Given that we trolls only succeed in making ourselves look stupid why on earth would someone pay us to do that?

To attempt to discredit the critics of right-wing propagandists, or at least to obfuscate the issues. Any rejoinder against GG, for example, tends to take his credibility down a bit, no matter how wrongheaded it's shown to be. The point is to get that smear in - and try to make it stick.

Oh, and as long as I'm trolling anyway I would like to get paid for it.

Join right-wing groups and be vocal. They'll find you. If they really like you, you can get a job rigging elections, which pays better than posting on boards.

But beware. Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.

It sounds kind of mean. Have you ever fallen for it?

I probably did early on but I've honestly forgotten.

But I cut my teeth on usenet which makes Salon look like Sesame Street.

It helps if you have critically examined your own beliefs, it's much harder to bait someone when they know the basis for what they think.

The best targets for trolling are those who have closely held but basically irrational beliefs. Drug warriors and fundies are my favorite targets.

If you can find them, right wing talk show hosts are a troll's wet dream. Closely held irrational beliefs combined with a huge ego make for very entertaining trolling. I've only had that good fortune twice though.

I'm nowhere near pedal to the metal, in fact I'm trying to play nice. ;-)

And walter map, fighting against the dark side just ain't payin' the bills, of which I have a legion.

I disagree that every attack makes Glenn's credibility less, in fact I think a successfully parried attack makes one's credibility stronger.

That's why O'Loofah's credibility is zilch, he couldn't parry an attack to save his scrofulous hide. Shut up, cut his mike! is about his speed when challenged.

[to "Prof" Smith]: Please do not make the error of assigning academic acumen based on conversational language.

Indeed. Very sage advice. Just ask "PW" and "novirtue". ;-)

Cheers,

Sorry, I forgot to explain the other terms, too.

"Village" is one term (there are many others) used in/on the blogosphere to describe the M$M (shorthand for MainstreamMedia), in particular the beltway press corps and its cozy relationship with the current administration.

Not everyone likes that term. Some prefer "Versailles," which I believe was coined by a regular in these threads, one of the Pauls (R or D), or Arne L. The courtier aspects of that metaphor have a lot of appeal. You'll see a lot of variations, though. Probably a virtual linguist could determine a person's "home" blog according to some of the terms they use. It may have been Sally Quinn (correct me if I'm wrong, someone) who first coined the "Village" as a name for DC, its regular (elite) inhabitants, including the press.

"Bebop-o" is a singular treasure. Just wait until someone comes along and criticizes either Bebop-o directly, or Glenn, indirectly, for allowing him to post. His posse will appear and 'splain it all to the unsuspecting person.

The person who was citing the 16:1 ratio was a specialist in TBI, who, along with others in his field, had put together training and SOP for dealing with brain injury at field hospitals in Iraq. I believe they also contribute to expertise on rehabilitation, and to a lesser degree, on cognitive disorders (e.g. PTSD) but mostly on organic brain damage.

It's possible to be tranquil as a lighthouse here with all the diversity in this garden. Look at a raging sea. It is like,

People are restless with a sad and mysterious fear.

As bystander pointed to 'one' of many, Oh, an Alert!

Do sense there are sick and loathsome 'ones' here.

There are some who refuse to speak truthful words.

In constant fear, a life is wasted in perplexity.

Be leary of those who pour tragedy in your heart.

They drag a baggage load, and lead to a dark way.

Seal their false message in a jar, and caste away.

~

Any friend of Chris Floyd is my friend. He lead here.

We are only aiming to be true-humans from morn to dark?

Hope. Light. Love. It's everywhere. That's very important.

King's response is a bit over the top and suggests he, himself feels there is some credibility to the critique.

"The lady doth protest too much".

As a lawyer, also, I recognize not wanting to address the issues raised, so you make up your own questions and then provide the convenient answers as Mr. King did in his rant back to you. In my humble opinion Mr. King knows that a sore nerve was touched and responded as when all sore nerves are touched: hysterical screaming.

CNN has taken a decidedly sharp turn to the right in the last year. If anyone has any doubts, listen to Lou Dobbs' racist rants and then note that CNN moved him to the more prestigous 7:00 PM prime time slot.

Glenn Greenwald,

You must concede that you made a mistake when you said, “…these are all of the "questions" he asked…”

You didn’t confirm that those were the only questions he asked.

You should confess that in an update.

Nevertheless, the four questions that you did quote were indeed damning, especially at a time of war and government lawbreaking.

And his resort to ad hominem attacks exposed his lack of real ammunition.

I'm nowhere near pedal to the metal

Figured as much.
'kay, cloaking device back on.
Later.

It was disingenuous of you to suggest that the person who posted some variation of "When you can, do; when you can't, teach" is reflective of the comments to this essay. It was singularly shallow, and we ignored it. You, on the other hand, used it to impugn the entire readership. That alone speaks of your journalism credentials.

And are you kidding about being outraged at having your credentials questioned by Nequals1? That was a serious request and a smart, thoughtful letter. Again, what kind of journalist...?

But you are a troll, yes, so I've been taken in? sigh.