Am I being paranoid?

I just read a post from a fellow DUer questioning a "progressive" website (OpEdNews).

The other day, a post here on DU was questioning the authenticity of a grassroots "progressive" organization (I didn't save the post, can't remember the name).

I've seen posts on DU that follow this format:
-- "I'm a liberal/lefty/progressive..."
-- "Lately I've been thinking/confused..."
-- "I now think" or "maybe we should" or "Isn't it better" and then a recital of
right wing/neocon talking points.

Let me not forget to mention Operation Chaos, and the former generals for hire talking up the war on the news programs, and more that I can't think of right now.

There's been talk of the Republican "brand" failing. What if, in the name of re-branding, there will just be more of these phony groups? How much trouble will that cause for us? They say that politics is like a pendulum, the will of the people swings from the left to the right for certain periods of time. Now that the repubs see the pendulum swinging away from them, to what lengths will they go to remain in power? Whoever the Dem nominee is should win the presidency in a landslide. Do the polls still show a close race for McSame? What other tricks should we be on the look out for?

How does that saying go? "Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not all out to get you"?

we don't march in lock step and we don't necessarily agree on every aspect of every issue.

We don't seem to need the all powerful and all knowing leader that the repubs do. Different opinions are welcome to a productive debate. What's bothering me is the fact that some people won't research who an opinion giver is or where they are coming from. I've had to send out a lot of emails to friends and relatives who refuse to do even a basic Google search on something some idiot radio host has said.

I guess it's just easier for some people to buy into the propaganda they hear.

it is to serve as a Snopes-like clearinghouse to provide clear answers to innacurate statements. Your statement that "I've had to send out a lot of emails to friends and relatives who refuse to do even a basic Google search on something some idiot radio host has said" is why we all get bombarded with those slick, fun-filled e-mails showing things like the war in Iraq costing far less than those evil, n'er do well aliens coming over the Rio Grande.

in their quest for power; what makes you think anything is beyond them?

That's why I'm feeling so paranoid lately. This should be an easy win for us in November, no matter how many votes they try to steal.

I'm just trying to think of what they might try to do next.

roads. It is not just in Texas the current plan is to sell the Pennsylvania Turnpike to them.
Are we going to let them steal our roads next? What next privatize water?
Fuck that.

Due to the overwhelming desperation to somehow believe that something resembling the Official Story is true (After all to accept or even entertain any notion otherwise is simply kookery, blasphemy, or giving Republicans aid and comfort to stay in power because of lunatic fringiness, and simply not being a "Good American.").

However, this particular individual choir that you preach to concurs.

And no, NOTHING is beyond these people.

They are just getting started.

And everyone on DU, and in this country needs to wake up to it, before it's too late.

"hey, it's not that bad" but it didn't happen. I think you're right about the deaf ears. I guess sometimes the paranoid are the realists.

If the thread survives long enough, you will find plenty of soothing, rose-colored voices to send you into a happy slumber, telling you that everything is OK, keep feeling good, nothing is real, nothing exists, and everything is just fine in Pleasantville, as long as you believe that is the case, and to relax and put your paranoia aside.

And it isn't just on DU, it's the whole country. Too many have fallen into Matrix Mode, and they cannot seem to see things clearly, and in all fairness to them, most simply do not want or choose to.

For those than can see, you are living in a VERY interesting time in history. It can be very isolating, alienating, and frightening.

Admit it, aren't there some days you wish you had taken "The Blue Pill?" ;)

I just thought of the scene of Joe Pantoliano eating a steak with Agent Smith. I know it's not real, but it tastes so good (paraphrase).

I'll even go so far as to admit that on the occasions when I fall into a "happy slumber" on my own, I'll sometimes dream of abandoning what I believe in and becoming an asshole worse then Rove just because I know enough people that would willingly become my personal lackeys and tow the party line to their eternal detriment. There are none so blind as those who will not see.

The idea that DU is the center of the political universe and that nefarious forces must do battle here to achieve political success is really pretty absurd I think. It's just a message board... there may be trolls, but I sincerely doubt they are organized as you suggest.