ATS infestation with paid political trolls

a reply to: abe froman

It seems to happen every major election cycle. Its still not as bad as 2008, to my recollection. Some of those are still here.

a reply to: vor78

It's just a sign of the times. The political environment is so toxic right now, but I still see regulars who would normally bash each other in political forums getting along in entertainment and conspiracy forums and not bringing the # with them.

For the most part I think it's been relegated to the political forums, which is obviously expected during election season.

I've been seeing a hell of a lot of political newies focusing on agenda against politicians and a worrying number of Pro Muslim trolls. Let me define the last bit, by Pro Muslim I mean people who start off talking about Muslims in general which is fine and then start pushing a Radical Islam agenda which is NOT fine. I could elaborate but anyone who reads my stuff knows my view on Muslims and Islam (and may be surprised).

So yes, I've seen it too.....Annoying and pointless simply because if its recognised then its not got any legs and dies there, money for old rope and painful to this community, most of us come here to try and make a point or post our feelings with a zero agenda other than to get heard and see if anyone agrees (or not), there's no pure political only cause in effect and declaring who or why you support anything isn't an issue unless its directly hateful or dangerous to anyone or is doing so to simply and only push a paid or non paid agenda.


Its a DISCUSSION forum, if you come simply to spam then PUSH OFF....

a reply to: abe froman

Huh? Pro Clinton threads infest this site? Like, really? There's only one candidate who has many pro threads and that's Trump and he also has a troll army that's far superior to Clintons, 4Chan.

a reply to: Konduit

I've mostly just been ignoring it. Although I'm absolutely certain which of these candidates I'm going to vote for, that has more to do with the opposition than anything else. I'll be walking into the voting booth holding my nose in November.

a reply to: muse7

I think they're just not used to dissent. They don't pay attention to actual progressives or actual left wing sites, so they think the center right Dems are "progressive". So when they meet actual progressives, they can't believe people can have such "radical" views, and thus, we must be paid shills.

It reminds me of the right wing echo chamber right before the 2012 Presidential election. They were predicting massive victories for Romney even though all of the non-right wing polls were showing an easy Obama reelection. So once the election came and Romney got trounced, they were temporarily shell shocked. They would've seen the writing on the wall if they would've gone outside of their comfortable little bubble.

originally posted by: abe froman
I'm talking bout an INFESTATION of paid propagandists.

Hillary's campaign calls them Digital Media Specialists.

Anyone else notice this trend or is it just me ?

If it's not just my tin foil hat leaking is there anything we can do about it ?

How do you know they're paid?

A well-run campaign would be STUPID not to take advantage of digital media.

I have noticed more left-leaning people and threads here. I find it refreshing.

What do you suggest be done about it? Is this an exclusive club? What's wrong with left-leaning people joining ATS to spread their opinions? Isn't that what we're all doing here?

a reply to: enlightenedservant

More and more you are becoming one of my favourite ATS posters

a reply to: visitedbythem

I like this one better lol

Cheers - Dave



I like your pants around your feet
And I like the dirt that's on your knees
And I like the way you still say please, while you're looking up at me
You're like my favorite damn disease

And I love the places that we go
And I love the people that you know
And I love the way you can't say "No" too many long lines in a row
I love the powder on your nose

Ouh, and now I know who you are
It wasn't that hard
Just to figure you out
Now I did, you wonder why

And now I know who you are
It wasn't that hard
Just to figure you out
Now I did, you wonder why

I like the freckles on your chest
And I like the way you like me best
And I like the way you're not impressed, while you put me to the test

I like the white stains on your dress
And I love the way you pass the check
And I love the good times that you wreck (The good times that you wreck)

And I love your lack of self respect
While you're passed out on the deck
I love my hands around your neck

Ouh and I know who you are
It wasn't that hard
Just to figure you out
Now I did, you wonder why

And I know who you are
It wasn't that hard
Just to figure you out
Now I did, you wonder why
Why not before, you never tried
Gone for good, and this is it

I like your pants around your feet
And I like the dirt that's on your knees
And I like the way you still say please, while you're looking up at me
You're like my favorite damn disease

And I hate the places that we go
And I hate the people that you know
And I hate the way you can't say "No" too many long lines in a row
I hate the powder on your nose

Ouh and now I know who you are
It wasn't that hard
Just to figure you out
Now I did, you wonder why

And now I know who you are
It wasn't that hard
Just to figure you out
Now I did, you wonder why
Why not before, you never tried
Gone for good, and this is it
Ooh

originally posted by: Orionx2
I have noticed 4 specific posters that are anti-trump and pro-Hillary. They piggy back each other and always deflect while blaming other of deflecting. It is ridiculously obvious. I don't now if the owners ATS are making alts to cause confrontation or if these are legitimate paid shills of the campaigns. Either way I know who they are and never bother to engage them. Unfortunately others do.

If your on ATS and your Pro-Hilary you can't be denying ignorance very much........Hilary on the CFR.


