Trolls Are Bad People

Posted on | April 5, 2014 | 104 Comments

Spend enough time in online New Media and eventually you discover that people who do bad things on the Internet are also usually bad people in real life, too. One of the predictable habits of bad people on the Internet is the use of multiple fake “sockpuppet” accounts to attack their enemies. Neal Rauhauser’s “Gaped Crusader” harassment against Patterico was a classic example of this pattern.

When you see a troll behaving that way online, it’s safe to assume that the troll is a wretched excuse for a human being. Confirmation of this is a long, long post Bullyville put up about Tom Retzlaff of San Antonio, Texas. Retzlaff is such a slimy creepazoid I’m astonished that Texas ever let him out of prison.

After he got out of prison, Retzlaff lied on his application to the MBA program at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), falsely claiming to be a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

When Retzlaff’s dishonesty was exposed (evidently as a result of his harassment of a Chinese foreign exchange student at UTSA), Retzlaff then sued various university employees for defamation. But somehow, despite being a convicted felon, Retzlaff lied his way into a job as a private investigator for a law firm. He got fired from that job in 2012 and then sued the law firm. Retzlaff has tried unsuccessfully to get his criminal record expunged, but that was before he made the mistake of going to war against Bullyville.

And now you can go to TomRetzlaff.com and see all the gory details.

Pay special attention to the divorce records. Real ugly stuff there.

Advice to trolls: You don’t want to mess with Bullyville.

Category: Uncategorized

Comments

104 Responses to “Trolls Are Bad People”

Bob Belvedere
April 5th, 2014 @ 2:17 am

Indeed, Bullyville’s post on him is very long, but just scrolling and occasionally stopping will show you what a waste of Human flesh this Evil man is.
robertstacymccain
April 5th, 2014 @ 2:22 am

And we thought Bill Schmalfeldt was bad!
RKae
April 5th, 2014 @ 2:28 am

And now we’ve discovered that our own government pays for sockpuppets to inundate the internet with propaganda.

Of course, that’s probably just a crazy conspiracy theory…

…like the IRS targeting right wing groups, the Benghazi attack not involving a protest, etc. You know: THOSE crazy conspiracies.
Anon Y. Mous
April 5th, 2014 @ 2:39 am

I agree with your entire post except in your definition of troll. If someone goes into a feminist forum and suggests to an especially worked up commenter, “Why don’t you go make me a sandwich”, they would be fairly labeled a troll. But, that person wouldn’t necessarily be a bad person. Rude, perhaps; juvenile, maybe. But, I wouldn’t make any wagers that the person is probably an ex-con or some other form of lowlife in the real world.

Of course, someone who mischievously pushes someones buttons in a forum is entirely different from someone who posts something like, “I would rape this bitch and make her bleed”. But, that’s the point. You could call either of those trolls, but it seems to me that the person who is posting stuff where they are either threatening violence, or strongly imply such a threat, has gone beyond trolling. They are dancing on the line of criminality, or in some cases, crossing over it.
Adjoran
April 5th, 2014 @ 2:57 am

Poor Billy really really wants to be bad, though.
Dustin
April 5th, 2014 @ 4:03 am

Well, you’re basically right.

Someone who riles up feminists with ‘make me a sandwich’ jokes is probably a joker in person too, and someone willing to tell a joke that gets a rise out of others.

And someone who gets enraged at mere words on the internet, to the point of real harassment, such as going after families, jobs, posting pictures of homes, threatening or joking about rape fantasies, mocking recently deceased loved ones (including infants)… that kind of troll is probably a complete psycho in person too.

The former joker ‘troll’ is probably a fully functional person who has friends, a job, and is probably a happy person. Someone willing to scoff at political correctness once in a while is probably an interesting person. On the other hand, the psycho troll who can’t control himself in the smallest of things (such as internet forums) likely has been unable to govern himself in his career, his romantic life, his family life, his financial life, and in his staying within the guardrails of life (avoiding crime). Hell, I remember back when I felt sympathy for these people, whose derangement has cost them everything normal people love about life.

