So, I've been using my newfound Trusted User status to peruse hidden comments just for fun, and I have formed the opinion that troll ratings are being abused.
It seems like we're really quick to troll-rate someone who disagrees with us. That's not good. That's what the freepers do. They don't care about intelligent debate. They're so insecure that they can't handle being questioned and aren't equipped to defend their positions in an intelligent manner.
We, however, are not like that. We (should) welcome conservatives (or those more conservative than we) or pro-lifers or whomever, allow them to express their opinions in a constructive manner, and debate on the merits, not troll-rate them so as not to be offended by the sight of dissent.
Examples after the flip.
I think it's perfectly reasonable to troll-rate a
wild rant on a strange topic with no evidence or a
comment that's just stupid or a
needlessly insulting or racist comment.
But if there's a reasonably intelligent post with which you might disagree, or a criticism of Clinton, argue the merits. Don't troll-rate it so the rest of us can't see it. Some of us want debate. Discourse. Not just self-congratulation.
Let me say, too, that I am no moderate. I'm a stark-raving-mad leftist. But I don't want to get so insulated in the left that I lose perspective. That leads to ideas like, "Bush's approval ratings are at 35%? How can they be that HIGH? Are 35% of Americans MORONS?" And that's just not productive. Those 35% of Americans have their reasons (flawed though they may be) for supporting their Dear Leader, and we would do well to learn what those reasons are and try to change their minds rather than cover our ears and make it known that they are not welcome to exchange ideas with us.
The ratings, as I understand them, refer to the usefulness of the comment, not its contents. If it's reasonably intelligent, provides some insight and a well-informed opinion - even if it's different from yours! - leave it alone.
Let's continue to be the party of ideas, plural.