In-House Wars: For at least one, the goal was to drive people away.

Admin Moderator | 8-2-02 | Admin Moderator

[justshe]

Or, at the very least, not allow themselves to be dragged down to the level of discourse initiated by the disruptor.

[Sabertooth]

I think the biggest problem is that certain factions are unwilling to police their own. Right now, the Bush-bashers, of course, have the highest percentage of distruptors. But, the genuine posters in this group seem so happy to have the support that they are unwilling to out disruptors in their midst.

How pot? How kettle.

Counterpoint.

There are plenty flying monkeys among the Bush Loyalists, who do little to "police their own."

[freesia2]

I know what you mean. I'm one of several moderators on a small forum that was given up by its founder. We moderators, who handle it as a group now, tried hard not to let people know who we were because we didn't want there to be an "approved" point of view (people tended to be quiet when they didn't agree with the founder). We wanted to have an environment conducive to the free-flow of ideas and information. Even so, we find ourselves to have some of the same problems you mentioned.

[Grampa Dave]

I have copied a few lines from the Admin Moderator's reply:

Obviously, the goal is to drive people away. This is not happening on just one side, it is happening on all sides. It is a form of disruption that relies on the cover of good people engaging in flame wars with them so that the disruptors seem part of the mass rather than the agent provocatuers that they are.

There are two options, really. People can help us out in finding them by refusing to take part in the flame wars and being understanding when a person gets sent to the cooler, so that eventually the real problem children are rooted out.

And the other option is to let them win by letting them drive you away- with you being people from every single conservative faction we have. Rest assured though, if that one happens, if you make another home and it starts being successful, they will come there and do it to you there. ============================================================

There are dedicated groups who dedicate their entire lives to destroying effective conservative sites.

They know that an effective, growing and cohesive Free Republic is the worse nightmare of the left wingers.

Most often they are the great pretenders, pretending to be unhappy conservatives. They come on any thread blaming the Republicans, president Bush, a Republican Governor and even a Republican Candidate like Bill Simon for anything that happens or doesn't happen.

They love to cite the left wing maggot articles from the NY Slimes, the DC Compost, LA Slimes or the SF Gay Rhonicle when they lie about is happening. Then their buddies drop in and agree with their what appears to be disgruntled right wing sentiments.

They act like they have a daily quota of posting electronic lynching replies to any thread that appears. Makes you wonder if the DNC doesn't have them on their payrolls.

They remind me of a suicide bomber trying to blowup class rooms in Israel. Of course they never get hurt. They just explode the electronic bomb that destroys the thread.

As our Admin Moderator noted, "They are reall agent provocatuers, who are intent on destoying the effectivess of Free Republic.

So maybe we should label them as FREEPAKAZIS! I refer to them as the Axis of Whining Weasels!

[Sabertooth]

I refer to them as the Axis of Whining Weasels!

You've just said the magic words!

Click the Duck!

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Earlier tonight thanks to a tip from someone who I wish I had listened to earlier, we discovered someone who had at least 8 different accounts

Well that comes as a shock, and I know a few folks I'd like to ping. If they are still here.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

I've asked this before. I'll ask it again. (And this is not aimed at you, ... but at the forum). Please stop it with the personal attacks. One can have a rip-roaring take-it-to-the-mat political debate with someone without getting personal, without resorting to childish taunts, and still not have it be bland.


And the best thing that one can do otherwise is to use a little self-enforcement. A Bushie telling a Bushie to knock off the insults is going to probably work better than a Keyester telling a Bushie to knock off the insults, and vice versa.

[Auntie Mame]

The clique problem could be handled simply by revolving moderators. Say, each moderator has a six month tenure and then they retire. Others take their place. With a six month retirement a mod could return for six months. This would give more people the opportunity to experience the moderator experience and a greater understanding and forgiveness when mistakes are made. Also, more members would have a personal investment in the forum.

[AmishDude]

Uh, the post was removed, which underscores my point! And I thank you for further proving my point with your defensiveness. :)

It is common sense that on a conservative board, those who criticize an ascendant conservative will find their cause joined by non-cons seeking to undermine the movement.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

PING!

[justshe]

***How many of the in-house bashers are "posturing" so that they can say "I told you so" if the GOP loses both Houses in '02 and the White House in '04? ***

I think the moderator correctly pointed out:

This is not happening on just one side, it is happening on all sides. It is a form of disruption that relies on the cover of good people engaging in flame wars with them so that the disruptors seem part of the mass rather than the agent provocatuers that they are.

We don't KNOW that some of the those taking the other side of the issue from the "bashers" aren't engaging in the same goal, do we?

I think the moderator's point, is that ALL sides need to honestly monitor themselves and not allow civility to be sacrificed on the altar of debate, no?

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Thanks. This should be an interesting thread, to say the least :)

How are ya doing?

[Sabertooth]

And I thank you for further proving my point with your defensiveness. :)

My counterpoint shouldn't be taken as building the case for the self-congratulation of Bush Loyalists.

It is common sense that on a conservative board, those who criticize an ascendant conservative will find their cause joined by non-cons seeking to undermine the movement.

It is also common sense that disruptors will try any angle of attack... including hiding in plain sight among the Bushies, where there are more than a few trolls.

[McB.]

Exactly! Like I said, I tried too.

I remember topics like abortion, homosexuality, etc., where I really had my own opinion, and would have loved to enter into the debate. Doing so would have been alright, but would have silenced others. I tried not to. But when a topic dear to my heart would erupt, I would fail to follow my own rules. The group closest to me would always back me up and other opinions could not survive in the debate. Hence, the discussion would end...to no conclusion.

I want to make clear that I am not finding fault with the moderators, I'm really not. This problem in not unique to FR, but it is an administration problem that always needs to be watched for. There are other disrupters here on FR, but there's not much you can do about that...

so many disrupters, so little time.

[Sabertooth]

I think the moderator's point, is that ALL sides need to honestly monitor themselves and not allow civility to be sacrificed on the altar of debate, no?

Yes.

Of course, those who are holier than thee and me may certainly consider themselves exempt.

[Sabertooth]

A Bushie telling a Bushie to knock off the insults...

Flag me when you see it, or a unicorn.

[justshe]

My thanks to rintense and others who are 'pinging' as I have NO idea how to do this. I'm just proud of myself for getting the thread POSTED in the first place.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Just didn't know if you saw it, and in case you didn't, to relieve you of the added responsibility ;)

[AmishDude]

It is also common sense that disruptors will try any angle of attack... including hiding in plain sight among the Bushies, where there are more than a few trolls.

Intriguing. This must be a long-term strategy. Establishing oneself to hundreds of FReepers and thousands of lurkers over weeks and months as a loyal GOP member and then, suddenly, turning and taking all the foolish Bush-supporters with them. No doubt the plot for the next Austin Powers film.

[Sabertooth]

Just didn't know if you saw it, and in case you didn't, to relieve you of the added responsibility ;)

RBA, you might ask around if I haven't stepped into the fray on behalf of a Bushie on occasion.