General Discussion

Cerridwen

(13,262 posts)

95. The "usual suspects" and their "useful idiots".

Tue Aug 20, 2013, 08:48 AM

Aug 2013

Do you remember the hunting of the Clintons?

It's pretty easy to keep throwing shit and hoping it hits a target. Remember drudge was just putting out bullshit gossip when he accidentally unearthed lewinsky.

Remember ken starr?

It's really quite easy to appeal to people's biases and prejudices then hit them in the emotions and just sit back and let them spew the latest "common knowledge" that "everyone knows." Of course, you can get extra traction if you can make it a team sport and watch as the players defend their team by attacking the other team.

It works well regardless of the issue or the personalities in question. Just make up shit, present as fact, have a friend tell another friend...the latest scandal is created, the latest target, career, reputation is destroyed.

The unquestioning "thinkers" get their jollies watching someone else's destruction and feel vindicated that they were on the winning team.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

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Who is coordinating this Internet message board defense of NSA? [View all] grasswire Aug 2013 OP

Whovever it is must be a pro. rug Aug 2013 #1

Haha, that was my first thought, too. City Lights Aug 2013 #3

+1 HooptieWagon Aug 2013 #5

makes sense westerebus Aug 2013 #9

Touche! CrispyQ Aug 2013 #210

Merci westerebus Aug 2013 #223

bigger and more skilled than a pro nt grasswire Aug 2013 #12

Several pros, maybe? Art_from_Ark Aug 2013 #56

noms de guerre villager Aug 2013 #64

Or maybe several pros posting under the same nom de plume? NealK Aug 2013 #66

That explains why certain posters are so prolific... n/t backscatter712 Aug 2013 #75

+1 n/t Smarmie Doofus Aug 2013 #107

Indeed... truebrit71 Aug 2013 #135

And never seem to sleep. OnyxCollie Aug 2013 #163

a bigger, more skilled pro with super powers and an evil laugh. uhnope Aug 2013 #173

I have had problems in the past with some government employees. Rain Mcloud Aug 2013 #214

I'm Doing It, You May Call Me "Dark Lord" Skraxx Aug 2013 #120

... TBF Aug 2013 #121

You're way off base, rug. Pro is smart and sincere and anyone who's paid attention blm Aug 2013 #252

Correct me if I'm wrong, were you not defending the admin on the overall NSA issue? Puzzledtraveller Aug 2013 #2

never grasswire Aug 2013 #8

I think I recall now, it was another grass name lol Puzzledtraveller Aug 2013 #14

actually, i thought that you were the one who had changed opinions..correct me if I'm wrong xiamiam Aug 2013 #187

I miss the friends feature for exactly that reason! CrispyQ Aug 2013 #212

The NSA, duh! HooptieWagon Aug 2013 #4

I think we have dedicated enthusiasts, not paid shills. Warren Stupidity Aug 2013 #6

yes, enthusiasts are coordinated, too grasswire Aug 2013 #10

Dedicated enthusiasts that can come up with a detailed response including articles within 3 minutes? AZ Progressive Aug 2013 #42

Indeed LondonReign2 Aug 2013 #54

The words you're looking for are "persona management software" backscatter712 Aug 2013 #72

I would like to see more than four sentences in a row OnyxCollie Aug 2013 #165

LOL! There's a Turing fail! backscatter712 Aug 2013 #167

"Maybe that will come in a software patch." CrispyQ Aug 2013 #213

+2 n/t Smarmie Doofus Aug 2013 #109

^^THIS^^ Puzzledtraveller Aug 2013 #122

What's funny is when the links are to their own posts. lark Aug 2013 #179

Had you paid attention in the past, you'd KNOW how wrong you are today. blm Aug 2013 #253

I think we have both. /nt Marr Aug 2013 #50

"dedicated enthusiasts" ...more like a group obsesive compulsive disorder. n/t L0oniX Aug 2013 #60

They're either obsessed, or they're doing this for a living. n/t backscatter712 Aug 2013 #80

Best answer yet...........nt Enthusiast Aug 2013 #88

Occam's Razor for the most part enigmatic Aug 2013 #62

+3. And the collateral damage here is that DU becomes a less attractive place for real people... Smarmie Doofus Aug 2013 #110

