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This afternoon on one of the politcal blogs I post to we were discussing the phenomenon of online military poseurs. That is to say people who claim to be serving or former military members but who are not. It's an epidemic amongst the trolls of that particular site, but I've seen this sort of behavior uncovered on a number of other forums both political in nature and otherwise. I've even hear tell of the channer kiddies at some of the 4chan forums busting people doing this. But I've mostly seen it done on political blogs and forums.

It's a particularly risking move on sites like the one I referenced. We have a good number of REAL former or serving military folks and thus we can question the story of the poseur fairly effectively. Amazingly, the clowns who do this often do not research their fictional back story at all and are caught quite quickly. You would be amazed how many of these guys I have seen busted when they could not give their MOS or the location they did their basic training or did not known the meaning of some common bit of jargon. Refusal to answer questions can be pretty damning too. The old "I don;t have to prove anything to you!" stratagem is almost always an admission of guilt.

Of course on the political sites I tend to by default doubt any leftist who claims a military background. Now don't get me wrong. In the US about 20-25% of all adult males have served in some branch of the armed forces. Liberals certainly do serve. Statisticly speaking they have to in at least some number. For example that idiot Markos Moulitsas who runs Daily KoS is former military. But by in large leftists are very much in the minority in (at least the US) military. The voting record of the military bears this out as does my own personal experiences. The leftist world view with it's hatred for authority and rules is not very compatable with military service..especially career service. So of course on this particular blog we check into the story of any new lefty that shows up claiming a military background. In nine out of ten cases we catch them lying. Oddly enough they almost always claim to be former airforce. make of that what you will...

Anyway, why do you think these poseurs do this?

My opinions on the matter are as follows.
On a non-political site (for instance if someone on Dakka got caught trying this) I suspect that most of these poseurs are doing some sort of wish fufilment/Wanna be/Walter Mitty thing. But on political sites I think it's almost always a trolling/deception thing. The guys we have busted over at the political blogs are all trolls who's obvious purpose is to disrupt and cause trouble and all of them are left wingers. I have yet to see one of our better behaved, more house broken liberals try this. They know that most Right wingers respect and admire military members and they think that pretending to be one will give them some degree of respect and credibility. But it backfires. when they get caught (and they almost always do) it completely destroys any credibility they may have. About anything. Many leave in shame when busted...or at least make a new sock puppet account. One of the sites I moderate at, I go so far as to ban people who get caught pulling this stunt. I consider it to be prima facia evidence of troll status.

So what do you lot think about this?

TR

As a former navy seal green beret special forces recon paratrooper, I really don';t care.

I've even hear tell of the channer kiddies at some of the 4chan forums busting people doing this. But I've mostly seen it done on political blogs and forums.

Wut? Thats not really how those sites operate... Don't ask me how I Know.

As a former navy seal green beret special forces recon paratrooper, I really don';t care.

Thats the spirit! People lie about themselves when anonymous, it's the nature of the internet. Personal experience is relatively meaningless in an online debate, and should be considered as such.

Statisticly speaking they have to in at least some number.

Hurr!

But by in large leftists are very much in the minority in (at least the US) military. The voting record of the military bears this out as does my own personal experiences. The leftist world view with it's hatred for authority and rules is not very compatable with military service..especially career service. So of course on this particular blog we check into the story of any new lefty that shows up claiming a military background. In nine out of ten cases we catch them lying. Oddly enough they almost always claim to be former airforce. make of that what you will...

Anyway, why do you think these poseurs do this?

Because right wing idealogues and crackheads tend to believe that personal experience or a lack thereof invalidates an opinion (this is of course arbitrary and statistically ambiguous, but then look what I've quoted) . The military mindset of several posters here would have you believe that because they set foot in Iraq their opinions are golden and above those of all others. It's simply not the case, however it can be a fairly easy copout to claim a background of experience when making claims that involve that area of expertise.

So what do you lot think about this?

