"Sheeple"

[WilliamPitt]

[KFC]

1. Is that a MEME?

Sorry, never was clever.

[Bucky]

142. Yes. Ironically everyone here wants to "go along" with the Sheeple idea

So people wanna say sheeple cause, y'know, everyone else feels that way too. Why don't you say "sheeple" like the rest of us? What's the matter with you? Damn it, conform! Admit that the people are sheeple! Quit going your own way, you mindless conformist!!

[rumguy]

2. a lame cop-out when public opinion doesn't go your way

I see freepers use it too

[Bucky]

92. Abso-lutely!! It's the most un-democratic thing we say around here

People who say Sheeple may be big D Democrats, but they sure as heck aren't little-d democrats when they say stuff like that. If the people vote wrong, it's because of a failure of leadership or vision within our party.

We the people look after our own interests. If the part of us who are Democrats and progressives can't make the sale, it's not everybody else's fault when we fail.


Hey, that rhymed!

[BigDaddyLove]

118. I think that's the best litmus test with regard to the term's.....

usefulness. If they (Freepers), call us 'Sheeple' for believing what we believe, and we call them 'Sheeple' for believing what they believe, then how can it mean very much.

We can't all be Sheeple can we?

[Zomby Woof]

3. at its core

An anti-democratic, condescending slur. One cannot simultaneously slander the people, and yet claim to be their champion, especially if one lays claim to being a Democrat.

[oxymoron]

7. I agree completely Zomby.

I find it an offensive term, especially when used by Democrats. Well put.

[BeFree]

108. Sheeple

Is meant as a derisive and offensive term, indeed.

However, ya'll need to come to terms with it. 'Sheeple' means those people who, without thought, gladly follow the leaders. To dispute the use of the word, and convince me to quit using it, you'd have to prove to me that most Americans do indeed form their own decisions after informing and educating themselves. Just try it. I dare yee.

[kymar57]

135. I agree completely

I think it is an appropriate term for those who don't vote and wave the flag and blindly swear by the usurper.

[GobGoober]

146. Somewhere between 45 and 55% of the U.S. population are sheeple

Isn't somewhere between 45 and 55% of the Americans eligible to vote the number of those who do not vote? Wouldn't these people qualify for the term "sheeple" since they seem to be willing to let those who vote make all of the decision?

[Eric J in MN]

11. well put, ZombyWoof (nt)

nt

[Maddy McCall]

18. Keep on tellin the willie troof, ZW

*high five*

[QC]

21. Amen! When I see a poster use that word, I immediately lose all respect

for him or her, because it reveals a contempt for the common people that no genuine Democrat or leftist could possibly feel.

It's not at all surprising that that word originated at Free Republic. It needs to stay there.

[mitchum]

46. Absolutely agree (and I am an elitist snob, but I draw the line...

at "sheeple")

[deutsey]

56. Exactly: "condescending slur" is what I think it is too

I find it especially grating that people here will criticize the "sheeple" for doing nothing, but when people get active for a candidate other than their own, suddenly they're brainwashed cultists fanatically devoted to a demagouge.

[Seldona]

57. Agreed

[curse10]

68. Once again

Zomby-brilliance!

:pals:

[Clark Can WIN]

76. That's just how I feel Zomby! VERY CONDESCENDING

I get sick of elitist types that assume because people do not agree with them they must be simple rubes, incapable of forming their own opinions or determining for themselves which issues they should be voting on.

[PVnRT]

87. 100% correct

There seems ot be a disconnect amongst some people here - claim to stand up for common people, but call them stupid at the same time. I can't understand how that works.

[mikehiggins]

94. Absolutely right. I find it one of the most offensive thing about this

entire board. W(hat)TF is anyone doing claiming the American voters are sheep? W(who)TF do they think they are?

That is why the left gets called elitist, even when the benefit of all is the basis of leftist thought. H(ow)TF can you claim to care for the people if you spit on them at the same time?

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

[rucky]

101. That's the Zomby Troof!

and Willie, too!

[BeFree]

103. It is if, as you do,...

....lump all of them together in one pile.

In reality, the term 'Sheeple' is a term meant to describe those people who blindly follow their shepherd, or have their heads so distant from what's happening that they are just followers.

That is the core of the word, and you, Sir Woof, are sadly mistaken.

[edzontar]

121. I believe it was Frank Zappa who observed that STUPIDITY is the

Basic building block of the universe.

I presume that the term "Sheeple," which is getting trashed in the comments but is winning the poll by a 2-1, refers to this element as it manifests itself in human beings' tendency to blindly follow leaders and belief systems that are not in their best interests.

"Lemmings," the ignorant, poorly informed masses, etc.

