Why the sudden concern for use of the term "sheeple"?

[slor]

I have noticed many posts where people are voicing that they are offended by this term. Aside from the insult it projects onto the animal, what is so wrong with insulting those that would blindly follow their country's leader into any fiasco of that leader's choosing? Really, are there no other groups of people more deserving of this sort of sympathy? It is not a matter of squelching or insulting a different view from one's own that this term is used. It is used to describe those that would surrender their duty to look into the facts behind the reality that their government presents to them, which is a dereliction of every citizen's responsibility. Enough of this namby-pamby, kid-glove treatment of these people that would watch the world blow up around them, with a smile, if told to do so by their government. These people represent a real threat to all of us, and richly deserve whatever disdain we choose to heap upon them!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I agree

anyone who blindly agrees with any leader without looking into the facts themselves deserves to be called a sheep. It is the responsibility of a citizen of the US to know about what the leaders are up to. That is one of the main reasons that education was stressed from an early date, especially in the old Northwest Territory which comprised what became the states of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. My problem with the phrase stems from...

The fact that, as far as I know, it was coined by one Milton William Cooper. Bill Cooper, or as he was known on the Fidonet UFO echo, "Uncle Miltie" was a drunken, useless, lying, wife-beating, asshole who finally killed a cop and got killed himself. He was, as is, still held in the highest regard by some of the dreggiest dregs of our society.

When you know the provenance of the term, it is easy to find it abhorrent.

[leftofthedial]

22. that's pure ad hominem

why does Bill Cooper's life story have anything to do with the word?

[Edge]

64. I agree.

[Silverhair]

3. It often seems to be used to refer to the American people in general

It is an insulting term. Simply because someone disagrees with you, does not mean they are stupid. Usually, it means they begin from a different premise is their argument.
We DO want swing voters to vote for us. Insulting them is not a very good way to endear them to us. And yes, the RW will make sure that they are aware of the attitude of condescension and arrogance that the word carries with it.

[HereSince1628]

4. Electability sometimes depends on baa, bla, bl-hhhind support?

We wooln't want to offend any members of the flock.

[FreeperSlayer]

5. Over 50% of America believes....

...that Hussein was responsible for 9/11.
SHEEPLE!

[OneTwentyoNine]

10. That was 67% last time I saw a poll....not surprising

Given the fact that 3% of Americans think that Congress picks the winners for the Golden Globe awards--they probably heard that on FOX.

David

[monobrau]

51. Exactly

"sheeple" is a nice name, as far as I'm concerned.
There's no excuse for that kind of stupidity.
I do not use the term for people who are informed, yet disagree with
me. I have much more respect for a freeper that does his homework (there are some)
and stands for what he believes than I do for an ignorant, soft
bellied sheep who is proud to state that he doesn't watch the news or read,
and supports the war because he trusts his leader.

[militarymanusaf]

6. Instead of sheeple, how about lemmings?

They follow their leader completely, including going off the edge of a cliff!

[patricia92243]

7. Because it used to be meant for Pubs, now it is also being used for Dems -

that is why people are "offended".

I thought that this is one of the things this forum is for - to argue our opinions on different candidates and topics.

If they can't the heat - get out of the kitchen.

Also, there is the old ignore button.
I have two people on ignore because their language is - to me - crude. I have noticed certain people use certain words. If "sheeple" offends - you know what to do!

[leesa]

17. A sheeple's a sheeple, whether Dem or Repub.

Sorry. but people waving their little flags while determined to keep their eyes closed tight and blindly allow the destruction being wreaked by the fool in charge deserve their moniker. If that particular one offends you, find another. Lemmings was suggested.

[imax2268]

8. well...

it's probably because "TRUTH HURTS"....they follow their leader like sheep...

so be it...!