I think people troll free republic because its a right wing echo chamber of bad information and whiney right wing ranting. The same with many right leaning forums. Honestly its the same with any discussion area with an overabundance of a single viewpoint and opinion, and that includes leftist forums as well. The trick is to leave it there and not walk into this forum talking about your housebroken liberals and superior record of military service where you never met a single left wing individual (simple fact checking would reveal more accurate numbers of political affiliations in our armed services).

I think that there internet posing is wrong, to put it rather simply. People that do that sort of thing are the people that sully the face of the military with there down right outrageous lies, like the one guy who claimed to be a former Army Ranger in Iraq, who was "ordered" to run through and murder people in a mosque and people believed him.

Its certainly an attempt to tarnish the reputation of people that have, currently are, or will be serving their countries regardless of what that country may be.

I think your banning of these people is justified and that you should continue to do so.

and that includes leftist forums as well.

Actually almost without exception, leftist forums such as KoS and DU ban opposing views. So Right Wingers do not troll leftist sites....mainly because they can't.

and superior record of military service where you never met a single left wing individual

I never made that claim. Such hyperbole simply makes you look foolish.

TR

Actually almost without exception, leftist forums such as KoS and DU ban opposing views. So Right Wingers do not troll leftist sites....mainly because they can't.

You just described how you ban leftists on sight for a single violation. Then you make an unsubstantiated claim about one of the largest political forums on the net? The daily Kos isn't exactly a brilliant utopia of intellectual conversation, but give it more credit than that. Or don't. You've made your stances on the issues clear already, so I doubt you would really find any sort of moderation in your opinions.

I never made that claim. Such hyperbole simply makes you look foolish.

Statisticly speaking they have to in at least some number. For example that idiot Markos Moulitsas who runs Daily KoS is former military. But by in large leftists are very much in the minority in (at least the US) military. The voting record of the military bears this out as does my own personal experiences. The leftist world view with it's hatred for authority and rules is not very compatable with military service..especially career service.

You're right. I apologize, I figured you were just speaking from a level of personal experience. Given the fact that you posted no statistical information, gave no referential links, and cited no sources I just figured you were getting it from somewhere.

Glad to see I'm wrong.

You just described how you ban leftists on sight for a single violation

No, little boy. I ban trolls who have proven they are lying and are trying to disrupt a forum. Do try to listen and try to refrain from making things up like that.

Ah well, I'm off to bed.

TR

ShumaGorath wrote:

You just described how you ban leftists on sight for a single violation. Then you make an unsubstantiated claim about one of the largest political forums on the net? The daily Kos isn't exactly a brilliant utopia of intellectual conversation, but give it more credit than that. Or don't. You've made your stances on the issues clear already, so I doubt you would really find any sort of moderation in your opinions.

Actually he said he bans them because they are posing as members of or former members of the military, not on the simple notion of them being leftist. To me it seems like just anouther case of you reading what you want to read not what was actually written.

Trench-Raider wrote:But on political sites I think it's almost always a trolling/deception thing. The guys we have busted over at the political blogs are all trolls who's obvious purpose is to disrupt and cause trouble and all of them are left wingers. I have yet to see one of our better behaved, more house broken liberals try this. They know that most Right wingers respect and admire military members and they think that pretending to be one will give them some degree of respect and credibility. But it backfires. when they get caught (and they almost always do) it completely destroys any credibility they may have. About anything. Many leave in shame when busted...or at least make a new sock puppet account. One of the sites I moderate at, I go so far as to ban people who get caught pulling this stunt. I consider it to be prima facia evidence of troll status.

The bold area is where he mentions the banning, I threw in the rest so you could reread and discover that he didn't say he banned them for being leftist.

*stepping back in before I make good on my threat to hit the rack*

thanks, BrotherStynier.
Believe it or not, I actually like having oppsing views on the forum I moderate. It makes things more interesting than if it were an echo chamber like the major lefty blogs. A good lively debate can be fun. However I expect them to behave like what they are, guests, and to follow the rules against trolling. And yes, posing as a former or serving military person realy rubs me the wrong way.

TR

Actually he said he bans them because they are posing as members of or former members of the military, not on the simple notion of them being leftist. To me it seems like just anouther case of you reading what you want to read not what was actually written.

