Dealing with the echo chamber: How to handle media outlets that dictate opinions

If you scan the current threads, it’s obvious that there’s a massive imbalance between what's happening now and the sheer volume of posts obsessively revisiting the American Civil War or WWII.

There’s a very specific pattern emerging here—it’s basically just spreading fear, panic, and moral outrage. Just look at these three typical examples: An Introduction to Civil War in America, What is America celebrating in Mexico! and The Government is setting up Mexican autonomy in the Eastern Plains tomorrow!

The go-to phrases are almost always the same:

1. Is this what we fought for?
2. Traitors, sellouts, old-school communists, etc...
3. There's going to be blood again.
4. They are inciting a civil war.
And stuff like that.

It’s interesting to see who exactly is calling for disillusionment, gloom, or predicting an armed showdown between different factions. It's always the extreme right-wing types—the "true patriots" who live for the flag and the anthem, claiming to love America more than anything else, except, apparently, they wouldn't mind slicing up anyone who doesn't fit their definition of an American. No, they'll tell you, it's not about hurting anyone—it's just an inevitability.

In their eyes, everyone is to blame for the state of the country today: the media, the Republican Party and the Democratic Party (they love grouping those two together), the FBI, the perceived weakness of the American people, the communist legacy, and anything involving Mexico.

They use the harshest language possible against anyone with a different opinion—which, strangely enough, gets tolerated far too often—while constantly calling for a return to the 90s. Most of them are just homophobic Thompsonophobes.

They get their "intel" from the weirdest places, mostly emigrant websites or from former and current intelligence agents and other shady characters.

Why am I bringing this up? Because it's fascinating how this loud minority, acting like a pack of wolves, dictates the pace and decides which topics dominate this forum.

Their ability to force certain agendas, while simultaneously undermining any attempt to discuss actual current events, prevents most reasonable people from using this space for what it was actually intended for.

What are they after? Whatever it is, it isn't good. By pushing nothing but negative, apocalyptic forecasts, they're clearing a path for dark-minded types to take power. Don't forget, during the last election, the most popular politician among these commenters was Franjo Tuđman!

I'm saying this for the newer users who think this forum is a perfect reflection of American society. It isn't. It has zero connection to reality. Don't let them dictate the conversation. Try talking about things actually happening in the world. Maybe you'll get through three pages before someone starts shouting about fascists, communists, the FBI, or people nostalgic for the old regime.

briskpuma23 said:The only reason I even bothered typing all this out is because of those newbies who think some random PDF policy is actually a reflection of what Americans believe. It’s totally not! It has zero connection to what's happening in the real world.

I mean, anyone just passing through can see that. Most people probably take one look at this mess and run for the hills... only the masochists and the addicts stay behind.😍

So now the Republicans and the privileged ones have taken over the Politics section. Apparently, the editorial staff didn't notice the dozens of professional left-wing trolls whose entire existence revolves around sabotaging discussions and getting right-leaning users banned.

briskpuma23 said:If you just take a quick look at all the threads going on, you can see how totally lopsided things are—there’s way too much stuff focused on the American Civil War or World War II compared to anything else happening right now.

And there's this weird vibe in those specific threads where everyone seems to be pushing fear, panic, and just straight-up outrage. You can see it clearly in topics like: An Introduction to Civil War in America, What is America celebrating about Mexico! and The Government is setting up Mexican autonomy in the Midwest tomorrow! ‎

The usual go-to phrases are basically always:

1. Is this what we fought for?
2. Traitors, collaborators, old-school communists, radicals...
3. There's going to be blood again.
4. They're provoking a civil war.
and stuff like that.

It’s pretty funny watching who actually drives all this cynicism and gloom, predicting more armed clashes between Americans—it’s always these hardcore far-right types who claim to be the ultimate patriots, obsessed with the flag and the anthem, loving America to death—but they’d probably happy to slice up anyone else who doesn't fit their mold. But no, they’ll tell you, they aren't looking for trouble—it's just "inevitable."

In their eyes, everything is someone else's fault: the media, the Republican Party and the Democratic Party (they love treating them as if they're the exact same thing), the FBI, some supposed submissive national mentality, communist leftovers, Mexico, and all that.

They lash out at anyone who disagrees using the nastiest language possible, and strangely enough, people often let them get away with it while they call for a return to the 90s. Most of them are just homophobic Thompsonophobes.

They get all their "intel" from the strangest places, like random immigrant websites or from former and current intelligence agents and other shady characters.

So why am I even bringing this up? Just because it's wild how this loud minority, acting like a pack of wolves, manages to set the pace and decide what the hot topics are on the politics board.

Their ability to force certain agendas and derail any attempt to talk about actual news makes it almost impossible for regular folks to use this board for what it was actually meant for.