This is just one example of how I’ve learned to go with my gut on internet personas. I learned that lesson too slowly, but I won’t unlearn it.
Jennifer Emick
April 5th, 2014 @ 6:11 am

Yup. There is a def. difference. Both are technically transgressive
behaviors, but forum trolls are on the jaywalking side of things,
whereas these serial sociopaths are definitely absorbed in causing grief
for others.

The former is a mostly harmless, if rude diversion. People outgrow it, move on, feel bad if they actually hurt a person.

The latter kind make a sport of trying to destroy people they imagine deserve it. These are the people that send anonymous emails, give out
your address, try to change or control a person’s physical or emotional existence.

The really scary ones are the practiced sociopaths. They can barely contain their glee bragging about what they do to others, but they’re somehow always the victim in every scenario. Some we all know well (haha) are pretty good at playing right on the edge,
charming damaged people into doing their dirty work for them.

Most of the people who get tangled with these creeps don’t know until it’s too late- they’ve already criticized, confronted, or otherwise provided the psycho with the excuse they need.
Paul H. Lemmen
April 5th, 2014 @ 7:04 am

I will always hold out the hope of redemption for Bill. It would be very hard and very long a path but the redemptive power of God must never be discounted. I pray for Bill and all those like him, that a moment of clarity will come to them and as Saul on the road to Damascus, have their blindness revealed to them. Thus may begin their redemption and a long (but in the end rewarded by eternal life with God) hard road.
Like I have any room to talk …
Tom_Ohio
April 5th, 2014 @ 8:15 am

The lesser-known class of instable people represented so well by the character Travis Bickle (Taxi Driver). except that Bickle was honorably discharged and a lonely working schlub. You have to wonder just what the hell episode sent this guy over the cliff. I am going to go out on a limb and say it had to do with his divorce, resentment bubbling up leading to much much twisted anger. Then he “made a plan” to get back at “everyone”.
It’s truly sad for those close to him, and he needs to be stopped.
Anamika
April 5th, 2014 @ 8:16 am

If one person gets multiple-id paranoia its one thing, when more than one begins to sense something creepy is going on — then I think there probably is, more than usual.

But I never really understood why it creeps someone out in the first place. I find it really good practice to respond to what is actually being said here and now, without the filter of “I know who you are, and what kind of person you are”.
Anamika
April 5th, 2014 @ 9:10 am

The question of motive is central to any useful notion of dishonesty. Some people are willing to extend a “benefit of doubt” to the person until no ulterior motive has been detected.
Kirby McCain
April 5th, 2014 @ 9:19 am

Using multiple ids to create the idea others share his opinion. Then safe in his anonymity he begins smearing the host or others. Just wrong.
There are some very bad people on the internet… | Batshit Crazy News
April 5th, 2014 @ 9:25 am

[…] TOM: Meet Tom Retzlaff […]
Kimberlin Unmasked
April 5th, 2014 @ 9:51 am

Some of the characters Bullyville is going after are and have been involved with Brett Kimberlin in the past. Interesting that since Bullyville announced he was suing Thomas Retzlaff, Neal Rauhauser and Lane Lipton, the crazy on twitter has diminished significantly.
Paul H. Lemmen
April 5th, 2014 @ 9:52 am

Funny that …
Anamika
April 5th, 2014 @ 10:00 am

I once came across a troll, a master of anonymous ignominy who himself is a sock puppet of another notorious id, who is probably a sock puppet of someone else. As we know, it may not be possible to arrive at a “real” flesh-and-blood figure in the realm of shifting internet ids.

He is best known as the perp behind a multiple-id infiltration of a famous person’s popular blog, with the overall agenda of, well, stalking the host. Individual ids will have various quite possibly “benign” functions, ie not hassling or criticizing the host or anyone, but they serve a function together with the other ids. Thus, even the benign ids had been kept on moderation when detected. But the infestation was so nefarious and thoroughly planned that the nightmare ended only when the blog was closed/moved and the troll lost interest.
Evi L. Bloggerlady
April 5th, 2014 @ 10:35 am

As Bob and Smitty note, the default for leftists…http://thecampofthesaints.org/2014/04/05/friend-smitty_one_each-has-seen-the-light/
Anamika
April 5th, 2014 @ 10:56 am

Garden variety narcissists look at their reflection in the pool and admire it. They will pose and preen to show their best side to others and hope others will admire similarly.