He also states that:

The guys we have busted over at the political blogs are all trolls who's obvious purpose is to disrupt and cause trouble and all of them are left wingers.

Given the fact that the Daily Kos has right wing and extreme right wing posters and he has stated that he bans left wing posers on first offense I think the comparison was fair. He clearly has no experience with what he was talking about and is essentially lashing out in annoyance on this forum because the forums he moderates on have already heard it.

The bold area is where he mentions the banning, I threw in the rest so you could reread and discover that he didn't say he banned them for being leftist.

Nope, only that it was only leftists that he was banning. Given the selective nature of escapist rants (notice he posted about another forum on this forum) it's quite likely that his actions aren't as neutrally guided as he seems willing to tell us.

Ah well, I'm off to bed.

Night son, have a good rest because when you get up you're going to have to go to school! (ironic!)

thanks, BrotherStynier.
Believe it or not, I actually like having oppsing views on the forum I moderate. It makes things more interesting than if it were an echo chamber like the major lefty blogs. A good lively debate can be fun. However I expect them to behave like what they are, guests, and to follow the rules against trolling. And yes, posing as a former or serving military person realy rubs me the wrong way.

Ironic considering how you haven't supported a single word you've said and you've been quite rude in posting them. Me thinky you don't like counteropinions as much as you state. Most likely because your opinions are baseless and fall flat under scrutiny.

Trench-Raider wrote:
Of course on the political sites I tend to by default doubt any leftist who claims a military background. Now don't get me wrong. In the US about 20-25% of all adult males have served in some branch of the armed forces. Liberals certainly do serve. Statisticly speaking they have to in at least some number. For example that idiot Markos Moulitsas who runs Daily KoS is former military. But by in large leftists are very much in the minority in (at least the US) military. The voting record of the military bears this out as does my own personal experiences. The leftist world view with it's hatred for authority and rules is not very compatable with military service..especially career service.
So what do you lot think about this?

TR

Why add this in? Really.

This could have been an interesting discussion without your fairly blatant stab at liberals/left leaning people.

Yes, my dad hates authorities, and breaks rules wherever he can. Please back off on the sweeping generalizations.

I'll still continue to have a very high opinion of you but it has definitely been tarnished a bit by your stab here.

No I don't care if you are conservative at all, I definitely have some conservative views. But this was just a bit too far, imo.

Trench-Raider wrote:*stepping back in before I make good on my threat to hit the rack*

thanks, BrotherStynier.
Believe it or not, I actually like having oppsing views on the forum I moderate. It makes things more interesting than if it were an echo chamber like the major lefty blogs. A good lively debate can be fun. However I expect them to behave like what they are, guests, and to follow the rules against trolling. And yes, posing as a former or serving military person realy rubs me the wrong way.

TR

You're welcome TR.

ShumaGorath wrote:
Given the fact that the Daily Kos has right wing and extreme right wing posters and he has stated that he bans left wing posers on first offense I think the comparison was fair. He clearly has no experience with what he was talking about and is essentially lashing out in annoyance on this forum because the forums he moderates on have already heard it.

He bans them for posing as a member of the military something that you can be arrested for irl on the first offense whether you are a leftist or a rightist. Should a rightist pose as a member of the military I would expect them to be banned as well, regardless its trolling and thats what he's talking about banning them for, trolling not being leftists.

Nope, only that it was only leftists that he was banning. Given the selective nature of escapist rants (notice he posted about another forum on this forum) it's quite likely that his actions aren't as neutrally guided as he seems willing to tell us.

And I'm certain you'd be able to act perfectly neutral on something you felt strongly about wouldn't you? Judging from the arguments you posted I'd have to go a head and say you aren't quite as neutrally guided as you'd like to think you are. I know I'm not.

Oh and I'm sure you've never made an escapist rant then have you?

Ironic considering how you haven't supported a single word you've said and you've been quite rude in posting them. Me thinky you don't like counteropinions as much as you state. Most likely because your opinions are baseless and fall flat under scrutiny.