This may indeed be an arrogant term, but I fear that history is full of examples of such "Sheeple," such as the followers of Hitler, the Jim Jones Kool-Aid crowd, Reagan landslide voters, people who enjoy the music of Yanni or (insert your own favorite here), etc. etc.

To deny the existence of mass-stupidity is what id REALLY delusional.

Mr. Zappa devoted a good portion of his career to pointing this out, and trying to fight it.

..."And you will do as you are told, until the rights to you are sold...."

[Zomby Woof]

136. which is why I am convinced...

Zappa would have openly criticized Dean for hosing people. He knew a shyster when he saw (or wrote about) one. ;-)

Lecturing me about Zappa is like lecturing the sun about daylight.

I am well aware of stupidity's grip on the populace - I have posted about it plenty in these forums. But being stupid doesn't deny one their humanity, nor give others a right to deprive a person of their dignity.

We should try to reach people, not shun them. Why do you think Zappa wrapped up his often acerbic messages inside of some really fantastic melodies? There was a humanist just under the facade of misanthropy.

[shance]

138. Sure William, as long as their is money involved, there will be sheeple***

Call it greed, over-indulgent self-motivated capitalism, there will be sheeple that believe there is someone OUT THERE that will save the day, because they refuse to acknowledge the reality and the truth behind abuse and obsession of power. They would rather scape goat others as the 'bad guys'.

If you want to debate it, you are talking to someone who used to be on the other sheepler side.....

Whos side are you on?

[TahitiNut]

139. "The Lord is my shepherd ..."

:shrug:

"Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;"

"Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling."

[ronzo]

4. How are we defining sheeple?

Gotta know.

[WilliamPitt]

5. Review the threads currently on DU

Most of the 'sheeple,' as best as I can gather, live in Iowa and New Hampshire. Another batch of them will probably turn up in seven other states on Tuesday. They make bad decisions, or so I hear.

[joshcryer]

12. Oh c'mon, you really think such politics are no more than...

...popularity contests?

[Hoppin_Mad]

22. As someone working for DK, whose candidacy is ALL about issues

I don't see how you can question the findings, as shown in the AP exit polls that those who voted Kerry - voted for the equivalent of "Homecoming King" - in nothing more than a morbid popularity contest.

[WilliamPitt]

26. Question away

The way you just put it above is 100% above-board. 'Sheeple' is disrespectful. However stupid you think a person may be, it is considered bad form to personally insult them. All I am saying is that you can make your arguments legitimately. Insults are not an effective part of thje recipie.

[Hoppin_Mad]

29. Er - Will - Dean supporters have been called "cult members" OPENLY on DU

Did you complain then ?

Just wondering.

[oxymoron]

33. Who said anything about Dean people?

Telling post.

[WilliamPitt]

34. I probably did

but no one had to complain for long, because a whole new set of rules came down to keep it from happening as I recall. Justly so. Name-calling is the weakest way to try to make a point.

Besides, as another poster in this thread noted, the term 'sheeple' originated over on FreeRepublic. It should stay there.

[Hoppin_Mad]

40. At least we don't call each other "dittos" ;-)

[Wonk]

42. FreeRepublic.com is more than 20 years old? WOW, I did not know that...

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

Earliest Citation:

This is the home of Barbara Anderson and the headquarters of her American Opinion Bookstore. The store, in a dusty room behind dusty curtains near her front door, stocks about 500 right-wing tracts ("The Church Deceived," "None Dare Call Conspiracy"). Mrs. Anderson begins every book sale with a lecture, and in this instance she derides taxpayers in general as submissive "sheep people" — or "sheeple" for short.
—Bob Davis, "In New Hampshire, 'Live Free or Die' Is More Than a Motto," The Wall Street Journal, February 27, 1984

[Freddie Stubbs]

109. It may not have originated there, but

the Freepers have been using it before DU existed. I hink that it goes to show that many of us here are just as arrogant as Freepers are.

[blondeatlast]

120. At the American Opinion bookstore? Holy

(keeping it out of the subject line) SHIT. There was one of those here in Phoenix, I remember it well.

[bornskeptic]

47. That is a rather peculiar interpretation

of the AP poll results I'm looking at. I didn't find anything about Homecoming Kings. The closest I could find was this.

Asked if they voted for their candidate more because he can defeat Bush in November or because “he agrees with you on the major issues,” a third said defeating Bush was a higher priority, and 56 percent of them favored Kerry. Dean and Kerry were tied among those who said the candidate’s stand on issues was more important.

Both the AP and the MSNBC exit polls did show an overwhelming advantage for Dean among those who thought the most important quality in a candidate was that he "stood up for what he believed." When it came down to what the candidate actually believed though, Kerry tied on Iraq and won easily on all other issues.

Maybe you got the Homecoming King info from a different link, in which case I'd be happy to look at it.

