Handling Election Trolls

First of all, I really don’t like the misuse of the name, troll. But I’ll use it anyway so that everyone knows what I’m talking about. It’s getting to the point that social media has become a weapon for those individuals who can’t apparently state their opinion without denigrating another’s in the process. It’s so upsetting when people I’ve friended or followed do this. I realize politics can bring out the worst in people, but what’s going on is something else. It’s like we’re all in a drunken brawl, even when we don’t actually participate.

I guess I understand the conservative side of this, or at least, what it appears to be. I have no doubt that there are all sorts of conservative folks out there that would sooner die than behave in such a hostile and sometimes violent manner towards anyone, no matter who they are. But then there are the others who seem to be more about their rage than having a respectful conversation.

I’ve written about this before, but as time moves on, the nastiness has only increased. I take a progressive approach when someone is mean. I’m sure that some don’t realize how their passionate viewpoints may offend others. So I see no need to engage after it happens. If it’s a long time friend and they don’t continue whatever tirade they’re on, then I don’t do anything about it. If not, then if on Twitter, I mute them. If on Facebook, I delete their comment and say nothing further. If I have to, I’ll unfollow their posts. If they get really insulting and/or vulgar on any of the social media platforms I’m on, then I block. I rarely report, but it has happened.

I figure at that point, they’re too cowardly to be following or friending a witch anyway. So I’ll have nothing further to do with them at that point. It’s not a judgment, but simply my way of not engaging with anything or anyone that’s abusive in any manner. I don’t like how conversations that head in that direction feel. And as an empath, feeling is how I understand the world around me. And I really don’t care what anyone else thinks about that.

Progressives should be ashamed of themselves, however. We’re supposed to be above that sort of behavior. I thought progressives were respectful of individual differences. But now we have this nonsense that if Bernie isn’t the nominee, none of his supporters are going to support Hillary. How about growing up, why don’t you? Remember the last time this crap happened? Ralph Nader was running and we ended up with a president elected by the Supreme Court. Do you really want to risk a Trump or Cruz presidency?

Do you?

Let that sink in, my progressive family. Please don’t jeopardize our country by responding this way. No matter what you think of Hillary, she will never do to this country what Trump or Cruz will do. And if she’s smart, and Bernie is smarter, it will be a Clinton/Sanders ticket. He’ll keep her honest and his presence on the ticket and as Vice President when they win will foster and support her most progressive instincts.

That’s assuming she’s the nominee, which it looks like that’s what will happen. So can we dial it back a bit and remember that we’re all part of one diverse progressive family? I don’t care whether it’s Hillary or Bernie that will be residing in the White House. I’ll vote for whoever is the nominee, but for the love of all that is holy, can we please pull our heads our of our collective asses and come together in November to prevent the crazy guy from winning?

I mean, haven’t we all had enough of the GOP by now?