The GOP reminds me of some horses I would see at a stock sale.

[WindRiverMan]

You would see them come out to the sales barn, usually wild eyed and skittish. Most of them were young, but old enough to be much farther along in their training than they were. Some probably had been mistreated or simply mishandled, many more were probably just born that way. They were usually good specimen's. Strong with good feet, nice whithers, and lots of substance. They were all dirt cheap, and many of them had multiple brands signifying several owners over their short lives. My grandfather was a successful cattlemen, but horses were his true love. He had a knack for getting inside a horse's head and making them work with him, not for him. Every spring the paddock had a dozen or so two year olds awaiting training. He would pick up a few of these horses from time to time, to try to give them one last chance to succeed, a last chance for the horse, a chance for a nice return for my grandfather.

These horses, most of them were wild and stubborn. They did not take to training, many refused training even after endless patience with countless lessons. Most of them had nasty tempers and even feeding them or cleaning them out was a dangerous affair. They were just so bullolic. Every kindness was likely to get you kicked or bit. Simple things like accepting a halter and lead rope were huge obstacles. Grooming them was taking your life into your own hands. Under saddle, there was always the possibility of a real rodeo for no reason. In short, they were outlaws. They were going to do it their way, and that was that. There was no compromise.

Some were rehabilitated and made decent horses. Some were relegated to a life as a brood mare. A few made for rodeo stock. The majority were unreachable, and after a year or so, were once again sent to the sales barn.
Grandpa would say "It won't learn, it doesn't want to learn, it cares only about itself and making the world bend to its will. We gave it a good shot, a fair chance, it flat blew it, I can't afford to feed a horse like that forever."

And so the majority of these guys would go back to the sales barn. I often wondered about the final fate of these horses. I never asked because I knew what the likely answer was, and being an animal lover, really did not care to hear it.

The GOP should attend a stock sale. They might learn something.

[lucca]

1. I agree.....

Nice story.....thank you!

[Tsiyu]

2. K & R

Pinedale is beautiful country.

:kick:

[leftyclimber]

3. K&R for an outstanding analogy. nt

[RandomThoughts]

4. I am not defending GOP with this comment.

But in a wider context, many people fit your analogy.

In my POV the error of your analogy is the relationship between horse and horsemen. Your assumption is that a horse should allow itself to be trained to do the will of the horsemen. Personally I fit your analogy because I will not be trained to obey another except because of personal thoughtful choice. If your analogy was correct I would agree with your comment.

However I would say the GOP is more like the trained horse that for a simple bucket of feed will dance in a circus, or pull a plow without thought or question. If the GOP were really stuborn, they would hold to beliefs, and not just do what they are told. Many of them rationalize that what they believe is actually the same thing as what there leader tells them they are suppose to believe.

The horse you describe is a Whinum that I respect, and aspire to be more like(without anger of coarse).

Speaking directly of the horses you mentioned, maybe if the horses were not kept in a stable and told what they must do, if they ran free in a field, they might not be so ill tempered.

But I choose to live in derivatives of the worlds partly shown in this film, so :shrug:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QXLNgTyxQw

Perspective I guess.

[WindRiverMan]

5. A "wild and free" horse may indeed be a beautiful thing to behold but

it does very little for the rancher feeding it. Your assumption that a horse is brow-beaten to comply is also not correct. A good cow pony loves his job, just like a good retriever loves his job, and even a good llama enjoys packing. I can understand your feelings of a kindred spirit, but of course, the point is, the rancher NEEDED a good horse, and these horses, they refuse to accept training, learn a job, and be part of a team. They could not or would not learn, adapt, and beocme something different.

If you can live your life strictly on your terms, and bend the world to your will....more power to you. But you would still make a piss poor cow pony.

[Tsiyu]

6. it's the learning to get along with others

Horses are herd animals and they have to move with others to survive. They have to trust the herd.

My young mare has learned that she stays warmer allowing the old mare to stand near her than she did when she kicked at the old mare to get away...

[RandomThoughts]

8. agreed.

"piss poor cow pony", LOL yup. Except again that requires hierarchy that does not resolve when I think on things.


I guess I don't see it in hierarchal terms, I see cooperative relationships without leader and follower, or without teacher student, but all learn and serve each other. This is not in economics, I am not talking that commie label. I am more talking about teams having mutual respect.

Your analogy when talking about political leadership, or governance led me to that difference.

I guess government is in its essence the form I speak about, where corporation is the hierarchal.

Just a thought, not better or worse then your thought :)



Edit: If I was to bend the world to my will, I would disprespect the free will of others. That is a ring I would not accept, so the point is mute, except to say, I bend what is my world.

[Greyhound]

7. Your whole post discounts your last sentence.

also assumes a capability that the evidence would seem to exclude.
:hi::P