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040128/NEWS08/201280375

Here are the MSNBC exit poll results too, in case you're interested.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3762821

[Jack_Dawson]

6. People who vote based on Iowa's results

and corresponding MediaWhore coverage are sheeple. Period.

[Wonk]

9. Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winnah!

Related thread that's been dropping like a rock.

[Bucky]

93. I can deal w/"sheeple". But "ding-ding-ding we have a winner" is annoying!

If we have to lose any cliches, please let's bury that tired old fossil.

[rmdude]

110. And while we're at it

could we also dispense with the patronizing "Uh, " preface in subject lines also?

[Jack_Dawson]

112. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[BootinUp]

52. I admire your fortitude

and I agree completely. People are judging electability based on somebody elses opinion instead of making their own assessments. It is truly amazing.

edited: changed media reports to somebody elses opinion.

[ozone_man]

71. How politically uncorrect of you. :>)

Sometimes you have to be to cut through the BS floated around here.

The more important issue is that so many people are plugged into their TV's so much that they would rather watch football, baseball or basketball than participate in understanding much more important issues that will affect them. I liken it to the Matrix. The little time that the average American does spend looking into political issues seems to be easily controlled by the TV, Time and Newsweek. Hence, our selection has been made by the media and he is not much better than the last selection.

Sorry, but you really have to shake these people to wake them up from the Matrix. I'm afraid that it will take more severe economic times, and they are coming. After all, people do vote with their pocket books, but we have been deficit spending for several years now and people still don't realize that there is no money left in their pockets.

[texasmom]

80. I agree completely, Jack.

There are people who go with the flow of media coverage or who looks to be the winner. It's just that simple. There were sheeple who voted for Bush in 2000, because the polls told them he was going to be the winner.
I do think that in NH and Iowa the people who chose Kerry did so because they thought that he had the best chance to beat Bush. They were looking at his experience, and found his weaknesses to be less weak than the other candidates'. However, there's no other explanation than "sheeple" following the media right now to explain Kerry's current national surge in the polls. Sorry to those who disagree. It's all based on post-Iowa/NH news coverage which has been light on details about Kerry, high on coverage of his rise and Dean's decline.

[JVS]

86. You know the score!

:toast:

[BigDaddyLove]

117. What if those same voters voted for Kerry because they.......

actually LIKE him and genuinely want him to win?

Are they still Sheeple?

[BootinUp]

122. Some of them sure are fickle then don't you think?

assuming what you say is correct, then they must have liked another candidate when the polls showed Dean with a huge lead and Kerry in 3rd or 4th.

We are talking about huge poll swings that are like double or more the size of "undecided". And its not just coincidence that the swings are in the direction of the winner of Iowa? or NH?

[Fovea]

8. But there is a tide in the affairs of men...

And there are opportunities for the message to stick.
Sheeple is about denial. The right message at the right moment
strips through the veneer of illusions we use to cement the status quo together.

This is what we do very well.
Your mission is to plug Dennis into places where
he can help inform and evolve the debate,
beyond the campaign trail. It is out there in the unemployment line,
it is out there in front of the temp agency office, it is a comforting word to the family of serving military. When we connect with those people, we re energize former voters.

Remember, even though we are standing in the power spot of the Democratic soul, we need to remember that the most important voters in 2004 are still out there, in denial. We can break the trance. We can break the trance like a slap of cold air. We can give them truth like a woolen blanket.

[Eric J in MN]

10. Never cared for comparing people to animals. Republican tactic.

Never cared for comparing people to animals.

Let's be respectful.

The freepers call us "Democ-rats."

A George W. Bush ad againt Al Gore flashed the word "rats" on the screen.

Democrats should be better than this.

[Shanty Oilish]

13. Does your candidate consider voters sheeple?

Of course not. Ewe wool'd not support one who did.

[Zomby Woof]

16. you're just trying to 'ram' your agenda down our throats!

That's in baa-aad form.

[Shanty Oilish]

19. Are ewe lamb pooning me?

Shear folly.

Respectfully,

Flock Ewe

[TreasonousBastard]

24. Sheep shot.

[Shanty Oilish]

27. And flock ewe too

:P

[Hoppin_Mad]

31. You can't pull the wool over my eyes !

I know damn well what you meant ! :-)

[Shanty Oilish]

35. Pardon me...

Do you have any Grey Mouton?

[Clark Can WIN]

84. You've all shorn this thread apart.

For shame for shame...........

[AntiCoup2K4]

14. example of sheeple

The 70% of Americans who believe Saddam Hussein was involved in 9-11, simply because the corporate media told them so, despite the fact that not a single shred of evidence exists to support the statement.

