Randy, I just wanted to thank you for once again scaring someone off. :-/ Seriously, I've held my tongue thus far merely because you have over 3000 posts and unquestionable seniority, but I am personally growing tired of the arrogant, condescending, and hostile tone present in so many of your posts. A
significant number of your posts are filled with nothing but personal attacks and accusations, and if I were to be so bold, I might inquire as to whether you were
intentionally trying to breed mistrust and discord. I have never in my life seen another longstanding member of any message board who uses inflammatory rhetoric, speaks down to people, or questions their "loyalty" half as often as you do. Your extensive vernacular and linguistic skills may be mildly impressive, but they do not excuse your pompous behavior. You are not the head of the Spanish Inquisition, so for everyone's sake, please stop acting like it.
Obviously, I do know that you're a genuine supporter, and perhaps I'm being overly harsh, but please try to understand how hostile and intolerant your own posts often sound. I'm not posting this to start a feud with you or anything of that sort; rather, I'm posting this in the hope that you'll realize where I'm coming from and think twice before openly judging people. Before you accuse somebody of being a troll, a provocateur, or a shill, please consider, "What if I'm wrong? What if my judgment is in fact not infallible, and I'm calling out and smearing real supporters or potential supporters who are scouting out the scene? If I were mildly interested in Ron Paul but not yet sold on him, how would this attitude affect my perception of his supporters? Would I start to wonder if they really are just some crazy fringe group? Would I really want to join a group where I must toe the line and walk on eggshells or be called out as an enemy combatant?" You must ask yourself these questions. Furthermore, even in the event that the other poster really is a troll, ask yourself, "How should I word my post to avoid letting the thread degenerate into a cess pool of name-calling and exaggerated paranoia?" Many of your posts are insightful and interesting, but others make you sound like a common bully...I imagine a lot of people agree with me here, but most are probably too afraid to call you out on this because you have overwhelming board presence and seniority, and they themselves do not wish to be accused of being "disloyal." After all, if it's your word against theirs, they lose, right...? However, this is rule by fear, and if we want our board to look welcoming to new or potential supporters, it needs to stop.
Your concerns about trolls, infiltrators, and shills are real and justified, but you need to remember what their ultimate goals are:
- To destroy the morale, camaraderie, and fiber of the community
- To "divide and conquer" by turning people against each other and inciting so must mistrust and paranoia that the group can no longer function
- To make us look like a bunch of kooky, intolerant asshats to any outsiders thinking of joining up
There's a good reason for a little bit of healthy paranoia - after all, "they" really are out to get us - but in your crusade against the trolls, you must be cautious and mindful that you do not accidentally do their work for them.