It’s healthy and some say it’s necessary for a successfully functioning social entity.

They tend to say, “I’m Okay! See?!”

Narcissism becomes destructive when the posing and preening is taken to another level.

It says, “I’m okay. You’re not okay. And you probably never will be.”

Any and all behavior can be justified with such an attitude. This type of narcissism becomes destructive in the sense that their sense of okayness is determined by the extent to which they can convince others that those others are not okay.

It can be debated forever (and often is!) what the benefits of ripping the “public face” off of people.
Bozikek
April 5th, 2014 @ 11:34 am

That our resident homophile is lecturing on narcissism…now that is funny!
sarah wells
April 5th, 2014 @ 11:55 am

I think he was never wired up right.
sarah wells
April 5th, 2014 @ 12:00 pm

Felt dejected and depressed like Hamlet after. Felt sick and horrible.
G0n6E
April 5th, 2014 @ 12:06 pm

James McGibney is just fine, Mr. McCain — as far as I can tell (and he does drop me private e-mails from time to time) he’s just rolling with the experiment. Perhaps, like Brian Kolfage, he is (or will soon become) the odd creature that’s seemingly got quite a few folks (imo rather hysterically) speculating about his mental health.

It’s all essentially experimental theater, an act — and Jimmy’s apparently a more effective actor than many of us could imagine. When his critics and well wishers site him for “unhealthy ego” it’s like evaluating DeNiro for the on-screen “mental state” of “Travis Bickle!”

I’ve dealt with dangerously deluded people before — I even played my part in getting such a person evaluated involuntarily in

the wake of internet threats and physical violence. Imo Jimmy is not in that category — I’m sure he’s getting any professional attention he may require and appreciates any sincere concern voiced.

Stand down from red alert, folks — there’s no tempest in your teapot.
Mm
April 5th, 2014 @ 12:46 pm

Hi, Neal!
Jeanette Victoria
April 5th, 2014 @ 12:53 pm

These are not the old UseNet trolls. These are supremely evil people who try to ruin your businesses get you fried and post the most horrific of lies so smear and socially ruin anyone that has the audacity to disagree with them.

I’m the the victim of such attack. People have called the NC state Medical broad to get my psychiatrist licence revoked (i don’t have a psychiatrist license) CPS to have my adopted son removed from my home (nope no adopted son either). 100 of crank pone calls put on junk postage lists and had a fake “review” of my newborn photography posted on the revenge and extortion site RipOffReprot. Not to mentio my elderly mother-in-law was contacted to get dirt on me. Too bad for my stalker I never met her.

And of course all the posts repeating over and over that I am a convicted felon a danger to children and a violent stalker.

This is NOT pushing buttons this is malevolent evil and designed to intimidate and shut people up.
Jeanette Victoria
April 5th, 2014 @ 12:55 pm

It’s time Bullyville go after that cowardly anonymous stalking child DOX’r @NicoleBonnet1
Anamika
April 5th, 2014 @ 1:08 pm

It’s all essentially experimental theater, an act — and Jimmy’s apparently a more effective actor than many of us could imagine.

The danger is in “as we think so we become”. If he is doing this as an act and has other mental problems, then it might be a dangerous act for him.
Anamika
April 5th, 2014 @ 1:14 pm

Any proof that she is a stalker? Anyone who is anonymous on twitter/disqus/etc is a coward in you opinion?
Jeanette Victoria
April 5th, 2014 @ 1:19 pm

We have plenty of prof It’s enough proof to finally get law enforcement interested. She escalated when her stalking and DOX’ing of a child was blogged about.

Anon TROLLS like yourself are cowards. Not all anonymous posters are trolls.
Anamika
April 5th, 2014 @ 1:25 pm

Anon TROLLS like yourself are cowards. Not all anonymous posters are trolls.

Ok, but you didn’t answer my question.
Esther Williams
April 5th, 2014 @ 1:28 pm

In defense of trolls, they can be entertaining.
Anamika
April 5th, 2014 @ 1:35 pm

I kindly request you to provide the links for your proof here.