And you have supported all of your facts in every argument you've made? Most of your arguments are just a baseless as anyone's here, under scrutiny your arguments hold up no better.

He bans them for posing as a member of the military something that you can be arrested for irl on the first offense whether you are a leftist or a rightist. Should a rightist pose as a member of the military I would expect them to be banned as well, regardless its trolling and thats what he's talking about banning them for, trolling not being leftists.

He called me son like 4 times and said "god you're an idiot" in the other thread. How serious are we to take these claims of neutrality? He ranted at me about assault weapon terms for like 4 posts when I never even used the term.

And I'm certain you'd be able to act perfectly neutral on something you felt strongly about wouldn't you? Judging from the arguments you posted I'd have to go a head and say you aren't quite as neutrally guided as you'd like to think you are. I know I'm not.

You would be surprised by the amount of impartiality I have when posting here. I act blustery and loud, but I generally don't care much. I'm fairly detached, which is why I pepper so much humor into my posts.

Oh and I'm sure you've never made an escapist rant then have you?

I make them all the time, though generally I do it to people rather than on a forum that has nothing to do with it. Dakka is the only forum for me!

And you have supported all of your facts in every argument you've made? Most of your arguments are just a baseless as anyone's here, under scrutiny your arguments hold up no better.

I quote wikipedia all the time, for as much as thats really worth. I back myself when the facts I'm stating are in question (when I'm stating facts and not opinions). I generally try and separate when I'm going by personal belief and opinion from when I'm going off of empirical evidence. Though all of it probably reads the same under the bluster.

I think that pretty much every can agree on three things:

1) misrepresenting yourself grotesquely on a forum is fraud and should result in banning.

2) Most political forums are either echo chambers or totally insane knife fights that lead no where.

3) Neither TR nor SG are going to win the award for being fair minded and even handed any time soon.

Polonius wrote:I think that pretty much every can agree on three things:

1) misrepresenting yourself grotesquely on a forum is fraud and should result in banning.

2) Most political forums are either echo chambers or totally insane knife fights that lead no where.

3) Neither TR nor SG are going to win the award for being fair minded and even handed any time soon.

*hug*

Yeah, poliforums are bizarre chaos worlds, and claiming a position of experience and misrepresenting yourself in a real world debate is pretty bad juju. I wouldn't say its always worthy of a banning, since escapism on the internet is so prevalent I doubt it would be easy to find someone that didn't exaggerate themselves in some way. I'm fair minded and even handed personally. I'm just quick to stoop to the level I perceive others to be debating at. I'm also not the sinisterly sly troll you yourself are. You're a pro at sneaking in ad hominem under the guise of level headed rebuttal.

We're all quirky.

I the left-wingers hate authority so much, why are they the ones that want to make fried food illegal?

ShumaGorath wrote:

He called me son like 4 times and said "god you're an idiot" in the other thread. How serious are we to take these claims of neutrality? He ranted at me about assault weapon terms for like 4 posts when I never even used the term.

I never said he's always a beckon of neutrality, nor that he has my undying and continual support. True saying "god you're an idiot" is not a way to win an argument and shouldn't of been voiced as it does discredit an argument. I have not read this thread where you were lambasted in such a way so I will not pretend to know what you said or he said, but perhaps you said something that caused him to interpret it that way?

You would be surprised by the amount of impartiality I have when posting here. I act blustery and loud, but I generally don't care much. I'm fairly detached, which is why I pepper so much humor into my posts.

Maybe I'm just catching your posts at off time then, when I see things they always seem to be fought with you on a clear cut side and with lots of feeling in the matter.

I make them all the time, though generally I do it to people rather than on a forum that has nothing to do with it. Dakka is the only forum for me!

It may not be on a forum but the principle is still the same, you inform people of what has happened and it would probably be mostly a one sided retelling of the tail. Side note, the less forums the better I'd say, being on too many can't be healthy.