[BiggJawn]

9. It's not "sudden" concern.

I've been using the term "Sheeple" for at least 2 years, and as long as I've used it, I have gotten flack from those who run the gamut from "Oh, you're gonna win a lot of swing voters over to our side by insulting them" (News flash: Sheeple won't vote Dem)to I guess some seeing a bit of wool growing on their own hides.

I ignore them.

[zanana]

11. It's an insult to sheep.

n/t

[buckeye1]

12. Its a Wingnut term.

It has no place here. Please don't use it.

[kalian]

13. Its not a wingnut term....

its been heavily used here at DU... I use it rather frequently.
Sorry, but it applies VERY well to the American people's mentality.
Its a herd mentality...

[drdigi420]

29. ya, a term that describes wingnuts

[Paladin]

37. I Agree With You

I think it's a right-wing term. I first noticed it in constant usage over in Lucianne.com during the Clinton era, prior to my being thrown out for failing to be a hyper-conservative.

Conservative or liberal, it's an unpleasant term, essentially used to label and smear anybody who fails to believe exactly the same things you do. Let's avoid it.....

[RapidCreek]

47. No it isn't , it's a descriptive term...

and a very accurate one at that. You say it is "essentially used to label and smear anybody who fails to believe exactly the same things you do"? Not really. It is used to describe people who believe whatever they do because someone else does. In other words, if you were to ask a Sheeple why they believe something to be true or untrue they would have no response....or they would restate their belief but preface it with "everybody knows" or "most people think" or "poles show". The use of the term sheeple has nothing to do with whether one agrees with me or not....what it has to do with is why one agrees with me or not.

I know quite a few Conservatives who disagree with me, none of whom I'd be inclined to label sheeple.

RC

[kalian]

14. Here's a definition:

http://www.wordspy.com/words/sheeple.asp

(SHEE.pul) n. People who are meek, easily persuaded, and tend to follow the crowd (sheep + people).

[kalian]

15. BTW...run a Google search for the word "sheeple"...

you'll be surprised how its directly linked with GOPers and other
reich-wingers. The idiots that follow shrub and his minions. So, its
NOT a wingnut term...its rather a very liberal term to refer to those
"dittoheads".

[Paladin]

48. Then Feel Free To Use It

And whenever I see you using it, I'll invariably associate you with all those fascist cretins who used it repeatedly against Democrats in a far right-wing web site. Perhaps that doesn't bother you as much as I might think.

It's the Confederate Flag Effect: whatever remotely positive aspects of the term have been washed away by all the knuckle-draggers who have employed it so much.

Oh, and by the way: I think my definition of the word is a lot more accurate than yours.....

[Eric J in MN]

16. "Sheeple" dehumanizes. It is like Republicans calling Democrats "rats."

"Sheeple" dehumanizes. It is like Republicans calling Democrats "rats."


You can call a group "idiots" or "rubes" or whatever instead of dehumanizing them by saying "sheeple."

[OneTwentyoNine]

18. Which they do!! On a daily basis! I know,lets not sink to their level...

That was the battle cry when the news broke about Limbaugh and his drug problems. Poor poor man...he deserves our compassion.

Like HELL he does,I'll give my compassion to someone else with a drug problem. I totally against locking people up for years for minor drug offenses but there will be no compassion from me toward Limbaugh.

David

[TahitiNut]

20. "The Lord is my shepherd..."

It doesn't seem to me that likening people to sheep is altogether new or perjorative. :shrug:

[Eric J in MN]

21. An analogy in literature is different from a derogatory term on a board nt

nt

[drdigi420]

30. yep, people that are religious

can be called sheeple too

blindly following and ignoring facts

[The River]

19. Sheeple doesn't cut it...

It's not quite descriptive enough.
These sheepish people are sound asleep.
When I see "sheeple", I read "shleeple"
Sleep + Sheep + People = Shleeple

When will they wake the flock up?

[trumad]

23. Moron Americans!

as coined by Media Whores Online is just fine by me.

