Spammers For Ron Paul
from the who-knew? dept
It’s no secret that Ron Paul’s candidacy for president has captured the attention of many technology-savvy voters. This isn’t all that surprising given Paul’s libertarian views and the widespread support of libertarian ideals by many in the technology world. However, Wired News is now reporting on the fact that spammers seem to be supporting Ron Paul too. Pro-Paul spam messages are being sent out, even with typical spam obfuscation gibberish in the subject lines: “Ron Paul Wins GOP Debate! HMzjoqO” and “Ron Paul Exposes Federal Reserve! SBHBcSO” are two examples in the article. Of course, while the article suggests that Paul’s supporters may be doing the spamming, it might be something different. Spammers are well known for responding to news events with current event-related spam — knowing that it’s more likely to catch the attention of readers. Even if the current batch of spam isn’t selling anything (other than support for Ron Paul), that could just be to get through filters so that the next batch of spam advertising stocks or drugs is more likely to get through. Of course, another possibility might be that spammers figure that a President like Paul would likely try to do away with anti-spam legislation which could be seen as a violation of the First Amendment. Somehow, that seems unlikely though.
Comments on “Spammers For Ron Paul”
If he wasn't such a loon
…he wouldn’t need these sorts of tactics.
Everyday on the I-10 there are 2 or 3 messages with simply his name painted on them. Someone shredded one of these and now it’s still litter on the busy highway. He has a couple good stances as far as I’m concerned, but there’s just no way a loose cannon will change the system by that much in that little amount of time.
Re: If he wasn't such a loon
Can you quantify calling him a loon? Maybe you disagree with his ideas but I highly doubt you’ve put any time into researching them beyond taking a FOX or CNN provided point of view and dutifully making it your own. This isn’t about one person – it’s about needing a leader to enable the people, (you know – the real owners of this country according to our constitution) to demand changes. Anyone who thinks our current system is working and needs to continue as-is is a loon. Ron Paul supporters aren’t sending the spam – it’s just the same scumbags using a known popular email subject to piggy back their wares on. Is Pfizer sending out Viagra spam? Evil Pfizer, flooding my inbox with their viagra spam….. Don’t be such an idiot.
Re: Re: If he wasn't such a loon
Just because someone doesn’t agree with your point of view you assume they have their view handed to them??? I too think he’s a loon, and that’s simply from the IDIOTIC gibberish that comes out of his own mouth! God save us from Ron Paul as president!
Re: Re: Re: If he wasn't such a loon
People who fail to give a reason for disagreeing with someone, are usually the type that have their politics spoon fed to them.
If you cannot provide a sane, some-what logical explanation for your current standing you probably don’t have one. Ergo, your view is most likely given to you rather than being carefully researched and thought out.
Re: Re: If he wasn't such a loon
How about: In 2002, he spoke before the Congress in opposition to campaign finance reforms that place any restrictions on citizens and businesses making campaign contributions to the candidate of their choice on First Amendment grounds.
and
Texas Monthly awarded him the “Bum Steer” award for voting against a congressional honor for cartoonist Charles Schulz.
This is referencing the Ellis Island Medal of Honor which is awarded for “immigrant acheivement”. He can’t keep those straight?
then perhaps more recently:
One way to combat illegal immigration would be to remove incentives for illegal immigrants to come to the United States.
“No state should be compelled to give free medical care and free education,”? he said.
From wikipedia: He also opposes the Patriot Act, the federal War on Drugs, and gun control. Yay from me.
But Paul is pro-life, advocates the overturn of Roe v. Wade, and affirms states’ rights to determine the legality of abortion. Do we have freedom of choice, or not?
Constitutionalism is ultra-republicanism. I think we need someone a bit more moderate to get the country moving in a positive direction.
Re: Re: Re: If he wasn't such a loon
and I’m not talking about Rudy or Billary either!
Re: Re: Re: If he wasn't such a loon
Okay first off no state should be compelled to give free medical care or free education. How is that loony? Those SERVICES are paid for by legal taxpayers, if you aren’t a part of the legal system that funds those, you should receive their benefits.