Otherwise, send me the info to my email id: anaimka@gmail(dot)com

I’ll go through the evidence unbiasedly, and support your cause if indeed what you say is true.
Jeanette Victoria
April 5th, 2014 @ 1:49 pm

You are a anon I don’t need to prove anything to someone I don’t know just search my name here and conservativehideout The folks here know how I ave been stalked and harassed in real life
sarah wells
April 5th, 2014 @ 1:50 pm

Hey Neal!
Anamika
April 5th, 2014 @ 1:54 pm

I’m not denying that you were stalked/being stalked, I’m only concerned with your current accusations of stalking about NicoleB. It’s not a right thing to provide someone’s twitter handle on an open forum and accuse them of things without linking proper evidence for your accusations. It doesn’t matter if the said person is a rabid progressive liberal, it doesn’t give you any excuse to cast aspersions and invite attacks on her/him.
Jeanette Victoria
April 5th, 2014 @ 1:57 pm

Ah the concern troll. Quitre frankly I don’t care what another cowardly anon thinks Stacy has witnesses and written about her stalking and so have many others here
sarah wells
April 5th, 2014 @ 1:59 pm

I never heard of the guy before the Bullyville posts. I was looking for audio of his voice – in case he is a candidate for any of the SWAT calls – thinking there MUST be some, though I didn’t find any, but it brought up a link of his testimony to the Texas house in 2011 about a bill #1666 (yeah).

HIs ox appears to have been rather gored by the idea being criminally culpable for some of his extreme trolling: (Pdf, page 5)

http://api.texasobserver.org/issues/20110603/2011_06_03_103_10.pdf
Anamika
April 5th, 2014 @ 2:10 pm

I see what u mean.

I have to add that accusations of stalking on twitter is a two way street. I just did some research. Her account isn’t suspended even after your(sides) accusations and actions, otoh some of the twitter accounts of people who accused her of stalking were suspended.

You know that saying about pointing fingers at someone…
Jeanette Victoria
April 5th, 2014 @ 2:14 pm

Yup a concern troll. I didn’t DOX a disable cub scout
Anamika
April 5th, 2014 @ 2:17 pm

I don’t know Jeanette… you claim to be a victim of online attacks, yet you seem to be perpetuating the same on others.
Jeanette Victoria
April 5th, 2014 @ 2:23 pm

They used to be entertaining
BvTruther
April 5th, 2014 @ 2:26 pm

Wonder if this is really you, Neal, as these people claim.

Anyway, you said:

“I’m sure he’s getting any professional attention he may require and appreciates any sincere concern voiced.”

I hope that is true. I think even those of us at bvfiles who seem sarcastic in their concern have genuine concern.
RS
April 5th, 2014 @ 2:29 pm

Maybe she should send her credit card numbers and bank account info, too?
Quartermaster
April 5th, 2014 @ 2:30 pm

As I have often pointed out, Anamika is nuts. She doesn’t sense the strong irony.
Anamika
April 5th, 2014 @ 2:33 pm

I didn’t DOX a disable cub scout

But you want others to DOX a rabid liberal on your behalf. I must salute you for your bravery.
Quartermaster
April 5th, 2014 @ 2:33 pm

There is a big difference between what you are accusing her of and defending herself. But, then, you are nuts and are unable to see the difference. It comes with being nuts.
Anamika
April 5th, 2014 @ 2:34 pm

like i said, i’m at least eight times more nuttier than you.
Quartermaster
April 5th, 2014 @ 2:35 pm

Some are. Anamika is an example of your position, however. She adds nothing here and serves only as a target.
Quartermaster
April 5th, 2014 @ 2:40 pm

You’re simply an idiot who needs to be banned. You stopped adding anything here a long time ago.
Anamika
April 5th, 2014 @ 2:41 pm

You stopped adding anything here a long time ago.

I think you live in an alternate reality. Nevertheless give me a timeline and examples to support your claim.
Jeanette Victoria
April 5th, 2014 @ 2:45 pm

Anamika has to be purposefully obtuse claims she see no difference between someone who post lies so horrific they can inciting some unhinged loon to harm me and myself who is simply posit out that she stalking me and doing so precisely because she is anonymous she can lie and harass with impunity