Comments on: Blackwater guards shoot NYT’s dog. http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:30:39 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Miami1 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/comment-page-2/#comment-4205125 Miami1 Wed, 26 Dec 2007 20:20:12 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/#comment-4205125 Many may be too young to appreciate fully the sacrifices of generations of servicemen on whose shoulders they stand. I forgive them for the untutored ways of youth and your naivete. It may be that they are simply a sheep. There's no dishonor in being a sheep as long as you know & accept what you are.Then there are sheepdogs & I'm a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock & confront the wolf. If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen a sheep. Sheep do not want to believe that there is evil in the world but the sheep's only response to the possibility of violence is denial. The idea of someone coming to kill or harm their child is just too hard & so they chose the path of denial.The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs & the capacity for violence. Still the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land. They would prefer that he didn't tell them were to stand at the ready in our airports in fatigues holding a M-16.The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs spray paint himself white & go "Baa." Until the wolf shows up.Then the entire flock tries desperately to hide behind one lonely sheepdog. Also understand that a sheepdog is a funny critter: He is always sniffing around out on the perimeter checking the breeze barking at things that go bump in the night & yearning for a righteous battle.The old sheepdogs are a little older & wiser but they move to the sound of the guns when needed. Here is how the sheep & the sheepdog think differently.The sheep pretend the wolf will never come but the sheepdog lives for that day.There is nothing morally superior about the sheepdog the warrior but he does have one real advantage. It is a conscious moral decision. If you want to be a sheep then you can be a sheep & that is okay but you must understand the price you pay. When the wolf comes you & your loved ones are going to die if there is not a sheepdog there to protect you. If you want to be a wolf you can be one but the sheepdogs are going to hunt you down and you will never have rest safety trust or love. But if you want to be a sheepdog & walk the warrior's path then you must make a conscious & moral decision every day to dedicate equip & prepare yourself to thrive in that toxic corrosive moment when the wolf comes knocking at the door.We do not call for gifts or freedoms beyond our lot. We just need a small pat on the head a smile & a thank you to fill the emotional tank which is drained protecting the sheep. Be grateful for the thousands millions of American sheepdogs who permit you the freedom to express even bad ideas. Many may be too young to appreciate fully the sacrifices of generations of servicemen on whose shoulders they stand. I forgive them for the untutored ways of youth and your naivete. It may be that they are simply a sheep. There’s no dishonor in being a sheep as long as you know & accept what you are.Then there are sheepdogs & I’m a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock & confront the wolf. If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen a sheep. Sheep do not want to believe that there is evil in the world but the sheep’s only response to the possibility of violence is denial. The idea of someone coming to kill or harm their child is just too hard & so they chose the path of denial.The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs & the capacity for violence. Still the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land. They would prefer that he didn’t tell them were to stand at the ready in our airports in fatigues holding a M-16.The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs spray paint himself white & go “Baa.” Until the wolf shows up.Then the entire flock tries desperately to hide behind one lonely sheepdog. Also understand that a sheepdog is a funny critter: He is always sniffing around out on the perimeter checking the breeze barking at things that go bump in the night & yearning for a righteous battle.The old sheepdogs are a little older & wiser but they move to the sound of the guns when needed. Here is how the sheep & the sheepdog think differently.The sheep pretend the wolf will never come but the sheepdog lives for that day.There is nothing morally superior about the sheepdog the warrior but he does have one real advantage. It is a conscious moral decision. If you want to be a sheep then you can be a sheep & that is okay but you must understand the price you pay. When the wolf comes you & your loved ones are going to die if there is not a sheepdog there to protect you. If you want to be a wolf you can be one but the sheepdogs are going to hunt you down and you will never have rest safety trust or love. But if you want to be a sheepdog & walk the warrior’s path then you must make a conscious & moral decision every day to dedicate equip & prepare yourself to thrive in that toxic corrosive moment when the wolf comes knocking at the door.We do not call for gifts or freedoms beyond our lot. We just need a small pat on the head a smile & a thank you to fill the emotional tank which is drained protecting the sheep. Be grateful for the thousands millions of American sheepdogs who permit you the freedom to express even bad ideas.

