Yes, I've just seen this. I think there are a lot of questions here and a lot of circumstancial/vague evidence at a quick first glance. I think Adam needs to respond to this and I'll await his response.
It's been over 24 hours, and so far the only response I've seen from Ben or Adam has been Ben unfriending and blocking a bunch of people on Facebook, including me. If someone had FAKED those screen shots, Adam and Ben would be screaming that from the rooftops. (And Graham now has more proof that they were genuine.) And the only other option I can see is very not good. People might disagree on whether politics can ever be used to achieve freedom, but Stalinesque bullshit like this, trying to use harassment, sabotage and thuggery to silence and destroy dissenting or critical opinions ... that's just fucked up. (By the way, I wouldn't be at all surprised if I wasn't the "bigger target" Ben was talking about going after next.)
Ya know what I haven't seen ANYONE in the Kokesh camp say yet, or even imply? "Wow, if this is true, that's really horrible." Instead, they demonize the victim of intentional and premeditated harassment and terrorism, which didn't happen only because the harasser they went to has a conscience (which is both very comforting and super ironic). These people don't even know how to PRETEND to be decent human beings.
They found a message they knew would resonate for the people and instead of actually believing and practicing what that message is about they instead are using it as a leg up to power.
This is not surprising. We should always see this as a possibility, and even likely in many cases. Those that run for higher office don't tend to be people that don't want power. Sadly those that would do the best job, tend to not run. :)
What Marcus is doing there to you is an accurate representation of "trolling". You disagreeing is not the same thing. You challenging someone is not the same thing.
You said project, project, project. That was very apt in this case as while calling you a troll all he managed to do was troll.
Yes, I've just seen this. I think there are a lot of questions here and a lot of circumstancial/vague evidence at a quick first glance. I think Adam needs to respond to this and I'll await his response.
It's been over 24 hours, and so far the only response I've seen from Ben or Adam has been Ben unfriending and blocking a bunch of people on Facebook, including me. If someone had FAKED those screen shots, Adam and Ben would be screaming that from the rooftops. (And Graham now has more proof that they were genuine.) And the only other option I can see is very not good. People might disagree on whether politics can ever be used to achieve freedom, but Stalinesque bullshit like this, trying to use harassment, sabotage and thuggery to silence and destroy dissenting or critical opinions ... that's just fucked up. (By the way, I wouldn't be at all surprised if I wasn't the "bigger target" Ben was talking about going after next.)
Here is the OFFICIAL PRESS SECRETARY OF A PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, @marcus.pulis, responding:
Ya know what I haven't seen ANYONE in the Kokesh camp say yet, or even imply? "Wow, if this is true, that's really horrible." Instead, they demonize the victim of intentional and premeditated harassment and terrorism, which didn't happen only because the harasser they went to has a conscience (which is both very comforting and super ironic). These people don't even know how to PRETEND to be decent human beings.
Wish more people could understand this. Normal people don’t “answer” like this.
He may also have no choice, if he cut a deal somewhere, which, of course, would be extremely damning, which, of course, would be extremely damning.
That screenshot above... Marcus is the one actually "trolling".
They found a message they knew would resonate for the people and instead of actually believing and practicing what that message is about they instead are using it as a leg up to power.
This is not surprising. We should always see this as a possibility, and even likely in many cases. Those that run for higher office don't tend to be people that don't want power. Sadly those that would do the best job, tend to not run. :)
What Marcus is doing there to you is an accurate representation of "trolling". You disagreeing is not the same thing. You challenging someone is not the same thing.
You said project, project, project. That was very apt in this case as while calling you a troll all he managed to do was troll.
I agree completely. This is a mess.
Still nothing from AK, save calling it “lies” and “hysteria” on Twitter.
Ben’s response:
They're still ignoring everyone. Any news from your side please?