I quote wikipedia all the time, for as much as thats really worth. I back myself when the facts I'm stating are in question (when I'm stating facts and not opinions). I generally try and separate when I'm going by personal belief and opinion from when I'm going off of empirical evidence. Though all of it probably reads the same under the bluster.

I certainly would try not to use wiki as much, simply due to the fact that most people do not hold it as credible due to edited by users and such. These "facts" you use, like those people on both sides of the fence use can often still be one sided and backing them further with more "facts" from the one side won't help much because people will just find a different "fact" that says something else. Generally yes, fact and opinions get meshed together by people, and it will generally be read together, particularly on the net where its hard to tell the difference.

Orkeosaurus wrote:I the left-wingers hate authority so much, why are they the ones that want to make fried food illegal?

Hush, let him have his contradictions and black and white paranoia viewpoints.

ShumaGorath wrote: I'm also not the sinisterly sly troll you yourself are. You're a pro at sneaking in ad hominem under the guise of level headed rebuttal.

We're all quirky.

If you're going to do something, do it well, and do it with class. Ad hominem is like a spice: a small amount adds flavor and zest to the meat and potatoes, but too much, or not enough meat, and all you've got is something that nobody wants to eat.

Besides, the best personal attacks are like sex scenes from classic movies: set it up and then move the camera, so you don't actually spell anything out, but everybody can imagine what's going on.

As a dedicated anarchist and chaotic neutral nutcase who lives off the grid as much as possible, I agree, TR. Of course, a military background isn't all that it's cracked up to be. I know several people, some family members who served in the military who had absolutely no business doing so but are ever quick to throw that in other peoples' faces as some sort of proof of their superiority to us uninitiated sheep. It just goes to show what people will do when they know they don't have a strong argument.

I never said he's always a beckon of neutrality, nor that he has my undying and continual support. True saying "god you're an idiot" is not a way to win an argument and shouldn't of been voiced as it does discredit an argument. I have not read this thread where you were lambasted in such a way so I will not pretend to know what you said or he said, but perhaps you said something that caused him to interpret it that way?

Nah, check the cop shooting thread a few topics down. We were debating that at this same time as this. He just sort of starts laying into me there. I get the feeling it was carrying over from this thread.

Maybe I'm just catching your posts at off time then, when I see things they always seem to be fought with you on a clear cut side and with lots of feeling in the matter.

I always start off somewhat lightly, then as crazy people start shouting at me I get louder and louder until it's just a bunch of crazy people shouting at eachother. I started pretty strong here (with a strongly stated attitude of semi neutrality) because the OP post was basically a giant anti left wing rant.

It may not be on a forum but the principle is still the same, you inform people of what has happened and it would probably be mostly a one sided retelling of the tail. Side note, the less forums the better I'd say, being on too many can't be healthy.

Agreed. I prefer the sense of community you develop in a single forum as well. As much as polonius, frazzled, HBMC, myself and a few others shout at eachother I find that the personality quirks makes it feel like a giant dysfunctional and horrible family. Rather than just shouts from the darkness.

I certainly would try not to use wiki as much, simply due to the fact that most people do not hold it as credible due to edited by users and such. These "facts" you use, like those people on both sides of the fence use can often still be one sided and backing them further with more "facts" from the one side won't help much because people will just find a different "fact" that says something else. Generally yes, fact and opinions get meshed together by people, and it will generally be read together, particularly on the net where its hard to tell the difference.

Hence why I don't take much of it all seriously. Wikipedia is a good source for information when it sites its sources, and as long as people aren't arguing semantics (which sadly is a trap I both set and fall into all the time) it can be a great source for ending debates and finding a factual common ground. Its method of editing these days is pretty well covered and supported and in all honesty unless you've found an unlucky 10 minutes any vandalism will have been cleaned up long before you would have checked it.

Besides, the best personal attacks are like sex scenes from classic movies: set it up and then move the camera, so you don't actually spell anything out, but everybody can imagine what's going on.

You drift between casablanca and watchmen with those sex scenes.

ShumaGorath wrote:
You drift between casablanca and watchmen with those sex scenes.

