Should Hot Air have another Green Room just for lefty trolls?
posted at 6:30 pm on April 13, 2009 by Allahpundit
A few people floated this idea half-jokingly in the Green Room thread this morning and I’ve been mulling it ever since, mainly because it’d be such a radical departure from the blogospheric paradigm. There are centrist sites that cater, or claim to cater, to both lefties and righties — Donklephant, The Moderate Voice, etc. — but no site that I know of with a clear ideological bent carves out space for people from the other side of the aisle. Imagine a separate page devoted to a galaxy of all your favorite HA trolls, baiting you into flame war after flame war with only the choicest liberal boilerplate: Death to Media Hacks, capitulus, Proud RINO, getalife, ernesto, SnarkVader, benny shakar, The Wall, and of course PopTech for all your frenetic Palin-bashing needs. I’m fascinated by the thought of how a feature like that would do. Would readers ignore it completely? Would it pick up a following among lefty-blog readers? Or would it triple our traffic as legion after legion of faithful HA readers enter the threads to do ideological battle for hours on end? Dude, this could be a gold mine. Gold mine, I tell you.
Suggested names for the new feature: The Blue Room, The Trash Can, Troll Call, and … the Troll Hole. I’m picturing black trim on the page, a skull-and-crossbones on top, and the slogan “Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter Here” as its motto. Sound off!
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The Gitmo
the_nile on April 13, 2009 at 6:32 PM
AP, don’t you already have one!?!?!?!
klickink.wordpress.com on April 13, 2009 at 6:32 PM
I like Troll Call
JohnGalt23 on April 13, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Left trolls and thoughtful are oxy-morons.
They should have their own room, just to see how empty it gets like their thoughts.
Then they can see first hand why lefties, unless full of hatred, can’t stir up any support.
right2bright on April 13, 2009 at 6:33 PM
I thought that was what the Headlines were for, lol
abinitioadinfinitum on April 13, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Would that be the oly place they’d post or comment, so we wouldn’t have thread-jacking on the main posts?
Wethal on April 13, 2009 at 6:33 PM
I’m fine with it, as long as it’s the only place on Hot Air where they’re allowed to defecate.
Jim Treacher on April 13, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Only if they are relegated to this room only! No crossing over. period!
katy on April 13, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Wait, I thought AP’s Palin posts and religious posts were the pre-cursor to this.
right2bright on April 13, 2009 at 6:34 PM
I thought the trolls usually got links in the headlines – Noonan, Parker, Frum, Meghan Mccain, …
Do you mean that the trolls get another spot, too?
progressoverpeace on April 13, 2009 at 6:34 PM
“Circle Jerk”
PappaMac on April 13, 2009 at 6:34 PM
They could write things like, “Yes we can!”, and “Why don’t you give Obama credit for everything, like the sun coming up everyday”.
No, it’d be boring and ridiculous, and there is already Daily Kos and HuffPo.
I’d have to organize a tea party to protest too.
kirkill on April 13, 2009 at 6:35 PM
Troll Toll.
Repurblican on April 13, 2009 at 6:35 PM
I think the name “Brainless room” has a good ring.
right2bright on April 13, 2009 at 6:35 PM
I don’t think SnarkVader belongs in there.
I think the idea is fine, as long as those you listed can be banned if they post in the regular website.
MadisonConservative on April 13, 2009 at 6:35 PM
It would be interesting…but I think what would happen is it would pick up lefty follows, and it would be used as a entry point for them to flame on the standard areas. They’re really not happy unless they’re crapping on someone…not just bitching about someone to people they agree with.
So I think it would be fun for a bit, but ultimately it would end with a leak in the dam, leading to erosion of other areas.
StoutRepublican on April 13, 2009 at 6:36 PM
I vote you call it “The Bridge” (you know…like “Troll Bridge” but also bridging ideas…? Oh who am I kidding. I don’t think any troll here will really convince anybody of anything.