+3, n/t RKP5637 Aug 2013 #112

The damage I see creeksneakers2 Aug 2013 #168

It seems that the hallelujah choir on this thread... Blanks Aug 2013 #177

You made me smile big creeksneakers2 Aug 2013 #198

yep Little Star Aug 2013 #113

++++++++++++++++ SaveOurDemocracy Aug 2013 #147

DURec for Post #62 by enigmatic bvar22 Aug 2013 #156

And I second that rec. zeemike Aug 2013 #161

And I second that second, or third it or something. RC Aug 2013 #208

I'll "3rd" that rec. nt LWolf Aug 2013 #220

They definitely have the same talking points AgingAmerican Aug 2013 #89

i think both questionseverything Aug 2013 #124

Warren, you have captured a general truth here and one we should all HardTimes99 Aug 2013 #133

That is the problem for many such dividing issues. Warren Stupidity Aug 2013 #172

I think we have both. n/t SaveOurDemocracy Aug 2013 #146

And, like clockwork Recursion Aug 2013 #7

I think the point was that the thought doesn't seem to be independent. Warren Stupidity Aug 2013 #13

Because people are capable of reading, and take up arguments they agree with? Recursion Aug 2013 #17

You're absolutely right Cali_Democrat Aug 2013 #36

Because groupthink never happens otherwise here. geek tragedy Aug 2013 #43

I saw three threads on Sunny within twenty minutes. rug Aug 2013 #16

There's this interesting technology called the World Wide Web Recursion Aug 2013 #18

There's also this interesting technology to control it, rug Aug 2013 #21

There's "technology to control" the Web? Recursion Aug 2013 #27

There are many tecnologies to help authorities to control the web. rug Aug 2013 #31

I'm well aware that there are ways for a country to shut down all of their Internet traffic Recursion Aug 2013 #33

The ability to destroy is the ability to control. rug Aug 2013 #35

In a Sun-Tzu sort of way, I suppose. We're kind of straying from the original point Recursion Aug 2013 #37

We are. Although it is refreshing to discuss rather than exchange talking points. rug Aug 2013 #40

"He who can destroy a thing, controls a thing." Maedhros Aug 2013 #181

Thanks for the citation. rug Aug 2013 #203

You're right. It could never happen LondonReign2 Aug 2013 #57

There are also these things called "talking points" TBF Aug 2013 #123

Then why do they all use the same talking points? People who are independent thinkers and sabrina 1 Aug 2013 #19

Same reason the "other side" does. The marketplace of ideas. Recursion Aug 2013 #20

I don't know. Why do you and a number of other Skidmore Aug 2013 #182

You were correct. When people talk about ISSUES that they agree on they will sound sabrina 1 Aug 2013 #185

Yes, because there is no greater example of independent thought Downtown Hound Aug 2013 #140

I've seen a lot of commentors on these blogs using the homophobic slur Gigi octoberlib Aug 2013 #11

yep, I saw that today too. nt grasswire Aug 2013 #15

Spandan, who is supposedly gay, uses it. WorseBeforeBetter Aug 2013 #46

I think his intent is to disrupt. nt octoberlib Aug 2013 #94

They think "I can get away with it if I use 'GG' instead of 'Gigi'". backscatter712 Aug 2013 #73

. Little Star Aug 2013 #114

Uh oh. I support most of Greenwald's stuff, & call him "GG" DirkGently Aug 2013 #176

Reverse vampires, saucer people and the Rand Corporation. Robb Aug 2013 #22

Did you know that Ellsberg was Rand Corporation? Think about THAT! nt msanthrope Aug 2013 #102

I think it's mostly just ordinary people who are just *very* invested in this administration. dawg Aug 2013 #23

we've rolled back degradations to our constitution before and we'll do it again Pretzel_Warrior Aug 2013 #25

Not like this we haven't. dawg Aug 2013 #29

The last time there was a breach this profound was the civil war Warren Stupidity Aug 2013 #79

and the treasury, you left out the treasury. reusrename Aug 2013 #159

it would make your world a little more tidy if what you believed was true Pretzel_Warrior Aug 2013 #24

I stopped opening mail from OFA back when O punted on health care kenny blankenship Aug 2013 #26

