obsessive bashing posts

[ccpup]

I've come to realize that there are people on this site who devote much of their time to simply bashing candidates. And usually just one candidate. They try to wrap it in the principled cloak of "informing" people or "bringing balance" to all the wonderful Posts about that candidate, but that's rarely the truth.

What's interesting to me, though, is that they tend to resemble * in a lot of ways. Ignore the facts and just repeat the same lies again and again and again, obsessively and loudly despite what's staring you in the face. And if you repeat the same lies then it'll be the truth, right?

So, how does one deal with someone like this? I thought having a discussion with them could work, but that rarely does. Then I thought calling them on their shit could work, but their delusion leaves little room for feeling chastened. So, what does one do?

Ignore them.

I had a relative once who would call and complain. Really just pick fights and make life miserable for whoever was dumb enough to answer the phone. After years of attempting to talk sense to what seemed to be a wooden plank, I just hung up one day. Just hung up. And when this person called again and started to argue, I hung up again. Soon they stopped calling. They had obviously found someone else willing to argue with them, giving their life meaning, heightening the tediousness of their day and giving them something else to complain about to someone else. It wasn't even me they wanted to talk to. It could have been anyone who answered the phone and the same argument would have happened.

I finally realized today that those who Post one bash after another are a bit like that relative and, eventually, people come to realize engaging them in conversation is a waste of time.

Thank God I realized that today. And I decided I don't want to come to DU only to be frustrated by delusional stupidity. I want my visits here to lower the stress level, not heighten it. So, I'm ignoring them. Leaving them to their own little padded cells with happy butterflies painted on the ceilings.

You got unbiased facts to share that don't come with a preset agenda and you're open to conversation that convinces me why your candidate is better? Great! Fantastic! Pull up a chair and let's talk!

You Posting just to pull one poll out of the air, claim it's definitive, insist a candidate is thought of this way and that despite many other Polls to the contrary and, should I disagree, well, I'm wrong and brainwashed by a corporate media and don't know what I'm talking about? Keep moving.

I can feel the stress leaving my body now. Inhale ... and exhale.

Peace.

[Turbineguy]

1. I'm sorry, you are

just a teensy bit too rational for me.

So I'll just say: Don't vote for George W Bush, he's an idiot and he'll make a mess of things.

Oh wait...:toast:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. this place can get to you sometimes

After a while, you know who is going to post something to start an argument instead of continue a discussion. Ignoring them is an excellent solution to the problem. The next thing to do is to visit your favorite DU Group where you can relax and not meet such creatures.

[ccpup]

4. exactly

thank you for your kindness, ayeshahaqqiqa.

[saracat]

3. I guess you don't either like DU where we are free to disagree or you don't possess a mirror.

[Faux pas]

5. Seems like someone in this thread missed the whole point....lol.

I'm with you. The bashing and complaining isn't what I signed up for. I just skip over those and look for the stuff I can relate to. Not that I haven't gotten a lick or two in myself, I just got tired of it. Good and thoughtful post, thanks.

[ccpup]

7. lol

well, "someone" was bound to, but that's okay. I love your USA Butterfly, by the way. And thank you for the thoughtful, considerate response. I'm determined to make DU a better place for myself and appreciate you being in agreement with how I'm going about it.

[Faux pas]

13. You're welcome, and good luck with this venture. I like the

butterfly too, to bad i can't get the thing out of there. lol

[Forkboy]

10. Maybe that someone can spot an obvious callout.

:shrug:

[Faux pas]

14. guess I missed something, but that wouldn't be a first. n/t

[Qutzupalotl]

6. Some even get paid to stir things up.

It's like they have all the time in the world.

A fine solution.

[skids]

9. It's a great deal...

...pay people to come in here and keep us at our keyboard shouting at each other over an primary that won't happen till next year, and they know every hour they pay their staff for they have wasted many times that much time of those who might be otherwise politically active and cause them trouble.

Not that the campaigns don't do it themselves, but I'm convinced most of the payed trolling for the sole purpose of being disruptive, not to shape the race.

The DU "author search" feature is your friend.

[avrdream]

8. I hear what you are saying.

I have never used the ignore button but there are a few (and I emphasize that it is a very small number) posters who don't seem to write anything informative at all, just bash a candidate. I don't mind at all if there is some data to support what they are writing. It's the posts that are just taunting that I ignore.

Clearly, some of us feel more strongly about our own candidate than others and I love a good "discussion" (debate, argument) as much as anyone but some of these comments are senseless.

[Grandrose]

11. Wonderful post!

After six years here, a couple of weeks ago, I finally resorted to "Ignore", I feel so much better! :)

[Journeyman]

12. I use "Ignore" liberally. . .

life's too short to willfully subject yourself to "kiddie scorn." I've never blocked anyone who intelligently debated me, but I'll not suffer fools gladly or madly.

Many times, it's just stupidity I wish to avoid. . . drunken fools, whacked-out conspiracy nuts ("BushCo caused the tsunami!"), one-note wonders who post the same drivel over and over . . . Others may choose what they perceive as the "high road" of tolerance and community, but I've no time for blithering foolishness and no interest in useless poppycock. Some will disagree but I figure they must have a surplus of life.