There are no trolls here

[osan]

The difference between a regular post and a troll is that a troll is not serious, that is they are fishing for entertainment, just waiting for an amateur forum user to take the bait. (BTW trawlers are boats for towed net fishing, trolling is towed hook and line.)

Just for information purposes: the net.etymology of "troll" stems from the word trawl. My internetting started in 1979 at UC Davis when there were but a small handful of internet sites, about 16 at that time as I vaguely recall. We accessed chat nodes via HP-21 terminals and a system called CANDE. It was all very cool. By about 1982 the number of sites had grown significantly, though still paltry by today's numbers, yet IRC was still pretty much the only social and real time activity in which one could engage. By that time we were talking to people from other nations such as Canada and I do not even recall where else.

People being what they are, there were those who were up to what the rest would have considered "no good" or otherwise uncool behaviors. Some of those were seeking to gain information, i.e., they were "fishing" and therefore initially called "trawlers" and were "trawling". Somewhere along the way someone misunderstood and used "troll" and the rest is history as they say, but not until several years of the use of trawl has been behind us.

[torchbearer]

<==King Trawler.

[cheapseats]

Just for information purposes: the net.etymology of "troll" stems from the word trawl. My internetting started in 1979 at UC Davis when there were but a small handful of internet sites, about 16 at that time as I vaguely recall. We accessed chat nodes via HP-21 terminals and a system called CANDE. It was all very cool. By about 1982 the number of sites had grown significantly, though still paltry by today's numbers, yet IRC was still pretty much the only social and real time activity in which one could engage. By that time we were talking to people from other nations such as Canada and I do not even recall where else.

People being what they are, there were those who were up to what the rest would have considered "no good" or otherwise uncool behaviors. Some of those were seeking to gain information, i.e., they were "fishing" and therefore initially called "trawlers" and were "trawling". Somewhere along the way someone misunderstood and used "troll" and the rest is history as they say, but not until several years of the use of trawl has been behind us.

Not everyone is the same distance down the rabbit hole. Some think some have gone too far; some think some are lagging behind. But NO ONE who has half a brain and who has half-way been paying attention can imagine that ANY political discussion forum is NOT surveilled, infiltrated, compromised, et al.

Whether they are "merely" Information Gatherers, or whether they are Political Operatives, or whether they are "plain" Bad Guys...are they more likely to "sound" like adversaries, or are they more likely to blend in and be SUBTLER about achieving their ends?

[osan]

Whether they are "merely" Information Gatherers, or whether they are Political Operatives, or whether they are "plain" Bad Guys...are they more likely to "sound" like adversaries, or are they more likely to blend in and be SUBTLER about achieving their ends?

Yeppers. The good thing, at least from my end of all this, is that I don't care. I speak my peace, come what may. Though I would like to go on living, I can say I have lived enough and do not fear these people sufficiently to be silenced. There are people in this world of whom I am fond enough to risk what little remains to me for their sake. Some of those people I have never met face to face, but that matters not a whit to me. One has choices in life. Every moment of every day. Once can choose principle and the good that comes with believing in sacred things or one can take the path of the cowardly and defeated cynic who chooses pragmatism. It is all up to each of us to decide this. I choose the former. I fail at being completely true to it perhaps on a daily, maybe even hourly basis, but I am getting better at it as my grip on the trappings of my life weakens and those things begin to fall by the wayside. With this comes the attendant dissipation of fear and a strengthening of the understanding of, the desire for, and an appreciation of a sense of "right" and of "wrong". Fear sublimates into mist and one becomes unwilling to be silent in the face of unjust acts and circumstance. How brave will I remain if the men ever come for me? I have no idea. Perhaps I shall fold like a cheap suit. But until then I speak my truth, the tyrants be damned.

My only caution per your implied warning is beware of anyone calling us to arms. OTOH, beware of those such as myself as well. The unfortunate nature of this medium becomes clear in these respects. Be careful, but do not be afraid.

As I have written here before, in the end we are all dead men. We cannot alter the truth of our ultimate and common fate, but we can choose how to meet it and how we comport ourselves along the journey. Decide what sort of person you will be, taking care in the choosing. Then stick to it, no matter what others may say, threaten, or do. Be open to alteration, but be ever watchful of your true reasons when you adopt change. Be your best as often and as completely as you can. Be good to yourself and be good to your family, friends, and fellows of meritorious character, and for God's sake have the courage to judge their characters for suitability and worthiness to be part of your circle.

I can advise one no further than this.

[pcosmar]

As I have written here before, in the end we are all dead men. We cannot alter the truth of our ultimate and common fate, but we can choose how to meet it and how we comport ourselves along the journey. Decide what sort of person you will be, taking care in the choosing. Then stick to it, no matter what others may say, threaten, or do. Be open to alteration, but be ever watchful of your true reasons when you adopt change. Be your best as often and as completely as you can. Be good to yourself and be good to your family, friends, and fellows of meritorious character, and for God's sake have the courage to judge their characters for suitability and worthiness to be part of your circle.

I can advise one no further than this.

Oh that I were so eloquent,,

[detector]

I agree. I was a member of politically uncensored.com for over a year and when I started talking about Ron Paul I was banned for being a "troll." It's just so immature!

I too agree with you .