True story: There was a 4-2 jury decision cthulu2016 Aug 2013 #28

I'd be very interested in seeing this.. one_voice Aug 2013 #30

I'm not just talking DU grasswire Aug 2013 #32

I'm sorry I misunderstood... one_voice Aug 2013 #38

"several message boards"? Surely it'll just make your argument stronger if you tell us which ones? Turborama Aug 2013 #34

You're actually expecting proof? Cali_Democrat Aug 2013 #39

Yeah, that sort of thing. We're usually meticulous about backing up our claims here, aren't we? n/t Turborama Aug 2013 #63

I've seen them on Daily Kos. backscatter712 Aug 2013 #76

So, a poster on KOS says similar things that are said here and there's a huge conspiracy... Turborama Aug 2013 #115

You ask for a link, you get it, LWolf Aug 2013 #221

a link to one single solitary person. Whisp Aug 2013 #225

What do I win? LWolf Aug 2013 #250

Missed the plural in my request? 1 link isn't "several sites" and no, it isn't sufficient evidence Turborama Aug 2013 #237

. LWolf Aug 2013 #249

1st of all, you don't know me, so your continued ad hominems, as I said, are just absurd snark Turborama Aug 2013 #254

And 3rd: LWolf Aug 2013 #255

I said relying on 1 link to back up a claim that tax dollars are being used to spread propaganda Turborama Aug 2013 #256

And you are still tossing those rocks. LWolf Aug 2013 #257

I did make my point and let it go, until you jumped on me and accused me of never being satisified Turborama Aug 2013 #258

OMG LWolf Aug 2013 #259

I don't think Reggid is here. Mnpaul Aug 2013 #218

Different web sites respond to different disruption tactics. backscatter712 Aug 2013 #219

Skinner speaks for me: geek tragedy Aug 2013 #41

STASI!!11! Cali_Democrat Aug 2013 #44

No, this is the HBGary conspiracy theory archetype geek tragedy Aug 2013 #45

As if the Greenwald / Snowden haters act in good faith... AZ Progressive Aug 2013 #48

Meh to them both. nt geek tragedy Aug 2013 #51

Thank you for reposting this davidpdx Aug 2013 #59

Skinner is obviously a paid shill pintobean Aug 2013 #71

Yes, this is obvious treestar Aug 2013 #85

Surprising lack of awareness for an administrator ... GeorgeGist Aug 2013 #97

Skinner is in a bad position Hydra Aug 2013 #125

Wants more than that zipplewrath Aug 2013 #144

Beat me to it. nt stevenleser Aug 2013 #126

Actually, I'm perfectly capable of arguing my point based on its own merits Downtown Hound Aug 2013 #142

This Is Still RobinA Aug 2013 #149

Post removed Post removed Aug 2013 #170

Yes, because the truth is that no one cares geek tragedy Aug 2013 #236

plus conspiracy theories are prohibited in this forum also due to nonsense factor. nt. uhnope Aug 2013 #171

'betrays an utter lack of creativity;...... Whisp Aug 2013 #226

I'm almost tempted to autorec her posts because they piss off so many geek tragedy Aug 2013 #227

nerves of steel, she has and a titanium backbone. Whisp Aug 2013 #228

More importantly geek tragedy Aug 2013 #238

Which ProSense Caretha Aug 2013 #239

My favorite Bobbie Jo Aug 2013 #235

I am the one who knocks... alcibiades_mystery Aug 2013 #47

"I do not say that lightly..." msanthrope Aug 2013 #93

US Chamber of Commerce, the DNC, companies in the surveillance industry... Marr Aug 2013 #49

It's this dude named Phil. He's real good at computer stuff like that NightWatcher Aug 2013 #52

Dave's not here, man NoPasaran Aug 2013 #70

HaHaHaHa It's been a long mimi85 Aug 2013 #81

No I'm Dave! ismnotwasm Aug 2013 #143

I doubt anyone is coordinating anything. We have dedicated posters on both sides of this debate. hrmjustin Aug 2013 #53

So we are back to the paid shill meme? davidpdx Aug 2013 #55

Ask who started this NSA spying shit? Bush 1? ...Bush 2? ...and now the republiDems expand it. L0oniX Aug 2013 #58

