A Poignant Essay

[MendoDave]

I was a bottom rung sheepdog for 8 years. I'm trying real hard these days to just be the sheep. Putting away the sword so to speak. I sold all my guns except for the deer rifle and the spear gun years ago. _{Mostly use the spear gun.}

[Sinister]

bullshit

typical mindset that believes just because a man chooses not to make money carrying a gun that he is helpless

go ahead and threaten my family and we will see what kind of teeth this sheep has

Wow, someone has issues.  Your reaction is exactly what makes you not a sheep, in my interpretation of Grossman's essay.  There are hosts of people who would not defend their homes, should the need arise.  I've met some of them.

I didn't read it that way, at all.  Granted, I think he is largely talking about guys who do answer the call.  However, I think he is also talking about regular people who realize that there is evil in this world (sorry, can't expound due to the 'no politics' rule), are aware, and choose not to be a victim.  Case in point, his example of Todd Beamer on Flight 93.  I went to high school with Todd; he was a regular guy, like the rest of us.  However, on 9/11, he refused to be a victim and chose to fight back.  That's a sheepdog, in my book.

I've had a couple of Dave Grossman's books on my reading list, for a while.  I'll have to bump them up here soon.

[needtorque]

Problem with this is our society has no sheepherder to shoot the sheepdogs who continually take bites out of the sheep.

[Sinister]

Problem with this is our society has no sheepherder to shoot the sheepdogs who continually take bites out of the sheep.

What the make the beast with two backs are you talking about? 

[needtorque]

What the make the beast with two backs are you talking about? 

Ok, how else can this be said?  The analogy is of sheep, sheepdogs, and wolves.  Sort of checks and balances.  Who watches the sheepdogs to make sure they are protecting the sheep and not really wolves in disguise?

P.S.
bit of an over reaction as far as your post.  All that was necessary was for you to say that you did not understand my post.  I guess i-net balls are big though as I doubt you would respond like that to a strangers face about a similar comment.

[Sinister]

Ok, how else can this be said?  The analogy is of sheep, sheepdogs, and wolves.  Sort of checks and balances.  Who watches the sheepdogs to make sure they are protecting the sheep and not really wolves in disguise?

P.S.
bit of an over reaction as far as your post.  All that was necessary was for you to say that you did not understand my post.  I guess i-net balls are big though as I doubt you would respond like that to a strangers face about a similar comment.

Your comment, in context of the article, seems a little odd.  We have laws in this country.  Does that not work for you? 

WRT your post script, I simply asked a question based on your implication that the individuals protecting this country often take it out on the citizenry.  No need for internet balls, I am the same on-line as I am in person.  If I think you're full of shit face-to-face, I'll tell you. 

[DCXCV]

Wait, did he just compare unarmed 14 year old suburbanites to SWAT guys in a hostage situation? 

[needtorque]

My point was that the system of checks and balances is not complete in the article.  There was no one for the sheepdogs to answer to.  That applies to real life as well and that is what I was saying.  I think most of the people who read my original post understood that.  I simply tried to clarify it for those who did not.

[Sinister]

My point was that the system of checks and balances is not complete in the article.  There was no one for the sheepdogs to answer to.  That applies to real life as well and that is what I was saying.  I think most of the people who read my original post understood that.  I simply tried to clarify it for those who did not.

Your post sounded like some theoretical intellectualization of a very real topic.  If we are talking sheepherding, a sheepdog which starts killing sheep, gets shot by the shepherd.  The reality is, there are laws, rules, and codes of conduct.  There ARE checks and balances.  Men who go to war (or patrol the streets or carry concealed or what have you) act under these.  Are there exceptions?  Yes.  Are they rare?  By and large, yes.  I think you are trying to inject something that simply is not part of the discussion. 

[needtorque]

Your post sounded like some theoretical intellectualization of a very real topic.  The reality is, there are laws, rules, and codes of conduct.  There ARE checks and balances.  Men who go to war (or patrol the streets or carry concealed or what have you) act under these.  Are there exceptions?  Yes.  Are they rare?  By and large, yes.  I think you are trying to inject something that simply is not part of the discussion.

You are absolutely right.

[Triple J]

I don't see what the uproar is. The article is actually pretty good (it'd be better with paragraphs though  ). All he is saying is that people should be prepared. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. His isn't talking only about the military, police, etc...he's talking about everyone. When the time comes, if it ever does, will you be able to do what is needed, or will you rely on someone else.

Problem with this is our society has no sheepherder to shoot the sheepdogs who continually take bites out of the sheep.

Sure we do...laws:

The difference, though, is that the sheepdog must not, cannot and will not ever harm the sheep. Any sheep dog who intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished and removed. The world cannot work any other way, at least not in a representative democracy or a republic such as ours.

Wait, did he just compare unarmed 14 year old suburbanites to SWAT guys in a hostage situation? 

No...he was making a point. Kids that were too cool for the police, and generally disliked them, were extremely happy to see them when they needed them. People should remember that someday they may need them...so give them a break.

[Triple J]

bullshit

typical mindset that believes just because a man chooses not to make money carrying a gun that he is helpless

go ahead and threaten my family and we will see what kind of teeth this sheep has

You missed the point. That makes you a sheepdog. He isn't only talking about professionals...he's talking about everyone. See the Flight 93 reference.

[factorPlayer]

bleh...  too bad you couldn't use line breaks effectively or I might've bothered reading the diatribe...

[ducpainter]

bleh...  too bad you couldn't use line breaks effectively or I might've bothered reading the diatribe...

He lost me after the third line.

[herm]

oh good, lets talk about politics, guns, belief, all in the same thread.

anyway, more often then not, the "sheepdog" gets to overzealous with their job, or what they "think" is their job. next think you know, the sheep are getting wire tapped and/or deported.

meanwhile, the "shepard" is at best ignorant of the issue because he is trying to shear some wool, or at worst...........selling the sheep to the highest bidding slaughter house.