In the last few days we have seen an influx in trolls harassing readers, spamming people, etc. We see this every election cycle. And it escalates right before and just after election day.
We don’t want our present readers to be harassed by newcomers who are just here to make trouble, or pestered by spambots. Nor do we want sincere new readers being unintentionally lumped in with malicious trolls simply because both are new. And we want to ensure that RedState continues to function without having to expend a lot of time cleaning the place of spammed comments and diaries designed to drain our resources.
Therefore, we have decided to institute some temporary restrictions beginning this evening and running through Wednesday.
New users will be able to create accounts and read the site, but they will not be able to post on the site for twenty-four hours. A lot of sites on the left already do this, but few do on the right.
We know that there is a loosely organized campaign underway to troll RedState and harass readers. So we’ll, at least temporarily, mimic what some left-of-center blogs already do. If you want to join RS and talk about this election, just bear with us and join the conversation starting Thursday.
Moe Lane
Steve Maley
Dan McLaughlin
Neil Stevens
Daniel Horowitz
Problems getting on RedState lately
ladyrep Monday, November 3rd at 3:38PM EST (link)I kept getting that 500 error yesterday when trying to get to the RedState site. What was happening? I typed from the same link I got on today and on Sunday it wouldn’t work. Why?
Bless you, Erick
Bill S (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 3:47PM EST (link)We may be able to keep our sanity yet, win or lose..
“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins
The site software version 3 just is unreliable
Neil Stevens (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 3:48PM EST (link)Please bear with us; a permanent solution is in progress.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Hooray!!!....a few days without new trolls....
Attack Mode (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 3:49PM EST (link)Hopefully Moe won’t starve in the interim…;^)
Although I am sure some have been lurking and will show their true intentions in the near future.
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
Oh we'll see trolls
Neil Stevens (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 3:56PM EST (link)You watch: We’ll see people blow 3 year old accounts over this election.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Regardless of the 24 hour wait
Shaggy_Dog (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 3:59PM EST (link)if the election goes as predicted by Erick, there will be a troll fest on Redstate this week that calls to mind the battle scene from Starship Troopers.
Is there anyway Thomas can come out of retirement for the week? And where has Strieff been lately? I don’t doubt Moe’s troll blamming skills but I fear the order of magnitude this week will go beyond the capabilities of any one man.
Neil...I said *NEW* trolls....
Attack Mode (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 4:01PM EST (link)and I mentioned the lurkers too….really brotha…do you even read my posts?
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
Sorry I just skimmed
Neil Stevens (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 4:04PM EST (link)My fault. I’m jugging four things here (urgent RS prep for election day, long-term RS fixes, reading the site, and personal matters) so I hope you’ll forgive, heh.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
You know I forgive you...
Attack Mode (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 4:09PM EST (link)And I know that if not for your diligent efforts RS would be totally non functional!! Keep up the great work and thanks for keeping the ship above the water.
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
Only 24 hours?
tankertodd (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 4:10PM EST (link)If folks haven’t been on here before the actual Election Day I would think they are most likely trolls. I would suspend new accounts altogether – a bit of a martial law approach that gets us in the mood for an Obama Presidency.
———————————
The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race – Chief Justice Roberts
Aaaaaaahhhh!
redneck_hippie (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 4:15PM EST (link)That’s a sigh of relief. I hate having to scroll past those troll attacks!
Judicious.
they need to assigns some of us temporary troll hunting permits.
kyle8 (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 4:16PM EST (link)I promise to only bag my quota.
“Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty”
Kyle
Thanks to the RedState staff
MelZ (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 4:18PM EST (link)I have given up on having intelligent discussions on many other sites (I use to really enjoy some fo the people on Human Events not so much these days) because it seems every time I turn around I am being harassed or there is just ridiculous information/spam being posted.
I like RedState being my “safe haven” for intelligent discussion (including with those of opposing ideas, as long as it is not harassing) and appreciate the staff for keeping the RedState family safe and comfortable.
MelZ
It would be great to get a Troll tag...
Attack Mode (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 4:24PM EST (link)I would have enough meat to last through spring!!….;^)
“Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper” Peter Griffin…Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Steel-Belted Radial Right Winger
“I’ll create 5 million jobs from out of unicorn farts and pixie dust” Justatron paraphrasing Obamessiah…yes I love it that much.
Falling Back
exitsfunnel Monday, November 3rd at 4:25PM EST (link)Is just falling back to the old stuff an option? It always seemed to work well enough.
-exits
Tastes like chicken
Bill S (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 4:28PM EST (link)“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins
Naw, no meat there...
kyle8 (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 4:29PM EST (link)Once you blammed the crap out of them, all that is left is a jockstrap and tennis shoes.
“Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty”
Kyle
It was falling apart, too, so no (nt)
Neil Stevens (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 4:31PM EST (link)RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
What's the bag limit on trolls?
alchemist17 (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 4:31PM EST (link)And can anyone recommend some good recipes?
Thanks, man.
itrytobenice (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 4:36PM EST (link)Moe, how’s your arm? The blamstick is still likely to get a workout.
And I’m with (someone above). Can we get Nick Danger, Streiff, and Thomas to come around for duty too? Not only would I enjoy a good bloodbath right now, I’d like to see a little effective snark and invective.
Proper grammar saves lives.
Let’s eat Grandma.
Let’s eat, Grandma.
And Neil...
itrytobenice (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 4:37PM EST (link)Bless you for your work in keeping this site functional. You know we would all die without it.
Proper grammar saves lives.
Let’s eat Grandma.
Let’s eat, Grandma.
Troll's no good for eating.
Canthros (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 4:39PM EST (link)You have to stew ‘em all week and they still taste like manure and sweat socks. On the upside, they’re generally considered vermin, so limits are quite generous.
This too shall pass.
Standing at attention and Saluting...
JLenardDetroit (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 4:41PM EST (link)… following with a long period of Applause.
Regards from NoMoTown (the MOTORlessCITY)
“Liberals, looking to do for? America what they’ve done for? Detroit! which is DESTROY IT!”
“I think, therefore I am Conservative”
“Conservative by choice, Republican by necessity”
“You can lead a Liberal to the Truth/Facts, but you cannot make them THINK!”
“Romney [No, not my first choice] does NOT have a MORMON problem. He has a, far too many Americans; these days; are MORONS problem!”
Follow @JLenardDetroit
(RS:Help) (JLD) (Hollyweird) (Brain-deads) (SPIN-cycle) (Obamaocare) (Party of kNOw) (Conservatism) (TEApeats) (respectful) (message) (Warning: Children Will Die!!)
Heil “O” Hell No Obamao is NOT MY PRESIDENT! “No U won’t”
I want “O” to FAIL (here, here, & whole Diary (Ofail) here, is why)
“The first Liberal was Satan” – a Rush caller (other Quotes)
lol
itrytobenice (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 4:43PM EST (link)nt
Proper grammar saves lives.
Let’s eat Grandma.
Let’s eat, Grandma.
I second the motion (nt)
Thrhheggeegwc Jjtkylkfofud (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 4:44PM EST (link)It's about time
kowalski (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 4:47PM EST (link)I’m glad to see you’re doing it and it’s a long time overdue, IMHO. In fact the policy should persist after the election.
My hairbrained idea is this: any new user has to not just wait 24 hours, but also submit a “welcome” post in advance, in fully formed sentences, that will be evaluated by the appropriate editors, not necessarily for publication.
If Redstate won’t charge subscriptions, and it seems that it won’t, I think it would serve the community here if newcomers were required to wait a day and submit a reason for being here with a verifiable email address.
Thank you for your time
. You’ve wasted too much of it in the past several years whacking the trolls. If you’re not going to charge, you should do that at least, because it won’t deter any of the bonafides.
Defend Liberty — Join the NRA | Live in Massachusetts? Join GOAL.
One other thing you could do
kowalski (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 4:57PM EST (link)Is to defer the judgment by allowing a group of existing users to approve others through an invitation or opt-in system. In other words, make trusted users responsible for the people they bring to the party by allowing them to vet them and require that they do, but giving newbies an option to contact those trusted users for an invite.
It would be a little like the way LinkedIn works: you get invited to join, or you can ask someone to invite you, but you can’t just show up at the door.
Defend Liberty — Join the NRA | Live in Massachusetts? Join GOAL.
That's exactly why I'm here, intelligent discussion...
Moriah (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 5:57PM EST (link)I’m one of those who generally disagree, but at least I don’t try to pretend to be something I’m not.
Nor do I come here to score points off of people, or to change people’s minds, or to pout and say that the mean nasty conservatives are soooo unfair.
I come here because I want to be able to talk to people with different viewpoints than mine, and do it in a polite, intelligent, and mutually beneficial way.
As I said in another thread on the subject of trolling… I really fail to see the point of trolling. It wastes time and gets people upset at you, and that doesn’t make your candidate any more likely to win.
Blessings,
Moriah
Nope. No jockstraps.
mbecker908 (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 6:15PM EST (link)Trolls have no need for them. I think the reason should be obvious.
Limit free speach?
gekster (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 6:28PM EST (link)Are you suggesting a sensor rule in some way to limit free speech? One of the things I am against liberals for.
And being pre approved by existing users?.
I hope not.
I wouldn’t know who’s butte to kiss,and since I linked hear from drudge,
I don’t think he would sponser me.
And living in The Peoples Republic of Michigan, I know every deer hunter likes to pick off a rabbit, squirrel, or troll now and then.