His voting stance on a “acheivement award” factors how exactly into the important issues involved in running a country?
I’m prochoice but Ron Paul is 100% right in claiming that Roe v. Wade should be over turned. Actually read the case summary, it manipulated issues about privacy to legalize abortion. So without Roe v Wade, it becomes an issue that every state needs to vote on. And I truly hope that every state votes pro choice but supporting the findings in Roe v Wade just to get your way does more damage to the country than good.
Patriot Act is bullshit in most Americans eyes. The federal government has a nasty habit of making “temporary” powers permanent, as evidenced by many governments throughout time.
The war on drugs (especially pot) is millions of dollars spent on punishing a victimless crime and putting otherwise law abiding, tax paying citizens in jail. Tell me how exactly a 40 something growing pot in their basement then being put in jail does society any good?
And laxer gun control benefits everyone, because more people are good than bad. “when you outlaw guns then only outlaws have guns.”
So I’m still waiting for any valid critique of his views you might have. Ass.
Re: Re: Re:2 If he wasn't such a loon
Well said Alex! Matthew typical of our society today. Instead of saying I don’t agree with this person. We have to call them names and try to discredit. Simple reseacher would have made a better case for you Matthew. Next time try researching facts instead of just reading the headlines or do you work for Fox news?
Re: Re: Re:3 If he wasn't such a loon
No, Matthew works for Dan Rather.
Re: If he wasn't such a loon
Of course he wont be able to achieve a fraction of his goals if he gets elected. Theres just not enough time, and there will be lots of opposition.
He will at least turn the debate in Washington to where it belongs. Fixing the broken federal government. Its like we’re driving down the high way in a car with 4 flat tires, and Giuliani and Hillary are arguing over what kinds of new roads to build, and which direction they should go. Paul is the only one in the car screaming “Lets change the damn tires!”.
Re: If he wasn't such a loon
You know whats really loony, is a president that starts wars with nations that cost us 2 billion dollars, get 4000 soldiers killed, 50,000+ wounded, devalue our money by 20%, abandon afghanistan (the REAL al qaeda hideout), and then tell America its time for a fresh ruinous war with Iran, a nation that is twice the size of iraq, has twice as many people, and has none of the ethnic or religious divisions to take advantage of, plus it has the support of Russia, a nation with 23,000 nuclear weapons and has hundreds of its citizens working on iran’s infrastructure.
So who’s the real loose cannon?
:Fag:
Just wait....
We should see a Vote for RP post any second now. Mmmm…post spam. He is a little too wacky. Some of his supporters aren’t too level-headed either. They like to hold up giant signs of aborted babies at family events. My advice is Vote for RuPaul!
Ron Paul seems to be the only genuine politician I
I’ll be voting for him myself. As far as the story here goes, I seriously doubt that Ron Paul or his supporters would authorize something like this. More than likely someone aware of his online popularity and trying to spread viruses or such.
Smear
I could also be a smear campaign by an opponent. Spam works because spammers don’t normally have to worry about public opinion. Send 2 million messages, get a dozen sales, piss off 50,000 people, and you’ve have a good run. For politicians, if you send 2 million spams for your opponent you might prompt about 2 dozen people to support him, but you anger many many more. And spam is rarely traceable to the source. Mission accomplished.
Re: Smear
I agree with the above. When I first read the headlines “Ron Paul Spams”, the first thing that popped into my head was the “Karl Rove Playbook of Dirty Tricks”. It’s wouldn’t be to tough (or expensive) to rent a bot herd and sling your mud in this new Web2.0 era.
Giuliani's underhanded attempt to discredit Ron Pa
If you are interested in the truth, research a real story at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6022122295294072848&q=ron+paul&total=13214&start=0&num=10&so=1&type=search&plindex=5
Gudy Riuliani is a New York thug who tries underhanded methods against his opponent. Ron Paul is the only sane choice for president.
I think Ron Paul SHOULD send spam.
I couldn’t tell you how many penis enlargement products I’ve purchased just because I got an email.
