[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore

It's been my personal observation, that the term 'troll' is all too often incorrectly used to describe someone...simply because they do not appertain to the majority.

Conversely, when someone's posts are consistently of a racist/misogynist/bigoted/sexually vulgar/xenophobic/homophobic/etc. nature...then the term is much more apt.

From one of the urban dictionaries...

"A Troll is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion, simply for their own amusement."

It's rampant in the political forum.

[RickeyD]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I think of Trolls as posters who are going to hide behind their anonymity to espouse their own "virtues" and belittle others cruelly while all of the time presenting themselves as a champion against bullies. I think of Trolls as posters who enjoy angering people and who LOVE to start things and who say hateful things under the guise of trying to help.

I think sometimes I do some of these things but most people know who I am and I show my face in the avatar. It is the sneaky, mean, ANONYMOUS, trouble starters who say a lot of things that make people really MAD. I don't like the political forum because everyone is "guest". It gives license to horrible things being said and further polarization of views.

Kinda like our secret ballots.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by RickeyD

Kinda like our secret ballots.

No. I don't see a corollary. You don't SHOW your secret ballots. Being anonymous and mean is ugly.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

No. I don't see a corollary. You don't SHOW your secret ballots. Being anonymous and mean is ugly.

Actually, it looks like it is only about five or so anonymous posters on the Political Forum who are throwing many personal insults out at one another. Most of the other people do try to help people make their minds in an intelligent manner.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

From one of the urban dictionaries...

"A Troll is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion, simply for their own amusement."

It's rampant in the political forum.

A real troll doesn't necessarily believe what s/he is saying. They're just saying things to start an argument.

Some people on the political forum mean the ugly things they say. Same as with the unmoderated online news comments.

I think there's a difference. The trick is to tell which is which.

[RickeyD]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

No. I don't see a corollary. You don't SHOW your secret ballots. Being anonymous and mean is ugly.

Actually I was trying to be politically current without being political. Didn't work, sorry

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

No. I don't see a corollary. You don't SHOW your secret ballots. Being anonymous and mean is ugly.

GG: some voters are very open about the identity of their candidate of choice. And perhaps while being anonymous and mean is ugly the better man always takes the high ground.

Posters periodically begin a thread concerning their impression of Political Talk and too often they give those few trolls too much attention. There are a number of posters on Political Talk that will ignore trolls and conduct point counter point discussion

[rexxfan]

Originally Posted by LI SNOWBIRD

I find it hilarious

I find it sad.
--
Bob C

[rexxfan]

Originally Posted by rubicon

So for the faint of heart stick to the lighter forums.

I'm not faint of heart. I just find wallowing in the sort of trash that's rampant in that forum to be a total waste of time and so, I rarely bother to look in there anymore.
--
Bob C

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by rexxfan

I'm not faint of heart. I just find wallowing in the sort of trash that's rampant in that forum to be a total waste of time and so, I rarely bother to look in there anymore.
--
Bob C

I'm with you. Well said.

[JoMar]

Have an acquaintance that has a Trump Sign. He was paired with another couple and when they saw his sign they got in their cart, went back to the golf shop and got their money back. This is a polarizing year and feelings are strong on both sides. Since I have no way to poll the majority here, I don't know how anyone can state how the "majority" are, intelligent, troll or whatever. I know about 100 people and in this place, even if I knew a thousand people, there is no way I would ever presume to say "the majority of". That is the same as politicians saying "The American People want". Lets let the political discussions remain in the forum and have the exchange of ideas face to face wth the people we know....it would be so much more productive.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by rexxfan

I'm not faint of heart. I just find wallowing in the sort of trash that's rampant in that forum to be a total waste of time and so, I rarely bother to look in there anymore...

Totally agree.

To those who think it's "not for the feint of heart"...don't flatter yourself. It's unrestrained childishness.

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

I try to provide links on the Political Forum. However there are a couple of extremely racist, misogynist, anti-immigrant people on there whom I get very tried of hearing from. I do wish there was an ignore button for these posters on the Political Forum.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by JoMar

Have an acquaintance that has a Trump Sign. He was paired with another couple and when they saw his sign they got in their cart, went back to the golf shop and got their money back. This is a polarizing year and feelings are strong on both sides. Since I have no way to poll the majority here, I don't know how anyone can state how the "majority" are, intelligent, troll or whatever. I know about 100 people and in this place, even if I knew a thousand people, there is no way I would ever presume to say "the majority of". That is the same as politicians saying "The American People want". Lets let the political discussions remain in the forum and have the exchange of ideas face to face wth the people we know....it would be so much more productive.

I would not have done what your acquaintance did. However, if the subject of politics came up, I would have cut it off at the pass. We have many friends, some from decades ago, who are politically opposite from us. We just agree to leave politics alone. I treasure these people. I also welcome the opportunity to make new friends on levels other than politics. I doubt half the people we play pickleball with are of our same political bent. Yet we really like these people on other levels.

What I wouldn't do is participate in a group the majority of whom were of opposite values or political opinions from mine and were vocal about it. But to be paired up with someone on a golf course and refuse to play because of his politics? I think that's awfully narrow minded.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

I've been over there, more out of curiosity than anything else .........
I do think there are a number of trolls who use the political forum just to vent and stir the pot.