They say Republicans are for the rich, Democrats are for the poor.
If they need more voters,
then they have to make more of who they are for.
We are there in the various Tea Party groups, leaderless, but not rudderless.
We steer always toward the Constitutional principles this nation was founded upon.
Erick Brockway
Ok folks, 2012 is here. Get involved
As one of the newly registered users
Faalken Monday, November 3rd at 6:48PM EST (link)I am perfectly willing to be restricted during the “zero hour” period, and possibly even for some time thereafter.
Do what you have to do guys, I’m patient.
Just another guy from the shallow end of the gene pool.
BBQ Troll Recipe (where's the beef?)
Michael Dugas (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 7:10PM EST (link)After bagging your Troll a thorough disinfecting of gear, Troll and yourself is a must. Trolls are known carriers of
e-coli, the reason being obvious, no one spouting off or being that full of fecal material can be considered “clean”.
Once you’ve completed your Silkwood style decontamination you can proceed with prepping your Troll for cooking.
After dressing out your Troll proceed to heavily spice the stringy tough meat from head to toe. Work the spices into every nook and cranny as possible as it goes without saying that the meat is bland and without character what so ever.
Also take a LARGE tenderizing hammer and for a good hour beat the sh….poop out of the carcass. There’s little chance in hell you’ll be able to actually tenderize the meat but there is a perverse satisfaction in working it over with a hammer.
Now it’s time to stoke the BBQ fire and get it burning hot. You’ll want to place an aluminum catch tray above the heat but under your Troll. This is to
accommodate the huge amount of rendered fat that will run off your Troll in a never ending downpour.
While the fire is working take a 20″ cedar plank out and soak in in some water. You will be cooking your Troll
on this cedar plank and soaking it in water will prevent it from scorching. This is a fairly new method of cooking in the states but has been around for years. The cedar plank will impart
some of its flavor/scent into the meat, somewhat like smoking meat with hickory.
Now take your Troll and attach him to the cedar plank. I use small stainless steel screws, this keeps the Troll nicely on the plank and prevents the Troll from flip floppy around and curling up from the heat.
Roast that Troll for an hour to an hour and a half until it is well cooked. Partially cooked Troll can make one sick to his or her stomach and leave a horrible taste in your mouth.
Finally when the Troll is completely cooked take the Troll, on the plank, over to your table. Remove the Troll carefully, throw it away and eat the cedar plank. God knows it’s got to be better for you and better tasting than a troll.
Intro to Federalist Papers; section 5;
paragraph 4.
“…dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people than under the zeal for a firm and efficient government.”
Remember: A Citizen on the dole is a Liberal Vote at the Polls.
END ENTITLEMENTS!
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum !
BBQ Troll Recipe (where's the beef?)
Michael Dugas (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 7:10PM EST (link)After bagging your Troll a thorough disinfecting of gear, Troll and yourself is a must. Trolls are known carriers of
e-coli, the reason being obvious, no one spouting off or being that full of fecal material can be considered “clean”.
Once you’ve completed your Silkwood style decontamination you can proceed with prepping your Troll for cooking.
After dressing out your Troll proceed to heavily spice the stringy tough meat from head to toe. Work the spices into every nook and cranny as possible as it goes without saying that the meat is bland and without character what so ever.
Also take a LARGE tenderizing hammer and for a good hour beat the sh….poop out of the carcass. There’s little chance in hell you’ll be able to actually tenderize the meat but there is a perverse satisfaction in working it over with a hammer.
Now it’s time to stoke the BBQ fire and get it burning hot. You’ll want to place an aluminum catch tray above the heat but under your Troll. This is to
accommodate the huge amount of rendered fat that will run off your Troll in a never ending downpour.
While the fire is working take a 20″ cedar plank out and soak in in some water. You will be cooking your Troll
on this cedar plank and soaking it in water will prevent it from scorching. This is a fairly new method of cooking in the states but has been around for years. The cedar plank will impart
some of its flavor/scent into the meat, somewhat like smoking meat with hickory.
Now take your Troll and attach him to the cedar plank. I use small stainless steel screws, this keeps the Troll nicely on the plank and prevents the Troll from flip floppy around and curling up from the heat.
Roast that Troll for an hour to an hour and a half until it is well cooked. Partially cooked Troll can make one sick to his or her stomach and leave a horrible taste in your mouth.
Finally when the Troll is completely cooked take the Troll, on the plank, over to your table. Remove the Troll carefully, throw it away and eat the cedar plank. God knows it’s got to be better for you and better tasting than a troll.
Intro to Federalist Papers; section 5;
paragraph 4.
“…dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people than under the zeal for a firm and efficient government.”
Remember: A Citizen on the dole is a Liberal Vote at the Polls.
END ENTITLEMENTS!
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum !
BBQ Troll recipe - Canadian version
Republicanuck (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 9:03PM EST (link)I hear if you dress a Troll first, like a Moose, smoke it over a slow fire and wash it down with a bit of Old Crow Bourbon after the GOP victory, it can actually taste sweet – a bit like Maple Syrup smoked bacon.
Find a way for me to do it from work
Thomas Crown (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 9:09PM EST (link)…without logging in, and I’m game.
———–
We are all heroes, you and Boo and I. Hamsters and rangers everywhere, rejoice!
Do you have an IP address you don't share with anyone else?
Neil Stevens (Diary) Monday, November 3rd at 10:22PM EST (link)Heh.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Yep, exactly
kowalski (Diary) Tuesday, November 4th at 7:52AM EST (link)This is not a “free speech” forum in the sense that it’s an open billboard where anyone can post — and it never has been.
Redstate has always been an entity that can completely control who it accepts and tolerates as users. In my opinion they’ve been too lenient and they should tighten the policy up.
If you want free speech, get yourself a free blog! There are many available.
Defend Liberty — Join the NRA | Live in Massachusetts? Join GOAL.
There is no such thing
kowalski (Diary) Tuesday, November 4th at 8:07AM EST (link)There is no such thing as an unfettered right to post anything you want on someone else’s property. That is true even at our most liberal universities.
You cannot go to a university student organization billboard and post your flyer after walking in off the street without approval from the administration of the university. And you also cannot create websites that universities deem inappropriate or infringing.
I worked for a law school and enforced that rule, as promulgated by the (extremely liberal) Dean of the school. One of our more enterprising student organizations (the moot court society) tried to use the University’s name in their external URL. Then they had posters made up with the URL advertising the site.
The Dean walked into their offices at 9:30 in the morning and personally ripped the posters off the wall and told them it was forbidden: they were using student organizations funds disbursed by the University and the administration had complete jurisdiction over anything they posted on their premises. Period.
You won’t find a more liberal law school in this country than the one I worked for, but there was an uncrossable line that was enforced with an iron hand there, and Redstate if anything has been far too leninent.
I think a good compromise would be to have a system of recommendation, in which newbies are invited and sponsored by an existing user at Redstate.
The problem here traditionally is that Redstate leaves the door open to the trolls and anyone else who decides to walk in. The result has always been that the existing users have to act as an impromptu and uncompensated police force. A good way to stop that would be to say: “If you’d like to contribute to Redstate, here are a list of people you can ask to recommend you.”
Defend Liberty — Join the NRA | Live in Massachusetts? Join GOAL.
Hunting in Michigan
gekster (Diary) Tuesday, November 4th at 11:16AM EST (link)Well, to the best of my knowledge, limited as it is, I believe this is not a liberal university websites, nor do I believe this site is tied to any liberal universities.
I also believe that you went to the liberal university by choice, not by chance. I also think you should have gone to a conservative university. Hillsdale Collage is a good one, and there are many more.
Please forgive me if I don’t adhear to your liberal university website rules.
I’m a true believer of the freedom of speech.
I do agree to the limits of no profanity, or disgusting material, or lewdness. Anything can be described somewhat decently, if you want to.
I also think this is a conservative political web site.
I could be wrong, I often am.
Being a conservative, I would also believe in the constitution, I am for free speech.
A saying I heard when I was a boy was, “I may not agree with what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it.” Did they teach that in your liberal university? Just curious.
As for suggesting I should go find a free blog site, I thought I did.
You can also find nonfree website.
A site that I think would fit you lines of liberal thought.
Such a site would be the Huffington post. “I am registered with them.” The DAILY KOS. Now theres liberal free speech. They have all the liberal free speech you can stand.
Another site is “McClatchyDC,” I called the massiah “Nobama,” on a comment there, and got nuked. Thats all I said. You would like them. I got vetted in two days by them. I did note that the t-shirt “Palin Is A great MOM” was being sold in an add.
They also apply what you suggest, and you don’t see too many conservative or opposing views there.
“And living in The Peoples Republic of Michigan, I know every deer hunter likes to pick off a rabbit, squirrel, or troll now and then.”
They say Republicans are for the rich, Democrats are for the poor.
If they need more voters,
then they have to make more of who they are for.
We are there in the various Tea Party groups, leaderless, but not rudderless.
We steer always toward the Constitutional principles this nation was founded upon.
Erick Brockway
Ok folks, 2012 is here. Get involved
Sorry
gekster (Diary) Tuesday, November 4th at 11:21AM EST (link)That was supposed to be a reply to Mr Kowaslski
They say Republicans are for the rich, Democrats are for the poor.
If they need more voters,
then they have to make more of who they are for.
We are there in the various Tea Party groups, leaderless, but not rudderless.
We steer always toward the Constitutional principles this nation was founded upon.
Erick Brockway
Ok folks, 2012 is here. Get involved