I don't like the term "Sheep" people

[ringmastery]

Most people have better things to do with their lives than talk politics for hours a day on message boards. I'd venture to guess the majority of members at DU are either students, unemployed persons, underemployed persons, or retired persons with a lot of free time on their hands. This is certainly not a representative sample of the public at large.

What makes you better than someone working two jobs to put food on the table and a roof over their head?

[Dookus]

1. it's a term

used by people whose candidate is losing. And yes, it's offensive.

[Larkspur]

3. It was also a term used in 2000 to bash those who voted for Bush

because the media propped him up.

[Catherine Vincent]

2. I'm posting from work right now.

I'm here in and out and I also post from home. We're just political junkies, that's all. And the only people I call sheep are republicans because they are NO DAMN GOOD!

[KissMyAsscroft]

4. I love the term...

It's accurate if you know who we are referring to when we say it.

Basically people who vote for the guy with the prettiest hair.

Fuck those people. They are the reason we are in the mess we are in right now. They earned that title.

[corporatewhore]

13. They also look at other important asspects when choosing

like Tans
Smiles
and
hand shakes

[Alpharetta]

5. there are so many meanings for the term "sheep"

I am not offended when someone uses "sheep" to refer to those easily led by media lies manufactured to benefit those in power

as opposed to the term "sheep" when referring to trusting disciples of Christ, which I honestly find to be a beautiful metaphor.

[GreenArrow]

21. nice distinction

but even then, Christ referred to the people as sheep because they were incapable of leading themselves. Hence Christ as the good shepard, protector of the defenseless and easily led.

[mistertrickster]

6. Just because you're working two jobs doesn't mean you can't

see who forced Americans down the rat hole of shrinking wages and fewer gov't benefits--Republicans.

Sheep walk over a cliff because somebody tells them to . . . if you're having to survive with two crappy jobs and you're voting Republican, then you are a sheeple, IMHO.

Hard work is no excuse for not thinking.

[meatloaf]

7. Sorry but I'm not buying.

It's not about whether they're involved on these boards.

It's about approaching someone who says "If it doesn't effect me I don't care", while being truly ignorant about whether or not an issue truly does effect them. All the while still wanting to bitch about the state of things.

Those of us who frequent these boards are every bit as busy but find these issues important enough to stay informed and stay involved.

I'm sorry but if you're not involved then you have no right to complain. Just go back to grazing.



P.S. If you don't like Sheep people try Sheeple. It's a personal favorite of mine.

[jean]

8. We need a sheep stampede in November

A flock of sheep is handled by a shepherd. They go about their daily business and can exhibit herd mentality on occasion. Sheep are persistent, work a day animals used for what they have to offer their keeper.

We're all part of that flock, aren't we? Some of us are just more agitated than others. Maybe some on the fringe have seen those wolves coming and feel like bolting.

I don't discredit people who are so busy working they have no time to read or talk about politics. Some people don't want to think about the subject much less discuss anything - it's too frightening for them.

Ring mastery - your point is taken. When used to mock the public, the word is demeaning.

[ret5hd]

9. I am working one job to put food on the table and a roof over my head...

so what makes you think you're better than me?

what makes you think that someone working two jobs is better than students, unemployed persons, underemployed persons, or retired persons?

if you don't like "sheeple", would the terms "sleep-walkers" or "zombies" (terms i sometimes use) suit you any better?

If not, what term would you use for that group of people that purposely ignore facts that make them uncomfortable, that divert their eyes from evidence of their being led, that plug their fingers in their ears and scream "NANANANANANANA" to keep from hearing that their (not my) pResident lied to them? Or those that sincerely believe it is their patriotic duty to spend as much as possible on christmas? Or those that believe it was good to give a $80,000 tax break to those that buy a H2 Hummer?

