Would a paid troll be likely to have more hearts or fewer hearts?

[Nuclear Unicorn]

[brooklynite]

1. Since there aren't any paid trolls, it's academic...

[Nuclear Unicorn]

2. That's just what a paid troll would say to cover their tracks!

I kid! I kid!

[benz380]

132. They would have 3 hearts with a cat pic in their post.

[JaneyVee]

12. Riiiiiight....

http://act.watchdog.net/petitions/3972?share_ref=eXLW6uEkBKI

[Octafish]

17. Gee. Propaganda used to be against the law, what the government is doing.

So, to keep things simple, the billionaires and their corporations do it. Niiiice.

[FBaggins]

21. You've no doubt posted the same thing...

... on the RT and Parry threads, right?

[Octafish]

23. No, because Robert Parry is a journalist.

Why do you have a problem with him?

[FBaggins]

45. A real journalst wouldn't make the same error that you're making here

He can't tell the difference between the natural downsides of a free press in a market economy... and actual propaganda.

Heck... he's the guy that wrote that ridiculous nonsense - "Who’s the Propagandist: US or RT?"

More likely... he knows very well what the difference is... but is bought and paid for by the Putinists.

[Octafish]

47. What error?

Your post...leaves ... a lot...out...like facts and stuff...and a point... besides smearing.

[FBaggins]

58. The one found in the very next sentence?

[Octafish]

65. Your writing is a sign of what kind of mind you have, FBaggins.

Make it simple, concise and clear. Perhaps then I will understand you.

Who knows? Maybe more people will understand you.

[ND-Dem]

178. no propaganda with a 'free press in a market economy'? how do you figure?

[FBaggins]

185. I didn't say that

Last edited Thu Feb 12, 2015, 06:59 AM - Edit history (1)

Heck, by the broadest definitions, the commercials are propaganda.

There's still a massive difference between the manifold influences on news coverage from scores of outlets in the US... an a state-owned-and-operated media company that exists explicitly to put a pro-Russian spin on reality.

[ND-Dem]

188. Is it the state-owned thing that bothers you? like the BBC? Or you just have a problem with the

Russian government in particular?

[FBaggins]

193. That isn't what I said either.

Sure... there's a difference between the U.K. and Russia, but what I said was clearer than that (despite the typo in the title)

It's the combination of:
* State ownership
* State control
* Their explicit mission to sell Russia to the West.

[SidDithers]

27. Heheh...

Sid

[Octafish]

42. You never answer when I ask you why you've followed me around for years, SidDithers of DU.

Are you paid?

Do you volunteer?

Which is it?

[FBaggins]

49. Lol... assumes facts not in evidence.

But par for the course for standard conspiracy theory wing-nuttery. Obviously anyone calling you out on the nonsense must be part (likely paid) of the conspiracy itself

Which, of course, is why the mainstream media won't run the right stories.

No difference between this nonsense and Alex Jones' BS (often on the very same topics).

[Octafish]

57. Here you go.

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2386529

[FBaggins]

61. Lol!

I wouldn't link to that thread were I in your shoes.

You really thinks that's evidence that you're been cyberstalked? Rather than a regular pointing out pretty clear nuttiness that belongs in CS?

[Octafish]

63. Laugh all you want.

It shows the mindset you share.

Are you posting from Canada, too?

[polly7]

84. Nope, but I am ...... and I agree with everything you've said.

We don't all make a habit of goading good posters with just because we have nothing else to add.

[Octafish]

98. Thank you, polly7. I live north of you in Detroit.

Whenever here or whenever I'm on the other side of the river, I very much appreciate your nation and its good people.

It's smear artists I can't stand, no matter the nationality.

[polly7]

102. That's cool that you actually live north of me ..... and I agree 100%. (Again). nt.

[ND-Dem]

179. what is it with the canadians, anyway?

[SidDithers]

71. Yeah, I'm trying to figure out how a UFO thread...

could at all help one's reputation at DU.



Sid

[Octafish]

76. Whose reputation needs help, SidDithers of DU?

For instance, you denigrate me for writing about the BFEE. I've also noticed you never seem to post anything that adds to what we know about these treasonous warmongers. It's an important topic for people who care about democracy and how one family and their cronies have served to benefit those who make money off war from their government "service."