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** VOTE RON PAUL 2008 **
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You're right Matt
Yeah, he is a loon. If only he could be more level-headed like Hilary…
Re: You're right Matt
you’re stupid
Joel's got it
Ten to one Joel is correct and this is a being financed by some one/group in the Republican party who wants to see Ron Paul’s popularity drop. His biggest fan base and greatest group of supporters are those in the tech community and they are also the most rabid anti-spam group there is. What better way to smear him.
I’m no longer a registered Republican. I changed after 22 years because of this administration and other Republican leadership’s acts, and it’ll take 20 years of them reversing course and making up for their crimes before I’ll ever vote Republican again – including for Ron Paul. So I’m not agreeing with Joel because I’m a Ron Paul fan boy. I am saying it though because this is a page right out of the Republican political playbook. I’m surprised Fox news isn’t running hourly reports on Ron Paul’s spamming campaign.
For what it’s worth though I don’t think it’s true they won’t get caught or that the spam will prove untraceable. I think, should they continue the practice, we’ll find that they hired a moron who’ll screw up and lead us to a party bigwig.
Spam, DoS and politics
I’m sure there are a few actual Ron Paul supporters who are spamming. I’m sure there are a few people spamming with Ron Paul’s name in an attempt to discredit him. Odds are, the name has moved up and been placed in a filter with a – to the spam score.
I do know that DoS attacks happen – a local ‘green party endorsed’ canidate who got 11% of the vote had his web site DoSed for over 5 months before the election. A local Republican party supported used to brag about he’d call the county Democrats voice mail system and listen to the left messages.
I look forward to Ron Paul getting the GOP nod – only because the actual discussion of issues has been so craptastic. The same reason I look forward to Stephen Colbert winning in SC – because I’m hoping that he can raise the level of the discussion in the process.
If he wasn’t such a loon
And the current dynasties in power are better? lol
anti-spam legislation: futile, but not a 1st Amend
Anti-spam legislation (in any form, in any jurisdiction) is a pointless waste of everyone’s time, because of course spammers will simply ignore it. Yes, from time to time, said legislation will be used to conduct a public prosecution or private litigation, and sometimes the plaintiffs will prevail, and of course trumpet their success as a “victory” against spammers. Oh, I’m glad when they win — but none of those to date have had any real, long-term impact on spammers, nor will they.
That said — properly-written anti-spam legislation (which I’ve yet to see anywhere in the world, because almost all of them start going wrong at the definition and get worse from there) does not conflict with the First Amendment. That’s because (as I’ve said elsewhere), spam and other forms of abuse are not speech, just as a brick with an attached note thrown through a window is not publication. Oh, this doesn’t stop spam-supporters from raising First Amendment issues when it’s convenient for them; but those “concerns” are merely a canard.
What the heck is wrong with ya’ll? Ron Paul is the only choice for president?
Forget that.
My vote’s going to Colbert.
Ron Paul Spam: Cui Bono?
http://www.reason.com/blog/show/123284.html
Giuliani behind alleged Ron Paul spam
http://disinter.wordpress.com/2007/11/01/giuliani-behind-alleged-ron-paul-spam/
This is probably a attempt to dicredit the RP team and get the term Ron Paul on spam filters by a competitor or the same scum that pick up these news stories but ignore the fact that Ron Paul has won a majority of the REAL straw polls.
Furthermore, this “spam” was discussed 2 days ago on the dailypaul and we knew that this was a attempt probably by the HIRED bloggers of Huckabee or Hillory to discredit Ron Paul.
Ron Paul doesn’t have to pay his bloggers.
Those who just say he is a “loon” can’t debate the facts or issues so they resort to trying to discredit this great man and avoiding looking like the ignorant fools they are by avoiding discussing the issues.
Everyone Else is a loon we have been doing things like insane people so long that we believe SANE is INSANE.
Only Ron Paul is Sane!
