yeah...they're here all right.

Laughing their ass off at how much shit they can stir up around here...

[Quantess]

45. "Kerry should apologize."

"I'm concerned for our party if he doesn't apologize".

[NoodleyAppendage]

46. Oh, bullsh*t. People are entitled to an opinion. Who's being fascist now?

So, anyone who expresses an opinion on DU that does not conform to the group is somehow a "concern troll" or operative for the Repukes? FUCK OFF.

J

[Moderator]

47. locking

If you see a member that you think is
a disruptor/freeper/troll, please use
the alert feature. The mods will examine
the situation and take the appropriate
action.


Thanks