The CFR on Trump

Max Boot, an influential conservative at the Council on Foreign Relations, said the Orlando tragedy “could have provided an opening for Trump to rally Republicans against terrorism.” But instead, Boot said, Trump has been “partisan and petty.”

Boot criticized Trump for suggesting on Monday that President Barack Obama may sympathize with radicalized Muslims and for reviving the proposed Muslim ban. “His performance has been in character,” Boot said, “which is to say appalling.”

Trump has alarmed some mainstream Republicans with vows to shred international trade deals, his demands that Mexico pay for a border wall and his questioning of U.S. foreign policy pillars such as its security commitments to NATO and Asian allies.

originally posted by: NewzNose
a reply to: IAMTAT

He/she who smelled it, delt it?

LOL...says the smell tester with the new nose.

a reply to: Mclaneinc

So yes, I've seen it too.....Annoying and pointless simply because if its recognised then its not got any legs and dies there, money for old rope and painful to this community, most of us come here to try and make a point or post our feelings with a zero agenda other than to get heard and see if anyone agrees (or not), there's no pure political only cause in effect and declaring who or why you support anything isn't an issue unless its directly hateful or dangerous to anyone.

Most of the regulars on ATS pretty much already know how the more vocal of our clan feel on most of the trigger topics. Any conversation that takes place, is more of an attempt to prove that you are right, and your fellow ATSers should agree with you, or they are wrong or unacceptable in some nasty way.

The paid trolls are not here to convince the vocal majority. They too realize that the vocal majority here would prefer death to concession. They are here to win over the lurkers. The ones that have not made up their minds and are looking for answers. This is what makes them dangerous.

I used to become so frustrated when I tried to share my little two cents worth, just to have my words twisted and used against me, pushing an agenda that never even crossed my mind. Until it began clear that some members, and almost all of the trolls, had no interest in civil discussion. They are on a mission and can become rabid in their attacks against anyone that does not parrot their sentiment. They often attack in groups, and have silenced a good many of those that would otherwise bring a reasonable argument. Which should be welcomed, not attacked.

The number of No Go threads that are growing across ATS is rapidly changing the landscape. Many have been complaining about this for a long time now. The deterioration is now becoming noticeable, and the weeds are becoming obvious.

originally posted by: Orionx2
I have noticed 4 specific posters that are anti-trump and pro-Hillary.

Do you know of any pro-Trump and anti-Hillary posters who piggy-back each other and always deflect while blaming others of deflecting? LOL! I do! And more than just four!

What's your point?

If Hillary has "paid shills" on here, Trump does, too! To think this is a one-sided issue is just myopic! This is my third presidential election on ATS... Every election brings the same charge of "paid shills" for the "other side".

Bored now...

I wish I could collect a paycheck for sitting around on the Internet all day, but nooooo, I have to go to a real job doing an actual and necessary service to contribute to society in order to pay my bills.

originally posted by: Orionx2
I have noticed 4 specific posters that are anti-trump and pro-Hillary. They piggy back each other and always deflect while blaming other of deflecting. It is ridiculously obvious. I don't now if the owners ATS are making alts to cause confrontation or if these are legitimate paid shills of the campaigns. Either way I know who they are and never bother to engage them. Unfortunately others do.

Yep. I know exactly which four you are referring too. If you notice there is a negative story by the usually Clinton friendly MSM, ie. the most recent story about Saudi Arabia financing 20$ mil to Hillary's campaign, they're unusually quiet for a few days.

a reply to: UnBreakable

It looks like the new ones who show up...are assigned a more experienced 'handler' to back them up when they get in over their head.

Many times, after I've bested one of the baby Hill-trolls in a debate...their handler has tried to come to their rescue and/or console and encourage them.

a reply to: abe froman

Welcome to a election year. However I really don't think anyone is being paid to post here. People willfully push for the candidates they support. Just look at how campaigns are run, lots of people volunteer to register voters, phone banking etc.

originally posted by: WhateverYouSay

originally posted by: stonerwilliam
a reply to: abe froman


It is not the paid human trolls that bother me as i never go near the political forums , But i am pretty sure we have one member here who may not be human ! .

just one of those gut feelings after reading some of the drivil they post and they post a lot , maybe this place is a training ground for all types of AI

I too, sense "from my gut", fellow human.

possible presence detected, readying ICBMs

A while ago on ATS there was a thread about tele marketing being done by robot callers and how good they were at the job , Even laughing at being asked if they were a robot and totally avoiding the question .

Over the years i have come across a few members on c/t forums that make me think AI is being tried out in real time to see if it can pass the muster test , either way it scares me especially after Sceptic overlord admitted that this place is crawling with bots

originally posted by: IAMTAT
a reply to: UnBreakable

It looks like the new ones who show up...are assigned a more experienced 'handler' to back them up when they get in over their head.

Many times, after I've bested one of the baby Hill-trolls in a debate...their handler has tried to come to their rescue and/or console and encourage them.

I'm 90% sure Huma Abedin has been on here. Seriously.

a reply to: abe froman

Where can I get said job on the internet?