Why are internet comments sections so right wing? [View all]

[alp227]

As Richard Stallman said in a recent talk I attended at San Jose State, it used to be believed that the Internet would counter censorship and enhance democracy.

Sadly, the Internet is too often used to ENHANCE the right wing status quo.

Just take a look at the comments section of the Mercury News article "NAACP calls on DA to bolster hate-crime charges against SJSU students" where the two top rated comments are:

The DA has it right on this to file misdemeanor charges if what is alleged to have happened is true...........Why don't we hear about the NAACP speaking out that 50% of the homicide victims in the U.S. are black and 95%of the suspects are black? Why don't we hear the NAACP talk about the disproportionate rate of black on white crime? Why isn't the NAACP using its power and money to better the black community instead of promoting the victim mentality?

First of all, this ignorant user doesn't know that the NAACP does use its power and money to "better the black community" as he condescendingly wants. Just go to NAACP.org and READ THE SITE.

Second, the fact is, murder victims are much more likely to be murdered by either a peer or someone of their own ethnicity than a stranger.

Another comment:

Their outrage is duly noted. Do they have any left for the hate crimes perpetrated by blacks on others in their beloved knockout game? Don't hold your breath.

These comments do what's known as concern trolling and JAQing off (JAQ = just asking questions).