Sarjex on April 13, 2009 at 6:36 PM
My honest opinion is that it depends on whether the Green Room generates not only traffic, but commentary on those posts.
If they don’t generate commentary on the posts themselves, then the trolls will simply link drop their own posts into the main threads, ie internal spam.
The pathology of the troll is for attention. So if enough people went in there to fight, it might be a benefit.
Spirit of 1776 on April 13, 2009 at 6:36 PM
That’s a GREAT idea! It would really breathe new life into the site. Might I suggest you call it “The Gas Tank,” to go along with the hot air theme and Michelle’s stove reference with her “on the front burner” stuff. Plus, gas is explosive, and there are no doubt going to be flame wars going on in there, so kaboom, and it’s also a play on how lefty opinions smell like farts.
Savage on April 13, 2009 at 6:36 PM
=(
ernesto on April 13, 2009 at 6:37 PM
Good idea!
Be sure to seal all the holes so no air gets in.
GunRunner on April 13, 2009 at 6:37 PM
And if you want gold, how about a special room just to discuss Christianity or the lack thereof?
kirkill on April 13, 2009 at 6:37 PM
If it makes you guys money at HotAir, go for it.
However, the name of the Troll Sewer should be appropriately shameful and evoke disgusting thoughts of revulsion among normal people. I suggest that any trolls loose among the decent society of conservatives be flushed to the sewer and not released.
Right_of_Attila on April 13, 2009 at 6:37 PM
“Troll Call” is hilarious. But our taxes are already supporting these deadbeats. Do we have to waste bandwidth now too?
patriette on April 13, 2009 at 6:38 PM
No problem I’d do it, you can always shut it down if it doesn’t work.
Troll hole sounds good to me
petertheslow on April 13, 2009 at 6:39 PM
I think that the trim should be pink – decorated with lollipops and gumdrops and rainbows… every time we post a comment, “kumbaya” will begin playing in the background.
pullingmyhairout on April 13, 2009 at 6:39 PM
“Tea Baggers”
Seven Percent Solution on April 13, 2009 at 6:39 PM
[self censored layup that would have got me banned narrowly avoided]
TheBigOldDog on April 13, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Troll Call is good!
If it is anything like Mike Lucovich’s erstwhile blog at the Atlanta Journal Constitution it could be at turns hilarious and a nightmare. I don’t know that it would be very interesting if all they did is spout bumper sticker talking points to each other, but if conservatives wanted to take the time to engage them it could be fun.
Buy Danish on April 13, 2009 at 6:40 PM
I like the idea as it makes my day when I flame a troll, however it doesn’t take hours to destroy trolls as they are always jumping into a gun fight armed with only a knife when they take on HA readers/commenters…we’re just too smart for them and they know it!
Liberty or Death on April 13, 2009 at 6:40 PM
As long as the shields hold and the containment can be kept up, I’m all for it.
portlandon on April 13, 2009 at 6:40 PM
All it would do is attract more trolls who would in turn bleed over into the “normal” Hot Air site. The whole point of being a troll is to disrupt a good debate.
Vigilante on April 13, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Okay, but only if the lefty contributors are flame-baiting trolls, and only if the lefty contributors are forced to pay 5$ to Michelle for each post they make.
Aristotle on April 13, 2009 at 6:40 PM
I like that.
I voted #2:
We should all try to be thoughtful.
toliver on April 13, 2009 at 6:41 PM
+10
angryed on April 13, 2009 at 6:41 PM
I CANNOT believe that “getalife” was not even mentioned. May be you need to have a separate room for him (or is it her) that says “Adults(under 21) are in charge” or something.
nagee76 on April 13, 2009 at 6:41 PM
You should call the lefty hangout the Pink
oRoom.While you’re at it, you should add another zone for Young Earth Creationists. This one can be called the Fiat Room–you can tell them you spoke it into existence.