Now claims of money to Wired for the story.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5LgUiz2mBA&feature=RecentlyWatched&page=1&t=t&f=b
Sarah Lai Stirland was paid by a Giuliani adviser to publish the Articles “‘Criminal’ Botnet Stumps for Ron Paul, Researchers Allege” & “More on Ron Paul Spam” to discredit Ron Paul. Just shows that the Media perhaps can or is already Bought.
Rich and unhinged
…yeah, i like electing rich people to spend my money with no moral or fiscal responsibility. Sounds great! …and better yet, why don’t we create some war to further our oil interests and maybe help build our military supply company (Halliburton)
I’m surprised that these people that don’t like Ron Paul, can’t see the ME ME ME in todays politics.
You don’t have to agree with everything he says. But c’mon some of it rings true!
Vote Paul 08
Vote for Ron Paul, or Rudy will attack Iran and outlaw Heterosexual Marriage!
Only Ron can stop Hillary from taking over the White House and having Bill C. sex up the interns. You saw what he did as President! Hillary will probably have a lesbian love affair with an intern and use a pool cue to consummate an unholy union between a female lizard queen and herself.
How to Whip This Ron Paul Character and All His Wh
How to Whip This Ron Paul Character and All His Whacky Followers.
Ron Paul can be defeated by ignorance. Ignore him if you can.
By lies. Misrepresent his positions whenever possible.
By word gaming. As Lenin advised, “First, confuse the vocabulary.”
By contempt. Dismiss him as amusing and pathetic.
By smearing his supporters. Find the worst and spotlight them. Call them a cult.
By consensus. Dismiss him with peer-pressure ridicule.
By false accusations. Spread them quickly and far.
By never discussing his policies. Change the subject to his person.
By the polls. Ask the right people the right questions and get the answer you want.
By reporting his most unpopular votes. But don’t report his reasoning.
By rudeness. Wreck any debate where his ideas are winning.
With all these tools, he can be easily defeated. Use them generously.
But Ron Paul cannot be defeated by refuting him in an honest and courteous technical debate. Avoid that.
– Moderno Machiavelli
Everyone Loves Liberty, Geniuses and Idiots Alike.
EVERYBODY LOVES LIBERTY , GENIUSES AND IDIOTS ALIKE.
PRO LIFE AND PRO CHOICE
BLACKS, WHITES, ITIALIANS, GERMANS,THE REST OF THE FREE WORLD IS ROOTING FOR RON PAUL, THERE ARE GROUPS ALL OVER THE WORLD. YOU WOULD THINK HE WAS THE MESSIAH HE IS SO POPULAR.
WITHIN WEEKS OF HIS PRESIDENCY THE ATTITUDE OF THE WORLD WOULD FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE IN A BIG WAY. FREINDSHIP AND PEACE WOULD BEGIN TO GROW.
THERE IS EVEN A JEWS4RONPAUL (DOT) ORG THOUGH IT IS SMALL.
YOUNG AND OLD, DEMOCRATES REPUBLICANS INDEPENDENTS
LIBERTARIANS, GAYS LESBIANS, CATHOLICS, MUSLIMS, BUDHIST, WICCANS AND NEW AGERS, ULTRA CONSERVATIVES SUCH AS PAT BUCHANAN ENDORSE RON PAUL AND NEWT GINGRITCH EVEN SAID HE LIKED RON PAUL.
SO DON’T EQUATE THE PEOPLE WITH THE MESSAGE. THAT IS NO DIFFERENT THAN THE IGNORANCE OF RACISM EQUATING THE PERSON WITH THE SKIN.
LIVE FREE OR DIE…
I suspected all along that there were very few ACTUAL ron paul supporters and yet Digg is full of ron paul stories. Now that we know this is all due to spam bots it makes much more sense.
Jeff #30
Nope, you got that wrong. Not even close. Go do some research for a change. You’ll find this:
– tens of thousands of donors to his campaign. spambots: 0
– tens of thousands of voters on the debate polls, with IP tracing and nubmer checking to prevent duplicates. spambots: 0
– hundreds of people at rallies all over the nation. spambots: 0
– hundred and thousands of people voting him the winner at straw polls across the nation. spambots: 0
The list goes on.
