Playing Sheep and Goats

When the conversation starts to trend against a misbehaving user, one common practice is to try to separate the interlocutors into the Good Guys and the Bad Guys.

This can involve Snuggling Up to the Moderator, selectively answering relatively friendly questions, or simple flattery.

It's distinct from basic alliance-forming in that it shows little insight into the actual or expressed views of the people being courted. When combined with I am the Galactic Observer, it's frequently a play for acolytes or followers.