In all seriousness, I think it’s a terrible idea–why should Michelle pay for bandwidth for people she disagrees with? (Unless she’s trying to get a head start on Fairness Doctrine compliance.)
hicsuget on April 13, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Makes no sense.
The only reason they post here is to insert their inanity into the regular flow of conversation, looking for the attention they were denied when their mothers refused to breast-feed them, or trying to “fit in” the only way they could, back in school, which was by getting obnoxious and getting beat up, or stuffed into lockers — because at least then they were getting noticed.
Playing in their own playpen wouldn’t satisfy that need. If it did, they’d stay over at the Daily Kos, or HuffPo, or Firedoglake.
notropis on April 13, 2009 at 6:41 PM
This is getting out of hand.
Terrye on April 13, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Turn it on…………..
……… then run like hell!
Seven Percent Solution on April 13, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Are you saying you don’t have enough trolls? Trolls are like illegal immigrants – you’re going to give them a home of their own so they can bring in all their extended family? Are their hits that important?
katiejane on April 13, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Thats a brilliant idea!
On a different blog tho,like HuffPuff,or KOS!
canopfor on April 13, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Me thinks Ed is on a sugar rush from eating too many jellybeans out of his Easter basket…
JetBoy on April 13, 2009 at 6:42 PM
TrollTown
TrollBooth
Trollmagedon
Troll Call is the best.
portlandon on April 13, 2009 at 6:42 PM
It’s not about me.
I am not a part of the me generation.
getalife on April 13, 2009 at 6:42 PM
I voted it was a bad idea, but it would be kinda cool to see a bunch lefties in a place called Gitmo…
Vegi on April 13, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Turds of a Feather
Cicero43 on April 13, 2009 at 6:43 PM
Of course you are right, the only reason they post is to get attention…they won’t get attention from each other, unless it becomes a hate room, and who can “out hate” the other.
right2bright on April 13, 2009 at 6:43 PM
I can’t believe I forgot you. I’m adding you to the post now.
Allahpundit on April 13, 2009 at 6:44 PM
Gitmo!
Great idea.
Spirit of 1776 on April 13, 2009 at 6:44 PM
I like the idea if, as suggested above, they’re banned if they post in the regular site.
I ran a site on Christian issues and it was overwhelmed by a bunch of evolutionists. I ended up shutting down the site but the idea of a separate room would have been better if I had thought of it.
Daggett on April 13, 2009 at 6:44 PM
Creating an ideological ghetto is for lefties. If the trolls want to make their points, let them defend their positions out in the open like the rest of us.
patriette on April 13, 2009 at 6:44 PM
Yeah, that would be right up there with rewarding lawbreakers with American citizenship. They already have a Green Room. It’s called the daily Kos.
HornetSting on April 13, 2009 at 6:44 PM
If you want to give David Axlerod astroturfing space, I’d make him pay some money. At least the site would benefit from it then.
Enoxo on April 13, 2009 at 6:45 PM
wizbangblog tried it with wizbangblue. IMO, it diverted one or two trolls but gave a quasi-legitimized platform to those nutroots. Aren’t there already enough forums online for leftish-gibberish?
swellhotair on April 13, 2009 at 6:45 PM
Keep ‘em off the main threads. If they continue the threadjacking, ban them. Most of the sites I’ve seen with this feature eventually drain a lot of mainstream posters away into the biker bar areas anyway, and quality of mainstream drops because a lot of folks go in there to scuffle. As long as they are posting here, they do damage unless total hits is the only concern.
a capella on April 13, 2009 at 6:45 PM
I think it should be called “the commie den”
Zetterson on April 13, 2009 at 6:45 PM
Troll Bait, as a separate section of Headlines.
Count to 10 on April 13, 2009 at 6:45 PM
Turn it on…..
………..then run like hell!
Seven Percent Solution on April 13,2009 at 6:41PM.