Really? You think I'm that over the top personal in my comments? It's certainly possible, but I like to think that while I throw an elbow here or there I avoid taking to many cheap shots. Feel free to PM me anything that you find particularly offensive that I've said.

ShumaGorath wrote:
Nah, check the cop shooting thread a few topics down. We were debating that at this same time as this. He just sort of starts laying into me there. I get the feeling it was carrying over from this thread.

It is easy for me to see where the ire at the term "Assault Rifle" is used, simply because the weapon was probably a Semi-Auto knock off of the AK-47, and at the calibre. But I won't go into guns, we're just starting to reach an understanding...

I always start off somewhat lightly, then as crazy people start shouting at me I get louder and louder until it's just a bunch of crazy people shouting at eachother. I started pretty strong here (with a strongly stated attitude of semi neutrality) because the OP post was basically a giant anti left wing rant.

Yeah thats why then I always seem to show up to the parties late.

Agreed. I prefer the sense of community you develop in a single forum as well. As much as polonius, frazzled, HBMC, myself and a few others shout at eachother I find that the personality quirks makes it feel like a giant dysfunctional and horrible family. Rather than just shouts from the darkness.

Yeah, and there is a great sense of community here, or even a rather large family complete with the uncles and cousins you'd rather not spend to much time around.

Hence why I don't take much of it all seriously. Wikipedia is a good source for information when it sites its sources, and as long as people aren't arguing semantics (which sadly is a trap I both set and fall into all the time) it can be a great source for ending debates and finding a factual common ground. Its method of editing these days is pretty well covered and supported and in all honesty unless you've found an unlucky 10 minutes any vandalism will have been cleaned up long before you would have checked it.

I see, and here I was thinking you were just one of those nuts that argued political points blindly, taking everything way too seriously. Semantics is a trap best avoided when at all possible.

ShumaGorath wrote:
because the OP post was basically a giant anti left wing rant.

I think this was the point of this thread. Fair enough for TR to ban posters who were trading on false premises, but why bring left-wingers (which is a very generic term) into it? did every person caught lying post an apology saying such? Or did they merely have a contrary point of view?

Orkeosaurus wrote:I the left-wingers hate authority so much, why are they the ones that want to make fried food illegal?

At first, they came for the deep fried oreos, and because I didn't like them, I said nothing?

Fried foods taste like liberty, friend, and I am proud to call myself a pro-bacon Democrat.

As a Vet my self, i could give a damn. people lie online all the time, just look at any dating site.

First, a real military person would know not to go spouting off his Info on the web just to prove a point. At least I'd hope. You, and I hope everybody else on your site know better than to spout out your rank, name, base, and what you do, just because somebody rubbed you the wrong way. You know how much trouble you can get into for that so I'll assume you don't.

Next, these "lefties" as you call them, are the people we have sworn to protect. We defend the people of the US of A and the constitution before any political Ideals. I'm a bleeding heart democrat, but I'd never look down my nose with people I don't agree with. You saying lefties usually lie, is life if I said Righties are usually racist. Both are wrong and nothing more than labeling.

Third, and the most dangerous, Is your Right=Military, strong, just. Left=non military, lies weak servants. (I have yet to see one of our better behaved, more house broken liberals try this. They know that most Right wingers respect and admire military members and they think that pretending to be one will give them some degree of respect and credibility.)

If you don't see the Inherent danger of that statement above, then you miss the whole point of serving and you do yourself a great in-justice.

Fourth. We protect and SERVE the people. A Fething nonpolitical force that has bled and died to protect peoples all around the world. How far have we fallen to demand people who have a different point of view be behaved and house broken. Us Military are the servants. Our lives don't mean *&%# when compared to a civilian we're protecting, ANY civilian.

5th. 40% of the military is made up of Minorities, who vote overwelming democrat. 26% of that is made up of african americans who vote up to 95% democrat. This Number goes even higher when you factor in women, who tend to vote left over right.

6th. If your base, post, or station only has people of one point of view it goes against the military code of being inclusive and is therefore in violation.