[Eric J in MN]

36. I prefer that, too, becuause it's not dehumanizing (nt)

nt

[qanda]

24. I'm not offended at all by the term

And unfortunately there are many Democrats who are sheeple also. When and if we get a Democrat in office, the Democratic sheeple will follow them just as blindly as the Republican sheeple follow Bush*. Sheeple are what's wrong with our country. Unfortunately sheeple choose a political team and then stick by them to the bitter end, regardless of what they do wrong.

[kalian]

25. Bingo!

That's exactly my point! That's the problem with the political
system and how the sheeple interpret it and behave with it. The
thing that worries me the most, and that I have observed rather
frequently is, that when a candidate becomes the president...he can
do "no wrong" for his followers. And any wrong doings are overlooked
or dismissed.
We have to stop doing that....we have to stop being sheeple.

[rucky]

26. If people are ignorant to world events...

it doesn't make them ignorant in general. Even though it may make you feel superior, most people simply have better things to do than follow politics.

And if we want people to be more aware, are we going to insult them or educate them? And if we disrespect them, are they really going to listen to us? What if your 10th grade science teacher called you an idiot because you didn't know as much as she does?

"Sheeple" marginalizes us & hurts our cause.

[JohnOneillsMemory]

32. Yes. Vent in ways other than insult. 'Elitist' is a tag to avoid. Careful

I've used the term sheeple plenty myself and have switched to 'TV Nation.'

The Republican power structure have played up the class war by stoking the insecurities of a confused population and lying to them from birth.

This is manipulation of childhood classroom and playground traumas. We all hated being compared and graded for rewards or punishment.

Liberals have been portrayed as elitist snobs who think they know better than you. Hence the use of 'Northeast liberal' as insult in the rural south.

That's why Bush* plays up his mangling of language and 'Texas-isms.'

I now say 'TV Nation' because that more accurately describes how things get into people's minds and it is less alienating.

[DemLikr]

27. The unholy offspring of my OK rancher cousins and their livestock..

...they cause a tad bit of embaressment each thanksgiving; grazing on the lawn while we're eating turkey. No one quite knows how to engage them in conversaaaaaaaaation.

hahahahahahahahaha. Oh, I kill me.

[Trajan]

28. That is ...

Pretty funny ...

[wuushew]

31. Sheeple defender lie #1 (Its the media's fault)

not true I have tried for over three years to educate people on a variety of topics including war, raygunomics, healthcare and drug laws. Too often both my testimony and well researched source material go unheeded(Quite literally several trees worth of documents have been thrown in the waste basket by those I am trying to educate).

Willfull ingnorance is not a virtue, those without sufficient knowledge should not be in a position to have an opinion on complex matters. Since everyone in Amerika is less than six degrees of seperation from an intelligent liberal there is no excuse for the ignorance.

[Muddleoftheroad]

33. It's an offensive "ivory tower" term

Makes you sound like you are better than other people. Guess what, you aren't.

We all get caught up in the politics here, but many people have more important things going on in their lives -- like their families, their jobs, their charities, their religion, their friends, etc.

Every use of the term, "sheeple" makes us look like egghead assholes.

[RapidCreek]

52. What's an egghead?

the derivation and origin of the term Sheeple is obvious....can you enlighten me as the the same for the word egghead?

Let me give you a little help.

Per Merriam Websters.

Egghead:
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
: INTELLECTUAL, HIGHBROW

Intellectual:
Main Entry: 1in·tel·lec·tu·al
Pronunciation: "in-t&l-'ek-ch&-w&l, -ch&l, -shw&l
Function: adjective
1 a : of or relating to the intellect or its use b : developed or chiefly guided by the intellect rather than by emotion or experience : RATIONAL c : requiring use of the intellect
2 a : given to study, reflection, and speculation b : engaged in activity requiring the creative use of the intellect.

