This used to seem like unanimously unacceptable practice, but maybe we've changed...
I bring this up because a certain recent diary turned into a flame-fest, where a small group of trusted users consistently troll-rated opinions with which they disagreed, in place of or in addition to responding in text. It was a marvelous display of group ratings abuse, I feel, wherein comments to the effect of "Well, I'm not sure if ["troll"] is correct, but I think [] is trying to present a valid question." got hit with multiple zeros and repetitive flaming replies.
I think it's pretty clear that troll ratings are only here to control trolls, not long-time community members who happen to disagree with popular posters.
So take the poll.
UPDATE: The inspiring diary, verbatim:
I've been around the DK community for a while, and one of the things that bothers me is that I have been unable to find biographical information on the front page posters. I know they've been moved forward to the front page by the community because of their blogging skills, but I would like to know their background and professional qualifications.
A lot of front pagers post on defense, science, and so many other issues - I just wonder if any of them have a background in this issue that makes them qualified to speak on it as an expert, rather than a casual observer. Do they have a specialization that makes their thoughts insightful and authoritative? I hope no one takes this as an attack. I surely don't mean it that way. I just want to know about some of the background qualifications of our top posters like georgia10, Armando, DarkSyde, SusanG, mcjoan, etc.