Many of these same people now believe the Democratic party has a nominee, because FAUX, MSRNC, Corporatist News Network and Traitor Jennings told them so, in spite of 48 states not having a vote yet.

[Eric J in MN]

25. A person who is foolish, inattentive, gullible, etc. is still a person

A person who is foolish, inattentive, gullible, etc. is still a person.

We have no need for language like "sheeple."

Treat people with dignity.

[ModerateMiddle]

59. I can just imagine

how you'd be spinning this same angle had Dean swept Iowa and NH.

[Freddie Stubbs]

98. When did the corporate media tell us Saddam Hussein was involved in 9-11?

I read a lot of newspapers and watch a lot of TV, and I do not recall ever seeing this. Can you provide a link?

[DjTj]

15. Sheeple are the core of the Democratic Party.

It seems like people at DU refer to "Sheeple" as those who don't spend all their time watching C-Span and following DU.

Anybody who gets their news only from the mainstream media is someone that doesn't deserve to vote.

However, people forget that these people are the essence of the Democratic Party.

Perhaps they are too busy working for a living and trying to care for their families. Perhaps they have other diverse interests in life besides politics. Some of them are no doubt struggling to get by, but they still want to participate in the democratic process by casting a vote.

If these "Sheeple" shouldn't be voting, the Republicans would win every time because a majority of the people who have enough time and money to pay attention will vote to keep themselves on top.

Our task as Democrats should be to include these people. If we don't think they know enough about the issues, we should educate them. We should welcome them into the democratic process because their vote counts as much as anyone else's and their interests should not be crowded out by those with more money.

John Edwards has stood up and said many times that politicians don't talk a lot about poverty because those people don't vote. When we dismiss the "Sheeple", we are doing the same thing. And as John Edwards says, "We have a moral responsibility to lift these people up."

[KFC]

17. In my opinion, fucking sheep is poor behavior.

Period.

[mindless]

45. Period?

Poor behavior but safe...:think: Lol Kidding

[Bucky]

95. You're so baa-aa-aad. Sheer e-veal. I wool'd like you to stop now.

Hoo've I offended by this post?

[rmdude]

111. Reminds me of the old Karnak the Magnificent gag

where the term "Sis Boom Bah" was described as the sound a sheep makes before it explodes :)

[0rganism]

20. Can't it be both? I vote for "accurate slur"

Yeah, it sucks being compared to stupid herd animals, but we've earned it the old fashioned way: by being led around like stupid herd animals.

Baaaaah Raaaaam Eeeewe!

[Eric J in MN]

28. A majority of American voters voted for Al Gore after being told

A majority of American voters voted for Al Gore after being told a stream of lies like that he claimed to have invented the internet.

So we shouldn't demean the majority of voters.

[AntiCoup2K4]

32. Maybe so, but the media was nowhere near as bad in 2000 as it is now...

...yeah it was starting down that road - as the LIE of Junior "winning" the debates clearly showed - but it is far worse now. If Al Gore were still in office today, the media would have him molesting children with Michael Jackson, then "fishing" with Scott Petersen on the weekends before his Sunday night orgies with Saddam and Osama.

It's not a question of "demeaning" the voters. They're demeaning themselves - albeit unwittingly - by never questioning the lies they are told by the media. The only way for them to not be "sheeple" is for them to know the truth. How best to communicate that truth to them is the real question. Because they won't get it from the media whores.

[Uzybone]

60. I disagree

The treatment Gore went through is worse that what all the democratic contenders have gone through so far. It'll probably get worse for these guys but its a cop out to try and say the media is treating your guy worse than Gore was.

[Crunchy Frog]

97. That's only because

they're saving their best stuff for after we have our nominee. Just watch and see what happens then.

[0rganism]

38. A majority of Americans DON'T VOTE

And of the ones who do, a majority "got over" the Florida Rape of democracy real quick-like. Like it was some stupid little game and they'd just rolled snakeyes or something. Like it didn't matter that more than 50000 people were struck from the voting rolls because their names were spelled almost like the names of criminals. Like it didn't matter that republican congresscritters paid their staffers to riot during the recounts. Like it just didn't matter. Like herd animals led to the slaughter.

They came right back and rewarded Kathryn Harris with a seat in congress and Brother Jeb with re-election.

You're quite right. We shouldn't never demean the majority of voters; just tell it like it is. We get the government we deserve.

[joshcryer]

54. Fucking aye!

Damn straight!

[QC]

23. An exclamation caused by eating very sour grapes. n/t

[DFLforever]

30. Wish I could have voted for both

But I voted my ideals - #2

[ibegurpard]

36. How quickly we all become self-righteous when it's OUR candidate

on the firing line.

