Right Wing Exploitation of the Internet

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2010/dec/13/astroturf-libertarians-internet-democracy

As a follower of bloggers like Krugman, who often take positions that challenge corporate or state interests, I often read some of the comments to their posts. It has become predictable that the number of slanderous comments and repetition of false claims increase whenever an issue is raised that threatens important interests or prevailing ideology. These commentators do not debate the evidence that led to the conclusions that they do not like. Instead bloggers like Krugman are personally attacked by labeling them as "lefties", "socialists" or even worse. The above link is to some research that has been done which explains how these attacks are funded and organized by right wing astroturf organizations which instruct Tea Party members, and others with similar views, on how to use the Internet to serve their purposes. This article barely touches the surface but it is instructive.