Oh much farther than that nadinbrzezinski Aug 2013 #137

No doubt it has greatly expanded from Bush/911. So much for attacks on DU members... L0oniX Aug 2013 #150

We are far from hitting bottom nadinbrzezinski Aug 2013 #152

I am getting really bummed out about this and our future. n/t L0oniX Aug 2013 #154

I know nadinbrzezinski Aug 2013 #155

... L0oniX Aug 2013 #195

True. People haven't started disappearing yet. temporary311 Aug 2013 #158

Actually people are, just that Muslim-Americans after 911 nadinbrzezinski Aug 2013 #160

I'm sorry, but..... AverageJoe90 Aug 2013 #61

Cool, now anyone who questions Greenwald is a "paid shill" TekGryphon Aug 2013 #65

The admins should be flattered to get the attention... Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2013 #67

Yes they are and they travel in groups. Cleita Aug 2013 #68

If only Skinner would put those five on forced global ignore... n/t backscatter712 Aug 2013 #77

What's a forced global ignore? n/t Violet_Crumble Aug 2013 #92

My guess would be AgingAmerican Aug 2013 #96

That'd be my guess too... Violet_Crumble Aug 2013 #99

"Global Ignore" is the new rallying cry of some on this board who seem to have both msanthrope Aug 2013 #139

that's some weird shit, these people actually WANT something like this ? JI7 Aug 2013 #222

I Had Luck RobinA Aug 2013 #151

Someone's doing something. That much is clear. Fearless Aug 2013 #69

The propaganda mongering has been obvious for a long time. backscatter712 Aug 2013 #74

The homophobia, be it open or veiled, is evidence that they're not Democrats & should be banned. backscatter712 Aug 2013 #78

For those who are incredulous... ghostsdoexist Aug 2013 #82

Welcome to DU n/t hootinholler Aug 2013 #119

Good first post! Hydra Aug 2013 #129

good observations grasswire Aug 2013 #178

Sounds a lot like the system that the Government was bidding out in 2011 has been deployed KurtNYC Aug 2013 #194

Yes, and The Guardian was one of the papers that originally covered this story Ocelot Aug 2013 #216

Collusion, direction, and use of our tax dollars? Kolesar Aug 2013 #83

Having a hard time dealing with the fact everyone is not in lockstep treestar Aug 2013 #84

We are the collective. bravenak Aug 2013 #86

I would say the entire propaganda effort is tax payer funded. Enthusiast Aug 2013 #87

There is probably private companies and firms that offer this. Puzzledtraveller Aug 2013 #90

I don't get it...How does any level-headed person read Greenwald's work or listen to his interviews Blue_Tires Aug 2013 #91

But who cares? Maedhros Aug 2013 #186

Nothing else to really discuss until Greenwald's next series of stories come out... Blue_Tires Aug 2013 #189

For myself, I don't "worship" anybody or anything. Maedhros Aug 2013 #191

I haven't made a single false allegation Blue_Tires Aug 2013 #193

But it's irrelevant to the conversation. Maedhros Aug 2013 #202

The funny part is I started an NSA thread and it fell off the front like an anvil Blue_Tires Aug 2013 #248

Yes - the efforts to distract and derail are working (sadly). [n/t] Maedhros Aug 2013 #260

The "usual suspects" and their "useful idiots". Cerridwen Aug 2013 #95

Hello Cerridwen, it's been a while since I've seen you post. (I used to by Cryingshame) KittyWampus Aug 2013 #188

Not nearly so long as it's been since you were Cryingshame, I think. Cerridwen Aug 2013 #200

in a few hours they will be here. PowerToThePeople Aug 2013 #98

Here's another idea,someone on the internet sufrommich Aug 2013 #100

When a group does it in unison AgingAmerican Aug 2013 #104

There is no "group doing it in unison" sufrommich Aug 2013 #105

Sure there is AgingAmerican Aug 2013 #108

See post #41 nt stevenleser Aug 2013 #127

i have been here since 2003 scheming daemons Aug 2013 #134

Since 2002, and yea Snowden is traitor nolabels Aug 2013 #180

Paranoid of what? AgingAmerican Aug 2013 #242

there us a bigger group arguing in unison that GG is a hero scheming daemons Aug 2013 #132