[LincolnMcGrath]

37. Will, Are you referring to these folks?

[LincolnMcGrath]

74. Kick

Baaaaad laaaaad

[ozone_man]

75. Ha, ha, you nailed it.

It's kind of hard to argue the point after seeing this, but it's the truth. What to do about it is the harder thing to know.

[shawmut]

39. Sheeple are the people who don't vote for your candidate n/t

[Rowdyboy]

41. Arrogant. elitist and condescending

and that's just for starters...

[bhunt70]

43. slur- it's elitist no matter who it is used for....

the exact thing that makes us look bad.

Unite instead of divide.

[frustrated_lefty]

44. I don't use the word in day to day conversation,

but there are two people I talk politics with and both disagree with me. These people, even though they disagree with me, are pretty well informed. It never occurs to me to think of them as "sheeple."

On the other hand, entirely too many people respond to Kucinich's name and ask "who's he?"

Using the word "sheeple" comes off arrogant and condescending, I agree. It would be nice to see people give a damn what happens to their country, their lives, their kids. If people don't want to be thought of as sheeple, they should give some sign of giving a damn about something for god's sake.

[corporatewhore]

48. An accurate yet arrogant label

[Piperay]

49. Both...

sometimes it is accurate but often it is an elitist slur that irritates the hell out of me. :argh:

[Terwilliger]

50. kick

[BootinUp]

51. I just got in trouble for that one :)

But I still think its valid commentary. I would like to see anyone make a case for the poll swings that have occurred this year based on an intelligent informed electorate.

[bread_and_roses]

53. The language we adopt

shapes our world-view. "Sheeple" is dismissive; it is hard to champion democracy while being contmptuous of the people who exercise it.

More indidious and dangerous, I think, is that it is facile - seeming to blame tonight's network news for political and social trends. The assault on progressive values over the past thirty years has been constant, unremitting, and fought on all fronts - from school boards to the White House. The demonization of the poor is one aspect of this assault - a demonization that resulted in the brutal and savage welfare "reform" put forward by that great Progressive, Clinton. The marginalization of organized labor is another. Where is our "nightly Labor report" to balance the nightly Business report?

How brutal a blow it takes to shatter a premise built on such strong foundations is evidenced, I think, by the state of denial people are in over the US role in Iraq. Which also evidences that it is not just isolated bits of "correct news" that will alter those mind-sets.

Using language like "sheeple" is an understandable expression of anger and frustration, but I think is anger directed at the wrong target, and undermines our ability to create real change.

[OhioStateProgressive]

55. i think it's a fair term

the majority of Americans are low intelligence, and rely on others to make their minds up for them

I say it is a fair term

[Freddie Stubbs]

100. Only of low intelligence b/c they don't support a certain candidate?

If they are so stupid, should we bring back the requirement of IQ tests for voters?

[OhioStateProgressive]

104. no

but we must not lie to ourselves and not admit the majority of people are somewhat stupid and simplistic

[dusty64]

58. I know many do not

like this term and I don't recommend saying it out loud, but it really does ring true. How else can you describe a majority that refuses to think for themselves cause it requires effort. Too many are content to be spoonfed whatever propaganda shit they are offered and haven't a clue whats going on and worse yet do not care. Robots would probably be a more accurate description as even sheep shy away from situations where they will be in danger.

[OhioStateProgressive]

61. tools, robots, sheep...the masses...etc

what bothers me alot more than the term is the fact that it is true

As we sit and "amuse ourselves to death" with our nice little happy lives, worry about the trivial instead of the significant...worried about ourselves instead of others

"wave upon wave of demented avengers march cheerfully out of obscurity, into the dream"

[diamondsoul]

62. My take-

It's an accurate description of one hell of a lot of people in this country. By the same token I don't use it because it's also highly offensive. I will admit when I hear or see people talking about Bush or any other candidate being great because they're so "charming" or something like that, the first word that pops to mind is "sheeple".

I suppose the bottom line is that there are some people I truly believe are willingly mislead, and those are the people that word seems to fit, in my mind.

[dusty64]

64. Yup, not to

mention the many who base their vote (if they bother to vote at all) on the candidates appearance or the impression of who they'd like to have a beer with. We are picking a buddy, we're supposed to be looking at the big picture. I'd bet more citizens in this Country are more informed about the candidates on Survivor or American Idol than who is running for President, sad very sad.

[windansea]

63. TP says

"He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself."
Thomas Paine

[fishnfla]

65. Not accurate for the voting public

Speaking as one who deals daily with the general public however, is it arrogant or condescending to point out the fact that the level of ignorance and lack of common sense in this country is nearly an epidemic? The far majority dont even have enough self-respect to take care of their own bodies. Its hard to put any trust in chronic stupidity.

What percentage of the population is registered to vote? Of them, how many actually vote? To me the opposite group is the sheeple.