I can serve with, respect the point of view of, befriend, protect, and die for any American, military or civilian, democrat or republican, and also any people of the world who cry out for protection,(I.E the first gulf war) freedom from tyranny(cold war conflicts) or simply to be fed (Food air drops). Not only is it my duty,It's my privilage and honor to do so. To be in the military and look down on anybody is a dishonor, I'll leave it at that before I get to upset.

I guess some people join up to serve thier country and nothing more.
I joined because I belive all people of the world deserve the right to be free, and when some crazy dictater thinks he can bully some smaller country (Irony), or some political power thing that certain members of the opposition should be " better behaved and more house broken." It's only a matter of time till thier crimes warrent an ass kicking by the USA and NATO.

Rant over/

Trench-Raider wrote:
Of course on the political sites I tend to by default doubt any leftist who claims a military background. Now don't get me wrong. In the US about 20-25% of all adult males have served in some branch of the armed forces. Liberals certainly do serve. Statisticly speaking they have to in at least some number. For example that idiot Markos Moulitsas who runs Daily KoS is former military. But by in large leftists are very much in the minority in (at least the US) military. The voting record of the military bears this out as does my own personal experiences. The leftist world view with it's hatred for authority and rules is not very compatable with military service..especially career service. So of course on this particular blog we check into the story of any new lefty that shows up claiming a military background. In nine out of ten cases we catch them lying. Oddly enough they almost always claim to be former airforce. make of that what you will...

Anyway, why do you think these poseurs do this?

My opinions on the matter are as follows.
On a non-political site (for instance if someone on Dakka got caught trying this) I suspect that most of these poseurs are doing some sort of wish fufilment/Wanna be/Walter Mitty thing. But on political sites I think it's almost always a trolling/deception thing. The guys we have busted over at the political blogs are all trolls who's obvious purpose is to disrupt and cause trouble and all of them are left wingers. I have yet to see one of our better behaved, more house broken liberals try this. They know that most Right wingers respect and admire military members and they think that pretending to be one will give them some degree of respect and credibility. But it backfires. when they get caught (and they almost always do) it completely destroys any credibility they may have. About anything. Many leave in shame when busted...or at least make a new sock puppet account. One of the sites I moderate at, I go so far as to ban people who get caught pulling this stunt. I consider it to be prima facia evidence of troll status.

So what do you lot think about this?

TR

What I want to know is, do you simply background check anyone who disagrees with you, or
are there other signs that trigger the check?

Orkeosaurus wrote:I the left-wingers hate authority so much, why are they the ones that want to make fried food illegal?

Because 'left wingers hate authority' is a silly generalisation, with absolutely no value in politcal commentary at any level. The 'left wing' is very diverse, for every anarchist campaigning for the end of the ruling class, there's a economic authoritarian arguing for state control of major assets. The idea that 'the left' is some uniform political movement that can be given as broad a description as 'hates authority' is very, very silly.

It's about as silly as saying they all want to make fried food illegal.


But on the general topic, I've been in forums where people have made up details, and a lot of the time its military details. A lot of people, especially geeks, feel like something is a little true if they tell it to other people. They want to be badass ex-special forces with totally hot girlfriends and dreamcars, so they tell everyone that. Other people laugh, dude gets pissed off and flames out and the world moves on. I've also seen people claim all kinds of qualifications they obviously didn't have; PHDs in history when they couldn't form sentences, I saw one guy claim a degree in middle eastern studies that kept saying Iran was an Arab nation. Just all false appeals to authority. I guess if someone feels they 'know' something to be true, they don't really care how they get someone else to believe it. Or something, at the end of the day it's the internet and you just expect other people are going to be ridiculous.

I don't know how many threads on copyrights keep going on with people arguing that Janthkin (an actual IP lawyer) is wrong about something. Actual experts can cite sources, show their work, and often are less absolute in their opinions than poseurs.

The op, as far as I can see, is saying some people pretend to be military - they are lame, and leftist people are full of HATE HATE HATE!

Pretending to be military is obviously lame. I'm not sure if it is really those on the left who are full of hate, at least in this thread it's not what I'm seeing.