Sheep, Wolves, & Sheepdogs
February 9th, 2008 by Admin
With all the hype about Berkeley and the many efforts to block their stupidity, I thought about an essay that I read once called "Sheep, Wolves, & Sheepdogs". It's a poignant essay that people like Ken Hoop, Critical Facts, the Berkeley City Council and others can't afford NOT to read.
By Lt. Col Dave Grossman
Most of the people in our society are sheep. They are kind, gentle, productive creatures who can only hurt one another by accident.” This is true. Remember, the murder rate is six per 100,000 per year, and the aggravated assault rate is four per 1,000 per year. What this means is that the vast majority of Americans are not inclined to hurt one another.
We may well be in the most violent times in history, but violence is still remarkably rare. This is because most citizens are kind, decent people who are not capable of hurting each other, except by accident or under extreme provocation. They are sheep.
Then there are the wolves and the wolves feed on the sheep without mercy. Do you believe there are wolves out there who will feed on the flock without mercy? You better believe it. There are evil men in this world and they are capable of evil deeds. The moment you forget that or pretend it is not so, you become a sheep. There is no safety in denial.
Then there are sheepdogs and I’m a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf. Or, as a sign in one California law enforcement agency put it, “We intimidate those who intimidate others.”
If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen: a sheep. If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath–a wolf. But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? Then you are a sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the hero’s path. Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed.
We know that the sheep live in denial, that is what makes them sheep. They do not want to believe that there is evil in the world. They can accept the fact that fires can happen, which is why they want fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers, fire alarms and fire exits throughout their kids' schools. But many of them are outraged at the idea of putting an armed police officer in their kid's school. Our children are thousands of times more likely to be killed or seriously injured by school violence than fire, but the sheep's only response to the possibility of violence is denial. The idea of someone coming to kill or harm their child is just too hard, and so they chose the path of denial.
The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs and the capacity for violence. 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.Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land. They would prefer that he didn't tell them where to go, or give them traffic tickets, or stand at the ready in our airports, in camouflage fatigues, holding an M-16. The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs, spray paint himself white, and go, "Baa." Until the wolf shows up. Then the entire flock tries desperately to hide behind one lonely sheepdog.
The students, the victims, at Columbine High School were big, tough high school students, and under ordinary circumstances they would not have had the time of day for a police officer. They were not bad kids; they just had nothing to say to a cop. When the school was under attack, however, and SWAT teams were clearing the rooms and hallways, the officers had to physically peel those clinging, sobbing kids off of them. This is how the little lambs feel about their sheepdog when the wolf is at the door.
Look at what happened after September 11, 2001 when the wolf pounded hard on the door. Remember how America, more than ever before, felt differently about their law enforcement officers and military personnel? Remember how many times you heard the word hero?
Understand that there is nothing morally superior about being a sheepdog; it is just what you choose to be. Also understand that a sheepdog is a funny critter: He is always sniffing around out on the perimeter, checking the breeze, barking at things that go bump in the night, and yearning for a righteous battle. That is, the young sheepdogs yearn for a righteous battle. The old sheepdogs are a little older and wiser, but they move to the sound of the guns when needed, right along with the young ones.
Here is how the sheep and the sheepdog think differently. The sheep pretend the wolf will never come, but the sheepdog lives for that day. After the attacks on September 11, 2001, most of the sheep, that is, most citizens in America said, "Thank God I wasn't on one of those planes." The sheepdogs, the warriors, said, "Dear God, I wish I could have been on one of those planes. Maybe I could have made a difference." When you are truly transformed into a warrior and have truly invested yourself into warriorhood, you want to be there. You want to be able to make a difference.
There is nothing morally superior about the sheepdog, the warrior, but he does have one real advantage. Only one. And that is that he is able to survive and thrive in an environment that destroys 98 percent of the population.