[diamondsoul]

66. Good point!

I just had a similar conversation with my best friend last night.

I said "You know, if you want change and you do nothing to create it, what the hell good have you done? You can talk all day about it but in the end if you never vote, you've really not done what you can at all."

He's a non-voter, and big fan of Chomsky because they agree, US elections are pointless.*sigh*

[curse10]

67. slur

imho

[Armstead]

69. A slur

Some people follow politics from personal interest, but not everyone is so inclined.

Most people don't have the time or inclination to follow political issues. They ought to pay attention to the basics, but they are not sheep of they don't.

Part of the problem is that the people are not given good information or range of perspectives through the media or mainstream politicians.

[THUNDER HANDS]

70. not accurate

When Republicans are writing in the Dem candidates name and people are going out in the snow at night to stand in a corner, then they ain't sheep.

They're dedicated political observers. 25% of the 50% of the voting population. Which is less than 50% of the overall population.

You do the math.

These people aren't sheep folks.

[nomaco-10]

72. Sheeple..... completely accurate name tag.....

for almost half of this country's voters, I hate to say.
A candidate is shaped and slickly packaged then sold to the public like a face creme guaranteed to ward off wrinkles or a diet that promises to make you lose 10 lbs. in 7 days.
The next bill of goods they try to sell them is the, "your candidate can't win, jump on the winner's bandwagon" spiel. A seeminly very effective ploy, since a great many people don't like to think they might be backing a loser. I refer to this tactic as the "fear factor syndrome".
Sheeple, you bet the label is well deserved and valid. I see 'em and hear 'em everyday and their bleats keep getting louder and louder... BAAAAAAAAAAAHH BAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH.

[ozone_man]

77. Reminds me of the PC game "Sheep",

a clever puzzle game involving herding sheep through various dangerous environments. My kids loved it. Is it life that imitates art or was it the other way around?

[Monte Carlo]

73. I HATE that word...

... because every time it is used by someone, it implies that THEY aren't among the crowd, they are above everyone else, they are superior. It's incredibly arrogant and elitist.

[nomaco-10]

78. I think you misunderstand the connotation....

It means the exact opposite, it's in reference to the bona fide occurrence in nature of "herd mentality". Ever heard of sheep following the leader even if it means they all jump over a cliff to their deaths? This is a phenomenon that actually occurs in the animal kingdom. A quite fitting analogy in the political kingdom of politics as well.

[Eric J in MN]

89. So refer to "people-who-follow-trends." Why act like a Republican by

So refer to "people-who-follow-trends." Why act like a Republican by calling people animals like Republicans call Democrats "rats?"

[Nay]

79. It's both.

I would never dream of calling people "sheeple" to their faces, even if they are. Just as I would never call a person an asshole to his face. It's just not polite. BUT. . .

In a political forum like this, I don't feel so constrained. After all, I am not calling any specific person a "sheeple," and when posting it is a shorthand way of referring to people who are ignorant and uninformed and easily herded. It's not an especially polite term, but it is accurate. We all bemoan the fact that we run into people like this daily, and "sheeple" also accurately reflects our frustration level. Many of us deal with these people at work and cannot make the work environment one in which we "educate" others. Talk about a good way to lose your job! In fact, most of these people even resent the implication that they need educating, and so you find yourself in an untenable position at work. Our only outlet is here, and so "sheeple" is useful shorthand.

Also, may I address the statement (made by many well-meaning folks) that a lot of people don't follow politics because they are so busy working and taking care of their families? This certainly may be true in a few cases, but not in many. Every one of these uninformed people can tell you any number of things about the hours and hours of TV shows and sports they watch; they have no problem regaling you with stories about fun with their cars, their boats, their trips to the Indian gambling casino, their day-long shopping trips, etc., etc., so time is not really the problem. Lack of civic responsibility is.

Granted, the damn newspapers and TV stations could make it a little easier for citizens by actually performing THEIR civic duty. After all, if we had analyses on the front pages of every newspaper every day, newsmagazines as primary reading in high schools, etc., the problem would be lessened greatly. I remember as a child that the newspapers did a heck of a job explaining every bill, act, etc., BEFORE it was voted on, so you could call or write your congresspeople. Now you hear about it afterwards as a done deal, so the voter is marginalized. The way to get the "sheeple" to respond is to reform this aspect of society, and that ain't gonna happen very soon, I'm afraid. Ignorance is too valuable -- keeps the rich and powerful rich and powerful.

