Should Blue Jersey Ban Right Wing Trolls

by: princetonblue

Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 12:40:24 PM EDT

Unfortunately, it's clear that BJ has some posters who are repeatedly making posts advocating far-right anti-progressive positions. These posts receive a lot of attention and responses from BJ readers. But the original posters don't seem interested in dialogue or discussion, but just posting propaganda in support of their cause. That their posts often contain misleading facts and uncalled for accusations worsens the situation.

If the progressive cause were doing well, I wouldn't care. But we're not doing well and are being attacked and getting beaten by the Republicans and some DINOs. We can't afford to spend precious resources of time responding to these distracting posts. (And not to respond on our progressive site gives these posts legitimacy).

Personally, I think these aren't isolated individuals but they are either volunteers or paid workers on behalf of groups that seek to wound the effectiveness of BJ. Regardless, I think BJ would benefit by limiting ( whether through a ban or a limit on posts) "distracting" posters. The progressive community has to be able to focus on building our cause. If we are continuously putting out the small fires that the non-progressive arsonists keep setting, how will accomplish our goals?

princetonblue :: Should Blue Jersey Ban Right Wing Trolls

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Should Blue Jersey Ban Right Wing Trolls | 6 comments

No. (4.00 / 2)

This isn't the Oceanian Province.

by: Matthew Jordan @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 18:59:52 PM UTC

Yes (0.00 / 0)

If they're repetitive, baiting and totally incapable of intelligent interchange.

Now who could that be . . . ?

by: 12mileseastofTrenton @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 19:14:57 PM UTC

It's true we have some trolls. (4.00 / 1)

One is polite, full of innuendo, and low-key, another vehement, unclear, and ungrammatical, another a tiresome stooge for a DINO, and there are others. It's worthwhile to hear occasionally the point of view of our opponents and helps sharpen our own arguments. I have no problem with this. Blue Jersey would be worse not better off if we shut out all dissent.

"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." - Sen. Ted Kennedy

by: Bill Orr @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 19:25:50 PM UTC

If They Are Truly Rude and Offensive.... (4.00 / 1)

...there's always the troll rating, and if they wrote an irredeemably trollish diary...I'm Rosie could always nix it.

As for the rest of the time, they routinely get their asses rhetorically kicked.

Frankly, my biggest problem with the trolls here always was with the machine Democrats who were backing old boss Joe......and now, fortunately, they are either gone or reformed. Compared to them the right wing trolls are sweethearts! ;-)

by: Nick Lento @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 20:54:20 PM UTC

Some might keep folks on their toes, but (0.00 / 0)

I can understand the desire to stay focused on the battles that matter.

I don't read comments on any other site ( Huffing, Slate, Salon, etc.)--ehh, I'd need to take a bath afterward.

There are many posters who really teach me a lot. (Thanks!)
And I haven't seen real hate here--maybe I missed it.

by: Nowlan @ Sat Aug 06, 2011 at 02:12:50 AM UTC

As someone who has battled (0.00 / 0)

many a troll here I would say no. The troll rating has been effective. They make our case for us with their ridiculous and easily refuted nonsense.
Occasionally there have been folks who abuse the privilege but they have been very few.

One Vote. Yours. It really does matter.

by: carolh @ Mon Aug 08, 2011 at 13:58:47 PM UTC