With talk about "Trolls" I have a comment and a question for all.......

[Minnesota Libra]

When I first came to DU I thought I was fairly well informed because I had always tried to read everything I could get my hands on current events from a variety of sources. One of my favorite programs has always been The News Hour on PBS so yes I thought I was well informed.

So quickly I started posting comments at DU like I really knew what I was doing. It took awhile but I eventually discovered that I had a whole lot to learn and that I was not nearly as knowledgeable as I thought. Some of you no doubt got tired of my limited knowledge as to what was truly going on in our government and probably put me on ignore.:shrug: Others,:hi: took a different approach. Some flamed me unmercifully at times :grr: but at least some of you took time to read my comments. A few at DU :loveya: took an even better approach and were understanding about my lack of knowledge.:toast: These people very calmly and nicely let me know the true facts of the issue at hand and even provided links so I could learn even more.:yourock:

So my question to everyone is, could some of the so called "trolls" in reality be uninformed but well meaning members? Could they be people who really need a calm but dedicated education as to the real condition of our government? Just a thought.:think:

BTW, thank you to all who have been tried to stay calm and helpful through my ongoing reality check.:grouphug:

[wordpix2]

1. well said & some of those trolls could be '06 Dem voters if we're polite

to them and teach them well.

[havocmom]

5. Good point. We can continue the politics of divisiveness the GOP wants

or we can play a smarter game and be kind, helpful, and teach without being condescending. Which will win us more supporters? ;)

[rpgamerd00d]

2. Keep in mind that DU is just as biased as any RW site.

Its just that we all agree with the bias.

I always try very VERY hard to be skeptical of everything I read, here and elsewhere, to try and discern the reality of a given situation.

Having said that, I think DU is a great place, because there is SOOOOO much good info here it boggles my mind how the MSM can be missing so much important info. (or supressing it, as the case may be).

[IsItJustMe]

9. Here is a motto you may enjoy:

Don't believe anything you hear, and half of what you see.

Skepticism and critical thinking are a must in these times.

[wordpix2]

10. there ARE some issues we don't agree on: Israeli-Palestinian issues, for

one

[Sammy Pepys]

3. I haven't really run into any trolls here that I know of, personally...

So I'm not sure if they're obviously divisive and trying to stir up trouble or if they're merely uninformed...but it seems to me a lot of folks here who post questionable information in good faith are politely corrected.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. What a kind, thoughtful post!

I think that some who are called trolls are as you describe. One big way you can tell that they merely be misinformed is that they stay here, and they change. They also often admit their mistaken perceptions, and become great DUers to talk with. There are some trolls, however, who are obviously that: they last maybe 3 posts before they say something that is so obviously biased against Democrats and liberals that they are tombstoned. Then there are the disruptors; these are folks who just seem to like to stir up people. I can't really say that all are trolls; like any community, we can have liberals who are biased in certain areas, such as religion.

[LisaLynne]

6. Aw, what a great post.

I had the same experience when I first signed up. I thought I knew it all. I remember getting flamed once for something and a really nice, established DUer came to my defense. That really meant a lot and was one of the reasons I stuck around. Otherwise, I would have been scared off. I feel as though I have grown so much in my knowledge here.

I wish sometimes that we could all be more ... tolerant, I guess, of people. Sometimes, I think people get really defensive and angry because of all the crap that is going on in the world and it spills out here when someone says something that they think isn't right. But, for the most part, I think there is a WEATH of information, smart opinions, and just plain great thinkers here.

So, come here, everybody -- :grouphug:

[John Q. Citizen]

7. Undoubtably you make a good point. It's also very hard in this

medium to really discern intent as to some of what I read.

Occasionally, it's pretty clear that someone is trolling. Most often it's best not to jump to conclusions.

[rucky]

8. That's the #1 reason, for sure.

i whince sometimes at the way we treat newbies.

[JuniperLea]

11. I feel the same way

With all the arguments and heated discussions here, the thing that makes my blood boil the most is rude behavior. I've started several threads on this topic...


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=567279


This was the most recent.


I really hate the thought that some well meaning people who may have much to contribute might be scared away by pompous, arrogant, mean and rude behavior.