[bread_and_roses]

81. The elitism of these results

scares me. The Democrats have largely ceded the ideological wars to the Radical Right, repeating a watered down version of the swill and calling it centrism. So for many years people have had no powerful mainstream voices putting forth an alternate frame of reference. So people are sheep because hearing the same message EVERYWHERE they belive it?

http://truthout.org/docs_04/020104I.shtml

snip> The conservative movement has developed dedicated sources of money and legions of ground troops who not only get out the vote, but also spend the time between elections persuading others to join their ranks. It has devised frames of reference that are used repeatedly in policy debates (among them: it's your money, tax and spend, political correctness, class warfare)...

snip>... Democrats could have responded with bold plans on jobs, schools, health care and retirement security. They could have delivered a strong message about the responsibility of corporations to help their employees in all these respects, and of wealthy elites not to corrupt politics with money. More recently, the party could have used the threat of terrorism to inspire the same sort of sacrifice and social solidarity as Democrats did in World War II — including higher taxes on the wealthy to pay for what needs doing. In short, they could have turned themselves into a populist movement to take back democracy from increasingly concentrated wealth and power.

But Democrats did none of this. So conservatives eagerly stepped into the void, claiming the populist mantle and blaming liberal elites for what's gone wrong with America. The question ahead is whether Democrats can claim it back. The rush by many Democrats in recent years to the so-called center has been a pathetic substitute for candid talk about what the nation needs to do and for fueling a movement based on liberal values. In truth, America has no consistent political center. Polls reflect little more than reflexive responses to what people have most recently heard about an issue. Meanwhile, the so-called center has continued to shift to the right because conservative Republicans stay put while Democrats keep meeting them halfway. <snip

Interesting article, worth reading.

[bigtree]

82. If they follow your guy they're not sheeple

Right?

[BootinUp]

83. Hmmm

Can we try it and see? I don't think your right. :)

[Spentastic]

85. What else should we call them?

Fucking idiots? Imbeciles? Or do we have to be nice to people that don't wish to see the error of their ways? In an ideal world we'd kindly guide them but the forces arrayed against us are formidable. Shock tactics maybe required. If the worst someone has been called in life is a "sheep", they are probably a nun.

It's a descripitive term that describes a phenomena that the democratic process must overcome in order to continue to be of any value.

There is no doubt in my mind that most people are far more influenced by the media than at any point in history. If they believe what the T.V is telling them and act on that information they are cattle like.

That's not to say they don't have potential, however whilst they continue to act like sheep they deserve to be described as such.

[Eric J in MN]

88. Calling them "idiots" would be an improvement. At least

Calling them "idiots" would be an improvement. At least it is better than behaving like a Republican by calling people animals, like Republicans call Democrats "rats."

[Hoppin_Mad]

90. Lemmings ? Dolts ? _nt-

[Freddie Stubbs]

91. Freepers were using that term before DU existed

http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3a3323de2f5f.htm

[Edge]

96. Sheeple....is an accurate description.

People who do what others tell them to do sums up what that means. (yay...i'm smart.)

Get your own minds and think for yourselves people!!!

[markus]

99. Why blame the people for the sins of the media and its owners?

This is unfair, and offensive to potential Democratic voters.

Now, for the hard-core listeners to AM Talk and viewers of Fox News, that's another category altogether. They are as dangerous to our Republican as unreconstructed Nazis would have been to post-war Germany,or the White Citizen Council/Ku Klux Klan movement was to the South.

They are completely sold on a propaganda bill of goods, and I have no clue how to go about changing their views short of putting them in camps for re-education. Ultimately, their leadership has to be exposed and deposed, and their followers made to feel embarressed they were ever so duped. It may not change some of their fundamentally racist or homophobic or pro-business views. But at least we can break up their organized structure.

[rucky]

102. Since more people voted for the first choice, I'll go with that one.

[Bundbuster]

140. Me too, me too!

BTW - Who's endorsing you, rucky?

[Name removed]

105. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[BootinUp]

106. prepare yourself

You might want to edit that attack.

[YNGW]

107. "Sheeple" is Elitist!

"Elitists" are people who view themselves as being more "intelligent" than others. Anyone who does not agree with them are "ignorant", "stupid", "lemmings", "dolts", etc...

Calling people "sheeple" is condescending, exactly the type of language we should expect from the self-described, self-appointed "intellectual elites".

As is obvious from this poll, a full 2/3rds of the people here who voted see themselves as more "intelligent" than others, and therefore have the right to call other people "sheeple". Of course, if they were as intelligent as they see themselves as being, they would be smart enough not to regard their fellowman as "sheeple", which is a testimony as to how delusional they are regarding their own intelligence.

And, when the house of cards falls on them, they'll blame everybody except themselves.

Personally, I laugh at them. Then, I take their money.

[mermaid]

113. I Do Not Think It Is Elitist To Call A Spade A Spade

Look at the average American populace. They believe what they are spoon-fed by the corporate-controlled media. 8 months after 9/11 2/3 of all Americans believed the lie that Saddam Hussein was involved in 9/11...even after Bush himself came out and said there was no connection.
You tell me that isn't "sheeple."

