Tuesday, February 17, 2009

HuffPo's Secret Weapon

Readers of the Huffington Post can find in one place the most comprehensive collection of stories on all things political, economic, social, entertainment, and general interest. Perhaps this accounts for the vast readership and recognition as a great news source, often referenced by the Main Stream Media. What is less well known is the cadre of loyal readers who post comments on a daily basis, dissecting the articles, presenting cogent analyses of the articles, additional details, and do battle with those who represent the right wing in some of the most entertaining back and forth to be found anywhere on the Internet.

Having joined the Off the Bus team during the 2008 campaign, I was blessed with the opportunity to post my blog and throughout the campaign that culminated in our historical election, I have shared ideas with a group of loyal Obama supporters. A community of regulars has emerged who use the comment section as a gathering place where no holds barred, no prisoners taken discussions on the merits of the positions they argue for and against. As a long time reader of the Huffington Post and blogger, I have come to find the comment section a rich public forum that provides a running commentary on current events, news broadcasts, breaking news as well as a political, economic, and public interest events.

Due to the progressive leaning of HuffPo, the overwhelming majority of regulars run the gamut of Independent to radically progressive posts. A few center right to conservative regulars are not only tolerated but welcomed in these online forums, however a few immature, vile, or psychologically unbalanced posters show up on occasion and are gang flagged for their continually abusive and profane rants. The moderators at HuffPo eventually ban them but a few of them are a recurring problem. The regulars call it changing socks and because the IP addresses of most Internet Service Providers are either masked or randomized at each log on, it is extremely difficult for HuffPo to permanently ban an abusive poster permanently.

I have a list of regulars that I read on a daily basis and warn you that once you read them and post a reply, you will be addicted to this form of expression. I have been posting with them for a while now and see that even as a blogger, I am challenged to match wits with a few of them; namely VolvoBirkenstock(banned from HP for some reason), Episcopagan, HumeSkeptic, AdLib, and Chillinout. These should be bloggers on HuffPo as they present cogent, factual and persuasive arguments on their posts.

I recognize the need to moderate the comments section to prevent vile, vulgar, personal attacks and such, but the degree to which the site's software automatically bans comments torments all regulars for its overreaching protection. Case in point; recent articles about the Israeli and Gaza conflict would flag the word Israel would cause a comment to await human release. An article about the use of the term Colored People would go to moderation for inclusion of the word colored or possibly black. So many articles are posted daily that it is impossible for human moderation on them, but so many innocent posts go pending that it is both frustrating and counterproductive to maintaining the commenter's loyalty.

The list of names below contains a few of the regulars that I have come to recognize and is incomplete. To my many friends here, if I've omitted you, it is my oversight. Please use the comment section to add those I've left out.

AdLib
VolvoBirkenstock
Kellygrrl
Macbabe
Carolab
BlueStateMan
Chillinout
buckugreene
donald6
Kevenseven
abby4ever
HumeSkeptic
Kquarksupercollider
Episcopagan
Xavieer
Rumplestilskin
MNMommy
Mimom
streakofrintintin
Mogamboguru
Hummahumma humma
Coinyer101
Dentuso
Lornejl
Mrsmdressup
Surferkit
GrouchMarxist
Mimom
CostaDelBarto
Rosal
Monicaangela
WLA
Suzycolorado
Midnightrain
Crapwhisperer
DACC
Paposter
bygollymissmolly
ExxonMcBushCo
Yermammy

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