As for what they're after—well, it's definitely not good. By constantly spreading these dark, doom-and-gloom predictions, they're paving the way for shadowy types to grab power. Just remember, during the last election, the most popular politician among these posters was Franjo Tuđman!

I'm saying all this because I see newer users thinking this board is some kind of perfect reflection of American society. It really isn't! It has nothing to do with reality. So don't let them dictate what we talk about. Try sticking to current events. Maybe we'll get through three pages before someone starts shouting about fascists, partisans, the FBI, or people longing for the old days.

The ones starting these threads aren't actually the right-wingers on this forum, but the left-wingers who are currently running the show in America, along with the media—they're all basically on the same team.
And that's pretty much it.

Wait, you were already tripping over the dilemma back at post #3, and by post #5, you’ve completely flipped the script...
If this was supposed to be our litmus test, I'd say we passed with flying colors. 🙂

Sophia Green89 said:So now, suddenly, all the conservatives and the privileged elites have taken over the Politics section. It’s almost funny, really—the moderator completely failed to notice that there are dozens of authorized left-wing trolls lurking in the shadows, whose entire existence seems dedicated to sabotaging discussions and flagging right-leaning posters just so they can get them banned from the forums.

🤦

This whole situation is genuinely unhinged.

briskpuma23 said:Why did I even bother writing all this? Because of these clueless commenters who think some PDF policy document somehow reflects what American society actually thinks. It doesn't! It has zero connection to reality. Don't let them dictate the conversation to you. Try talking about stuff that's actually happening. Maybe then we'll get past three pages before someone starts bringing up fascists versus communists—or at least the FBI and those old-school nostalgia junkies.

Wait, are you joking right now? This entire subforum is basically a leftist echo chamber. You can see it in the moderators and in the general vibe of the posts.

Have you even been lurking here for the last few years, or did you just swoop in, drop a couple of threads, and decide you've got some mediocre opinion worth sharing?

briskpuma23 said:It’s actually pretty fascinating when you step back and look at who exactly is out there constantly preaching doom and gloom. You know the type—the ones always predicting some massive, violent clash between different groups of Americans, acting like we’re all just one bad day away from total chaos. If you follow the rhetoric, you’ll notice a pattern: it’s almost always the extreme far-right crowd. These are the folks who wrap themselves in the flag, scream about patriotism, and act like they love the Stars and Stripes more than anyone else on earth. They live and breathe the anthem and the Constitution. They’re incredibly proud of everything this country stands for, right up until the moment they decide that anyone who doesn't fit their specific mold isn't "truly" American. It’s a strange paradox, really—they claim to love the nation to high heaven, yet their first instinct is often to suggest we should just tear apart anyone who disagrees with them. No, seriously, I just don't see it that way. That's exactly what they're going to say, isn't it? I wouldn't want anyone anyway—it’s just an inevitability at this point.

It’s interesting, isn't it? I’ve noticed a few people on here sketching out these wild future scenarios where things just boil over—basically predicting a total showdown between the far right and the far left. It feels like some folks are bracing for a massive, messy clash between the two extremes of the political spectrum.

When people look at the state of things in America today, they always seem to have someone to point the finger at. It’s always "it’s the media’s fault," or "it’s the government," or some other scapegoat. It’s like when you see a messy kitchen after a big family dinner—everyone starts blaming the cook, the guests, or even the dishwasher, but really, it's just a collective lack of tidying up. Everyone wants to find a single villain to blame for why things aren't perfect, rather than looking at how we all play a part in the mess. The Republican Party and the Democratic Party—honestly, people just love to lump them together like they’re two sides of the exact same coin.It’s funny how you look back at history and see these patterns repeating themselves, isn't it? You start thinking about the shadow left behind by the FBI, that old-school surveillance culture that just seems to linger in the DNA of our political systems. It’s like this lingering communist legacy that refuses to fully fade away, leaving us with a bit of a "slugger" mentality—that gritty, street-level way of thinking that can sometimes hold an entire nation back from reaching its full potential. Then you have those complex, messy tensions with our neighbors and the strange, lingering sympathies some people still hold for them. It’s a lot to unpack, really. It’s like trying to untangle a massive knot of old grievances and outdated ideologies that just won't quit. It makes you wonder how much of our current social fabric is actually being woven today, and how much is just us trying to patch up holes left by decades of old-fashioned power plays.

Maybe you’re just seeing things through a different lens, but honestly, most people have had their eyes opened to the reality of the situation a long time ago.

It’s honestly pretty wild how some people can go on these massive, aggressive rants against anyone who doesn't see eye to eye with them. They use the harshest language imaginable, and what’s even more baffling is how often that kind of behavior just gets brushed under the rug by everyone else. It’s like there's this weirdly high tolerance for hostility. Honestly, listening to some of these folks, you'd think they were trying to drag us all right back to the chaos of the American Civil War era. Most of the time, you’ll find that the folks who are most vocal about their homophobia are actually those obsessed with the Thompson legacy.