There was research conducted a few years ago with individuals convicted of violent crimes. These cons were in prison for serious,
predatory crimes of violence: assaults, murders and killing law enforcement officers. The vast majority said that they specifically
targeted victims by body language: Slumped walk, passive behavior and lack of awareness. They chose their victims like big cats do in Africa, when they select one out of the herd that is least able to protect itself.Some people may be destined to be sheep and others might be genetically primed to be wolves or sheepdogs. But I believe that
most people can choose which one they want to be, and I'm proud to say that more and more Americans are choosing to become sheepdogs.Seven months after the attack on September 11, 2001, Todd Beamer was honored in his hometown of Cranbury, New Jersey. Todd, as you recall, was the man on Flight 93 over Pennsylvania who called on his cell phone to alert an operator from United Airlines about the hijacking. When he learned of the other three passenger planes that had been used as weapons, Todd dropped his phone and uttered the words, "Let's roll," which authorities believe was a signal to the other passengers to confront the terrorist hijackers. In one hour, a transformation occurred among the passengers – athletes, business people and parents. — from sheep to sheepdogs and together they fought the wolves, ultimately saving an unknown number of lives on the ground.
There is no safety for honest men except by believing all possible evil of evil men. – Edmund Burke
Here is the point I like to emphasize, especially to the thousands of police officers and soldiers I speak to each year. In nature the
sheep, real sheep, are born as sheep. Sheepdogs are born that way, and so are wolves. They didn't have a choice. But you are not a critter. As a human being, you can be whatever you want to be. It is a conscious, moral decision.If you want to be a sheep, then you can be a sheep and that is okay, but you must understand the price you pay. When the wolf comes, you and your loved ones are going to die if there is not a sheepdog there to protect you. If you want to be a wolf, you can be one, but the sheepdogs are going to hunt you down and you will never have rest, safety, trust or love. But if you want to be a sheepdog and walk the warrior's path, then you must make a conscious and moral decision every day to dedicate, equip and prepare yourself to thrive in that toxic, corrosive moment when the wolf comes knocking at the door.
This business of being a sheep or a sheep dog is not a yes-no dichotomy. It is not an all-or-nothing, either-or choice. It is a
matter of degrees, a continuum. On one end is an abject, head-in-the-sand-sheep and on the other end is the ultimate warrior. Few people exist completely on one end or the other. Most of us live somewhere in between.Since 9-11 almost everyone in America took a step up that continuum, away from denial. The sheep took a few steps toward accepting and appreciating their warriors, and the warriors started taking their job more seriously. It's okay to be a sheep, but do not kick the sheepdog. Indeed, the sheep dog may just run a little harder, strive to protect a little beter and be fully prepared to pay an ultimate price in battle and spirit with the sheep moving from "baa" to "thanks". The degree to which you move up that continuum, away from sheephood and denial, is the degree to which you and your loved ones will survive, physically and psychologically at your moment of truth.
We do not call for gifts or freedoms beyond our lot. We just need a small pat on the head, a smile and a thank you to fill the emotional tank which is drained protecting the sheep. And when our number is called by the Almighty, and day retreats into night, a small prayer before the heavens just may be in order to say thanks for letting you continue to be a sheep. And be grateful for the thousands, millions of American sheepdogs who permit you the freedom to express even bad ideas.
Posted in Military Perspective
LtCol Grossman sounds like a brain-washed Bushie. Good for him. Cheney and Chertoff should be proud. Hoo-ahh!
Great essay. Is "Critical Facts" still stalking? I think he said that I drink Rep Cool Aid just because I said that if the US had not been in Vietnam my country would be under communist (which I believe is true).
JD,
"brain-washed"? What about you? Perhaps YOU have been brain-washed by Ron Paul or the Dems.
Ken, we've already won, so your comment is void. However, if we lost, who DID win? – CJ
CJ, Sheep are an intresting bunch. They are DUMB, STUBBORN, FEARFUL AND REBELLIOUS. What a mix! These characteristics just make the task of the "sheepdogs" all the more difficult. The "sheepdogs" have an unwritten agreement between them. The older ones have the responsibility of showing the younger how to fight the wolves, smarter, not harder. The younger have the responsibility of maintaining a willingness te LEARN and APPLY what they have learned in how to fight the wolves.
WARNING! When we use the term "older sheepdogs" and "young sheepdogs", we must be VERY careful. These terms are not chronological terms, but experiential terms. Example, you may have a sheepdog (human), age 35 is actually an "old sheepdog". Then on the other hand, you may have another sheepdog (human), age 65 is actually the "young sheepdog". This principle overrides things like "Rank- Time and Grade."
