And while I understand that “troll” has a complex and rich linguistic history, I’m surprised you have a hard time spotting serial thread-shitters (these types are often but not always the same thing, I admit).

Seems to me the term is thrown around way too freely these days, but that’s probably just because I’m crotchety. I lurk here much more frequently than is good for me, and post infrequently because unless I’ve got something relevant to say that hasn’t been said yet, saying nothing seems like basic good manners. For that reason, I’m usually silent when I agree with Oliver — which is often. I rarely agree with Dennis, SaveFarris, Frank or Jay Tea (where are you, Jay?) but I don’t begrudge them their points of view. In fact, I welcome their presence here. Divergent perspectives make debate possible. Without conservative commenters, this would just be an echo chamber. Boring. It’s a measure of the site’s relevance that conservatives bother to show up.

Just as boring as an echo chamber, though, is the tit-for-tat baloney that flares up whenever someone gets personal and someone else takes the bait. It’s just so easy, and so pointless, and it’s got nothing to do with politics. If you think somebody is pathetic, try exerting a modicum of restraint and keep it to yourself! Attack the argument, not the person who makes it. It’s really not that hard.

And if it is too hard, guess what? You might be a troll.

Oh really, Indeed? What is this mistake that you have some kind of overwhelming, indisputable, laughably obvious evidence for?

Please, do tell. – Dennis

Will there be a response to this from Den? No.

That was a 250 word stream of consciousness rant there. Either you’re sniffing dexatrim, or that’s at least 10 minutes. Multiply by how many posts a day? Even if you have multiple screens up, you are only focused on one. Full fucking time. It’s just WEIRD, dude. You really are doing nothing else other than this, are you.

Full-time employment Dennis. Try it some time.

Are you saying I made a mistake in claiming it wasn’t all bitter old white men that gave McDonnell the big win in VA?

Then people come on here and tell me to stop being so mean to you.

What in God’s holy name are you blathering about?

This guy fucking walks. I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life!

A person who posts comments on a blog run by someone with whom they generally agree is not a troll.

To break it down all nice and simple like, if I spent twelve hours a day monitoring a conservative site I’d be as pathetic as you. And nobody is as pathetic as you.