Seven Percent Solution: And never look back! haha:)
canopfor on April 13, 2009 at 6:45 PM
I don’t want to alarm anyone but “Great Idea” is in the lead.
Allahpundit on April 13, 2009 at 6:45 PM
Troll Call
Pam on April 13, 2009 at 6:46 PM
Great idea – and you could have weekly death matches between green room members and standout’s in the troll room. Live online debate about the subject of the week.
I like it.
BuckNutty on April 13, 2009 at 6:46 PM
That has to hurt the ego, poor gal.
thomasaur on April 13, 2009 at 6:46 PM
Reaching across the isle……
maynila on April 13, 2009 at 6:46 PM
Call it ‘Palin Wailin’.
HornetSting on April 13, 2009 at 6:47 PM
Don’t like it at all. It utilizes Hot Air’s high pagerank and traffic to air the very arguments we’re fighting.
Michelle’s own founding statement mentions two things: A) This is a site for conservatives; B) There are alreay major outlets for liberals to vent. The site doesn’t need to be furthering liberal arguments through its prominence.
amerpundit on April 13, 2009 at 6:47 PM
How about…”weirdo sitting in front of the computer with his pants around his ankles in his mother’s basement room”?
LtE126 on April 13, 2009 at 6:47 PM
I’d like to the the litmus test for that!
Question 1: Complete the phrase: Ronald Reagan is a _______.
Question 2: Capitalism is __________.
Question 3: Does Ted Kennedy drive a floating car? Y N
portlandon on April 13, 2009 at 6:47 PM
Troll Call!!
John the Libertarian on April 13, 2009 at 6:47 PM
You also forgot Canadian Dave.
Esthier on April 13, 2009 at 6:47 PM
Not a good idea … it will be overtaken with pyschotic trolls. It will take way too much time and energy to police, especially as disrespectful and filthy as the common leftist troll is.
No one will change anyone’s mind. The information is out there for those who seek it. Giving progressive/liberal/socialist/communist/leftist nuts a place to vent their rage seems like a losing proposition.
Not good … do not proceed.
darwin on April 13, 2009 at 6:47 PM
Trolls or seminar callers same mission get into action and do their thing. Own site no fun there.
rsl775 on April 13, 2009 at 6:47 PM
Not a big surprise. The poll is open to everyone, including lefty non-registered visitors. They probably love the idea of using the pages of Hot Air to further their arguments.
amerpundit on April 13, 2009 at 6:48 PM
Funny you put it that way, Jim…my first thought was how it would be like watching the chimps at the San Diego Zoo, throwing their crap at the onlookers. And I sincerely apologize in advance to all the fine, crap-hurling chimps everywhere for the brutal analogy.
Patrick S on April 13, 2009 at 6:48 PM
What, we can’t vote “present”?
Then I vote in favor of it. “Troll call” Me likey.
rbj on April 13, 2009 at 6:48 PM
I tend to post (and be labeled a “troll”) when I think you guys are starting to sound like the nutroots. It isn’t for “attention”.
DaveS on April 13, 2009 at 6:48 PM
AP,
I think Wizbang did this a while ago. They created a tab called Wizbang Blue which basically turned their regular trolls into bloggers. Can’t say I see the appeal personally. I’m all for free speech, but that doesn’t mean you guys have to subsidize them.
John on April 13, 2009 at 6:48 PM
I think a Green Room exclusively for the couple-dozen or so regular righties to meet and agree with each other on everything would be magnificently productive.
benny shakar on April 13, 2009 at 6:49 PM
I can’t decide.
On the one hand I enjoy a good fencing match.
On the other hand, it’s pointless to argue with a retard.
I think I’ll guardedly say “good idea”, but hope that the floodgates don’t open to a rabble of troll commenters.
jaime on April 13, 2009 at 6:49 PM
How about “Alphie’s Place”?
Troll’s were marching in protest at her for giving them bad reputations.
