Displaying 631 To 660 Of 13,190 Comments She and that whole crew of GOP women — Ann Coulter, Megyn Kelly, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Sarah Palin and even ole Phyllis Schlaffly — just make my skin crawl. Everything they advocate is bad for women. They’re the consummate back-stabbers. » Posted By kesmarn On November 13, 2014 @ 8:13 pm AdLib, you (and the rest of the Planet) might enjoy this article on truth-bending and the right: » Posted By kesmarn On November 13, 2014 @ 7:27 pm That “Oooooooohooooo!” part could raise the dead… » Posted By kesmarn On November 13, 2014 @ 7:24 pm Heh…heh… so sorry, my friend! 😉 » Posted By kesmarn On November 13, 2014 @ 7:22 pm Dana really is the Mistress of the Wall of Sound tactic, isn’t she? She could actually be saying “YADDAYADDAYADDAYADDAYADDA!!” And it wouldn’t make the slightest bit of difference. What’s more — she knows that. She’s long past caring whether what she says makes any sense or is factually true. She might as well be blowing a police whistle. Her job is not so much to speak as to stop other people from speaking. Which makes her a classic troll. » Posted By kesmarn On November 13, 2014 @ 3:51 pm Oh Michael! I have tears in my eyes — from laughter. When I heard this I felt as though I was letting down the race — not doing my part. I need to hit a few liquor stores and fast, lest I be called a traitor or something… Too funny! Just not pulling your weight in the crime department there, are ya? You’d better get a move on! Thanks so much for the kind words. Yahoo really does seem to be among the worst of the cesspools. (Although I did check in briefly at Breitbart and felt like I should be wearing an Ebola protection suit there.) You’re right. They’re so spring-loaded with anger, it doesn’t take anything at all to set them off. The temptation is almost irresistible. I’ve done it. But as you and KT both said — after a while you feel a little icky about it. It feels almost like bear-baiting. (Except that bears are so much cuter, smarter and nicer than they are.) » Posted By kesmarn On November 13, 2014 @ 3:36 pm funk, your Pappy was a wise, wise man. I love that quote. I was talking with some friends the other day and joked that I had named the phenomenon of keyboard-based false courage the “Punching Distance Factor.” If someone is within punching distance, it’s amazing how much more polite and less aggressive many of them become. But put them behind the wheel of a big SUV or at a computer keyboard a thousand miles away — suddenly they turn green, become very muscular and start throwing their virtual weight around. (“You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry…”) Maybe the next generation of computers needs to come equipped with a little mechanical fist that zzzings out into the user’s face when trolling activity is detected. (Would that work with SUVs too?) » Posted By kesmarn On November 13, 2014 @ 3:24 pm Michael, that was pretty close to stalking, don’t you think? I’m glad you weren’t intimidated by it — in spite of the fact that intimidation was almost certainly the goal that troll had in mind. But then, stalking is often what they do online. Following people from comment to comment in some cases. Refusing to be frightened and/or to engage seems to be the only way for sane people to go. » Posted By kesmarn On November 13, 2014 @ 3:11 pm 😆 I have a feeling he takes that hair off and hangs it on the bedpost overnight… » Posted By kesmarn On November 13, 2014 @ 7:01 am PPO, I am SO with you. Of course, the usual cry is “what about freedom of speech?” when the terms of usage are enforced. But I think we all know that just having a different opinion will never get anyone booted from the Planet. The (few) times folks have been put in moderation it’s been when they resorted to personal insults or other really inappropriate stuff that belongs elsewhere (or nowhere?). The result is a think tank “playground” where the bullies are not allowed to disrupt the rest of the folks. Thanks so much for all those kind words. We’re glad you’re here. » Posted By kesmarn On November 13, 2014 @ 6:54 am Chica, that is shocking. Like most people, I was aware that Hoover and the FBI had it in for Dr. King, but I had never seen even the redacted copy of this letter before. How malicious! I posted the link you supplied in our Twitter feed, with credit to you. This needs to be circulated widely. You’re right — Hoover was the troll prototype. » Posted By kesmarn On November 13, 2014 @ 6:46 am Beatlex, I think we’ve all been there. I know I have. Like savants, some of these folks have no marketable skills at all (and may not even be that bright), but they have a sort of uncanny ability to detect what’s going to tick someone off. It’s like they’re completely insensitive in every area — except