Bartcop coined the term "Bush Family Evil Empire" to denote the 60-year pre-eminence of one family in the formation of the political philosophy in the United States, that of the War Party. And, yes, personally, I have tried to chronicle their influence on the ascension of the national security state. At least three generations have held high national office, while also making big money off war and looting the public Treasury. The last president of the United States, a man who wasn't elected fair and square by any stretch of the imagination, actually said: "Money trumps peace" at a press conference. For some reason, not a single "journalist" had the guts to ask him what he meant by that.


Even when I post about the BFEE and Fukushima, plutonium and nuclear power and their impact on the world, you mock me. That's why I've been asking you for years, SidDithers of DU. Why?

[stevenleser]

79. You know the way you say "X of DU" when responding to someone is extremely immature, right? nt

[Octafish]

81. If you say so, stevenleser.

Are you an expert?

[stevenleser]

85. I've had a kid so yeah, I know immature when I see it. nt

[polly7]

86. And you don't consider replies consisting of nothing but

as immature? LOL.

[stevenleser]

87. Not necessarily, no. If someone says something laughable, isn't a laughing emoticon honest and fair?

[polly7]

90. Over and over and over and over? No, I think posters here are capable of more than that. nt.

[sabrina 1]

115. Not to mature individuals. And if that is the way to respond to laughable posts, the majority of

posts made by longtime, well known progressive dems on this forum would be 'laughable'. Could you give an example of a laughable post by a some of the DUers who received that as a response so we can judge for ourselves. I've seen a few, but can't remember them other than to me the RESPONSE was laughable. But I could be biased, I am actually, towards progressive ideals. And proud of it.

[polly7]

131. +1. nt.

[FBaggins]

93. That depends on what it replies to... now doesn't it?

For instance... On a thread mocking those who explicitly believe that those who disagree with them are paid trolls, what response other than derision is appropriate for multiple repititions of that very claim? Particularly when the poster repeatedly cites his posts on other whacky topics (UFOs, etc) as evidence that he's on solid ground and being persecuted?

Frankly... acting as though the person intends to entertain (and isn't actually that far 'round the bend) strikes me as a politeness.

[polly7]

95. Oh, give me a break.

It's not contained to just one poster whose opinion you don't agree with .......... good grief.

[stevenleser]

97. Let's use a downthread exchange as an example. The poster posted the same thing to Sid over and over

doesnt it stand to reason if Sid found it laughable the first time that he would find it laughable the 2nd, 3rd, etc...

[polly7]

100. Everything is laughable .... even someone who's been hurt leaving DU.

Do you actually think I'm talking about just one poster you also happen to disagree with? I really couldn't care less what he posts, but please ......

[FBaggins]

104. Can you give some examples?

There are a couple of posters who go pretty far 'round the bend on some whacky conspiracy theories.

But otherwise... I'd be very interested to see examples of derision from me when it wasn't in reply to something so ridiculous.

[polly7]

106. Not you. nt.

[Long Drive]

183. Beautiful

Thank you.

[Octafish]

91. Making a baby doesn't make anyone mature.

Fatherhood may make someone grow up, however. Best of luck with that.

[stevenleser]

96. I didn't say it did. I said I know immature when I see it. nt

[Octafish]

99. Did I write you did?

Like they teach in journalism school, one shouldn't assume anything.

[stevenleser]

107. Either you were implying it or your reply was a non-sequitur. Your choice. Both indicate a flawed

response.

[Karmadillo]

136. But do you know immature when you be it?

[grasswire]

121. oh so funny

You lecturing someone on internet manners?

[SidDithers]

59. DU's tin-foilers are pretty hilarious...

They see conspiracy and skulduggery in everything.

They're Alex Jones without the radio-show, even promoting many of the same sources that Jones loves.

Sid

[Octafish]

64. Because fascism is so funny.

PRISM and the Rise of a New Fascism (John Pilger)

We Are All Witnesses Now

by JOHN PILGER
CounterPunch WEEKEND EDITION JUNE 21-23, 2013

EXCERPT...

Snowden’s revelation that Washington has used Google, Facebook, Apple and other giants of consumer technology to spy on almost everyone is further evidence of a modern form of fascism. Having nurtured oldfashioned fascists around the world – from Latin America to Africa and Indonesia – the genie has risen at home. Understanding this is as important as understanding the criminal abuse of technology.