Look at this guy. He starts off complaining about people using foul language, and then, out of nowhere, he turns around and starts throwing around labels like "homophobia" and "Thompsonophobe." It’s wild how quickly they pivot like that!

The reason I even bothered writing all of this is because I’ve noticed a certain group of inexperienced debaters around here who seem to think that whatever political PDF gets circulated online is some kind of perfect mirror reflecting the true state of American society. It really isn't! It has absolutely zero connection to what's actually happening on the ground. That’s why you shouldn't let them dictate the conversation to you. Don't just fall into their trap by arguing about old, recycled talking points. Instead, try bringing up stuff that’s actually happening in the news right now. If we stick to current events, we might actually make it through three whole pages of discussion before someone inevitably tries to derail everything by pivoting back to the usual suspects—you know, those people obsessed with nothing but the FBI or anyone clinging to the ghosts of the old regime.

briskpuma23, is someone actually arguing that you should be the one starting these threads?
Since we’re talking about what’s actually happening right now, let’s look at the facts. If the conservatives on this forum were really trying to push the agenda, they would have already turned that whole 1941 conflict with the Mexicans into a major national issue. They would have launched a massive campaign to rename streets in Chicago, or even tried to sneak changes into the Constitution regarding the legal status of the ZVO out in the Eastern Plains. But they haven't. All those topics being shoved down our throats lately? They aren't coming from the right—they're being forced on us by someone else entirely.

It’s funny you should ask! I was just sitting here thinking about how much the vibe around here has shifted lately. It feels like every time I log on, I’m dodging a tidal wave of left-wing trolls, people clinging to those old-school nostalgia trips, and all sorts of clones who just want to stir up trouble. Honestly, it’s getting harder to find the folks who actually lean right—it feels like they're becoming a bit of a rare breed on these boards. It’s almost like trying to find a decent slice of pizza in a city that only serves salad; you know it’s out there somewhere, but the search takes way more effort than it used to!

Well, you really hit the nail right on the head with that one, didn't you? Talk about hitting the bullseye! 👎

Every single moderator here is a notorious conservative who spends their time persecuting right-wing users.

And honestly? It’s true. There are dozens of leftist trolls lurking in the shadows—undercover moderators tasked with monitoring discussions just to shut them down, while the liberal mods provide them full cover. They basically have an open tab for subverting any debate. One of them has already stepped forward, and pretty soon, the second one—the most infamous of the bunch—will follow suit.

A complete guide to navigating political PDFs for the young leftist, courtesy of briskpuma23.😁

Essential reading for all you Thompsonophobes out there (you know, the ones terrified of singers from small towns, rifles, and gazelles).

Sophia Green89 said:All the mods here are total right-wingers out to get anyone on the conservative side.

Man, tell me about it. We’ve got dozens of left-wing trolls lurking around, plus those shadow moderators who basically exist just to kill off threads while the liberal mods look the other way. They've all got a "blank check" to censor people. One already stepped up, and honestly, the second one—the most famous face of them all—won't be far behind...

I mean, they aren't really being unfair if people aren't following the rules, right, buddy? If they actually played by the book, they wouldn't even be allowed to post here in the first place...

steeleagle70 said:They aren't even that notorious if they don't follow the rules to the letter, right colleague... because if they actually did, they wouldn't be allowed to post here in the first place...

"Notorious" people never break the rules... you've got your wires crossed on that one...

If they were actually normal instead of notorious, a troll like you would never be able to derail every single thread.

Who are you working for? Who's paying you? Whose little soldier are you? You manage to churn out 6,000 posts in six months—3,000 with registered accounts and the rest over at the Mad House...

Sophia Green89 said:The regulars never follow the rules... you've got things mixed up here..

If they were actually being reasonable instead of acting like "regulars," a troll like you would never be able to derail every single thread.

Who are you working for? Who's paying you? Whose soldier are you? I mean, seriously, how do you even manage to churn out 6,000 posts in just six months?

Three thousand, huh? And who am I working for? Honestly, telling you probably wouldn't matter since you aren't some political insider... but look, because of your "valuable" input, you've been permanently banned once or twice already, and now you're just floating around posting stuff like this. I don't really care when people complain—if they have an issue, they have a right to speak up—but it's a bit much coming from someone who isn't even allowed on the forum anymore...

And besides, having a different opinion isn't trolling. Maybe people could try accepting that? It seems like the only ones jumping on that bandwagon are the folks who get banned once a week and use burner accounts after getting a permanent ban... we aren't the ones ruining the space with these debates...

briskpuma23 said:Why am I even typing this out? Because it’s fascinating to watch how this tiny, loud minority functions like a pack of wolves, dictating the pace and deciding which topics actually get traction on the politics board.

