Correction, romantheology is a newer member. But his activity does seem suspicious, as the others. There's a definite agenda going on. When a member joins a forum, and immediately begins posting propaganda, its not normal.

Capistrano, tradition1987, romantheology, and others all joined within a few days of each other.

tradition1987 is tomas on another account. He should be banned for signing up on multiple accounts and for posting disturbing pictures. I don't know who romantheology is but he's an odd character. He says he likes the SSPX but turns around and praises JPII and tries to make it look like Archbishop LeFebvre denied Church doctrine. He also seems obsessed with cutting down sedevacantism, the CMRI in particular.

Actually, S2srea, this site has always had the trolls.

I think Matthew leaves them on up to a certain point because they stimulate discussion.  The most infamous example is roscoe, a troll with diplomatic immunity, the James Bond of CathInfo with a license to troll.

Then there is the guy who calls himself Pope Augustine or the Great Monarch.  Believe it or not, he plays a game with me in particular.  I believe he wants me to come off as paranoid.  So he takes on various characters and blends in.  I am 99.9% sure that Matto, who was here a while ago, was Augustine, and I'm about 85% sure with curiouscatholic.  

I have decided that unless he says something against the faith, I'll just leave it alone, since it's not harming anyone until the mockery is overt.  Of course this defeats the whole purpose, because mockery is what he's here for.  Feed a cold, starve a fever.  He can't win; if he descends into open mockery, he'll be discovered; if he just blends in, there's no point.  

But as Matthew knows, this guy is not just playing a harmless joke, he once posted an explicit drawing of a naked woman.  That's the sort of thing that could get someone to commit a mortal sin. Then, if I'm not mistaken, he tried to erase it, after I had said something, so that I'd look like a lunatic who was seeing explicit pictures of naked women when there were none.  I don't remember precisely if he did that but I have a vague memory of it; Matthew might remember better.

This kind of hounding that I've always dealt with on this forum led me to get so paranoid that, if you remember Ladislaus, I began to believe him that Matthew and Caminus were the same person and that Matthew had a split personality.  There is an object lesson in what paranoia can do.

Yes, I think Matthew could and should be more anti-troll.  But the site has a tendency to slow down without them, that is the problem.  If there were more solid members I'm pretty sure he'd crack down harder on trolls.

I don't mind the pro-novus ordo poster, it gives one a chance to sharpen their sword.  At least Santo tries, but he doesn't follow through enough, the rest just seem like dingbats who aren't interested in discussion.  

To those who would like more peaceful discussions sharing info about devotions, etc. --

I would just say, "This forum is whatever YOU make it." If even ONE person started posted what they wanted to see, the forum would move toward their "vision" by a pretty decent-sized step.

I'm sure there are sayings out there that would be appropriate -- "BE the change you wish to see" or something to that effect -- even "Rather than curse the darkness, light a candle."

Matthew, could you atleast delete this disturbing picture that tradition1987 posted? I'll post the link to the thread for you to delete it, but be warned the picture he posted of lucifer is incredibly disturbing, that's why I suggest you delete it and the thread.

http://www.cathinfo.com/catholic.php/Vatican-names-its-new-telescope-LUCIFER

"Moles" gives them too much credit (and power). It implies they are part of some larger, concerted effort that collaborates or is organized, taking orders from somewhere.

These are good ol' freelancing trolls.

Welcome to the Internet and forums generally.

Same truths apply at CI as any Inet forum: "Don't feed the trolls"

Oh, I left off aquinasg. Half the guy's posts have been asking for prayers for his family and he signed his earlier ones with his full name. Why do you think he's a troll?