Fred Branfman, who exposed the “secret” destruction of tiny Laos by the US air force in the 1960s and 1970s, provides an answer to those who still wonder how a liberal African-American president, a professor of constitutional law, can command such lawlessness. “Under Mr Obama, America is still far from being a classic police-state . . .” he wrote. “But no president has done more to create the infrastructure for a possible future police state.” Why? Because Obama understands that his role is not to indulge those who voted for him but to expand “the most powerful institution in the history of the world, one that has killed, wounded or made homeless well over 20 million human beings, mostly civilians, since 1962”.

In the new American cyberpower, only the revolving doors have changed. The director of Google Ideas, Jared Cohen, was an adviser to Condoleezza Rice, the former secretary of state in the Bush administration who lied that Saddam Hussein could attack the US with nuclear weapons. Cohen and Google’s executive chairman, Eric Schmidt – they met in the ruins of Iraq – have co-authored a book, The New Digital Age, endorsed as visionary by the former CIA director Michael Hayden and the war criminals Henry Kissinger and Tony Blair. The authors make no mention of the Prism spying programme, revealed by Snowden, that provides the NSA with access to all of us who use Google.

Control and dominance are the two words that make sense of this. These are exercised by political, economic and military design, of which mass surveillance is an essential part, but also by insinuating propaganda into the public consciousness. This was Edward Bernays’s point. His two most successful PR campaigns convinced Americans that they should go to war in 1917 and persuaded women to smoke in public; cigarettes were “torches of freedom” that would hasten women’s liberation.

CONTINUED...

http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/06/21/prism-and-the-rise-of-a-new-fascism/

So, no, I don't think there's anything funny about fascism.

[Sheepshank]

66. oh god!!!

really?

[Octafish]

80. Yeah, really.

Others have noticed.



The Odd Hypocrite: The NAZI Bush Celebrates the NAZI Defeat

So. How many people who lied America into wars for profit are in jail?

Now, compare zero with the number of whistleblowers who exposed that who are in jail.

Really.

[stevenleser]

108. And you have appointed yourself DU's thin piscine line against Fascism? Only you can detect and

fight it? And your methods are to call people "X of DU"

[Nuclear Unicorn]

118. "DU's thin piscine line against Fascism"

I think you're being a little unfair. You have no way of knowing if the poster is thin.

All kidding aside, this thread got much weirder than I dared to imagine.

[grasswire]

122. you're just bragging....

...because you own a double moniker: stevenleser of FOX News and DU.

[pintobean]

123. That's not really fair

It's not like he goes on Fox to agree with them. Remember the RW source BS?

[Bobbie Jo]

125. Yep

Last edited Tue Feb 10, 2015, 11:25 PM - Edit history (1)

I think they're counting on the fact that no one tends to notice that particular distinction.

That's how the Conflation Game is played.

Come to think of it, Dennis Kucinich used to catch shit around here for his gig
as Fox "News" Contributor, didn't he?

[ND-Dem]

181. it doesn't make any difference why he goes there, since the hosts there just use democrats

as punching bags regardless of why they think they're there.

[pintobean]

186. Is that right?

[ND-Dem]

189. in the episode i saw, the woman wouldn't let him get a word in edgewise. his function seemed to

be "Democratic whipping boy".

[pintobean]

192. Steve and Cavuto have respectful

and lively conversations. I haven't seen him on anything else. I did cut the cable some time ago. I give the guy credit for going behind enemy lines to do battle. I really don't understand why people here want to give him shit for it.

[emulatorloo]

154. Typical Fox News style smear of stevenlesser. It is slimy and you are better than that.

[grasswire]

167. I fail to see how......

.....it is a slimy smear to say that someone who works at Fox works at Fox?

"I don't give them hell. I just say the truth and they think it's hell." Harry S. Truman

[emulatorloo]

171. You imply stevenlesser = Hannity

Which is total bullshit.

Truman did say the truth. You on the other hand use half-truths to draw a false equivalency .

I'm pretty sure you get why that's slimy.

[grasswire]

172. where did I say anything about Hannity?

And how is it "half true" to say that stevenleser works at FOX? He advertises the fact here.

Steven Leser is a DU member and works at FOX. There is nothing half true about that statement.

