Are You a Sheepdog?
A wonderful essay by freedom activist Sunni Maravillosa talked about how people can and should be like sheepdogs. Like wolves, they have fangs -- and can use them. Are they predators, as wolves are? No. They are peaceable by nature. Are they victims, as unprotected sheep are? No. They can take care of themselves -- and others who are incapable of self-defense.
One-time presidential candidate Rick Tompkins, upon reading this essay, remembered the old, rather silly "Turtle" club from back in the '70s or so. Asked the question, "Are you a turtle?" you were supposed to respond, "You bet your sweet ass I am!" There was a dumb story about the word "ass" actually referring to a donkey, but the main thrust of the club was to get free drinks from anyone who was too embarrassed to use the "A-word" in public.
Rick thinks it's time for people to start asking, "Are you a sheepdog?"
For my part, I think the response to this question should be just a bit different: "You're betting your sweet ass SOMEBODY is!" After all, everyone relies on someone for protection; for some, it's a matter of self-reliance. Sadly, most people today think they can and should rely exclusively on government officers for protection -- which automatically guarantees that they won't be protected when real danger arrives unless they just happen to be in the company of a cop. Fat chance. Police? They're the ones who come and draw chalk lines around the bodies ... and then try to find out who committed the crime.
So ... get your spiffy sheepdog shirt or tote bag, and when somebody asks what "A.Y.A.S.?" means, tell them!
Want to see the designs? You can go right to the LibertariAntics Store Sheepdog Department and browse!