Moderation policies are enabling trolling

I have seen this scenario happen over the past several months, and I think it needs to be addressed. I don't want to single out any moderator, because I've seen this happen with several mods, and because I realize that moderators are limited in the time they can spend moderating threads.

Trolls often show up, post threads, and start to insult members of the community. Example: http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/61957-At-what-point-will-Elon-Musk-face-a-margin-call (see post #6 for an example).

When trolls then go to other threads and attempt to cause trouble, forum members sometimes call them out for it, and moderators then warn forum members to stick to the issues rather than comment on the troll making the post.

The end result is that trolls can go about bullying people without fear of being called out, and that bystanders who should stand up to these people are shut down.

Perhaps people do not agree with me, but I do not believe in standing idly by while trolls denigrate people.

Thanks for your attention to this matter.

doug said:

If you see what you think is trolling, report the post so mods can evaluate and deal with it. Posting about it in thread just feeds the troll. Certainly don't get in a match tossing insults. A troll is better at walking the line and your responding is not helping. I just had to tell someone that many things come down to a judgement call, but threats of violence are a clear line that get you a timeout if not a ban. Don't feed the trolls.

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Ok, thank you for your response. This is a tough issue.

I always try not to insult people back, because I believe that insults typically undermine the strength of one's arguments.