Is Free Republic under Digital-Astroturfing Attack?

June 14, 2015 | Isara

[Isara]

We heard the news about Hillary's fake Twitter and Facebook followers and her operatives pretending to be her regular supporters. Is it possible that it also is happening right here on Free Republic Web site?

Free Republic is a premier Conservative site. Most of us know who, among the presidential candidates, is the most Conservative. Our candidate happens to be effective in his campaigning also. Our enemies know that and fear him the most. Naturally, Free Republic is turning into a battleground.

We don't know who they are: other Republican campaign operatives, GOPe, Hillary's camp, Democratic operatives, union thugs, Castro brothers, ISIS, LGBT, ACLU, etc. But they all share one common goal - to take Ted Cruz out. Since trust is Ted Cruz's strong point, they are trying to erode our trust of him.

You may notice that they came in the threads about Ted Cruz in teams, 2 or more at the same time. No matter how much we gave them the facts, these same people went to the next thread and repeated the same misinformation over and over again. This is why I think we are under attack.

Their strategies are:

• misinformation – lying about it if necessary
• muddling the issues leading to confusion and distrust
• disparaging comments by pretending to be disgruntled supporters
• posting old articles to open up the opportunity for his/her team to join the attack

I've detected that some patterns of their posting were shared among these operatives. Is it possible that there are a few of them pretending to be a lot more, just like Hillary's Twitter and Facebook followers?

[dforest]

I like Cruz. That said, the election is a long way off.

Way to early to start this crap. Just because everyone doesn’t agree at the moment does not make them trolls or operatives.

Honestly, this ain’t a Ted Cruz site either.

I hope he is a major candidate, but we all have a lot to learn.

[dragnet2]

What are we going to do about it?

Why not debate them and point out any inconsistencies or BS?

What do you suggest, ban everyone who might disagree with you or who you suspect does not support your candidate? If that's the case, that's bull s**t.

If you can bring facts/links to the exchange do it. Most capable of critical thought can see who the individual is who attempts to evade and deceive.

This is not complex.

[BlackAdderess]

True. I suspect they are the ones doing the big send up on on Rubio, because they have already published oppo research and plans to take him down.

[ExpatGator]

Yep.

[BuckeyeTexan]

Primary season on Free Republic is not for pups. If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.

In other news, water is wet and Texas summers are hot.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Name some names

Mobile Vulgus?

Suvroc10?

[Isara]

I agree with you, InterceptPoint. Our problems are in many levels of the society, stemming from the government violating our Constitutional rights.

A lot of people don't know and don't care how hard it is to start a business nowadays with high taxes and regulations. And businesses provide jobs.

[Lurkinanloomin]

I mainly agree.
I personally do not want Obama negotiating anything.
I am not willing to throw Ted Cruz under the bus for it.

It’s really going to get interesting when the RNC gets Jebster nominated. They are experts at nominating the exact wrong candidate.

[Tijeras_Slim]

That said, the election is a long way off.

Exactly, with the exception of retreads we're operating on first impressions right now.

[VTenigma]

I’ve called a bunch of them out. We also now have the Rino free traders spamming threads.

[BykrBayb]

Free Republic is Jim Robinson’s site. He chooses to run on donations. He has not thrown in the towel on freedom. Nobody who disapproves of the way this site is run is ever forced to stay here.

[SamAdams76]

How do you know I’m not for Cruz?

[eddie willers]

I remember the "good old days" here when if you met an asshole, he was just an asshole.

Nobody paid eschoir.

[certrtwngnut]

Thank you. I come here to FR several times each day. I read the articles and I sometimes make inane comments. I don’t post. I don’t even know how to post. That does not make me any more or less conservative. The one thing I don’t like about FR is being roasted for not posting.
I will leave you now to attend our flag ceremony at our local American Legion. Happy Flag Day to all FReepers.

[Tijeras_Slim]

You probably could have paid A+Bert with beer, but he wasn’t really a troll, just cranky.

[Isara]

Why not post a list of names for all to see instead of a few links.

I'll let Mr. Robinson and his team deal with them. His team has more information from the backend. As some mentioned, we don't want to disturb long-standing FReepers. I've just reported what I observed

[outofsalt]

"Speaking for myself, and possibly others, conservatives expect the most constitutionally minded candidate’s actions to be congruent, and not be in conflict with stated principles. He ought to be the one yelling that TPA / TPP needs more open examination and discussion as to the impact to US job losses and trade disparities affecting our economy, consumer safety, and national interests. I want someone in office our citizens, allies, and I can completely trust."

Well put and deserves repeating.

[z taxman]

TPA, TPP, H1B1, Freedom Act. Cruz is taking himself down.

[Isara]

Thank you, Lazamataz!

[tips up]

Lots of candidates on the GOP side so lots of opinions and favorites. As expected this early in the game. Most candidates have some or much to like about them, all have something to dislike. Lots of speeches and debates ahead. Hopefully the cream rises to the top (unlike 2008, 2012).

What are we going to do? Nothing. Let the process play out.