Their talent for forcing certain agendas—and their knack for sabotaging any thread trying to tackle actual current events—effectively prevents the rest of us sane people from using this forum for its intended purpose.

.

It isn't exactly a masterstroke of strategy, though, considering they’re backed by an incompetent crew of trolls who can barely string a coherent sentence together.

It’s strange, really. Their champions—the feral types, the EPH crowd, and the rest of that lot—operate strictly on pack mentality. This small group terrorizes the community, yet somehow, they seem to be everywhere at once.

For example, just start a thread about crimes committed by the US Army or Americans in general, and you’ll see the entire left wing descend upon it instantly. It’s the easiest way to count them. But try starting a thread about Mexican atrocities, and you won't find a single soul; you'll never truly know how many of them are lurking in the shadows.

steeleagle70 said:I pull in 3k, but who am I working for? Honestly, you probably wouldn't care since I’m not some political heavyweight... and let's be real, given how "helpful" your contributions have been, you've been permanently banned once or twice already. Now you're just drifting around posting stuff like this. I don't mind people complaining—everyone has a right to their opinion—but it's a bit different when it comes from someone who isn't even allowed on the forum anymore.

And having a different opinion isn't trolling. Maybe people could try accepting that, instead of jumping on anyone who gets banned once a week or uses an account that was permanently kicked off. You guys are the ones actually cluttering up the space with these arguments.

Look, you would have been permanently banned ages ago if the rules actually applied to everyone equally, so that whole argument doesn't hold water.

If this forum were actually functional, a destructive troll like you, with 6,000 posts dedicated to causing chaos, would have been booted long ago.

This is truly pathetic.
It isn't just that the Democrats get all the perks; soon they'll be handing out manuals on how we're allowed to "discuss" things. This forum is turning into North Korea.☕

Sophia Green89 said:Look, you would've been permanently banned ages ago if the rules actually applied to everyone equally, so that whole argument just doesn't hold water.

If this forum were actually normal, a destructive troll like you—dropping like 6,000 toxic posts—would have been kicked out long ago.

Destructive? Just having an opinion that differs from someone else isn't being destructive... maybe once people actually learn to accept that, we could finally have some high-level discussions. Honestly, you won't find a single insult or personal attack in any of my posts toward anyone I disagree with... if most people acted like that, regardless of their worldview, this place would be way more chill... though, of course, it would also help if they actually cleared out the people who are banned instead of letting them keep coming back...

Sorry for the OT

I can't even begin to deal with this guy right now. Honestly, just looking at his recent takes makes my head spin. It’s like some people wake up every morning and decide that being intentionally provocative is a full-time job. I was sitting there having my coffee this morning, reading through the latest nonsense, and I just had to set the mug down and take a breath. You know that feeling when you're watching someone drive the wrong way on a one-way street in downtown Chicago and you just realize they have absolutely no clue what they're doing? That's exactly what it feels like following his logic. It's exhausting! kaže:
]

The most common phrases people tend to throw around are:

Is this really what we fought for?
Traitors, old-school communists, and those radical fringe elements... just a bunch of sellouts and agitators.
It’s going to be a bloodbath. Again.
They’re practically begging for an American Civil War at this point. Seriously, it's like they're trying to set the whole house on fire just to see who runs out first.
Yeah, something like that too.

Usually, though—not always, but most of the time—they’re just talking about those so-called "defenders" who hold some pretty questionable views on how life and work should actually function.
Look, even truth can occasionally decide to pay a visit to the opposition side, but honestly, are those "insults" they throw around actually based on anything real?
Blood is going to be spilled—history has taught us that much. It’s an inevitable reality, especially when you have a country riddled with traitors, old-school communists, and people who would sell their own souls just to see the nation fail. You end up with those types standing directly against a normal, decent people who actually give a damn about their country.
Forget about any kind of civil war. There’s no "citizenry" left on the left side of the aisle—it’s just a bunch of rural hillbillies who are still too busy playing host to their relatives from across the border, showing them where the bathroom is like they're visiting a museum.

Honestly, I find those folks on the right absolutely hilarious! At least they give me a good laugh whenever I stumble upon their posts!🤣

The absolute peak of it all is when they try to discredit anyone they disagree with by slapping on some trendy little label—calling someone a nostalgic relic, a communist sympathizer, or some other chic little insult to make them sound outdated.😍

And of course, they just love nothing more than tearing down the usual suspects: Victoria Nuland, Gerald Ford, or even Joe Biden... It’s always the same list of names blamed for why America isn't quite the version of America they have in their heads.🙄

unknown said:I started a thread on this a while back here:

but it went nowhere...

Not a single person from the left or right side bothered to join the debate. It’s obvious they only care about bickering over World War II and the American Civil War.

The opening topic speaks for itself. The ancient Greeks had a specific word for people who refuse to participate in political life. That word was "idiot."