After a few months of studying the comments underneath news stories posted by Yahoo! News I've been able to determine as a fact a few things.
1. There are definitely paid trolls in the Philippines on Yahoo message boards nonstop.
2. They do this on a consistent and constant basis in which is really hard not to notice. Instead of reading every comment, take a step back and look at the bigger picture. They do this 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year for at least 8 years.
3. It's a wall of noise designed to drown normal thought out. It's impossible to hold conversations with them. They have zero personality behind them. When you ask them where you're from, they lie. Not only that, they describe it ways that lets me know instantly that they could NOT have possibly stepped foot in the US.
ex:
This is how "Kathleen" described her home of Branson, Missouri:
"It takes a bit to get used to the locals. Many speak some weird sort of language through missing teeth and appear to be bored, uninterested in life and fill their time with drugs and alcohol. Where there is a business, say a local grocery store, they will be loitering outside spitting sunflower seeds, chucking watermelon rinds and peering at you with suspicious eyes."
4. Here's an example of the "comments" that are left nonstop:
" Larry • 9 mins ago Report Abuse
Liberals hate white men thats the reason for this article,"
5. Here's a perfect example of how these people work. One person can log into at least 4 different screen names at the same time. One person can easily go to a story pertaining to guns or politics and take it over.
I'll let Magic Man, M U M Z, and Josh L explain what they do. It's kind of long but worth it:
Magic Man • 7 hrs ago Remove
These billionaire #$%$ can't even hire American trolls. Terrible.
39 Replies
M U M Z • 6 hrs ago Report Abuse
You're so right Magic Man. I mean, everyday it feels like I see people talking to themselves on here. Isn't that strange?
Josh L • 6 hrs ago Report Abuse
That is strange guys. I could walk in here on any given day and see almost exactly the same thing.
Magic Man • 6 hrs ago Remove
Over and over again. I know what you mean.
M U M Z • 6 hrs ago Report Abuse
Could it be possible that something weird is going on?
Josh L • 6 hrs ago Report Abuse
You guys are just being paranoid. There's no manipulation going on here. Obviously it's a hard thing to accomplish.
Magic Man • 6 hrs ago Remove
Yeah maybe I am being paranoid.
M U M Z • 6 hrs ago Report Abuse
Yeah, that Josh L is a genius. You should listen to him.
Josh L • 6 hrs ago Report Abuse
Guys, guys, you're much too generous.
Magic Man • 6 hrs ago Remove
I could probably do this all night.
M U M Z • 6 hrs ago Report Abuse
But why would you want to do this for free?
Josh L • 6 hrs ago Report Abuse
It would drive you crazy after awhile.
Magic Man • 6 hrs ago Remove
The truth is there is a lot of money behind the people who do this 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
M U M Z • 6 hrs ago Report Abuse
Yahoo enables the right individuals to hack their way into the mainstream. They pretend to look the other way.
Josh L • 6 hrs ago Report Abuse
They've been doing for so long that they've become complacent. It only makes it more obvious.
Magic Man • 6 hrs ago Remove
They're allowed to do this on a regular basis.
M U M Z • 6 hrs ago Report Abuse
They have to be. It's always right-wing posts at the top.
Josh L • 6 hrs ago Report Abuse
Oh, you're being paranoid M U M Z.
Magic Man • 6 hrs ago Remove
You're paranoid M U M Z. Don't be an idiot.
M U M Z • 6 hrs ago Report Abuse
No, I think I got it figured out.
Josh L • 6 hrs ago Report Abuse
You think Yahoo hasn't noticed this going on underneath all of their news stories?
Magic Man • 6 hrs ago Remove
It's been going on for nearly a decade.
M U M Z • 6 hrs ago Report Abuse
People overlook it because it's Yahoo.
Josh L • 6 hrs ago Report Abuse
See how easy this is to do? Now why do this ALL OF THE TIME???? Who in their right mind would keep this up for that long?
Magic Man • 6 hrs ago Remove
I think you need to go to bed Josh L
M U M Z • 6 hrs ago Report Abuse
I think so too, Josh L.
Josh L • 6 hrs ago Report Abuse
Yeah I'm pretty tired of doing this.
Josh L • 6 hrs ago Report Abuse
Also, notice the number of thumbs. I don't have the ability to give myself 100 thumbs up.
Josh L • 5 hrs ago Report Abuse
How many (insert liberal-insult) does it take for (insert Obama) this #$%$ to happen!
Magic Man • 5 hrs ago Remove
Only a liberal idiot would think like that.
M U M Z • 5 hrs ago Report Abuse
Right. This isn't about right or left. This is fascism.
Josh L • 5 hrs ago Report Abuse
Fascism!? Slow down there buddy. What did you say?
Magic Man • 5 hrs ago Remove
Yeah that's kind of a strong word to use. I'm not so sure.
M U M Z • 5 hrs ago Report Abuse
Constant right-wing propaganda being posted all over the internet, with Yahoo being the focus of their efforts. It's impossible not to notice.
Josh L • 5 hrs ago Report Abuse
Yeah, you got a point there M U M Z.
Magic Man • 5 hrs ago Remove
Josh L is a genius so I agree.
M U M Z • 5 hrs ago Report Abuse
Wow, thanks.
Josh L • 5 hrs ago Report Abuse
See how easy it is to do this? Why would you though?
Magic Man • 4 hrs ago Remove
To make money.
M U M Z • 4 hrs ago Report Abuse
That much is clear.
I could give you countless examples but I'm too tired. I can't keep up with these people.
24 hours a day 7 days a week this goes on for at least 8 years. Nonstop. What are we to do????? Do you think Yahoo doesn't know about this? Not only do they know this is going on but they actually have enabled these people to operate for 8 years. Take a look at who they just signed an agreement with and take a look at the news stories that they choose to post on their front page. Also not that under different screen names, different articles pop up making it harder without the Yahoo "key" to troll their boards. Not only that, the delete function on their posts was inserted in the last year. This makes it easier for them to get away with it.
So like I said, what are we to do?