Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

I don't like the term "Sheep" people

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion: Presidential (Through Nov 2009) Donate to DU
 
ringmastery Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 04:14 PM
Original message
I don't like the term "Sheep" people
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?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
Dookus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 04:16 PM
Response to Original message
1. it's a term
used by people whose candidate is losing. And yes, it's offensive.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Larkspur Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 04:18 PM
Response to Reply #1
3. It was also a term used in 2000 to bash those who voted for Bush
because the media propped him up.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Catherine Vincent Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 04:18 PM
Response to Original message
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!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
KissMyAsscroft Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 04:19 PM
Response to Original message
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.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
corporatewhore Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 04:46 PM
Response to Reply #4
13. They also look at other important asspects when choosing
like Tans
Smiles
and
hand shakes
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Alpharetta Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 04:21 PM
Response to Original message
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.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
GreenArrow Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 10:14 PM
Response to Reply #5
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.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mistertrickster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 04:26 PM
Response to Original message
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.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
meatloaf Donating Member (605 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 04:27 PM
Response to Original message
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.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
jean Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 04:31 PM
Response to Original message
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.



Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ret5hd Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 04:35 PM
Response to Original message
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.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Nicholas D Wolfwood Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 04:37 PM
Response to Original message
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>
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
FubarFly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 04:38 PM
Response to Original message
11. For once, I agree with you.
I am no better or no worse than anybody else.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
beyurslf Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 04:41 PM
Response to Original message
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.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Hoppin_Mad Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 04:48 PM
Response to Original message
14. I don't either - I prefer 'lemmings' -nt-
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ret5hd Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 04:52 PM
Response to Original message
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.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
HFishbine Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 04:53 PM
Response to Original message
16. Better?
Not better, but by your own premise, likely to be more informed.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
MercutioATC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 08:04 PM
Response to Original message
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.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Piperay Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 08:14 PM
Response to Original message
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:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
HalfManHalfBiscuit Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 08:24 PM
Response to Original message
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.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
GreenArrow Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 09:06 PM
Response to Original message
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.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dumpster_baby Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 10:37 PM
Response to Original message
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!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
HalfManHalfBiscuit Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 10:45 PM
Response to Reply #22
23. My Hummer is a 2002 model, so is that OK?
I will hold off buying a new one until you give me clearance.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Malikshah Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-05-04 10:49 PM
Response to Original message
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.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Thu May 02nd 2024, 05:56 AM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion: Presidential (Through Nov 2009) Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC