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Fine Gael bots on Boards

  • 05-12-2019 2:40pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,013 ✭✭✭✭


    ...
    Post edited by Shield on


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,055 ✭✭✭JohnnyFlash


    Dude, your username is the name of the Taoiseach’s partner, and you’ve an almost worrying obsession with FG and its machinations.

    I’d say the best feedback you could be given is to stop getting so worked up about this stuff.

    The idea that there would be organised groups of FG posters on a site like boards is far-fetched at best. And especially in such a cesspit of a forum like Current Affairs. People support different parties and policies than you do. That’s life my man.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,013 ✭✭✭✭James Brown


    Dude, your username is the name of the Taoiseach’s partner, and you’ve an almost worrying obsession with FG and its machinations.

    I’d say the best feedback you could be given is to stop getting so worked up about this stuff.

    The idea that there would be organised groups of FG posters on a site like boards is far-fetched at best. And especially in such a cesspit of a forum like Current Affairs. People support different parties and policies than you do. That’s life my man.

    Johnny, I want to discuss bots not FG policy. Thanks.
    I wear my views on my sleeve you've not dug up anything hidden. As you say just look at my signature.

    Now, can we get back to bots? Did you read the OP, "If folk like or dislike policies, grand stuff, lets talk about it"?

    The bots destroy any genuine debate IMO. You go in to discuss the latest news items and the team come in and try to pull distraction and whatabout. That's tiresome. You know this to be true. Some of the number had the original Bailey thread closed. Remember that? Johnny?
    Bots are not genuine posters.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,616 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    What do you mean by bots?

    People who are active members of the Fine Gael party who have instantiated themselves into the community?
    Fine Gael voters who are standing by their party?
    Something more automated/AI driven (i.e. not real people?!)

    Can you provide examples?


  • Moderators, Politics Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,269 Mod ✭✭✭✭Chips Lovell


    I can only speak for the Politics forum.

    We'd define "bots" as people being paid or volunteering to push a co-ordinated political message onto the forum. When we find these types of accounts we'd usually permanently ban them immediately and delete their posts. Most of the time, they only last a few hours.

    Virtually all of the bot accounts we've banned, in my time in Politics at least, appear to be come from Russia-backed operations. We've yet to find evidence of any bot-type contributions sponsored by Irish political parties. We have, on occasion, received reported posts where people mistook genuine posters for bots.

    If anyone suspects an account to be a bot, please report the post and we'll investigate.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,013 ✭✭✭✭James Brown


    Mr E wrote: »
    What do you mean by bots?

    People who are active members of the Fine Gael party who have instantiated themselves into the community?
    Fine Gael voters who are standing by their party?
    Something more automated/AI driven (i.e. not real people?!)

    Can you provide examples?

    People who post against the opinions they are told to post using the same terminology and key words we see in the media coming from the FG party, often the day before we see them coming from the party.
    People who only ever try to divert or shut down discussion on a daily basis who never offer an opinion or attempt to discuss the topic at hand. Trolls, trolling for FG, bots.

    We had a Maria Bailey thread shut down in Current Affairs due to the actions of four FG bots IMO.

    Can I? I'd need quote posters.
    I can supply quotes from the past few days which contain the same key words and views Leo and FG are cited saying the next day in the press.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,013 ✭✭✭✭James Brown


    I can only speak for the Politics forum.

    We'd define "bots" as people being paid or volunteering to push a co-ordinated political message onto the forum. When we find these types of accounts we'd usually permanently ban them immediately and delete their posts. Most of the time, they only last a few hours.

    Virtually all of the bot accounts we've banned, in my time in Politics at least, appear to be come from Russia-backed operations. We've yet to find evidence of any bot-type contributions sponsored by Irish political parties. We have, on occasion, received reported posts where people mistook genuine posters for bots.

    If anyone suspects an account to be a bot, please report the post and we'll investigate.

    I've flagged the same few time and again for trolling. They will gang up on any poster with a style akin to that which I just described above. I find the policing in Politics to be woeful quite frankly. I've a thread in here regarding being called a liar multiple times with no Mod action. Only Hullabaloo and myself posted in it.


  • Moderators, Politics Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,269 Mod ✭✭✭✭Chips Lovell


    I've flagged the same few time and again for trolling. They will gang up on any poster with a style akin to that which I just described above.

    On the off chance that I missed any of these reported posts, please PM me a list of names and I'll double check.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,616 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    I searched the reported posts forum for the word "bot". 84 occurances, none from Matt Barrett, and none in CA/IMHO or Politics.
    One mention in Politics Café 4 years ago.

    If you report some, we can investigate.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,013 ✭✭✭✭James Brown


    On the off chance that I missed any of these reported posts, please PM me a list of names and I'll double check.

    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058021718

    Will do, this is in current affairs and politics, more so current affairs.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,013 ✭✭✭✭James Brown


    Mr E wrote: »
    I searched the reported posts forum for the word "bot". 84 occurances, none from Matt Barrett, and none in CA/IMHO or Politics.
    One mention in Politics Café 4 years ago.

    If you report some, we can investigate.

    It would be for trolling, when I thought they were independent trolls. You'll find a lot for trolling.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,016 ✭✭✭PeadarCo


    It would be for trolling, when I thought they were independent trolls. You'll find a lot for trolling.

    I think you have got to be very careful calling anyone here bots. I know for some one like yourself the idea that anyone could support FG or any of their policies is unbelievable. However given FGs support based on opinion polls you would expect to find posters with those views on the site. That's if boards is anyway representative of the Irish public. A good example would be the Brexit thread where the overwhelming amount of posters are anti brexit which is something you would expect given that given that boards is an Irish site and how most Irish people view the EU. Are all pro and anti EU posters bots? Just because you dislike an opinion you can't call a person a bot.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,013 ✭✭✭✭James Brown


    PeadarCo wrote: »
    I think you have got to be very careful calling anyone here bots. I know for some one like yourself the idea that anyone could support FG or any of their policies is unbelievable. However given FGs support based on opinion polls you would expect to find posters with those views on the site. That's if boards is anyway representative of the Irish public. A good example would be the Brexit thread where the overwhelming amount of posters are anti brexit which is something you would expect given that given that boards is an Irish site and how most Irish people view the EU. Are all pro and anti EU posters bots? Just because you dislike an opinion you can't call a person a bot.

    Not named anybody. Most folk would have their idea of who is or isn't.

    No you are wrong. Did you read the OP? I've voted FG before and I know FG supporters in 3D. This isn't about policy it's about accounts being used to divert and close down discussion.
    It's rampant right now.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,016 ✭✭✭PeadarCo


    Not named anybody. Most folk would have their idea of who is or isn't.

    No you are wrong. Did you read the OP? I've voted FG before and I know FG supporters in 3D. This isn't about policy it's about accounts being used to divert and close down discussion.
    It's rampant right now.

    Yes I read it and I don't see what you are talking about. I'm a regular reader of the politics forum and semi regular poster. I don't see what your seeing. Now that could be purely to my inherent biases when reading threads. However the reverse is also true. You own views could equally be colouring your perception.

    Personally I think the mods in politics do a good job. The Brexit threads where most of my recent posting has been are a case in point. You still have pro brexit posters which given the Irish nature of this site is never going to be a popular opinion. It would be very easy for those posters to be drowned out.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,013 ✭✭✭✭James Brown


    PeadarCo wrote: »
    Yes I read it and I don't see what you are talking about. I'm a regular reader of the politics forum and semi regular poster. I don't see what your seeing. Now that could be purely to my inherent biases when reading threads. However the reverse is also true. You own views could equally be colouring your perception.

    Personally I think the mods in politics do a good job. The Brexit threads where most of my recent posting has been are a case in point. You still have pro brexit posters which given the Irish nature of this site is never going to be a popular opinion. It would be very easy for those posters to be drowned out.

    That's fine.

    I disagree. We've trolls in there and I had one poster breach charter multiple times with no sanctions.
    I'm not here to discuss Mods, it's a thankless job and they have other priorities in life.
    I'm asking Boards.ie to look into FG trolls/Bots. I've submitted accounts.
    If you don't see a problem, great. No worries.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,616 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    @Matt - I reviewed your reported posts since Monday. Some were actioned (yellow cards), but some weren't actionable.

    There are posts where people claim you are posting nonsense, or people say you want 100,000 social houses built in D1 and D2 (for example).

    These posts are not actionable. If people call you out on what you post, the onus is on you to refute their claims/allegations.

    As mods, there is nothing we can do about those posts. They might be mildly antagonistic, but they are not trolling or abusive (and in fairness, you give as good as you get!)


  • Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 78,456 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    So OP, you seem keen to participate in FG bashing threads - are you a "bot"? Is that why you started this thread?

    Indeed, from what I've seen in CA, there is a lot more FG-bashing going on than anyone supporting them

    Of course, as the party in power that's to be expected to some extent.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,013 ✭✭✭✭James Brown


    Beasty wrote: »
    So OP, you seem keen to participate in FG bashing threads - are you a "bot"? Is that why you started this thread?

    Indeed, from what I've seen in CA, there is a lot more FG-bashing going on than anyone supporting them

    Of course, as the party in power that's to be expected to some extent.

    No, not bashing. I am keen on an issue of policy when deserved. I gave Simon a nod for his Gaza plans the other day. I always have a point of policy I'm discussing.
    So I raise a query ask Boards to look into it and you try pull the old switcharoo, nice. I'm not against any pro FG policy persons who will discuss FG policy or news items.

    Again, you misunderstand. Look at the posts discussing a topic as compared to those trying to divert or in some cases play the man not the ball.

    Yes. I've raised that myself, as the party in power it is to be expected. If they are replaced by FF, you will see my attentions move away from FG, like my vote and support for Labour.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,013 ✭✭✭✭James Brown


    Mr E wrote: »
    @Matt - I reviewed your reported posts since Monday. Some were actioned (yellow cards), but some weren't actionable.

    There are posts where people claim you are posting nonsense, or people say you want 100,000 social houses built in D1 and D2 (for example).

    These posts are not actionable. If people call you out on what you post, the onus is on you to refute their claims/allegations.

    As mods, there is nothing we can do about those posts. They might be mildly antagonistic, but they are not trolling or abusive (and in fairness, you give as good as you get!)

    Thanks for taking the time.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,365 ✭✭✭✭McMurphy


    Hands up, I operate a bot account, but it's not on here - it's on a telegram channel I run for my customers, it's a fairly easy thing to do, it has numerous stock responses (will greet new members to the channel etc) and will ban users who spam etc (by asking the same questions over and over and over again)

    I don't think these are the kind of bots being referred to in the OP, not literally anyway.

    No, I think the OP may be referring to the numerous posters on boards who appear like someone said beetle juice X 3, any time a fg booboo or a minister or TD gets caught with their hands in the cookie jar, and they swarm en masse into a thread and appear to all be singing off the same hymn sheet with the same scripts.

    Now I'm not accusing them of operating sock puppet accounts, or operating from the SCU, but there's definitely a strong vibe that they're operating in unison in concerted efforts to distract, deflect and obstruct threads.

    Many actually have "no opinion" on the thread subject, they'll just tell you they're posting in the thread to take potshots at those who are contributing to the thread.

    Little rascals they are. I just have the craic calling out their nonsense. They too easily expose themselves as the gombeens they are with their hypocritical nonsense.


  • Moderators, Politics Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,269 Mod ✭✭✭✭Chips Lovell


    On the off chance that I missed any of these reported posts, please PM me a list of names and I'll double check.
    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058021718

    Will do, this is in current affairs and politics, more so current affairs.

    Hi Matt,
    Thanks for the PM. I've had a chance to look at it this evening. Of the seven user names you gave me, four have never posted in Politics, so I'm unfamiliar with them.

    With regard to the other three, I'm satisfied that none of them are bots.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,013 ✭✭✭✭James Brown


    Hi Matt,
    Thanks for the PM. I've had a chance to look at it this evening. Of the seven user names you gave me, four have never posted in Politics, so I'm unfamiliar with them.

    With regard to the other three, I'm satisfied that none of them are bots.


    I challenge you to find one opinion ever from contestant number one. Seriously one opinion ever on any politics or current affairs thread.

    The final late entrant is a troll of the highest order.

    Anyway, thanks again.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,616 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    Send me the list too please, Matt. I'd like to check them out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,166 ✭✭✭Fr_Dougal


    Did someone not say that they were sent a PM from a FG member in error? Think this was over in CA. I believe Beasty closed the thread afterwards.

    Might be worth looking into that to see if it was genuine.

    Edit: actually it was Johnny above, here’s the thread: https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=111827690


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,817 ✭✭✭Raconteuse


    It used to be believed that there were Sinn Fein bots/shills too.

    I don't get it - why must "They're supportive of a party I personally could never support" automatically = "bot"?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,817 ✭✭✭Raconteuse


    Fr_Dougal wrote: »
    Did someone not say that they were sent a PM from a FG member in error? Think this was over in CA. I believe Beasty closed the thread afterwards.

    Might be worth looking into that to see if it was genuine.

    Edit: actually it was Johnny above, here’s the thread: https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=111827690
    That was just someone messing. See Prison.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,166 ✭✭✭Fr_Dougal


    Raconteuse wrote: »
    That was just someone messing. See Prison.

    That’s gas. Pity a note wasn’t put on the closed thread.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    wouldnt like to speculate as to whether im one of our boy's bots, but if i may quote my own goodself (which absolutely ought be a yellow card, admittedly) on what would appear to be a relevant train of thought:

    https://touch.boards.ie/thread/2058035734/29/#post111934493


    OP thinks that anyone who takes issue with constant govt-bashing is therefore a govt bot, i think.

    id suggest this shows a fairly limited perspective.

    as pointed out, the govt is actually representative of yknow quite a few ppl.

    and furthermore, quite a few others do react to the same logins posting, dare i say it, what could just as easily be portrayed as party political statements and coordinated attacks on any and every action of govt.

    if one behaviour is evidence of bots........then surely so is the other?

    anyway, thread is ... amusing, if its not out of line to say so.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,055 ✭✭✭JohnnyFlash


    Raconteuse wrote: »
    That was just someone messing. See Prison.

    That was pretty funny in fairness.

    https://touch.boards.ie/thread/2058032754


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,779 ✭✭✭✭osarusan


    I don't see much difference between those stridently defending them and those stridently attacking them.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,678 ✭✭✭✭EmmetSpiceland


    And what of the ubiquitous “shinnerbots”, M? Will you be looking to purge them from the system too?

    As for trolling, your username is trolling, and a rather creepy one at that, and you repeatedly call the electorate “idiots”, or at least you imply that they are, because they don’t see things as narrow-mindedly, or as simplistically, as you, yourself, do.

    As for getting a, somewhat, “popular” thread shutdown, something I, myself, was accused of having a hand in, you, and your group, were posting round the clock to keep the thread on the first page of the forum. When the story dried up you then posted links to any old insurance story and even resorted to moaning about car insurance renewals.

    People aren’t always going to agree with you, M, even if you think you’re right. I don’t know if you indulge in smoking of those marijuana “cigarettes” but, if you do, I would suggest you lay off them for awhile. This thread smacks of paranoid delusions and “jumping” at shadows.

    Also, I should add, people aren’t always going to like you but when you’re starting out using the “username” you have you’re already starting inciting others against you.

    But you already know that.

    “It is not blood that makes you Irish but a willingness to be part of the Irish nation” - Thomas Davis



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,365 ✭✭✭✭McMurphy


    And what of the ubiquitous “shinnerbots”, M? Will you be looking to purge them from the system too?

    As for trolling, your username is trolling, and a rather creepy one at that, and you repeatedly call the electorate “idiots”, or at least you imply that they are, because they don’t see things as narrow-mindedly, or as simplistically, as you, yourself, do.

    As for getting a, somewhat, “popular” thread shutdown, something I, myself, was accused of having a hand in, you, and your group, were posting round the clock to keep the thread on the first page of the forum. When the story dried up you then posted links to any old insurance story and even resorted to moaning about car insurance renewals.

    People aren’t always going to agree with you, M, even if you think you’re right. I don’t know if you indulge in smoking of those marijuana “cigarettes” but, if you do, I would suggest you lay off them for awhile. This thread smacks of paranoid delusions and “jumping” at shadows.

    Also, I should add, people aren’t always going to like you but when you’re starting out using the “username” you have you’re already starting inciting others against you.

    But you already know that.



    Funny you should say that.

    What was the point in you posting stuff like this ?

    Gotta ask.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,030 ✭✭✭Jinglejangle69


    Bots?

    I thought shinnerbots is a term banned in boards yet the OP is allowed start a thread titled FG bots?

    If anyone thinks FG have people working in the current affairs well they would want to get their money back as It’s not working.

    All it is is about 10 people rounding up on anyone who dares put an argument forward for FG.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 143 ✭✭Ready4Boarding


    If anyone thinks FG have people working in the current affairs well they would want to get their money back as It’s not working.

    Same applies to FG’s supposed “spin unit”. What you see from religiously on-message Conservatives in the UK puts paid to any idea that FG are master practitioners in the art of spin.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,521 ✭✭✭✭blanch152


    And what of the ubiquitous “shinnerbots”, M? Will you be looking to purge them from the system too?

    As for trolling, your username is trolling, and a rather creepy one at that, and you repeatedly call the electorate “idiots”, or at least you imply that they are, because they don’t see things as narrow-mindedly, or as simplistically, as you, yourself, do.

    As for getting a, somewhat, “popular” thread shutdown, something I, myself, was accused of having a hand in, you, and your group, were posting round the clock to keep the thread on the first page of the forum. When the story dried up you then posted links to any old insurance story and even resorted to moaning about car insurance renewals.

    People aren’t always going to agree with you, M, even if you think you’re right. I don’t know if you indulge in smoking of those marijuana “cigarettes” but, if you do, I would suggest you lay off them for awhile. This thread smacks of paranoid delusions and “jumping” at shadows.

    Also, I should add, people aren’t always going to like you but when you’re starting out using the “username” you have you’re already starting inciting others against you.

    But you already know that.


    His username is more than a little creepy. In my opinion, it is borderline homophobic.

    Why would a poster adopt the username of the Taoiseach's partner and then spend their time with every second post having a go at "Leo" or "Eoghan" other than to be drawing attention to the Taoiseach's sexuality? And for what reason?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 945 ✭✭✭Colonel Claptrap


    Hands down most entertaining thread of 2019.

    I'd love to see the list.

    Has the FG-bot HQ photo been posted yet? I haven't seen it in a while.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,817 ✭✭✭Raconteuse


    osarusan wrote: »
    I don't see much difference between those stridently defending them and those stridently attacking them.
    Exactly. Is the OP an oppositionbot? By their own logic they are.

    Any time there's a cycling or religion or abortion discussion on e.g. After Hours, the same heads appear, and aren't anywhere as involved on other threads. It's just that they're extremely defensive about the matter in question (just like those with an opposing view).

    Some of the anti FG folk get bizarrely enraged over a fairly moderate, mediocre party. I don't think Varadkar is an effective leader but the problems were around long before him, and even before Enda Kenny. And often the best they can come up with to explain their rage is mentioning a group of people in the 1930s.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,013 ✭✭✭✭James Brown


    Raconteuse wrote: »
    It used to be believed that there were Sinn Fein bots/shills too.

    I don't get it - why must "They're supportive of a party I personally could never support" automatically = "bot"?

    Yeah, if that were the OP, but it's not.
    Folk who attack and generally have no alternative opinion and often preempt the official FG party line the day before the media report it, that's the issue. There are many FG supporters who will debate with you.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,013 ✭✭✭✭James Brown


    Raconteuse wrote: »
    That was just someone messing. See Prison.

    If you believe him.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,013 ✭✭✭✭James Brown


    wouldnt like to speculate as to whether im one of our boy's bots, but if i may quote my own goodself (which absolutely ought be a yellow card, admittedly) on what would appear to be a relevant train of thought:

    https://touch.boards.ie/thread/2058035734/29/#post111934493


    OP thinks that anyone who takes issue with constant govt-bashing is therefore a govt bot, i think.

    id suggest this shows a fairly limited perspective.

    as pointed out, the govt is actually representative of yknow quite a few ppl.

    and furthermore, quite a few others do react to the same logins posting, dare i say it, what could just as easily be portrayed as party political statements and coordinated attacks on any and every action of govt.

    if one behaviour is evidence of bots........then surely so is the other?

    anyway, thread is ... amusing, if its not out of line to say so.

    If people only come in to attack and cite the FG party line, I'd be suspicious.
    If certain folk never offer an opinion but attack and divert off topic while citing FG party line, I'd be more suspicious.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,013 ✭✭✭✭James Brown


    And what of the ubiquitous “shinnerbots”, M? Will you be looking to purge them from the system too?

    As for trolling, your username is trolling, and a rather creepy one at that, and you repeatedly call the electorate “idiots”, or at least you imply that they are, because they don’t see things as narrow-mindedly, or as simplistically, as you, yourself, do.

    As for getting a, somewhat, “popular” thread shutdown, something I, myself, was accused of having a hand in, you, and your group, were posting round the clock to keep the thread on the first page of the forum. When the story dried up you then posted links to any old insurance story and even resorted to moaning about car insurance renewals.

    People aren’t always going to agree with you, M, even if you think you’re right. I don’t know if you indulge in smoking of those marijuana “cigarettes” but, if you do, I would suggest you lay off them for awhile. This thread smacks of paranoid delusions and “jumping” at shadows.

    Also, I should add, people aren’t always going to like you but when you’re starting out using the “username” you have you’re already starting inciting others against you.

    But you already know that.

    Why don't you start your own thread rather than, see OP.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,013 ✭✭✭✭James Brown


    Bots?

    I thought shinnerbots is a term banned in boards yet the OP is allowed start a thread titled FG bots?

    If anyone thinks FG have people working in the current affairs well they would want to get their money back as It’s not working.

    All it is is about 10 people rounding up on anyone who dares put an argument forward for FG.

    You're new, maybe over time you'll change your tune, but re-read the op.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,013 ✭✭✭✭James Brown


    blanch152 wrote: »
    His username is more than a little creepy. In my opinion, it is borderline homophobic.

    Why would a poster adopt the username of the Taoiseach's partner and then spend their time with every second post having a go at "Leo" or "Eoghan" other than to be drawing attention to the Taoiseach's sexuality? And for what reason?

    I wouldn't rate a personal attack as an opinion myself Blanch.
    See this would be trolling, personal attack, diverting off topic and offering no opinion on topic, to me. Not saying you fit the op perfectly by any means. Go Greens!

    FYI: 2 months and 3 weeks since I used 'Eoghan' ;)


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    If people only come in to attack and cite the FG party line, I'd be suspicious.
    If certain folk never offer an opinion but attack and divert off topic while citing FG party line, I'd be more suspicious.

    its been pointed out throughout that you- and many more like ya- are exactly the same or worse in your one-eyedness of analysis and one-notedness of message.

    if one group is allowed to hold beliefs and have their own set of triggers, irritants or crank issues, then so are the other.

    behoves no individual amongst either group, and look i think its fair comment to note that many would peg your goodself as such, to demand that mods declare that one behaviour is a conspiracy (remember: majority party of government, not some noise-above-impact rowdy set) and one behaviour is matt and the biyiz just having a completely normal one.

    it wont wash.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,055 ✭✭✭JohnnyFlash


    6 posts in a row isn’t a good look.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    6 posts in a row isn’t a good look.

    7 if you know that im one of his logins

    NOTE: not a serious post


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,521 ✭✭✭✭blanch152


    I wouldn't rate a personal attack as an opinion myself Blanch.
    See this would be trolling, personal attack, diverting off topic and offering no opinion on topic, to me. Not saying you fit the op perfectly by any means. Go Greens!

    FYI: 2 months and 3 weeks since I used 'Eoghan' ;)

    An opinion that a particular username is borderline homophobic is an opinion.

    You might take that personally, but that doesn't make it a personal attack, neither does it detract from it being an opinion. If someone had the username "Kill all gays", I would hold the opinion that that would definitely be a homophobic username and again, that is not a personal attack on the poster.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,013 ✭✭✭✭James Brown


    its been pointed out throughout that you- and many more like ya- are exactly the same or worse in your one-eyedness of analysis and one-notedness of message.

    if one group is allowed to hold beliefs and have their own set of triggers, irritants or crank issues, then so are the other.

    behoves no individual amongst either group, and look i think its fair comment to note that many would peg your goodself as such, to demand that mods declare that one behaviour is a conspiracy (remember: majority party of government, not some noise-above-impact rowdy set) and one behaviour is matt and the biyiz just having a completely normal one.

    it wont wash.

    It's about discussion and trying to close down discussion often with personal attack. Varied opinions are welcomed by me.
    6 posts in a row isn’t a good look.

    What's your problem, why feel the need to post that?
    Is it worst than your nothing contribution?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,521 ✭✭✭✭blanch152


    Yeah, if that were the OP, but it's not.
    Folk who attack and generally have no alternative opinion and often preempt the official FG party line the day before the media report it, that's the issue. There are many FG supporters who will debate with you.


    I happen to see it a bit differently.

    Say, a poster happens along and starts a thread saying that Fine Gael are wasting €1 billion a year on TD's pay and expenses and it's a disgrace.

    I might come along and say, well actually, it's more like €20-25m for TD's pay and post a link to back up my statement. OP counters that I am only attacking him and not offering an opinion and what's my opinion on the crazy waste of money on TD's pay.

    [Note: these are not real figures, just for illustrative purposes]

    Now, I am under no obligation to offer an opinion on the OP's crazy conspiracy theory other than to point out the absurd factual basis of the OP. I might well share the OP's opinion, or I might not, but in my view, if people are going around posting unsubstantiated facts such as €1bn is wasted on TD's pay or "Nobody has owned a free/subsidised house ever in the history of the state", then I do feel, that for the debate to at least be based on facts, the record needs to be corrected.

    It is not possible for the mods to clamp down on every factual misstatement, and there are many, but there is nothing wrong with other posters pointing out where a poster has got their facts completely wrong, especially when those other posters provide links to back up their statements. That doesn't require them to subsequently post an opinion on the subject, all they are doing is correcting the record.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,016 ✭✭✭PeadarCo


    It's about discussion and trying to close down discussion often with personal attack. Varied opinions are welcomed by me.

    If varied opinions are welcomed why the thread?

    As others have mentioned if FG are employing people they are doing a terrible job given the number of threads criticising them on both CA and politics. That's to a large degree that's expected given they are the party in government and have held that position for a long time.

    Calling people who support/defend FG policies bots is asking for an echo chamber. Remember they even now based on opinion polls attract a substantial amount of support. You would expect a considerable amount of poster's posting in their defence as a result.

    As I mentioned in a previous post one of the achievements of the mods in politics that they have created an environment where pro brexit posters can still post. It would be very easy for pro brexit posters to be hounded out of the threads.

    What you seem to be calling for is FG supporters to be banned from the various threads. I would be fairly confident that any genuine bots of any party/belief would be picked up by mods and actioned.


  • Moderators, Politics Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,269 Mod ✭✭✭✭Chips Lovell


    I challenge you to find one opinion ever from contestant number one. Seriously one opinion ever on any politics or current affairs thread.

    The final late entrant is a troll of the highest order.

    Anyway, thanks again.

    At the risk of repeating myself, I see no evidence whatsoever that any of those three people are FG bots.

    If you don't agree with me, MR. E has also offered to review the list. As an Admin, he can overrule any assessment I make as a Politics mod and can also look at posters site wide.


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