Are those 'Help me to debunk this email ...' posts:

You know what I'm talking about ... every morning brings fresh requests debunking something or other someone has read, heard or seen on TV. Most often, it contains a detailed set of RNC "talking points".

I'm always a bit dubious of these, and am almost always able to refrain from the "try google" response.

when all we see is how pathetic they really are.

I called him out on it -WTF - how long have you been here and you need help refuting this crap? Please.

What better way to test their ideas than to post it to get responses from ardent opponents across the world?

Wish folks on this board were less naive.

I voted "other": I believe it is all of the above. How can we say all of those requests fall under just one category. It is most likely a mixture of authenic requests AND Repub moles.

which I don't think so, it's better to assume the best, lest someone be stuck without help.

And it'll make the little trolls hurt themselves having to think on overtime when they go back to the drawing board.

the opportunity to dish about some idiot freeper.

who want to get the truth out and know DU is a place for great information and sometimes great support.

I think to tell someone to "try google" is rude. If someone doesn't want to offer help, I can understand that. People are busy. Just skip the thread, though. No need to be rude to a fellow Dem who's working to get the truth out. I'm always happy to offer help if I have something bookmarked that can help the person, or if I remember where the answer is. If I can't help, I don't post.

Many of us are active at other message boards or have large email lists, so when someone posts an anti-Kerry message I consider it my duty to debunk it and spread the truth. If someone posts crap like that on another message board I'm on, I always put together a response and show them to be the liar they are. Also, if someone emails me crap like that, I reply all and link them to snopes or link them to an article detailing the truth.

:toast:

"Also, if someone emails me crap like that, I reply all and link them to snopes or link them to an article detailing the truth."
I do the same and have noticed fewer and fewer of these emails in my inbox lately.

but I've seen a few exceptions.

It does give us the opportunity to respond, though. As often as we like. If you're getting bogged down, just skip the thread...someone else here will take care of it.

Depends on the poster. I tend to ignore them. I think most DUers should already know how to debunk most of those emails which is what makes me suspicious.

...as another respondent said.

I responded to one of these from someone who had a high post count. We ended up having a nice discussion about various things. No hint at all of mole-ness.

I responded to another and was immediately hit back, via e-mail, with a "well how about this..." Obvious mole. Reported. Haven't seen since.

Even well-informed people ask for help, for many reasons. Sometimes it's just easier to pose the question among people you know will have the answer. Sometimes it's to start discussion. There's a thread running right now that almost seems like a troll at first glance, but which I think is merely an attempt to get people to define some things for themselves. I moderate a Usenet group, and I have done things like this a lot, i.e. ask a question I know the answer to or have my own opinions about, just to get the ball rolling discussing an issue I think is important.