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An insidious and specialized type of left-wing troll who visits blogs and impersonates a conservative for the purpose of either spreading false rumors intended to sow dissension among conservative voters, or who purposely posts inflammatory and offensive comments for the purpose of discrediting the blog in question.
The term is derived from the name of the liberal musician Moby, who famously suggested in February of 2004 that left-wing activists engage in this type of subterfuge: “For example, you can go on all the pro-life chat rooms and say you’re an outraged right-wing voter and that you know that George Bush drove an ex-girlfriend to an abortion clinic and paid for her to get an abortion. Then you go to an anti-immigration Web site chat room and ask, ‘What’s all this about George Bush proposing amnesty for illegal aliens?’” The strategy has been frequently attempted on conservative blogs, but has not been nearly as effective as Moby envisioned, since false rumors are easily debunked by fact-checking minions, and cartoonishly extreme commenters often get immediately identified as mobys and banned. "While I agree that it is vital to monitor incoming international phone calls from terrorists, President Bush has gone too far.
By secret executive order, he has instructed the NSA to place hidden cameras in the girls' locker rooms of Washington D.C. (Dirt bag City) Islamic schools. His desire to find out 'what is under all those burqas' is beyond the pale. Maybe the Dhimmicrats are right. If he would do this, what else is he capable of? Let your voice be heard! I for one will never send the RNC money ever again. And, no, I am not a moby." |
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The various types of leftist trolls are so common that many posters in FR automatically check to see when one such subscribed to FR, then checks their other posts to see if they have made a habit of being offensive.
After that, it is a simple matter of clicking on the report abuse link beneath posts, and the mods will do that hoodoo that they do so well.
Ironically, leftists are far more sensitive to this than are conservatives, though they are far more likely to ban more moderate opinions than more radical ones.
Already had a perfectly good phrase. Agent Provocateur. I do agree with you though, and question some really over the top types. One who constantly refers to George Zimmerman as Captain Zimmerman comes to mind. Just strikes me as a contrived caricature of a conservative.
I’ve noted the use of this tactic for several years; it certainly was around way before Moby (whoever he is) suggested it in Feb, 2004. But it’s nice to have a name to call the tactic now.
Excellent post - there are a LOT of Mobys on Free Republic.
And while we're on the subject, here's a picture of two of the most famous and effective anti-conservative Mobys of all time, who fundamentally misrepresented conservatism to an entire generation of Americans (the same generation who are now in power in government):
Ping.................
Article and good comments.
A sub of the Moby is when four or five of them post together at the top of a thread trying to create a feeling of ‘consensus’ encouraging other to be pulled in to an extremist position.