I'm sure I'm not the only DU who gets frustrated with possible bots trying to interject negative comments into...

[usaf-vet]

.... legitimate posts. Often sending the discussion off in untenable directions.

I have spent some spare time trying to find ways to identify bots, in particular Russian bots.
I haven't seen anywhere on DU where someone is tracking and identifying known bots. Maybe I'm just not looking in the right place.

But here is what I have discovered from multiple resources. Links below

Spotting and Reporting Russian Bots on Democratic Underground

As a pro-democracy community, Democratic Underground (DU) is often targeted by bad actors, including Russian bots and trolls, who seek to sow division, spread disinformation, and discourage political engagement. Here’s how to recognize and combat these disruptive accounts.

1. Identifying Russian Bots and Trolls

A. Account Activity Patterns

New or Dormant Accounts: Bots often have low post counts but suddenly engage in multiple threads at once.

Repetitive or Awkward Language: They may use unnatural phrasing, incorrect idioms, or repeat the same lines across multiple threads.

Hot-Topic Focus: They rarely participate in casual discussions (e.g., books, movies, personal stories) and mainly post in political threads.

B. Content Red Flags

Divide-and-Conquer Tactics: Posts designed to create infighting among progressives (e.g., “Biden is just as bad as Trump” or “Bernie supporters are ruining the party”).

Voter Suppression Messaging: Comments like “The system is rigged, don’t bother voting” or “There’s no point in supporting Democrats.”

Over-the-Top Anti-Democrat Posts: Normal criticism is healthy, but bots exaggerate or fabricate stories to undermine trust in Democratic leadership.

Discrediting Reliable News Sources: Posts claiming mainstream media (e.g., NYT, WaPo) is unreliable or “Deep State propaganda.”

Pro-Russian or Pro-MAGA Talking Points: Any post downplaying Russia’s war crimes, defending Putin, or aligning with right-wing disinformation narratives.

C. Behavioral Clues

Rapid-Fire Posting: Bots often respond unnaturally fast and post the same messages across multiple discussions.

Lack of Nuanced Debate: They push narratives rather than engage in meaningful conversation.

Copy-Pasting from Other Sources: If a post looks suspicious, run a Google search to check if it appears verbatim elsewhere.

2. How to Combat Russian Bots

A. Don’t Engage Directly

Trolls thrive on attention. Engaging them only amplifies their message.

B. Report and Flag Suspicious Accounts

Use DU’s reporting tools to alert moderators about suspected bots or disruptive behavior.

C. Verify Before You Share

Fact-check any dubious claim before reacting or spreading misinformation.

D. Strengthen Community Awareness

Help educate fellow DU members by sharing tips on recognizing bot behavior.

3. Additional Resources

Fact-Checking Sites: Snopes, Politifact, FactCheck.org

Russian Disinformation Awareness: Hamilton 68 Dashboard, EU vs Disinfo

By staying vigilant, DU members can protect their community from foreign disinformation and ensure that the platform remains a stronghold for democracy. Let’s continue working together to call out disinfo and defend truth in our discussions!

On a personal note, my dad was a printer and spent every working day of his life working in all phases of printing. He worked in and owned his own job shop. He spent many years working in local and regional newspapers, mainly for the union benefits that helped him raise six kids. Finally, he taught printing in a state prison system where the inmates provided most of the printed materials the institution needed.

He always preached WHITE SPACES, which makes it easier for the reader.
I have always followed that philosophy when I can, which is why I like the block quote feature here at DU. It is easier for me to write and, hopefully, easier for the reader.

[Walleye]

1. Any post that says, with all the homelessness or whatever we have here why is all this money going to Ukraine?

That’s straight from the Russians. Really nice to hear about your dad. I had a chemistry teacher in school who was practically genius. He ran a printing shop. It takes a lot of smarts.

[intheflow]

2. Okay, but some of those points are just general about the internet and are not necessarily bots.

Repetitive or Awkward Language: They may use unnatural phrasing, incorrect idioms, or repeat the same lines across multiple threads.

This also applies to immigrants, refugees, and other foreign-born or non-native English speaking people.

Hot-Topic Focus: They rarely participate in casual discussions (e.g., books, movies, personal stories) and mainly post in political threads.

What?! People on a political discussion board who only want to talk about politics? Please, that describes me and I've been on here for 20 years. I hate small talk (so no pop culture threads for me), and rarely interact with personal stories because I know so few of you IRL.

Over-the-Top Anti-Democrat Posts: Normal criticism is healthy, but bots exaggerate or fabricate stories to undermine trust in Democratic leadership.

One person's OTT criticism is another person's constructive criticism flavored with healthy doses of sarcasm, hyperbole, or panic.

Discrediting Reliable News Sources: Posts claiming mainstream media (e.g., NYT, WaPo) is unreliable or “Deep State propaganda.”

I am a librarian and this is a hot topic in reference circles. You simply cannot assume unbiased coverage from any media outlet, an honestly, some of the most established newspapers have signaled that they're not interested in providing facts or or even supporting the First Amendment which is their bread and butter. (Looking at you, specifically, Bezos and WaPo). Disinformation by refusing to publish stories & editorials from their own staff, such as Bezos did stepping in to stop Harris' endorsement, or this week, refusing to publish Ruth Marcus' editorial column about Bezos new priorities for the newsroom (i.e., not TRUTH but news about personal liberties and excluding dissenting POVs. If you still want to blindly follow legacy media, just know, they are actually lying to you these days, even if it's just the sin of omission.

Lack of Nuanced Debate: They push narratives rather than engage in meaningful conversation.

That describes half the posters on DU! lol

[FemDemERA]

3. Thank you for this OP.

Helpful info to keep in mind

[anamnua]

4. There is also Cicero's 2000 year old agenda detector: 'Cui bono?'

(who stands to benefit?)

[pinkstarburst]

5. Okay, but there are also posters here on DU

that if you don't have 30,000 posts to your name and dare to want to have a nuanced discussion, immediately start accusing you of being a Russian Troll. The Gavin Newsom thread would be an example where he's a democratic figure but making statements on trans issues and other topics that are against what most consider democratic values and many don't agree with, and how can we have a conversation about that if people aren't allowed to post saying they don't agree with his actions without being told speaking out automatically makes them a Russian troll?

[Mosby]

6. If you want to learn more volunteer for MIRT

nt.

[Torchlight]

7. It's not difficult to recognize a consistent pattern

of negative posts about Democrats that promote broad division from any one, singular source, done more often than not at the expense of positive discussions about them. With this pattern in mind, the use of scapegoating, dog-whistles, and polemics (which seem the three most popular tools in their box) becomes even more apparent when viewed in the broader context.