Why so many trolls lately? Should mods start banning them?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why so many trolls lately? Should mods start banning them? (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 1/19/2006 4:29:36 AM EDT

Over the past few months I have seen the number of trolls rise exponentially. Why? I know these people who post bafflingly stupid comments about the War in Iraq and ridiculously ignorant defenses of the ROP cannot actually believe what they type. If they did, how then would they understand basic keyboard operation, not to mention actually navigate their web browser to an actual website.

Here’s an example from today:

Its nice to see biggotry is alive and well on arf.com. If there not jewish its not wrong to hate them! --- from abbot-hayes, joined 1/2005-197 posts

This in response to this thread texas muslim video
From the same thread:

its people converting to a different religion... you guys baffle me --- from Dieter122, joined 8/2005 – 1620 posts

The above two comments on the surface may seem innocent enough, but in the context of the thread, they are rendered with an obvious desire to cause argument alone, and perhaps a desire to get the thread locked because the posters disagree with the thread's sensibility.

It’s not only the ROP and the War in Iraq but a general lack of intelligence and overall derision for the United States, its freedoms and the concerns of its citizens for others that I sense in these inane posts, and coutless others like them.

Who are these trolls? Why do they come here but to stir up enmity and decrease the value of this site to legitimate gun-owners and lovers of freedom?

I know the mods should not stoop to the level of those at DU who lock accounts at the merest hint of disagreement with the majority. That, of course, would make us as insecure in our beliefs as them. But I’ll tell you, if GD continues to erode into nothing but a troll-fest, I will have to seriously think about not renewing my Membership when it comes due in July. Which unquestioningly I had every intention of doing a few short months ago. It's only $20.

And yes, I could spend more time in Team. I know this. But the number of threads is significantly less. GD is much more active.

Perhaps I am over-reacting. But I’ve been meaning to post a thread about this for awhile now. I hope it's cyclical and not indicative of an overall shift in GD toward the Left.

Posted: 1/19/2006 4:31:34 AM EDT

[#1]

I don't see what this has to do with Glocks exploding.

Posted: 1/19/2006 4:40:36 AM EDT

[#2]

Brutha, if crap like THAT gets to you, you've got bigger issues than trolls to deal with, like an impending stroke or heart attack. Don't let boneheads get to you.

Posted: 1/19/2006 4:45:29 AM EDT

[#3]

Dont be so hard on the trolls.
They have their place in the scheme of things.
Take the "Billy Goats Gruff" for example, if it wasnt for

, it would just be 3 Goats Crossed a Bridge. Now what kind of story is that?
Point is we need some dissenters with different viewpoints, whack jobs with no grasp of reality, and some plain idiots to keep it lively.

Lebrew

Posted: 1/19/2006 4:46:11 AM EDT

[#4]

I just scroll right past them. I'm here for the info and the entertaining, thoughtful, and downright hilarious threads. I don't let the bad ones spoil the experience for me.
It does seem that I see a few names as thread starters less frequently now that the pit is gone, though.

Posted: 1/19/2006 4:49:12 AM EDT

[#5]

Arfcom is a pretty open place. It's one of the attributes that makes arfcom unique among so many message boards.

It generally takes a lot to get banned.

I consider this a good thing.

Posted: 1/19/2006 4:53:36 AM EDT

[#6]

Plus, where else can you post IBTL in 87 threads about Chuck Norris while eating pie and bread while wearing marpat?

Can I get a +1?

Posted: 1/19/2006 4:58:37 AM EDT

[#7]

I thought this was going to be about all of the new cop-apologists we've picked-up the past few weeks.z

Posted: 1/19/2006 4:59:36 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
Plus, where else can you post IBTL in 87 threads about Chuck Norris while eating pie and bread while wearing marpat?

Can I get a +1?

+1 Amen brutha!

Posted: 1/19/2006 5:00:47 AM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
Arfcom is a pretty open place. It's one of the attributes that makes arfcom unique among so many message boards.

It generally takes a lot to get banned.

I consider this a good thing.

That's why I like it here, besides the trolls usually get put in their place pretty quickly by the other members. Hell, misspell a word and they're on your ass in a heartbeat.