There’s this annoying (in my opinion) presence across the Internet that I’ve personally encountered on multiple sites. After an unpopular president has departed and a new Messiah has come in to replace him, the Internet has become filled with a variety of commentators that I’ve lovingly coined as “Obamobloggers”. After trial and error, I’ve come up with a few guidelines for dealing with these phenomena.
Scenario: There’s a comment conversation occurring on say, Facebook, where an Obamoblogger is dumping paragraphs of rhetoric surrounding the notion that the American people voted for “change” so everyone who doesn’t like it should just “get over it”. You only feel the need to respond because the comments are directed to something you posted, or something a “friend” posted.
STEP ONE: Identify
Key Words and Phrases for Identification:
“Get over it”
“Change”
“Old and tired”
“It didn’t work”
“And I used to be a Republican” (thrown in for credibility)
“The last 8 years [yadda yadda]…”
“Thanks to George Bush [yadda yadda]…”
“The policies that got us here…”
“Get in touch”
“My party is in power”
STEP TWO: Diagnosis
“Hostile” – In the instance where ALL CAPS is used, it may be safe to assume the Obamoblogger is hostile. However, be cautious with this approach as the sneaky “bait and switch” tactic may be employed. This involves either a sob story intended to promote guilt or pompous chatter meant to prove their theories further using their own life as justification.
“Hippie” – The retort is filled with unrealistic ideals pointing to the embrace of all forms of life. In this instance, Americans are referred to via colorful language such as “mass murderers”, “thieves”, or the infamous “village air raider”. This blogger is not to be confused with the Ron Paul groupie, although their radicalism may give the initial impression that such is the case.
"Air Puff" – This blogger knows no more about politics and government than your dog. All judgments and perceptions are based on "feel good" inspirations of the moment and a need for inclusion and identity. Phrases like "give him a chance" and "a better future" are used although when challenged to demonstrate the issues being given a "chance", none can be identified.
STEP THREE: Recommended Treatment
The following are options useful for dealing with these types of Obamobloggers:
Option A: Say nothing and shake your head.
Option B: Make a joke. It doesn't make a difference as to the subject matter – all will likely result in offense being taken.
Option C: Give an educated response citing the various misgivings of the piece, offering a plausible rebuttal with cited sources.
Option D: Make use of language equivalent to a verbal middle finger.
"Hostile" – I recommend either Option A or C. Being ignored denies them further fuel to fight with, and sometimes facts will completely change the conversation in your favor. Be cautioned however – choosing Option C may divert your entire day's activities into this conversation.
"Hippie" – I recommend Option B or C. Facts are this blogger's enemy, and not being taken seriously won't inspire any heated response since they're so used to it.
"Air Puff" – Option B is the only recommendation. Option A will make them feel like they've made a difference by having their voice heard, C will waste your time, and D is too harsh for their developing political minds. B might embarrass them and perhaps induce some reflection and research – but be careful you don't blend D with B.
In summary, when dealing with an Obamoblogger, defensive or not, just remember one important thing: They are only the product of a castle built on air.
These times are not those of Camelot – they are those of Carter (or worse).
Don't lose your cool. Don't waste too much time. Don't feel like you're outnumbered.
Oh, and if you're lucky, sometimes they will admit their own fate:
"[We] had to sit back and watch Bush and the Republican Congress screw us. Your turn."
– Quoted from a recent personal Obamoblogger conversation (mistakenly using Option B…).
by Dacia Nichols (view Dacia's Blog at www.republibabble.com)
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