[RiverLover]

187. Wow.

That explains alot. Thanks for sharing that info grasswire.

[Octafish]

128. I was hoping, rather than mocking me, you'd join me.

Do you know the work of Edwin Black*?

You should, he documented most of what's in this OP:

Who enabled NAZI Germany to round up the Jews? Think IBM.

*I am not mocking you, stevenleser. If you don't know who Edwin Black is, you're in the majority. IBM and those who want to do business with IBM have gone out of their way to see that people don't read his books or articles on this and other subjects he has covered.

[polly7]

130. I wish I knew 1/10th of what Octafish does about creeping fascism.

I learn a LOT from him/her, and I imagine many others do too. Why are you always so insulting?

[woo me with science]

166. +100000 Arguing here about the *existence* of

the smear and propaganda machine and the rise of fascism in the United States is like arguing "2+2=4" to Orwell's telescreens.

The propaganda and smear machine is self-evident. The behavior of both corporate parties in aggressively and proactively dismantling our democratic systems and protections and replacing them with secrecy and authoritarianism is self-evident.

The machine is in our faces at this point, smiley emoticons and all.

We live in an ugly time, battling fascists and toadies who choose to sell their souls and our future.

[polly7]

127. I think you make up a lot of shit just so you can name-call and post

these smilies.

[Jamastiene]

114. I doubt anyone would have to pay Sid Dithers

to just be himself. I'm sure he does it voluntarily and enjoys every minute of it.

[Octafish]

51. Paid or Volunteer?

Be truthful.

[SidDithers]

54. ...

Sid

[Octafish]

62. Paid or Volunteer?

Which is it?

[SidDithers]

72. ...

Sid

[Octafish]

74. Paid or Volunteer?

Either way, it says a lot about you, SidDithers of DU.

BTW: SidDithers of Second City TV is a great character. That's why I point out which one you are.

[SidDithers]

75. ...

Sid

[Octafish]

89. 'Trolling is a art.' - siddithers to zappaman.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2390297

[SidDithers]

92. Too fucking funny...

Sid

[Octafish]

101. Paid or Volunteer?

The answer matters.

[SidDithers]

103. ...

Sid

[FBaggins]

105. The answer matters?

What matters quite a bit more is that you think those are the only two possibilities.

[zappaman]

113. More smears from you, Octafish of DU?

Business as usual, I see...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2261046

[Octafish]

124. It made me mad when you and a few other DUers denigrated RFK, Jr.

Here's why you shouldn't:

Mass Media ignoring 'RFK Believed in Conspiracy' shows corrupt nature of America's Press



Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his sister Rory Kennedy told Charlie Rose that their father, the Attorney General of the United States, Robert F. Kennedy, believed there was a conspiracy behind the death of his brother, President John F. Kennedy. For the first time in almost 50 years, members of the slain president's family were on the record about their father's thoughts about the assassination.

The story made news, as it were, for a day or two -- it was on page 8 here in Detroit (try finding it using The Free Press or Detroit News web site search engines) -- and apart from several threads on DU, that's about it as coverage goes. The Charlie Rose interview was part of a program put together by the media and good people in Dallas to celebrate JFK's life.

What bothers me about the media coverage is the constant attack, not on the government's lousy investigation of the assassination and its attendant cover-up, but, rather, the attack on anyone who brings up the subject of conspiracy in the death of the president, even when it's children of attorney general who also was the brother of the slain president.

Check out this condescending piece of opinion from the Dallas Observer:

Not Even Charlie Rose Could Rein in RFK Jr. in Dallas Last Night. Also: Conspiracy Theories!

By Betsy Lewis Sat., Jan. 12 2013 at 11:01 AM

It got weird when he went into a historical lecture about his father's investigation into the JFK assassination. He was speaking about it as if he had been part of it, then cited a book called The Unspeakable by Jim Douglas (sic - actually "JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters" by James Douglass) as being the best book on the subject, then kept referencing things from the book. He was losing the audience, so he burst out, "My father believed that the Warren Report was a shoddy piece of craftsmanship," to the delighted applause of the mostly Baby Boomer audience.

