Dutch Uncle
* Tertia Optio * Defend the Constitution
The deliberate provocation is key to my definition, and what earned you the label.
You called me a staunch Democrat. I explained that I was, in fact, a registered independent and always had been. You could have responded to that by suggesting I might not be as independent as I thought, or in some other way forthrightly responded to my claim. Instead, you "conceded" that I was a fervent supporter of the Democratic Party. Framing it as a "concession" made it sound like something I had claimed and that you were admitting to, after having at first denied it. You know, though, that it was no concession, but rather simply a reiteration of what you'd already claimed, without so much as the courtesy of acknowledging the contrary assertion on my part. That was deliberate provocation. You were seeking to provoke an emotional outburst by way of that disingenuous rhetoric. That's trolling.
I don't mind, honestly. Troll away. I'm just saying that it comes across as a weird non-sequitur to go from that kind of calculated divisiveness to calling for unity. If you want to know why unity is hard to come by, these days, take a look at your own bad-faith approach to political discussion.
Being provocative is not trolling. If I state "Hillary Clinton" is a liar and a crook then supply links backing up my belief, why do you think that is trolling?
Your unflagging support for Hillary indicates you being a staunch Democrat just like the staunch Trumpers who claim to be Independents aren't really Independents.