Clouseau said NO.

I doubt that he is any type of troll, brilliant or otherwise. He's just a poster with different opinions than those of the frequent posters here, and there are plenty of lurkers who I'm sure don't share the same opinions and values of the typical clique. Rod is just willing to speak up knowing he will be bashed or ridiculed for not sharing the same posted opinions. I truly enjoy when someone posts something aside from the prevalent posters here (even if I don't always agree), and I don't feel it warrants being bashed or called a troll. Variety is the spice of life, and life would be so boring if we all thought the same, but that's just my opinion, which I'm sure will be 180 degrees different than the views of the typical posters here; I've never been one for group thought and conformity, and that's A-OK in my book.

My guess is that he is a variation of a simpleton. One that is not actually stupid, but who has problems understanding what is really expected in social interchange.

If you gave flatline, Tidwell and Vern a Hare PCL-R test, I'm confident that Rod's score would remain in the safe zone--say, under 8--while the other two would be pushing the 30's, sounding the sirens and causing the red lights to flash. According to a study that I was introduced to through this very board, several Canadian psychologists found a strong correlation between trolling and psychopathic behavior in offline life.

So, socially dumb? Probably. Sociopath? Probably not.

During heated arguments, Rod often takes sides based on who he likes or dislikes rather than on the merits of the arguments. I'd imagine that lawyers would feel very nervous having him on a jury, but here he has a safe place to interact with arguments and champion whichever side he chooses.

He's okay. And I've said it before, but I'll say it again:
Be grateful for the village idiot. Without him the rest of you would have to take turns.

But then the sincerity and utter desperation seeping from the I-want-to-pick-up-a- girl thread makes me think he's just a really lonely guy (sample pic) with a dungeon in his Wash DC house and just looking for the right girl to call it home. I'm sure Corinne will do an outcall for $1k if he asks. She'll be glad we outed her alias then... Lol.  

That said, I second the opinion about differences in opinion and freedom of speech on a free f-ckboard.

-- Modified on 2/23/2014 2:59:44 PM

When ever some one displays the behavior he displays. You know, in one ear and out the other.