Sorry, folks, but those people who are scared enough (why?) or ignorant enough (why?) to oppose Dr. Paul will create the most bogus excuses rather than actually get involved and get educated. This spambot controversy is created and artifical and has no traction because of that very fact. It’s just another molehill on steriods posing as a mountain as another feeble attempt to discredit Dr. Paul and his supporters. Like before, it won’t work.
Ron Paul won't win so who cares?
As much as I would love to see Ron Paul win the nomination then win the Presidential election, the facts remain he is a 22/1 shot with no hope whatsoever.
So the whole spam issue is moot.
Hilary at 10/11 will no doubt win the nomination, then go on to win the Presidential election.
Bookmark this page and remember Max Powers told you so.
Ron Paul Campaign Under Cyber Attack
There has been a recent flurry of news articles that have made the conjecture that the Ron Paul campaign or his supporters are in possession of a botnet and are using it to generate spam emails for the candidate. I have been in the business of computer technology for a long time and have good friends in the IT security business and we have discussed this at length. Cui-bono (who benefits)
I find it far more likely that this botnet spam attack is not the design of the Paul campaign or any of its supporters. It is far more likely that this is the release of a first round of direct cyber attack against the Ron Paul campaign. I base this opinion on the fact that the attack is becoming clearly targeted at the youtube videos of Ron Paul. Youtube links to his videos are beginning to be inserted into the the body of these spam message and as a direct result the video’s are being pulled by youtube for violation of their terms of use policy.
This attack method can do far more harm than good for the Ron Paul campaign so I will make a guess that this is the work of those in the NSA using cyber war tactics out of loyalty or possibly under orders to use this stealth attack method to derail the Ron Paul campaign by using the campaign’s online strength against them.
I expect that after these attackers have used this method to remove the best google and youtube videos touting the Ron Paul campaign, that the attack method will change and will then go after other key components of the campaign’s online strength such as the Web 2.0 communities. These utilities will likely be spammed and the organizations using the applications will be banned from their use.
This is nefarious and demonstrates the kind of tactics that the establishment could use to serve their interest in stopping the advance of Ron Paul and the Revolution for freedom that he is leading as well as his Presidential bid. I can only hope that the Ron Paul online army has some equally talented cyber warriors that can help stop this attack before it is ramped up even further.
http://www.nolanchart.com/article259.html
Giuliani was behind this story....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5LgUiz2mBA
Strangely, this spambot was able to create over 1,000 meetup groups composed of over 55,000 other spambots and won not only the vast majority of online polls, but the majority of all straw polls for Ron Paul. Most bizarre, however, is the fact that this robot managed to spam more than $2.6 million to the Ron Paul campaign in the month of October alone.
Maybe the other candidates need to look into getting one of these ‘robots’.
Spammers For Ron Paul
As the title of this piece “Spammers For Ron Paul” suggests, Mike Masnick is clueless when it comes to connecting the dots and is only perpetuating the obvious purpose of the spam being to discredit the Ron Paul campaign.
Re: Spammers For Ron Paul
As the title of this piece “Spammers For Ron Paul” suggests, Mike Masnick is clueless when it comes to connecting the dots and is only perpetuating the obvious purpose of the spam being to discredit the Ron Paul campaign.
Hey Louis, before making ridiculous accusations, perhaps you should (a) get a sense of humor and (b) read the actual post. The title was a joke. The post made it clear that I highly doubted it was actually Ron Paul supporters sending the spam.
Obviously they FEAR Ron Paul
You never discuss anybody you aren’t concerned about, and you definitely don’t take time and money to smear his public image if he’s not a legitimate threat.
All these hit pieces written by people with axes to grind means that Ron Paul is definitely having an effect….voters want him, they do NOT want the Mad Mormon Romney, Cross Dresser Guliani, Jesus Hit Man Huckabee, Bumbling Thompson, or Immigrant Hater Tancredo (who has an italian last name BTW).
The people are speaking, and the press elite hate it!