I'm sorry, sheeple is about the least offensive term i can conjure up.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

10. Wrong.

<rant>

This post really pissed me off. This is our country we're talking about here!! Politics covers every single aspect of every Americans' lives. Willful ignorance is NOT an option here, people! Our children, our parents, our husbands/wives, our friends, our neighbors, and our OWN lives depend on each and every one of us making good, informed decisions. If you can't take 10 minutes out of your day to read a friggin newspaper and get yourself educated on the things that impact the future of our society, you deserve all the harassment you get. EVERYONE has those 10 minutes, and EVERYONE has the 35 cents it costs to get a paper.

</rant>

[FubarFly]

11. For once, I agree with you.

I am no better or no worse than anybody else.

[beyurslf]

12. I think it is accuarate to the term sometimes.

People who are for candidtae X one week and then change the bext because Candidate A looks better in polls. Sheeppeople.

[Hoppin_Mad]

14. I don't either - I prefer 'lemmings' -nt-

[ret5hd]

15. Calling ringmastery...Calling ringmastery...

i dont understand why some make controversial statements ("What makes you better than someone working two jobs..." etc etc etc) and then not hang around to see any replys.

oh...yeah i do understand.

nevermind.

[HFishbine]

16. Better?

Not better, but by your own premise, likely to be more informed.

[MercutioATC]

17. It has nothing to do with "who's better than who". It's used to

describe people who simply follow the herd rather than thinking for themselves. Sometimes it's misapplied, but I don't see how it implies what you seem to think.

[Piperay]

18. I don't care to use the term myself but

I can see where the term is very applicable sometimes and if others are comfortable using it it's their choice. :shrug:

[HalfManHalfBiscuit]

19. Sheep, sheeple, lemmings... It is just not original or clever any more

Funny how the people who use these terms fall into the category they mock.

[GreenArrow]

20. why sheep?

Because sheep are notorious for following a leader, even if the leader leads them over the cliff. Frankly, most people act like sheep, much of the time. Saying so doesn't necessarily disparage them as indivduals; rather, it's a reflection on group dynamics. It's going along to get along. It's "keeping up with the Jones." It's peer pressure and mob rules. I don't have a problem with making the comparison. Now, maybe you won't convince the person that you're calling a sheep that he or she is really a sheep, because who wants to be a sheep, right? We're all free thinkers, right? Independent, right? As smart as the next guy. Entitled to our own opinion. But one's opinion is as only as good as the information it's based on.

What you describe above sounds like beasts of burden to me. Eating, drinking, sleeping, breeding, working, and existing to make the masters fatter and richer. And they give you such nice lovely grass, lovely grass and such sweet, golden grain that you don't really even worry too much when you hear the blade scraping on the wheel. Such lovely grass... Maybe cattle is more apt than sheep? Cattle are historically a sign of wealth in many cultures; where do you suppose the phrase "cash cow" comes from? Consider it as you're herded through security barriers the next time you fly. Or maybe someday, not far off, when you cross a state line in your car. Of course, if you wear a green tag in your ear, you can pass right through. How do get a green tag? You get along to go along, you work, breed, eat sleep and make your masters rich.

[dumpster_baby]

22. time gives one the chance to read and learn far more than most people

I am a contract patent agent, but I am not really looking for work right now (time for that soon enough!).

I have taken the opportunity afforded to me these last few months to really find out what is going on in the world. I cannot see how I could have learned as much as I have if I had been working full time.

I have also taken lots of time-off breaks in the past to read extensively. I think knowledge is more important than driving the latest model of SUV. Now, if you happen to think driving the latest model of SUV than knowing what is going on, then YOU are a sheeple!

[HalfManHalfBiscuit]

23. My Hummer is a 2002 model, so is that OK?

I will hold off buying a new one until you give me clearance.

[Malikshah]

24. Sheep--it's a heckuva lot better than

Corpses, dead civilians, dead soldiers, billions lost.

Sorry-- if people follow in ignorance, apathy, without any thought or effort...

This is too important to be fretting over minor issues.