Forget the teabags, more like…well you know what I’m going to say….
SteveMG on April 13, 2009 at 6:49 PM
The Axelrods of evil.
the_nile on April 13, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Yep. AP needs to read up on unintended consequences.
a capella on April 13, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Okay,scratch the brilliant idea theme,
how about,
The Devils Den,or,
The Conflicted,
Liberal loser lounge!
canopfor on April 13, 2009 at 6:49 PM
I love it. Call it the “Troll Hole” and I’ll be glad to do battle with these liberal trolls.
taney71 on April 13, 2009 at 6:50 PM
Question 4: Was 9/11 an inside job?
Question 5: Did Bush lie, and people die?
Question 6: Did Darth Vader once run Halliburton?
John the Libertarian on April 13, 2009 at 6:50 PM
So if I troll their room, does that mean I’ll get one of my own too? ;-)
eforhan on April 13, 2009 at 6:50 PM
whoops…it’s Allah’s idea, not Ed’s…
heh…
JetBoy on April 13, 2009 at 6:50 PM
I prefer Trolls R Us
HarryStar on April 13, 2009 at 6:50 PM
Allah, I’d just be happy with an “ignore” button so we could ignore those annoying trolls at our discretion.
But aside from that, put them all in a room where they can spout nonsense to each other without bothering us sane folk. That could be entertaining.
:)
Bob's Kid on April 13, 2009 at 6:51 PM
How about a separate page for all the RINOs?
Can haz?
Kensington on April 13, 2009 at 6:51 PM
AP, I think it is a great idea, if only as an experiment in what could be a radical new business model in the blogosphere.
JohnGalt23 on April 13, 2009 at 6:51 PM
How about “The Toilet”?
darwin on April 13, 2009 at 6:51 PM
The Red Room?
Blacklake on April 13, 2009 at 6:51 PM
AllahPundit,
I know I’ve made several attempts at sarcasm in the past, so it’s easy to misconstrue what I say. Let me assure you as much as it can be done given our vast knowledge about eachother, that I’m being 100% serious here.
It is beneath you to even bring up this question to appeal to the most retarded of your commenters. Of which there’s always some, and it’s not the blogger’s fault. You’re sufficiently smart, I would say, to know that The Wall, just for one, hasn’t given you a single (and I mean, a single) reason to think that he’s a leftist.
You’re simply trivializing issues. Maybe that’s wise from a business perspective. I know know what your target audience is. But it’s stupid and childish. 200 people or something are fed up with Palin accorindg to your poll. This is a minority, but the point is you’re too smart to think that those are all lefties. I would guess, none of them support socialized healthcare of the fairness doctrine.
If you want your site to have a certain bent within the conservative movement, that’s fair. But don’t dismiss outright those who disagree with you. Doing so using the admin powers borders on cowardliness.
BTW, people who say something like this
don’t deserve to be promoted to contributors of HA. The least you can demand of an author is to be mentally prepared to own any opponent in an open debate.
radiofreevillage on April 13, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Consider it an opportunity to shame the left in ideological battle on our home turf.
Depending upon how many page views they generated, they’d be subsidizing us.
Allahpundit on April 13, 2009 at 6:52 PM
“Democracy is the most vile form of government… democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention: have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property: and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.”
– James Madison
“Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself. There was never a democracy that did not commit suicide.”
– John Adams
progressoverpeace on April 13, 2009 at 6:52 PM
I want to know what foolishness the left is thinking, but I don’t want to finance them by going to their sites & adding “hits”.
Bring it on!
jgapinoy on April 13, 2009 at 6:52 PM
More room name suggestions.
In the theme of dishing it out..
The crap sandwich diner-
Joe’s bar and shrill-
Pillage Inn-
katy on April 13, 2009 at 6:52 PM
It should really be called the Island of Misfit Toys. Or Elba or Bedlam or something like that.
Mr. D on April 13, 2009 at 6:52 PM
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