Whenever Charlie Rose would ask about the family, RFK Jr. would evade the question until he heard either delighted Boomer applause or delighted Boomer laughter. One of his responses to a family question was an unrelated story about World War II. A lady behind me who must have recently Netflixed The Iron Lady kept saying, "Here here!" for the benefit of us unfortunate people around her.
Some of the strangest RFK Jr. outbursts with the biggest applause were:

"We're becoming a national security state!" (applause, "Here here!&quot

"Corporations want profits!" (applause, "Here here!&quot

"Corporations are great things, but we'd be nuts to let them run our government!" (applause, "Here here!&quot

"Nationalism in Africa! The end of colonialism!"

At this point, I don't think anyone knew what the hell he was talking about. It was something about the Kennedy family airlifting President Obama's father out of Kenya to begin a new life in America.

RFK Jr.: "Yes."

CONTINUED...

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/mixmaster/2013/01/charlie_rose_live_the_kennedy.php

Me, I don't believe any of that stuff was "out there." Why writer Betsy Lewis chooses to believe what the media tell her is true I'll guess lies in allegiance to a pay check.

Likewise for the lack of coverage given the story in the national media, where the same few corporations that swore up and down there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, both in 1990 and 2002, now want no part of "conspiracy talk" during the 50th anniversary observance. So far, as far as I'm aware, the Charlie Rose program has not aired.

What's more telling is what didn't get noted in the nation's corrupt mass media at all: The fact that Attorney General and later Senator Robert F. Kennedy also was assassinated. Some think that was a coincidence, because the mass media told them so. One thing's for certain, the questions still surrounding the deaths of two liberal icons doesn't get discussed at all today in our supposedly "free press."

[zappaman]

126. Do you agree with RFK Jr that vaccines cause autism?

[Godhumor]

145. RFK jr is a piece of shit anti-vaxxer nut

So fuck him.

[SidDithers]

170. Yup...

Sid

[ND-Dem]

182. "journalist" betsy lewis doesn't even know enough to know it's "hear, hear!" not "here, here!"

jesus Christ, falling standards even for media shills.

"We're becoming a national security state!" (applause, "Here here!&quot

"Corporations want profits!" (applause, "Here here!&quot

"Corporations are great things, but we'd be nuts to let them run our government!" (applause, "Here here!&quot

[brooklynite]

48. You miss my point...

there qre no paid trolls HERE; why would anyone in the real world be concerned enough about DU opinions to pay to try to frame them?

[applegrove]

111. Right. The GOP is going to spend way over a billion of private money on this election and

they ignore political websites completely. That makes a lot of sense.

[Control-Z]

3. I'm not sure about paid,

but a long time troll would probably have a lot.

[polly7]

4. God these threads are stupid.

If you have someone in mind, spit it out.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

15. I'm just having fun. I don't really think there are paid trolls.

Or do I?

[polly7]

18. No idea. nt.

[840high]

34. Imo - there are a few paid trolls.

[cwydro]

56. You can give hearts to yourself

so it means nothing either way.

[stevenleser]

5. Hehehe

[Nuclear Unicorn]

16. I see you got a lot of stars there, fella.

hmmmmmm

[stevenleser]

25. Someone up thread has a lot more! I think they are, ya know...

amirite?

[Nuclear Unicorn]

37. Yes. Well, we all know about THAT guy.

His post history just screams "False flag!"

[stevenleser]

46. And he accuses others of being paid to post a lot. Are they attempting to deflect attention because

ya know...

[pintobean]

40. Now you're just fishing, Steve. /nt

[stevenleser]

43. It's a joke. I don't really believe any DUers are paid shills. nt

[pintobean]

52. I should have indicated that I was joking.

Octafish was above and has more hearts.

The thread is just a bunch of clowning around.

[bemildred]

6. People will obsess about anything, even little pictures of hearts on an LCD screen.

My second son is a Bronie, who knew?

[Douglas Carpenter]

7. both - one kind of troll wants to minimize suspicion so they instruct their sycophants not to send

them hearts - another kind of troll wants to prove to everyone that their views are mainstream on DU so they insure that they have lots of hearts - still a third kind of troll tries to play it both ways and only has a moderate number of heats - then there is the really sneaky troll who has no hearts realizing this will draw the least amount of attention.

So basically you know for absolute certainty someone is a paid troll if they have a lot of hearts, or have few hearts or have a moderate number of hearts or have no hearts - These are all sure 100% positive signs of being a paid troll.