Other than that, I'm pretty much a pacifist:)

[Minnesota Libra]

15. Yes, I remember that post well and loved it too!!! You described so......

.....well what some face when they come here from the "perfect among us" but that DOES NOT and probably NEVER WILL desribe me.:shrug:

[JuniperLea]

22. I never trust "perfect" people

:)

[madokie]

12. Always have to remember you can't save them if you don't leave the door

open a bit, maybe they will read and learn and if they don't and show their true colors like one did last week, Oh, we had so much fun with him/her. Knowledge is the answer to all ills.

[mattclearing]

13. The easiest way to find out that "trolls" are often just misinformed Dems

is to accuse them of being trolls.

I have found this out the hard way too many times. Hopefully I've learned my lesson by now.

[RufusEarl]

14. I've only been here a short time,

but it's been informative. I've also told allot of my friends about DU, and have even run into old friends here.

One of the many things i enjoy about DU, is the fact that all the news worth reading is here. Meaning i no longer have to go to two hundred different blogs, to find out whats going on.

I can come to DU in the morning and find threads that are of interest and go read the articles, it's a time saver because so many DU er's have already done the research.

I've set up a email list and when i come across articles that i find interesting i can forward them to others i think will either enjoy the article or just need to be made aware.

So i'll thank DU and all it's contributors, call me what you like but please keep informing america we need your help.

[Pirate Smile]

16. Great post and I think you are completely correct.

:yourock:

[the observationist]

17. 10-4.

If it wasn't for the calm, well-mannered, patient Democrats I would still be a republican. The attitudes of these types of people help change the thoughts and actions of others. The republicans are notorious for either forcing you to conform to their thoughts or they make it so unbearable that you have to leave. They can afford to do this because there are so many "morally superior" church going folks that don't know any different. They have never questioned the status quo.

Liberals on the other hand must be patient and open minded. One reason the party is in a state of chaos is because some of our leaders have lost this attitude. If liberals would take a step back and look at FDR we would once again be running the government. FDR had the knack for bringing the extreme liberals (Socialists) and the moderates like me (Capitalists) together into one cohesive party. We do not have that today, but thankfully there are people, like some of you on the DU, that are patient.

Thanks Minnesota for the thoughts. It reminds me to be patient with those I disagree with and those that ask a lot of questions.

[Minnesota Libra]

18. THANK YOU to one and all who commented here because it's through..........

......people like you who will change this country back to the freedom loving, civil rights protecting, society I've always been so proud to call home.

Keep the education coming folks.:loveya:

[Ufomammut]

19. Earnest approach, Minn Libra :)

Don't worry, the primary impetus for this gathering of minds is largely due to most realizing that they're being lied to by our press concerning very important and often grim matters regarding society, existence, morality, civilization ...that's why a lot of people were turned on to the internet after it became painfully clear after the 2000 Selection that something was terribly wrong in the country, and that our free press, although has been nothing but a propaganda machine for decades, was complicit in "selling" lies to the public about what is taking place.

I'm new to the forum, and in the few days or so I've been here, I've never seen anyone "intentionally disrupting" anything ...so I'm a bit unclear as to what the big anti-troll push is all about.

However, when threads like that are started, those views expressed, if you're new to the forum, it's hard not to suspect that someone may be lumping you into their perception of whatever properties define "troll" for them. I can see where someone may think that about me since my views are far to the left (something that many dems loath) and I'm not bashful about espousing the idea that "moderates" have crippled any chance of the dems being a true "opposition" party.

[HamdenRice]

20. Not me, I'm just a pure troll ... wait it's Friday, gotta cash my Homeland

Security department paycheck!

[Minnesota Libra]

21. CUTE - VERY CUTE - nt

[Hutzpa]

23. You know, mine wasn't polished as yours......but

straight to the point, I don't have patient and if that means every time I post Skinner and co removes my post so be it, I do not sick-up to noone and I say it as I see it, at least I'm entitle to that....right!!

[ret5hd]

24. if you would repost...

in a known language, i will attempt to make a reply.

[Hutzpa]

26. I dont suppose you speak english then n/t

[Kailassa]

25. I'm so very glad to hear that.

I'm sure no-one here wants to be sicked-up to.