Grumpy
Thanks CJ for being one of the sheep dogs who guards us sheep! As Grumpy says, we sheep are dumb, stubborn, fearful and rebellious! However I like to think that I am one of the calmer of the bunch Ha…doesn't everyone?!
God Bless all of you who stand guard for us so that we might have freedom here in this great country of ours!!
Even if you've read it before, it's always something good to re-read from time to time. I think I first found that through Bill Whittle's Tribes piece, in late 2005. Then, while I was working on my M.Ed., I encountered a moonbat in the Writing class. Something she wrote and shared with the class helped inspire my own Sheepdogs post in June 2006. Thanks for bringing LTC Grossman's essay up again, so more people can read it.
I am talking to both "Donna" and "Miss Ladybug." Ladybug, I went back to personal website page on "Sheepdogs", written June 2006. CJ, turn your head and look the other way, we're going to be doing some housecleaning. Ladybug, I went back and read your article. There is one portion in the article, which is echoed by Donna, with which I take issue. You both assert that both of you are sheep. I believe history will show both of you to be "sheepdogs in sheeps' clothing."
Ladybug, in your history, as stated in the article, you grew up in a military family. This is an issue which shows many things. First, if they did blood work on you, they would find genetic military markers in the results of your blood work. There are no words in our dictionary which fully describe the importance of the Military Family. This is also true of the families of the whole "sheepdog community." Donna, I suspect this also applies to you. Remember one thing, sheep are stupid and you are here. This is an absolute contradiction in terms.
CJ, you can turn around, were finished.
Grumpy
If you don't think our soldiers are already fighting Iran, Ken, you're out of it totally. That's not to say I think we will have an official war with Iran, but the current controlling elements must fall. Interestingly enough, the Iranian government seems to be doing it to themselves.
And polls are nothing but clay out of which media spin artist make what they wish. The truth will out in the end, but you may not like the view. I hear a great deal from the "grapevine" and even if our troops are getting weary, let me tell you, we have won and are winning (as paradoxical as that may sound).
Thanks Grumpy!!
Baaaa. Baaaa. – CJ
So the truth leads to censorship?
I would hope that this blog would not fall to the ranks of 99% of other right wing blogs by censoring opposing views.
[It's not truth if it's been disproven. So, yes, YOUR "truth" will lead to censorship. Don't like it? Find that 1% you're looking for that will tolerate it. - CJ]
There you go again CF, spouting off the George Socialist Soros Propaganda. The President did NOT say that Iraq was an "immediate" threat. Clearly Saddam WANTED to restart his programs of WMD's if for no other reason, then to keep Iran at bay.
And, yes, the sheepdogs would have attacked the wolves before they actually entered the killing fields.
SSgtJ:
Are you suggesting that all a nation need to preemptively attack another is knowledge or suspicion of a desire to commence or restart weapons programs? Sure sounds like that is what you are saying!
Grumpy~
Thanks for calling me one of the sheepdogs. But, I don't really think that I am, at least not a full-fledged sheepdog. I'm not really a sheep, because I understand that there are wolves out there, but I am not out there facing the wolves, either. I like the sheep/sheepdog analogy, but I don't think people like me fit either category. Maybe I'm a sheepdog pup?? Lately, I've been thinking it might be nice for me to learn how to fire a weapon (although my family might have conniptions over that…). I'm not ready (especially mentally) to carry a handgun with a concealed carry, but it might be nice to have a rifle in the home and know how to use it. A couple of weeks ago, my sister moved out, and she and her boyfriend moved in together. He has license to carry concealed (although he's without a handgun at the moment), but he has rifles, too. I was helping them a little with the move, and when I was out at his truck and he had the rifle, not in a case, to be carried in, he asked if I was okay with it. My sister is afraid of guns. I don't have a problem, so I take it. My sister makes a crack about me walking around like Annie Oakley… My dad commented that at least I carried it muzzle down. I held it with my hand just in front of the trigger/trigger guard (I'm sorry – I don't know all the proper terms for the parts of a gun). My other sister carried in another rifle, but this one was in a case that could be placed over the shoulder.
Grumpy~
One more thing: that moonbat WAS an Army Brat, too. She must have issues with men, too. What she wrote about: living on/near base, hearing the artillery fire, and sarcastically talking about the testosterone-filled environment. It was definitely anti-military in tone… So, just because one has military service in one's family history doesn't automatically make you one of the sheepdogs.