[LiberalElite]

168. I think this is the best!

[FBaggins]

8. Sounds like a research project is needed

Wail until the current cycle is ended and then start paying me $500/week to troll some conspiracy theory for a year... then we'll compare how many hearts I get next year to the current cycle.

We may need to run several tests.

[WhiteTara]

29. ...

:spew: You need an assistant. For only $500. a week, I'll do the work for you!

[BlueJazz]

9. Don't Worry, "Detective Mouser" is on the job.

[Iggo]

10. ...than...?

[Niceguy1]

11. I thought

Trolls preferred clubsx hammers and things like that.

[pintobean]

13. They would have four

Last edited Tue Feb 10, 2015, 11:47 AM - Edit history (1)

[11 Bravo]

14. Damn it! Now you've gone and exposed us!

[WhiteTara]

30. Whew! No troll here

Some sickness makes me want to be the good guy, so I'm in the clear...

[pintobean]

33. Well, not paid anyway

You must be an intern.

[WhiteTara]

142. If you give me hearts,

will I get paid?

[pintobean]

35. We could throw everybody off

and start some whoring4hearts threads.

[11 Bravo]

36. Would we have to pay royalties to trumad?

[pintobean]

38. Lol

That brought tears to my eyes.

[msanthrope]

39. Fixed that for ya' nt

[ileus]

19. Someone loves me...that's all that matters.

[GliderGuider]

20. Heartless trolls...

...are heartless.

[FLPanhandle]

22. To any paid trolls out there...

Sit around an post online all day while getting paid!?!

Are there any job openings? How do I apply?

I'm willing to troll conservatives, the religious, conspiracy loons, anti-vaxxers for minimal pay.

I'll even give you a heart!

[stevenleser]

24. Yes, I am also most favorably disposed to this work if it is available!

[emulatorloo]

155. Koch Bros have got to be hiring, they have money to burn. Wonder how to apply?

[hrmjustin]

26. I wish someone would pay me to post. n/t.

[In_The_Wind]

134. +$

Me too

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

28. Dick Cheney = Paid Troll; Dick Cheney has no heart; Therefore, paid trolls gots fewer hearts. nt

[WhiteTara]

31. Actually, he pays the trolls

and is either an arch-troll or Darth Vader.

[Fumesucker]

32. More of course

[msanthrope]

41. I gave you a heart for that! nt

[Nuclear Unicorn]

44. Thank-you and

YOU'RE GOING TO BLOW MY COVER!

[msanthrope]

50. Nice cover avatar...your next OP should be about what avatar

would a paid troll have?

Be careful about these joke threads, though....my last one got locked....

[Nuclear Unicorn]

69. "Be careful about these joke threads"

What amazes me is how many in this thread -- whether they believe in paid trolls or not -- think this thread is something other than harmless humor.

[polly7]

77. Why wouldn't those of us who've been called trolls over and over, some

implying we're paid, wonder if you're serious or not?

Of course nobody says it straight out in a direct reply ........ it's always hidden away as 'the trolls in this thread, wonder how much they're getting', etc. somewhere a bit later in the thread, but we all know who they're talking about. Nobody here is stupid. So yeah .... that's why some would ask if you're serious.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

82. I feel what you're saying, having been on the receiving end myself.

Of course nobody says it straight out in a direct reply ........ it's always hidden away as 'the trolls in this thread, wonder how much they're getting', etc. somewhere a bit later in the thread, but we all know who they're talking about. Nobody here is stupid

What we also know is that calling someone a troll, paid or otherwise, is little more than a desperate squeal of, "Help! I'm getting my butt kicked in a debate. Please help me shout down the person I can't refute!"

Those who rely on such evasions deserve to be poked. So, taking their mindset, I'm curious to know if they think paid trolls would have more or fewer hearts. It seems to me a paid troll account would accumulate many hearts to present a sort of arumentum ad populum front -- especially since some of the worst offenders (read: disrupters of open dialogue) seem to sport the most hearts.

Join the fun. You'll be happier, they'll be weaker. Life is good.

[polly7]

88. That's true, I'll remember it the next time I'm 'called it'.

I have no idea how many hearts a paid troll would get, hopefully not many, as most people who spend money to give these hearts, I imagine give them to those they admire most. I gave a whole shitload of them this year, every time I read another great post and saw that person didn't have a heart yet, I had to get more. But yes, that part is definitely all in fun, and I suppose your thread is too now that I understand what you're doing. Carry on, sorry for the disruption.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

94. "sorry for the disruption."

No disruption. Nothing to be sorry about. I appreciate your presence in the thread.

[msanthrope]

117. My joke 50 shades thread caused a shitstorm in the Host forum...and I even got a hide for mentioning

it....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6199156

[zappaman]

119. Ridiculous.

Sounds like a host has a personal issue with you.

[msanthrope]

120. Why yes....part of the shitstorm developed over that very fact.

It's very tough to Host....I've done it, myself. There were times I had to disclose:

1) This is a personal friend of mine.
2) This is a person who has sworn to hate me.
3) This person makes me sick.

Sometimes, I just had to recuse myself because I knew I could not be objective. Sometimes, I recused because I knew I could be objective, but it was better to recuse for a cleaner verdict.

I don't envy anyone the job.

[bravenak]

138. Somebody sure does.

AUTOMATED MESSAGE: Results of your Jury Service
Mail Message
On Tue Feb 10, 2015, 05:18 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

Ridiculous.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6207507

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Hosts are all volunteer. Calling them out in GD is not cool. This should be a pm to admins. Not calling out someone who isn't here to defend themselves.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Tue Feb 10, 2015, 05:25 PM, and the Jury voted 0-7 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I see the point of the alerter. But I don't see the need to hide the post. It wasn't malicious.
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: It was an opinion, not an accusation. Stupid alert.
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[zappaman]

139. Whoopsie!

Looks like someone gets to rest their alert finger for 24 hours!
Thanks for posting the results!

[bravenak]

140. It was a pleasure.

[msanthrope]

146. Well done..how authoritarian that we cannot question the Hosts. nt

[bravenak]

147. I was very suspicious of that idea. Such a weird alert. Seemed dishonest.

[msanthrope]

148. Well.....let's put it this way.....

It took three appeals for the Host who locked me to respond.

And that was only after the third appeal was published by another Host in the Host forum.

Why should not DUers know that????????

Why should references to that be censored as "meta?"

Why should I not be able to talk freely on this board, about my experiences with GD Hosting?

I posted a goddamn great thread on 50 shades, that got lots of cool and wonderful DUers laughing. Even people who agree with me on next to nothing......

And look at the shitstorm.

[bravenak]

150. The secrecy is really, strange.

I cracked up on the fifty shades stuff. I had fun with it. Such a stupid series of books, but some people like it. I cannot wait for the movie reviews. Maybe you can post a thread about the movie reviews. I heard the actors hate each other, no chemistry. Gotta see that tampon scene with two people who hate each other.

If there are issues with things like hosting, I don't see why it can't be discussed. If multiple people are having the same problem, they can get together and discuss a solution. And not get told that it is their imagination. Just my opinion.

[msanthrope]

151. Well-- I get the secrecy. I've done my turn on MIRT, and in GD Hosting. But what I don't

understand is the suppression of merely talking about it.

Oh--and my thread of the reviews is (paused sigh) coming.

[bravenak]

152. Coming!!!

Ahhhh! I can't wait.

[msanthrope]

153. I'm told there's no full frontal for the male lead. Jeebus, then....why would anyone go? nt

[bravenak]

158. I won't bother.

I keep wating to see something more on Game of Thrones. The Red Viper had me smiling this year. Lovely man.

[msanthrope]

159. I might take one for the team and go to one of the special "mommy" screenings.

I'm behind on Game...only because I cut the cable cord.

If You have Netflix......I cannot recommend "The Fall" more strongly.

[bravenak]

160. Is The Fall out on blu ray?

I don't use netflix, yet. I did buy Orange is the New black, it was good. Like Oz. If it's good, I'll buy it and keep it in my collection.
The last season of game was the best one yet. Omg. You will scream Elia!! And then cry out for the seven gods, why?!? I cried.

[msanthrope]

161. I have no idea about blu ray....but netflix is worth the cash if you like movies...more than HULU

that way.

[bravenak]

162. Allll riiight. I still need shelves for thses dvds anyway. Better not buy more.

I need to see that Kevin Spacey one too. Never seen it once yet.

