I'm sure I'm not the only DU who gets frustrated with possible bots trying to interject negative comments into...

[usaf-vet]

.... legitimate posts. Often sending the discussion off in untenable directions.

I have spent some spare time trying to find ways to identify bots, in particular Russian bots.
I haven't seen anywhere on DU where someone is tracking and identifying known bots. Maybe I'm just not looking in the right place.

But here is what I have discovered from multiple resources. Links below

Spotting and Reporting Russian Bots on Democratic Underground

As a pro-democracy community, Democratic Underground (DU) is often targeted by bad actors, including Russian bots and trolls, who seek to sow division, spread disinformation, and discourage political engagement. Here’s how to recognize and combat these disruptive accounts.

1. Identifying Russian Bots and Trolls

A. Account Activity Patterns

New or Dormant Accounts: Bots often have low post counts but suddenly engage in multiple threads at once.

Repetitive or Awkward Language: They may use unnatural phrasing, incorrect idioms, or repeat the same lines across multiple threads.

Hot-Topic Focus: They rarely participate in casual discussions (e.g., books, movies, personal stories) and mainly post in political threads.

B. Content Red Flags

Divide-and-Conquer Tactics: Posts designed to create infighting among progressives (e.g., “Biden is just as bad as Trump” or “Bernie supporters are ruining the party”).

Voter Suppression Messaging: Comments like “The system is rigged, don’t bother voting” or “There’s no point in supporting Democrats.”

Over-the-Top Anti-Democrat Posts: Normal criticism is healthy, but bots exaggerate or fabricate stories to undermine trust in Democratic leadership.

Discrediting Reliable News Sources: Posts claiming mainstream media (e.g., NYT, WaPo) is unreliable or “Deep State propaganda.”

Pro-Russian or Pro-MAGA Talking Points: Any post downplaying Russia’s war crimes, defending Putin, or aligning with right-wing disinformation narratives.

C. Behavioral Clues

Rapid-Fire Posting: Bots often respond unnaturally fast and post the same messages across multiple discussions.

Lack of Nuanced Debate: They push narratives rather than engage in meaningful conversation.

Copy-Pasting from Other Sources: If a post looks suspicious, run a Google search to check if it appears verbatim elsewhere.

2. How to Combat Russian Bots

A. Don’t Engage Directly

Trolls thrive on attention. Engaging them only amplifies their message.

B. Report and Flag Suspicious Accounts

Use DU’s reporting tools to alert moderators about suspected bots or disruptive behavior.

C. Verify Before You Share

Fact-check any dubious claim before reacting or spreading misinformation.

D. Strengthen Community Awareness

Help educate fellow DU members by sharing tips on recognizing bot behavior.

3. Additional Resources

Fact-Checking Sites: Snopes, Politifact, FactCheck.org

Russian Disinformation Awareness: Hamilton 68 Dashboard, EU vs Disinfo

By staying vigilant, DU members can protect their community from foreign disinformation and ensure that the platform remains a stronghold for democracy. Let’s continue working together to call out disinfo and defend truth in our discussions!

On a personal note, my dad was a printer and spent every working day of his life working in all phases of printing. He worked in and owned his own job shop. He spent many years working in local and regional newspapers, mainly for the union benefits that helped him raise six kids. Finally, he taught printing in a state prison system where the inmates provided most of the printed materials the institution needed.

He always preached WHITE SPACES, which makes it easier for the reader.
I have always followed that philosophy when I can, which is why I like the block quote feature here at DU. It is easier for me to write and, hopefully, easier for the reader.