CF, your comment "Are you suggesting that all a nation need to preemptively attack another is knowledge or suspicion of a desire to commence or restart weapons programs?" does NOT represent what I said or believe and YOU of all people know better than that. You wouldn't need to twist or distort the facts if you have any valid points.
Ladybug,
About your moonbat / Army Brat, I'm coming up on 60 years of age. People look for absolute black and white answers, with an absolute zero degree for tolerance. The older I get, the more gradients of gray I see in life. This includes my hair, what's left of it and my beard. This moonbat / Army Brat type, you will always find on the sidelines of life and/or battle. Whenever they get into the debate, they reveal just how CHILDISH they really are in their thinking.
It is strange you talk about firearms, I've been around them since I was 7 years old. It was strange, my Mother and Father both, took me and a Remington bolt action .22 rifle down to an old gravel pit. There was an old table and about 50 yards to the target, my Father grabbed the weapon and ammunition and put them on the table in pit. I look at him and he says, "I'm not teaching you how to shoot, your mother is." She proceded to show me how to load the weapon. My Mother was never a big or tall woman, about 5' at the most and 100 lbs. She took this .22 rifle and shot at a target which was 1'x1' with an "X" in the center. This was taped to a 4'x8' plywood. She then took an unsupported standing position and proceded to shoot 30 rounds. I had a small scope, so I could see the hits. The whole shot pattern could be covered with a Dollar bill, folded in half, end to end. She then taught me to shoot the same way. My Mother then took a .38 revolver and did the exact same thing again. May Father would later say, "I've noticed something about you, you don't argue with your Mother." I replied, "Dad, you do NOT argue with somebody who can shoot like She can!" After that first shooting trip, Dad handed me the gun and said, "It is yours. Take care of it and here are some boxes of ammunition." This rifle never left the house unless I was going target shooting. Times are different!"
What is a sheepdog? I think there is some disagreement on this question. In my view, it would include all of the people we classify as "first responders." It would include all of the people in the military, but also all of the diversified fields of military support."
Grumpy
Miss Ladybug, there's nothing wrong with taking your time when thinking about carrying a gun. In my opinion, you don't need to be afraid to own guns as long as you know how to use them and use common sense about securing them. There's a lot of information and training you could get out there to make you a better gun owner if and when you decide to own one.
I hope CJ doesn't mind, but I recommend a website called Cornered Cat for women thinking about guns. (Obviously I am also one thinking about a concealed carry permit since it is difficult for a woman to have anywhere to look for protection when she doesn't have family near by…sometimes even when she has family near by.)
Miriam~
Being far from family was one of the reasons I have dogs: I was in Arkansas, and although I had a roommate part of the time, she was working on a Masters and would sometimes be gone for extended periods (for "opera camp" or to visit her family over the summer/Christmas breaks), and then I lived alone when I bought my house. I think my dogs scare people – they bark, and not necessarily in a friendly manner, at people they don't know, and they aren't exactly small…
Dogs can help too. Like I say, it's your decision. Personally, I would love to have a dog as additional eyes and ears (and a little intimidation doesn't hurt). I can't have one where I live currently. But in the end, if I'm really in danger, I need it to be me who decides if force is necessary. I can't depend on a dog for that. And often the police are too far away or too busy. (We don't have the best Police Chief around here anyway). Like I say, I haven't bought one yet either. But I have definitely thought it out.
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. Shame on the man of cultivated taste who permits refinement to develop into fastidiousness that unfits him for doing the rough work of a workaday world. Among the free peoples who govern themselves there is but a small field of usefulness open for the men of cloistered life who shrink from contact with their fellows. Still less room is there for those who deride of slight what is done by those who actually bear the brunt of the day; nor yet for those others who always profess that they would like to take action, if only the conditions of life were not exactly what they actually are. The man who does nothing cuts the same sordid figure in the pages of history, whether he be a cynic, or fop, or voluptuary. There is little use for the being whose tepid soul knows nothing of great and generous emotion, of the high pride, the stern belief, the lofty enthusiasm, of the men who quell the storm and ride the thunder. Well for these men if they succeed; well also, though not so well, if they fail, given only that they have nobly ventured, and have put forth all their heart and strength. It is war-worn Hotspur, spent with hard fighting, he of the many errors and valiant end, over whose memory we love to linger, not over the memory of the young lord who "but for the vile guns would have been a valiant soldier."