[zappaman]

163. THE FALL is on my list, but have you seen BROADCHURCH?

Really great!

[msanthrope]

164. both versions..surprisingly I find

the American version better.

[zappaman]

165. Wait...what?

There's an American one?

[msanthrope]

177. To Broadchurch...yes. On Fox, first season this past fall. nt

[stevenleser]

156. So totally bizarre. Please give me the deets in PM. nt

[msanthrope]

157. Of course....nt

[polly7]

129. Wow. I didn't see that hide.

That is ridiculous! As was hiding the thread. I think most people took it in good spirit and thought it was funny.

[msanthrope]

149. Authoritarians stifle dissent. nt

[joshcryer]

175. Utterly stupid.

What did the alerter say? Totally and utterly dishonest no matter what it was.

[msanthrope]

176. Oh...I have a whole PM thread from that HOF regular. I'll forward it to you. nt

[joshcryer]

180. Thanks, I'd appreciate it.

[boston bean]

194. What?? You are intimating HoF had something to do with this?

[still_one]

53. Yes

[whatchamacallit]

55. I'm either a hero or a zero

No middle ground for whatcha...

[BlueCaliDem]

60. That cat looks like our Yen-Yen.

And no...there are no paid trolls on DU so the question you ask is moot.

[Rex]

67. Probably just three hearts.

Not just one, but not 10 either. Three blends in well. Yep, three hearts and they are probably a troll.

[ChosenUnWisely]

70. Someone gave me a heart, perhaps it was a troll! I hope I am not turned into a newt next!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

73. Yes. Obviously, the hearts were paid for by the Kremlin, or Beijing or Havana.

We should report them to HUAC or the FBI or sumthin'.

[Agnosticsherbet]

78. I think there are a sufficient number of free trolls in the tubes

that paying them is a foolish business expense.

Now, paying to have Wikipeidia edited to whitewash a business, that appears to be a valid business expense.

[Stellar]

83. You won't be able to tell by counting hearts

It's all in what they say. They could be a troll or just a plain old Clintonista. It's just hard for me to tell. I got some good ideas from this blog where a D/Uer has posted..

http://readersupportednews.org/pm-section/78-78/5872-right-wing-sock-puppets-pretending-to-be-liberals-assault-progressive-websites

[bettyellen]

109. I hate vaccines and worry about chemtrails and JFK all day! (hoping this will magically

increase my store of hearts!!)

If people buy themselves hearts as well as are gifted them, you cannot tell who is popular and who pays out.

[think]

110. If a paid troll has a heart they should find it and QUIT trolling for $$$ /nt

[Jamastiene]

112. They can buy them for themselves.

So, more.

[zappaman]

116. 5 hearts is the perfect number.

I'd look for those with exactly 5...

[William769]

133. Your safe then.

[zappaman]

137. Doh!

[Aerows]

135. I've never been any good at popularity contests

I tend to say what is on my mind too much

[Jamaal510]

184. Some of the folks

with the most hearts say what's on their mind and get into back-and-forths. Your hearts will go up ten-fold, especially if you post cat threads. I've never seen a site that loves cats more than DU for whatever reason.

[steve2470]

141. I don't know but...

my definition of "paid troll" is someone who is "on the clock" while surfing DU and trolling because he/she has been told to. Example: An RNC staffer or intern has multiple duties, and the boss says, oh yeah, when you're finished with the really important stuff, go troll DU if you feel like it. The staffer or intern does all his/her stuff, and then has time left over. He/she comes here to wreak some trivial havoc. I'm sure the RNC is glad to see it done, X minutes per week. It costs them a few bucks a year and gives them laughs, I'm sure.

Can I prove all that ? Of course not. Only Skinner would be able to, and I doubt he gives a rat's ass. Does someone actually pay someone to sit on DU for 40 (or less) hours per week to troll we progressives ? I doubt it.

[libtodeath]

143. Since I have none I would say more

[betsuni]

144. They may have hearts, but not many brains.

[SidDithers]

169. This thread is all kinds of awesome...nt

Sid

[Texasgal]

173. Just another reason why

DU can't have anything nice. *sigh*

[calimary]

174. Suspicious Cat!

[bluedigger]

190. Fewer.

Because a pro doesn't need a lot of attention to get the job done.

[TeeYiYi]

191. Made me laugh! ..nt

TYY