Of Sheep, Sheepdogs and Wolves

Gofirstclass said:
Just watching the replies here. 120 people have viewed it yet only 9 have replied. Are the rest of you not wanting to read what the Lt. Colonel had to say, or have you read it and disagree with his comments or been embarassed about the category you fall into? Why the low number of posters vs the number who have viewed it?
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The low number is validation of the premise that most humans are indeed sheep like in their approach to personal and public or national security. As a holder of a concealed carry permit, I understand the grave responsibility that comes with having the ability to end the life of another human . You need to have a conversation with yourself as to your ability to actually use deadly force if required......I faced this question a long time ago and decided it was in my DNA to take a life if required...I have never had to use a weapon to shoot any one but on at least three occasions, the fact I was armed has prevented a situation from getting to that point...
 
WOW! What a read, as I get older I'v moved from being an obvious sheep dog to being a sheepdog in sheep's clothing, faith in GOD helps release the 24 hour vigil, however there is an abundance of wolves out there and GOD has given us the knowledge to protect ourselves, the number 1 weapon for the survival of both the sheep and the sheepdog is awareness, however the difference between the sheep and the sheepdog becomes obvious when the wolf appears, the sheep that is aware may have been the first to run, but the sheepdog (even the undercover sheepdog) knows that he has to stand up, put his life on the line, even if he's unarmed......he takes the ultimate risk to protect the flock.......both the sheep that he knows and the unknown sheep that may not have even cared to have the sheepdog in their circle.
TALL ORDER CATS
 
OldSkool said:
Without the shepherd the sheep stray and the sheep dogs become like the wolves.
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Worth repeating.

kpetry said:
Charles Krauthammer, conservative commentator, Fox contributor, and licensed clinical psychiatrist
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Wow. A diagnosis that he publishes in his column that generates direct revenue. I think a discussion with a shepherd is in order.
 
Oldskool said.....
Without the shepherd the sheep stray and the sheep dogs become like the wolves.

I believe there comes a time when every person decides how they will respond to a stimulus.

Oldskool, I agree with your second statement but respectfully disagree with the first.

Let me try to explain. I believe your second statement identifies with what kpetry said about this in his 5:47 post...I've resolved to do everything I can to be sure myself and my family do not become victims. You were using the "moment of decision" (my term) in the context of when a person decides to do an unlawful act, and is not concerned about where the chips may fall.

kpetry and I (and others) have used that "moment of decision" to identify how we would react if we faced immediate bodily harm or death to themselves or our family. We made a conscious decision NOT to be a victim. The clearly puts us in the sheepdog category because we ARE willing to stand up and take action to protect ourselves, ones we love, or even strangers we do not know.

In my 15+ years of law enforcement I faced many situations where there was a possibility of having to take a human life. I had prepared myself mentally to do that and, when the time came, I did not hesitate.

Many cops go through their entire career with the thought that "I'll never be in a shooting situation". Unfortunately, when the time comes they spend the first second or two in denial ("I never thought this would happen") and that delay all too often ends up costing them their life.

As to your first statement, I respectfully disagree. IMHO people who honestly judge themselves and their situation and make the conscious decision to become a sheepdog very rarely become wolves. It goes so much against their grain that the thought of becoming a wolf is incomprehensible to them.

IMHO a sheepdog who becomes like a wolf was never truly a sheepdog in the first place. He was a sheep with an opportunistic nature.

Without wanting to sound too romantic about the whole thing, a true sheepdog is a warrior. He knows where he stands, he knows there may come a time where he faces mortal danger, and he is prepared. Prepared not only to stand up and do what he knows is right, but he knows there is a chance he will not survive.
 
Gofirstclass said:
Oldskool said.....
Without the shepherd the sheep stray and the sheep dogs become like the wolves.

I believe there comes a time when every person decides how they will respond to a stimulus.

Oldskool, I agree with your second statement but respectfully disagree with the first.


As to your first statement, I respectfully disagree. IMHO people who honestly judge themselves and their situation and make the conscious decision to become a sheepdog very rarely become wolves. It goes so much against their grain that the thought of becoming a wolf is incomprehensible to them.

IMHO a sheepdog who becomes like a wolf was never truly a sheepdog in the first place. He was a sheep with an opportunistic nature.

Without wanting to sound too romantic about the whole thing, a true sheepdog is a warrior. He knows where he stands, he knows there may come a time where he faces mortal danger, and he is prepared. Prepared not only to stand up and do what he knows is right, but he knows there is a chance he will not survive.
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Thank you for the reply. In your context I can see your point. I think that people have an inherent propensity to do good because they know what it looks like from parents, society, or faith. This is the shepherd I am referring to. I am using the word as a principle of living standard which in my faith was portrayed by Christ. It's that inherent value that you speak of that keeps us from doing evil and becoming wolves.

Without this value system we are left to our own demise. Even in this, some would argue that all are created with good in our hearts and that outside influencers create an evil being. On this I respectfully disagree. Good is the learned attribute in my opinion.
 
popeye said:
The low number is validation of the premise that most humans are indeed sheep like in their approach to personal and public or national security. As a holder of a concealed carry permit, I understand the grave responsibility that comes with having the ability to end the life of another human . You need to have a conversation with yourself as to your ability to actually use deadly force if required......I faced this question a long time ago and decided it was in my DNA to take a life if required...I have never had to use a weapon to shoot any one but on at least three occasions, the fact I was armed has prevented a situation from getting to that point...
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Or somethings are better left "unsaid" on Internet forums:thumbsup:
 
Gofirstclass said:
Would you please expand on that? What part of what he said are you implying is better left unsaid? I'm not sure I get your drift.
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Hold on..... I didn't realize this would be so "touchy"! I guess I should have highlighted it..."The low number is validation of the premise that most humans are indeed sheep like in their approach to personal and public or national security"...Because I choose not to comment does not mean I should be "grouped" into a category :huh:
 
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Florida, I wasn't trying to be critical of what you said. Popeye had made several statements in his post that you quoted. I was just wondering if you were saying the whole post should not have been put on the internet, or just a part of it.

Thanks for the clarification.
 
This guy (plumber) is what you are talking about as a Sheep Dog. He Save's another Sheep Dog's life (police officer) while on the way to work. The line I like best is
"Buddy, just give me an excuse to kill you." says the plumber. Nice.

http://beta.ca.news.yahoo.com/b-c-p...-knife-attack-female-20110117-181331-160.html

Later in the article it talks about how people could hear the cries of a women who eventually froze to death in her drive way. WOW - what is that about!!

I don't think I would be a very brave sheepdog. Not ever as brave as the plumber, but don't think I would not respond to a cry for help.
 
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Gofirstclass said:
Florida, I wasn't trying to be critical of what you said. Popeye had made several statements in his post that you quoted. I was just wondering if you were saying the whole post should not have been put on the internet, or just a part of it.

Thanks for the clarification.
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No problem:thumbsup: It's hard sometimes to show expression through keyboard communication:smt101

The more "PC" we get, the more we have to watch what we type on open forums:smt021
 
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