What are their talking points? AgingAmerican Aug 2013 #243

When your 'support' of a politician or a movement AgingAmerican Aug 2013 #101

Perfectly Stated. bvar22 Aug 2013 #229

Maybe it's you Renew Deal Aug 2013 #103

LOL. Paranoia, self-destroyer. nt tridim Aug 2013 #106

LOL, catchy! n/t Turborama Aug 2013 #116

Who is coordinating attacking opposing groups as paid shills? Godhumor Aug 2013 #111

Its also possible people repeat what they read. creeksneakers2 Aug 2013 #199

The corporate politicans of the DC bubble Harmony Blue Aug 2013 #117

The two greatest defenders of the NSA are, in order, the NSA and the White House 1-Old-Man Aug 2013 #118

The butler did it! greatauntoftriplets Aug 2013 #128

The ROFL smiley is in on it Capt. Obvious Aug 2013 #130

i believe that Greenwald is an idiot and Miranda was a mule scheming daemons Aug 2013 #131

I wonder ... JoePhilly Aug 2013 #136

It's the homophobic trope troupe, a regular rotating company of volunteers. Bluenorthwest Aug 2013 #138

Kicking and reccing this, not because I think any of the defenders are paid, JoeyT Aug 2013 #141

My feeling is, some who post here profit from surveillance infrastructure or closeupready Aug 2013 #145

Photos of the hierarchal coordinated effort from the top down. Zorra Aug 2013 #148

Miss Scarlet, in the library HappyMe Aug 2013 #153

win the thread grantcart Aug 2013 #201

Scarlett: Great balls of fire! HICCUP! It's Rhett! sheshe2 Aug 2013 #204

You rang? rhett o rick Aug 2013 #205

HICCUP~ sheshe2 Aug 2013 #206

Hi Back sheshe2 rhett o rick Aug 2013 #211

Wrong Scarlet. HappyMe Aug 2013 #207

LOL, I didn't have a Clue~ sheshe2 Aug 2013 #209

No regimented structure is really necessary. bvar22 Aug 2013 #157

Agreed, but what you seem to be describing is a Republican mindset Ocelot Aug 2013 #174

A couple of those are true jmowreader Aug 2013 #162

Perhaps a small, organized group of paid individuals with numerous profiles? Ocelot Aug 2013 #164

I'm pretty sure that's exactly what's happening here. n/t backscatter712 Aug 2013 #166

it would be naive to think that DU wouldn't be seen as a target nashville_brook Aug 2013 #183

Same talking points= felix_numinous Aug 2013 #169

I think you're getting paid to say that I'm getting paid. Flatulo Aug 2013 #175

Why don't you all Do some investigation into where the money is coming from ? JI7 Aug 2013 #184

What I find interesting and disturbing is the personal hatred directed toward Snowden et al. Maedhros Aug 2013 #190

Yes. I've only seen this king of visceral antagonism... grasswire Aug 2013 #231

I can draw some sort of parallel that gives me insight. Maedhros Aug 2013 #245

+10 RC Aug 2013 #246

Personally, I think it's because modern Democrats in large part have forgotten Maedhros Aug 2013 #261

well, they keep saying that Snowden and Assange are Koch dupes, so...it's the Koch brothers MisterP Aug 2013 #192

How do homophobic slurs and personal Progressive dog Aug 2013 #196

I am. JaneyVee Aug 2013 #197

TPTB are not stupid. CrispyQ Aug 2013 #215

Kick And Recommend cantbeserious Aug 2013 #217

The only coordination going on here Summer Hathaway Aug 2013 #224

Someone here called Miranda... awoke_in_2003 Aug 2013 #230

no, not on DU grasswire Aug 2013 #232

Okay, good... awoke_in_2003 Aug 2013 #233

Miranda looks like a woman's name. RC Aug 2013 #247

I'd think many/most of them are homophobes stupidicus Aug 2013 #234

Ha. Doesn't look that coordinated to me. DirkGently Aug 2013 #240

Can anyone explain why this Conspiracy Theory thread gets the okay? uhnope Aug 2013 #241

Because Forum hosts don't think there's any such thing as a conspiracy theory Turborama Aug 2013 #244

Don't discount the possibility that these posters may be bots. Trillo Aug 2013 #251

This is so adorably quaint four year later.... Blue_Tires Oct 2017 #262