Sorry, but, in the famous words of Molly Ivins...it's not insulting a pig if you call it a pig.

[YNGW]

123. If you believe...

... that calling people "sheeple" or otherwise spitting in their face will cause them to see the light, go for it. Good Luck!

[BurtWorm]

114. I associate that term with freeples. It turns my stomach to hear it.

Must be a slur.

[iowapeacechief]

116. Me, too. Pity it's so popular here that we can't recognize...

...the interlopers at DU by its use!

[ChiefJoseph]

115. Symptomatic of arrogance and elitism

[Dutch]

119. A slur, pure and simple --

And one that completely undermines the claims of any party, movement or candidate to stand for ordinary, working people. If you treat someone with utter contempt, why the HELL would they want to support you? Not to mention that using such a term displays a severe superiority complex- "everyone's fooled but me!"...Honestly, grow up.

[edzontar]

124. The majority of VOTERS in the poll disgree with you guys....

Does that mean that people who don't mind the term "Sheeple," are, in your eyes..."Sheeple."?

Does that mean, since you are losing the vote, that you must be WRONG?

THE VOTERS HAVE SPOKEN!!!!!!

SHEEPLE is "OK" to use.

[edzontar]

125. The sheer density of intellectual sophistry at work in this thread

Is truly magnificent to behold.

Also, I note a distinct disconnect between the POLL results--where "Sheeple" is winning 2 to 1, and the posted commentary, which is heavily loaded with sanctimonious denunciations of this snide but not always inaccurate term.


Weird, and sadly not unrepresentative of the present state of this particular forum.

[iowapeacechief]

127. Makes you wonder...

...who these pro-sheeple-smear voters are anyway, doesn't it?

[edzontar]

128. They are the VOTERS!!!! and according to the posts above

That must mean they are always RIGHT!!!!!

[iowapeacechief]

129. So my proper role...

...is to recognize I am a chastened loser, right?

And so I must sit down and shut up.

[edzontar]

126. Kicking because the POLL is going so well!!!!

Strange thread--enjoy...

[Wonk]

143. kick

[grisvador]

130. I hate labels - they limit our ability

to see more than anything else.

[Casablanca]

131. You should have a "Both" option there.

I've heard Dennis Miller use the term to refer to liberals/progressives. Then it's a slur. Using it against him, it's not.

[Braden]

132. bloody accurate assesment

if you think Iraqi hijackers pulled off 9-11 you are worthy of the title.

If you think George W. Bush is a christian, You are worthy of the title.

[no name no slogan]

133. BA-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-H!!!!

[Zynx]

134. Accurate description of people who just go with a trend without thinking,

[juajen]

137. I think it's quite fit!

N/T

[phrenzy]

141. Sheeple DO exist

And sometimes WE ourselves can be 'sheeple' - You can't always avoid it. But you can learn to avoid it in matters of importance (elections, war, etc)

What else would you call the 70% or whatever the believe 'saddam was behind 9/11' ? Sheeple seems like an accurate term for them. If anything it is too nice.

At the same time, we need to realize that we need to lear to herd a good portion of the 'sheeple' in our direction to win elections. It's that simple.

The fight between the right and the left is really a battle to herd the sheeple.

I believe, the more educated and informed the population is, the less likely they are to follow the right wing policies.

Right wingers are, by nature, narrow minded. They value this as a personality trait. That makes them sheeple in my book.

[Minstrel Boy]

144. Accurate, but I would never use it. It's alienating.

The truth hurts, and sometimes too much truth hurts so much it could cause people to embrace the lie even more fiercely.

[supernova]

145. Sheeple is both

an accurate description and a slur.

The desire to follow a leader -- any leader -- is just part of human nature. Add in one trauma (in this case 9/11) and that desire only increases. It's a very human thing to want to believe a leader has all the answers. It's much easier and less draining to leave the heavy mental lifting to someone else. I don't know how many of my conservative acquaintances have said to me over the years:

"Why do you want to know that?"

"You don't need to know that. They have it figured out. Don't worry."

"Why do you pick on ____________ ?"

Personal discernment based on thoughtful consideration of each episode and put through the lens of careful research is too hard a road for some people. They don't like living complicated interior lives.

So while it is a kind of mild "mob" mentality, I think we're better off addressing conservatives' concerns about safety (that it's ok to be out exploring the limb of the tree, rather than clinging like heck to the trunk), rather than simply insulting them as "sheeple." If we liberals did that, it would be a far better use of our leadership abilities.

[FubarFly]

147. It's an accurate slur.

And one I would advice against using if you want people to come around to your way of thinking.