Rational:
Pronunciation: 'rash-n&l, 'ra-sh&-n&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English racional, from Latin rationalis, from ration-, ratio
1 a : having reason or understanding b : relating to, based on, or agreeable to reason : REASONABLE <a rational explanation> <rational behavior>

Reasonable:
Main Entry: rea·son·able
Pronunciation: 'rEz-n&-b&l, 'rE-z&n-&-b&l
Function: adjective
1 a : being in accordance with reason <a reasonable theory> b : not extreme or excessive <reasonable requests> c : MODERATE, FAIR <a reasonable chance> <a reasonable price> d : INEXPENSIVE
2 a : having the faculty of reason b : possessing sound judgment

Reason:
1rea·son
Pronunciation: 'rE-z&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English resoun, from Old French raison, from Latin ration-, ratio reason, computation, from reri to calculate, think; probably akin to Gothic rathjo account, explanation
1 a : a statement offered in explanation or justification <gave reasons that were quite satisfactory> b : a rational ground or motive <a good reason to act soon> c : a sufficient ground of explanation or of logical defense; especially : something (as a principle or law) that supports a conclusion or explains a fact <the reasons behind her client's action> d : the thing that makes some fact intelligible : CAUSE <the reason for earthquakes> <the real reason why he wanted me to stay -- Graham Greene>
2 a (1) : the power of comprehending, inferring, or thinking especially in orderly rational ways : INTELLIGENCE (2) : proper exercise of the mind (3) : SANITY b : the sum of the intellectual powers.

Now if you want to follow the second referance, Highbrow:

Main Entry: high·brow
Pronunciation: -"brau
Function: noun
: a person who possesses or has pretensions to superior learning or culture.

We are left with the possibly negative connotation of one who has pretensions to superior learning or culture. Then again...those pretentions can be tested, can they not? They can be tested if one is equipped or inclined to do so. Those who instead choose to label one an egghead, seek to derail the examination of rational by pinning upon those who value such examination a negative connotation. Thus calling one an egghead is a self congratulatory means by which to end debate and excuse oneself from thinking.

The term Sheeple, conversely, opens a path to debate....it invites the accused to express the rational upon which their beliefs are based. It supplies a means of vindication.

You suggest that people have more important things going on in their lives than politics---like their families, their jobs, their charities, their religion, their friends, etc. Everyone knows these things are the foundation of ones politics. Only an Egghead would disagree. :eyes:

RC

[Muddleoftheroad]

57. Kind of the response I expected

And, again, why our party strives to be the party of the common man and often fails.

[RapidCreek]

58. Interesting...

How do you define the common man? Tell me all about him...if you'd be so kind.

RC

[Muddleoftheroad]

59. People who work for a living

And sweat for a living and have lives and families and cares and concerns other than politics.

That will do for now.

[RapidCreek]

61. So you are suggesting then, that those who work for a living

and sweat for a living and have lives and families and cares and concerns other than politics, can not have political cares and concerns as well?

RC

[Muddleoftheroad]

67. They can, they often have more important things on their minds

The two are not mutually exclusive by nature, but often end up that way simply because of time limitations.

[RapidCreek]

74. Oh ok.....

So what you are saying then, is that collectively, those who proudly parrot inanity and refuse to think for themselves, a group you seem to feel is comprised of the "common man" do so as a result of time constraints.

I'm curious...are "NASCAR dads" (whatever they are) part of the group you have chosen to grace with the label "common man"?

RC

[Muddleoftheroad]

75. They ARE thinking for themselves

They just aren't thinking the way you wish them to do.

As for Nascar, don't knock Nascar. Turning left can get to be a habit.

[stevedeshazer]

60. You've just made a good point

Muddleoftheroad's.

Congratulations.

[RapidCreek]

62. Really? How so?

Do tell. I haven't suggested "the common man" lacks the time or intellect to think on his own....quite the contrary. Muddleoftheroad has made that assertion...two times now. Being "the common man" myself, I would have to disagree with him. I've been "a common man" my whole life....the suggestion that such a station in life leaves me without the ability or inspiration to think for myself I find arrogant and offensive to the extreme.