Theodore Roosevelt
26th President of the United States
Speech at the Sorbonne
Paris, France
April 23, 1910
It's quite evident Lt. Colonel David Grossman is a TRUE AMERICAN who at one time or possibly currently is part of one of this Great Country's "ELITE MILITARY" Units.
I, being also a retired Veteran, concur 100% with his article. No Quid Pro Quo when it comes to defending someone or something.
May God Bless you and your Family Lt. Colonel Grossman. Your definitely an asset to both this great Country and your Unit.
I've come to this article late in the comments process, but would like to touch upon a few of the ideas presented without adressing them directly or subjectively.
It is my belief that one doesn't need to carry a gun or to even enter a battle of any kind to be a sheepdog. Yes a sheepdog needs to be ready to enter the fray should the situation demand, but percentage wise, the grand majority of a sheepdogs life is vigilance.
If you are vigilant where others are not. If you are willing to bark when others remain silent or ignorant. If you raise your hackles with bared teeth when others cringe and run in fear. If, though you may be scared to the brink of death, you stand your ground with a righteousness in defense of those who are unable or unwilling to defend themselves. If you do all of these things, not out of fear, or hate, or prejudice but because you understand that if you don't do them then you can't expect anyone else to do them either… then you are a sheepdog.
It doesn't require a gun or a uniform or sharp teeth or a powerful and muscular frame to be a sheepdog. All that is required is the bright shining light inside of you which burns so brightly that it refuses to allow you to harm or allow harm to come to another living being within your watchful gaze.
This is a great essay and the ones that disagree do not know what they are talking about. You are the sheep's the bleeding heart liberals that will die when stuff starts to go down. Then you will be begging the real men to come save you. If this is wrong then will one of you tell me another category that he does not talk about.
Lt. Col Dave Grossman appears to be an honorable man. May his tribe increase.
There is one critter you need to include in Lt. Dave Grossman analogy: Parasites.
Parasites feed on sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs. They are not picky on who the feed on. They need a bloodsucking relationship with any of the sheep, wolves, or sheepdogs. They are weak in nature and must attach themselves to other organisms.
They are deceptive and never reveal their true nature. Just like they are hard to find and identify once inside a host. They will use sheep, sheepdogs, or wolves in any means possible only to gain something from it.
They are people like George Bush Jr. and Dick Cheney (many politicians) who have never seen the outside of the real world and has always lived inside a shelter environment like inside a host.
They have never served in the armed forces or have bled. They know nothing of fangs but yet talks about it or even tries to use fangs (gun.) When allowed to use fangs they are dangerous to everyone else (Cheney’s duck hunt.)
They consider themselves the master and will try to control the host in anyway possible so they can live another day from the richness (blood) of an organism that is working hard to stay alive. They will eagerly infect your friends (pack) or offspring by spreading their offspring (lies) by laying eggs. Their offspring are not selective either and will attach themselves to a sheep or wolf too.
So as an intelligent sheepdog, don’t just protect any sheep. Protect the sheep that are not infected by the parasites and make sure you are not infected as well.
Don’t fight a misguided war in Iraq or Afghanistan so that the parasite can benefit from the bloodshed for oil.
i wish thing were that simple
the majority of wolves wear suits call themselves CEOs.
they do more damage than all the maddog killers combined
I don't wear a badge and I am ashamed to say that I have never served my country in any capacity other than a voter and tax payer, so many may think that I am not deserving of a voice in this discussion. But here goes.
Sheepdogs are not entitled to choose which sheep they protect. Nor do they want to choose. A true American sheepdog protects even the bigmouth sheep who does not know how lucky he is to have a sheepdog taking care of him. being a sheepdog is a thankless job that is only rewarding by knowing you are making the world a safer place, even for the bigmouth ungreatful sheep.
Thank you to all of the sheepdogs out there who protect me and mine from the wolves.
Ah, so now you actually get admit that you and your chain-gang of libtards feel that the military are just baby killers who don't protect YOUR freedoms?
I questioned before, are people like you worth protecting? I pondered on that for a while, but I came to an answer, we did not deserve Jesus either. So yes, I WILL protect you and your fellow libtard's rights.