that one. PhD level ability to provoke irritation. But I think you’ll agree that a lot of that anger they’re trying to incite is the mirror image of what they feel internally every day of their lives. Their lives suck and they’d be thrilled if yours would too. So they’re more than willing to help you get at least halfway there. AdLib’s comment below eloquently exposes the internal processes that produce this kind of behavior. And in your case, doesn’t it just figure that they would call in their pals (who also have too much time on their hands) to pile on? It’s how they roll. Or maybe — how they troll. » Posted By kesmarn On November 12, 2014 @ 7:06 pm AdLib, are you sure that your day job isn’t Professor of Forensic Psychology at some Ivy League university? 😉 I think you nailed it on the profile of the classic troll. Especially the part about their pre-occupation with spreading “what they know in some way is phony propaganda.” A month or so ago I saw an old b & w film of a debate between William F. Buckley and Saul Alinsky. Alinsky was so astute in the way he studied and analyzed — in real time — Buckley’s carefully crafted TV persona. Eventually he just said (I’m paraphrasing here): “You don’t even believe what you’re saying yourself, do you?” Buckley’s eyebrows shot up (the way they often did) and just for a moment you could detect a glint of mirth in his eyes. It was as though someone else was finally in on his P. T. Barnum joke, and he just had to — for a split second — acknowledge it. He didn’t deny the charge. I think that’s what we’ve — you in particular — have sensed here. These people are frauds — in every possible way. And the GOP is always ready to send the welcome wagon out to the latest fraud — er — PAC contributor. » Posted By kesmarn On November 12, 2014 @ 6:54 pm You nailed it, Chica. One thing that is conspicuously absent is any link to a credible source to back up whatever is the current obsession. (Ebola being only the most recent case. Plenty of fear. No science.) » Posted By kesmarn On November 12, 2014 @ 5:17 pm 😆 😆 😆 I can’t ever make it through that video without falling apart laughing! How many times have we played this one over the history of the Planet? In good times and bad. It’s one of our unofficial theme songs! We’ve played it during election campaigns, throughout the whole health care cliffhanger voting, in victory and defeat, when the Prez was re-elected, and when McTurtle and the Boehner made us want to set our own hair on fire. That Russian ham has been our go-to guy for laughter for five years. We should send him a case of vodka! Troll-lol-lol! Thanks again for those kind words. And for being eternally vigilant way over there across the globe. While we’re peacefully sleeping, you have your eye out for hackers, spammers and — yes — trolls. » Posted By kesmarn On November 12, 2014 @ 5:13 pm LOL! Sounds like a real Rhodes scholar there, ExFan. Meanwhile, normal folks are out there in the real world getting real things done, no? » Posted By kesmarn On November 12, 2014 @ 3:44 pm I’m with you, Homie! I’ve learned so much here. I think the membership here is the brightest (and most compassionate) online community I’ve ever encountered. » Posted By kesmarn On November 12, 2014 @ 3:09 pm Thanks so much, dear friend! I know that you’re in the “dawn’s early light” there in Tokyo. See you soon! » Posted By kesmarn On November 12, 2014 @ 3:07 pm Thanks so much, RSG! And thanks for being a part of the Planet community — in so many ways. We really do have a truly diverse group of people here, which makes discussions so interesting and fruitful. » Posted By kesmarn On November 12, 2014 @ 3:06 pm Love that video, monica! That just about sums it up, doesn’t it? The most effective way to deal with them? LOL! There isn’t one. Your ladder analogy is perfect. “Consider the source and move on.” Wise words. » Posted By kesmarn On November 12, 2014 @ 3:02 pm Thanks so much, ExFan! I haven’t really read the comments on Politico, but I’ve heard that Yahoo can get pretty bad. And the few times I’ve gone to the comment section to look, I would say that that is a true statement. Can you imagine how boring it must be to sit online and spew anger all day? Although — I suppose if people are getting paid to do it, that might ease the tedium a bit… 🙁 » Posted By kesmarn On November 12, 2014 @ 11:52 am I love it too, Homie. And many thanks for those kind words. I do know people on the right who are serious about wanting to have political (or ethical or philosophical) discussions without resorting to these tricks. And it’s actually kind of fun to talk with them. It really sharpens your thought processes to be called up to defend your point of view. But I think all of us have found ourselves regretting the amount of time we’ve spent engaging