It is not the "common man" who calls another an "egghead asshole". It is a proudly ignorant man....and the proudly ignorants ways cannot be changed by all the pleasant cajoling in the world. If someone behaves like a sheep, I'll call them on it. If they don't like it they can call me an "egghead asshole" or they can tell me I'm full of shit and why. I'll have all the respect in the world for the later.


RC

[Muddleoftheroad]

68. Not what I said

I said, "Every use of the term, "sheeple" makes us look like egghead assholes."

It does. I didn't say makes YOU or anyone else look like it. Last time I checked, "us" includes me as well.

And the pretensions of your dictionary post did indeed make my previous point for me and I thank you.

[RapidCreek]

69. I would put forth sir

That if one has the time to call C-Span and make ignorant assertions prefaced with "everybody knows" he or she has the time to educate him or herself.

Calling the 75% of Americans that believed Saddam Hussein had something to do with 9/11 sheeple, hardly makes US look like egghead assholes. It doesn't require a deep intellect or inordinate time to recognize that he did not. In fact it requires much less time than the average American invests watching NFL football games or MTV. it requires FAR LESS time than suiting your ass up in BDU's and a Kevlar helmet and heading to Iraq to be used as a mercenary for a couple of years.

RC

[Muddleoftheroad]

70. You can put forth anything you want

But you don't run the world. People make the choices THEY wish. They might not make sense to you, alas.

[RapidCreek]

71. What does running the world have to do with it?

People do make the choices they make....and when they make the indefensible choice of allowing someone else do their thinking for them WE will call them what THEY are, Sheeple.

What makes sense to me is immaterial what entirely lacks sense is quite germain, however.

RC

[Muddleoftheroad]

72. You are "putting forth" how people should spend their time

They are opting to spend it the way THEY wish.

Their choices are entirely defensible since they are THEIR choices. Personally, I'm pro-Choice.

[Rex]

34. I've noticed that the species thin-skinicus usually hates that term

Maybe it strikes to close to home with some.

[Eric J in MN]

35. The term isn't meant for DU-ers in the first place.

The term isn't meant for DU-ers in the first place.

It's meant for people who don't follow politics closely.

I'm against the term "sheeple" because it's dehumanizing, not becuase I think people at DU who use it are referring to me.

[Rex]

38. I was thinking more along the lines of Bill O'Reilly

Something in their past (maybe prior bootlicking) makes them edgy when it comes to hearing that word applied to the masses.

As for others (like yourself) have completely different reasons for not liking it (as you've stated).

[Eric J in MN]

45. Did Bill O'Reilly criticize the term "sheeple?" nt

nt

[depakid]

39. People often get a laugh out of the term sheeple

I've been using it since Ronald Reagan was in office and in all that time, no one I've ever talked to has ever found it offensive- if anything they find it amusing and descriptive (which it is). What else do you call people who refuse to think critically, believe most anything they're told (no matter how absurd) and allow themselves to be herded into opinions and who continually support candidates and cast votes that are clearly against their best interests?

Everyone knows a sheeple or two. Maybe it's a family member, co-worker or someone at their church- so most people can definitely relate to the characterization.

[Eric J in MN]

76. you can call them "idiots" or something else which isn't dehumanizing (nt)

nt

[belle]

40. I've never liked it. Here's why:

It's not "tough." It's contemptuous and misanthropic. It's also easy. World not going the way you want it? "Hey, it's not *my* fault; most people are stupid." No. Especially in politics. A *real* leader genuinely likes and respects people, faults, foibles and all. That doesn't mean lying and pandering; but it does mean being wanting to interact with people on their own terms, not just scolding them and trying to herd them. I would run a mile from any self-styled democrat (large *or* small "d") with any claim to clout who used the term "sheeple." Hitler thought of and treated people like "sheeple." MLK thought of and treated people like dignified individuals, worthy of respect and capable of goodness and heroism. The funny thing is that each ended up with a movement that reflected their view of humanity.

[cryofan]

41. those of us who use sheeple do not aspire to leadership...

...we are far too aware of the fact that we are too different from the masses to ever be leaders....

[ComerPerro]

42. It is condescending

And shows contempt for the uninformed.

I think it is appropriate, because some of these assholes don't know a damn thing but they are persistant in their defense of Bush.

[RapidCreek]

54. Worse yet

they are persistant in their defense of being uninformed....In fact I would go so far as to say they are proud of it.

RC

[NashVegas]

43. Because It's Being Used on DU to Describe

A portion of the population who are voting for a particular candidate simply because he's perceived to be the most electable, and/or the term's users' belief that's the reason they're voting the way they are.

[DemLikr]

44. Anyone else think this should be spelled SHEOPLE?

I do believe that a majority of the American people are willfully uninformed, ignorant (heads down, grazing?), and move emotionally and politically according to a herd mentality; panicking when the wolf is finally upon them.

Seems to me, if the hoof fits it must be worn.

Also: Can we have NO fun at all with the english language on this board? The hypersensitivity of the delicately-skinned crowd causes this board to tend toward blandness of expression.

Anyone else agree?

[smirkymonkey]

50. I do....

I mean, it's not like were calling them sheeple to their faces or anything. (kidding, kind of). I am not so sure about "sheople" though, because it makes it seem like it is describing only female "she" people "ople", which we all know is only the half of it.

I don't thing there is anything wrong with referring to a group who show nothing but contempt and intolerance for all who disagree with them "sheeple". In fact, I can think of a few chioce words that would probably be a lot more offensive than that.

Considering what comes out of the mouths of some of the willfully ignorant, I would think "sheeple" is practically a term of endearment.

[pacifictiger]

46. DU was the first place I saw the word sheeple used

and I think it is a great term. I think the truth hurts and Americans would like to think of themselves smarter than that. Has anyone here actually spent any time around sheep? If you have, you would know it is an apt descriptive term for many people who exhibit the trait of sheep flock type behavior. Jesus even recognized that and referred to followers-at-large as his flock. The attitude change between the praise of palm sunday to the crucify him chant a mere week later says it all.

[T Bone]

49. Actually I prefer Ditto Monkeys

ala Bartcop, but I don't use it either.

[Violet_Crumble]

56. I think the term is offensive to sheep...

I've been on a muster and experienced first-hand the sheer flock-like stupidity of sheep, but after witnessing the wilful ignorance online of some Americans (mainly conservatives, but with a few folk who call themselves liberal thrown in), I've come to the conclusion that the sheep actually exhibit more independent thought and individuality than the sheeple I've seen ;)

Violet...

[eileen_d]

53. I have always hated the term.

You can't expect to reach or educate people after you insult their intelligence.

[stevedeshazer]

55. Question

How do you bring people to your point of view by comparing them to farm animals? It is an insult.

[RapidCreek]

65. Question

What makes you think I want to bring people to my point of view? I don't. I want them to explain WHY they have arrived at their own with something deeper than "Everyone knows" or "Most people think" or "I don't have a reason".

RC

[Edge]

63. Sheeple....brainless people who go on and believe...

everything that is said to them by a person who is famous or who is in power....which most of the people in this country are--sheep.

And how is this offensive? Isn't it the truth?

[Spentastic]

66. It's a term that centrists hate

They wouldn't want to think of themselves as sheepo numero uno.

[Eric J in MN]

77. Few people anywhere on the political spectrum want to be called animals nt

nt

[pinkpops]

73. Why do they call leaders "leaders"?

Because they lead the sheeple.
(Dont follow leaders. watch your parking meters) ?