with someone who is never able to cite credible sources for his assertions, who makes everything personal, and can only recite what he’s heard from FOX or AM radio that day. I know I sure have! I used to think that it was a form of giving up to just walk away from all that. It felt kind of like the right winger had “won” then. But now I realize that’s just not true. I think most of us would agree that saying no to meaningless conflict is a pretty darn healthy thing to do. And yes, the Planet’s troll-free environment is really liberating. The minute anyone starts tossing out personal insults, it’s adios! » Posted By kesmarn On November 12, 2014 @ 11:46 am So do I, Nirek! The place was crawling with them. But then, HP seemed to actually encourage some of that behavior, don’t you think? They seemed to feel that non-productive and bitter conflict produced more traffic to the site. So they could sell more ads. There’s always room for differences of opinion — no doubt. But when the bag of troll tricks gets pulled out — well, it seems that more heat than light is the result. Nobody gains. » Posted By kesmarn On November 12, 2014 @ 11:33 am It’s Veterans Day Today – Please Remember Our Vets Nirek, I was out earlier, so I’m sorry I’m so late to comment on your post. Thank you, monica, KT and all our other Planetary vets so very much for all you’ve given for our country! Thanks really seems like too small a word. Right now on PBS, there’s a program on (focusing especially on the Navy SEALS) that has a big focus on the Vietnam era. I really hope you get a chance to watch it. Some of the stories they’re telling are just jaw dropping (including one in which only 4 SEALS held off 300 Viet Cong soldiers until support could be brought in). Incredible. There are probably enough stories to make many movies and fill a library of books among vets living today. I’m so glad you’ve shared yours here. And I hope many other vets will do the same. As you’ve said in another post — we need to preserve history and teach it well. » Posted By kesmarn On November 11, 2014 @ 7:10 pm In this case, Nirek and monica, the (rotten) apple sure didn’t fall far from the tree. » Posted By kesmarn On November 11, 2014 @ 8:32 am choicelady and monica, thanks for a wonderful article and comment. I wonder what both of you think of this article that appeared not too long ago in Mother Jones: http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/07/eugene-scalia-court-antonin-financial-reform-dodd-frank The gist of it seems to be that Eugene Scalia (yes, the son of that Scalia) is engaged in trying to destroy Dodd-Frank by way of a sort of “Death By 1000 Cuts” process. Do you think this tactic will work? » Posted By kesmarn On November 10, 2014 @ 4:39 pm History, Is It Being Taught Anymore? MBE, I wonder if many of these videos are an attempt by younger people (these TX interviewers weren’t grumpy old men) to use humor rather than “scoldiness” to motivate their peers. I realize it could be argued that the audience is laughing at them not with them, but they did walk up to a fellow student who had a camera and a mic, so in a sense they kinda knew what they were getting into. And I suspect most of them do now know who the VP is and who won the Civil War, at least. Small silver lining. (If old people had given these same types of answers, they’d probably be called senile!) You’re right in that TX is far from alone in this area. I have friends and relatives who teach on the college level in MI and NY state and they all say the same thing. Which is not to say that all college students are like this. There are many who are well informed and who do vote! » Posted By kesmarn On November 13, 2014 @ 7:32 am So well-said, KT! If Dubya and his cronies had really been all about being the world force for justice, why were Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un left in place in N. Korea? Was “Sad-damn” (as Dubya and Company always pronounced it) the only tyrant who needed to be toppled? World police? Only when it fits the RW agenda. » Posted By kesmarn On November 12, 2014 @ 3:21 pm Excellent point, monica. Needless to say, the only entities who benefit from those weapons sales are their manufacturers and the politicians they’ve bought. And we all know that those manufacturers have very strong ties to the political right in America. » Posted By kesmarn On November 12, 2014 @ 8:10 am Exactly, Nirek. This practice of saying something bizarre and then denying that you ever said it is a current troll favorite. It’s everywhere. Nothing in the least original about it. It’s just designed to obfuscate and prolong a circular and time-wasting “conversation.” Tedious, to say the least. » Posted By kesmarn On November 10, 2014 @ 2:15 pmComments Posted By kesmarn
«« Back To Stats Page
Home Stats