]]> By: Miami1 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/comment-page-2/#comment-4205122 Miami1 Wed, 26 Dec 2007 20:18:38 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/#comment-4205122 It amazes me how uniformed the US citizen are! There is no rape associated with Blackwater but another military contractor! At least these Blackwater guys are doing something about this war! What are you doing? You really should not criticizes another man till you have walked a miles in his shoes! It amazes me how uniformed the US citizen are! There is no rape associated with Blackwater but another military contractor! At least these Blackwater guys are doing something about this war! What are you doing? You really should not criticizes another man till you have walked a miles in his shoes!

]]> By: Skeeter1 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/comment-page-2/#comment-4201548 Skeeter1 Fri, 21 Dec 2007 14:55:16 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/#comment-4201548 But Kilo, there are drugs in Columbia and snow in Russia. The B-Team and FoxNews keep telling us how safe and secure Iraq has become. Why in the world would they need bomb-sniffing dogs? But Kilo, there are drugs in Columbia and snow in Russia.

The B-Team and FoxNews keep telling us how safe and secure Iraq has become.

Why in the world would they need bomb-sniffing dogs?

]]> By: Marmann http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/comment-page-2/#comment-4200530 Marmann Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:08:38 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/#comment-4200530 NYT's dog, huh? I have the feeling this animal would still be alive if it was a member of the "Fox family." NYT’s dog, huh?

I have the feeling this animal would still be alive if it was a member of the “Fox family.”

]]> By: Skeeter1 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/comment-page-2/#comment-4198573 Skeeter1 Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:29:44 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/#comment-4198573 I am a bit confused about one matter. Why would Blackwater need a bomb-sniffing dog in Iraq of all places? I keep hearing on FoxNews about how great things are going in Iraq. I thought things were safe and secure over there. Was this dog there as a personnel pet or something? I know Blackwater guys are strange, but having a dog sniff for non-existence bombs is a bit odd. I am a bit confused about one matter.

Why would Blackwater need a bomb-sniffing dog in Iraq of all places?

I keep hearing on FoxNews about how great things are going in Iraq. I thought things were safe and secure over there.

Was this dog there as a personnel pet or something? I know Blackwater guys are strange, but having a dog sniff for non-existence bombs is a bit odd.

]]> By: Laszlo Panaflex http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/comment-page-2/#comment-4198205 Laszlo Panaflex Wed, 19 Dec 2007 05:09:48 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/#comment-4198205 Fortunately the NYT's goldfish survived the attack. Fortunately the NYT’s goldfish survived the attack.

]]> By: MapleStreet http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/comment-page-2/#comment-4198123 MapleStreet Wed, 19 Dec 2007 02:08:15 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/#comment-4198123 Lefty Patriot, I'm not giving a free pass. I'm saying that it is almost inevitable that a camera is somewhere near and I want to see that video. Lefty Patriot, I’m not giving a free pass. I’m saying that it is almost inevitable that a camera is somewhere near and I want to see that video.

]]> By: araratararat http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/comment-page-2/#comment-4198095 araratararat Wed, 19 Dec 2007 01:19:07 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/#comment-4198095 The big hyper-macho Blackwater pooch can't defend it's self against the "liberal" NYT dog. What is the Blackwater dog a cute French Poodle with a little pink bow ? http://www.doggiebowties.com/ShowBows/PuppySLFancy/PaigePoodle.jpg The big hyper-macho Blackwater pooch can’t defend it’s self against the “liberal” NYT dog. What is the Blackwater dog a cute French Poodle with a little pink bow ?

http://www.doggiebowties.com/ShowBows/PuppySLFancy/PaigePoodle.jpg

]]> By: Lefty Patriot http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/comment-page-2/#comment-4198056 Lefty Patriot Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:34:55 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/#comment-4198056 amera perchance ?). Hopefully, you would agree with me that the devil is in the details - specifically, who attacked who. Comment by MapleStreet — December 18, 2007 @ 6:29 pm Every time you give the right a free pass, it emboldens them. They are of the same psychological makeup as the terrorists; in fact, they are our terrorists. This incident is not even surprising, given the pathology of mercenaries who have been freed of all legal and moral restraints by the least moral man in the world, our own chimpster. Stop being so damn fair, they don't deserve it, and haven't earned it. amera perchance ?). Hopefully, you would agree with me that the devil is in the details – specifically, who attacked who.

Comment by MapleStreet — December 18, 2007 @ 6:29 pm

Every time you give the right a free pass, it emboldens them. They are of the same psychological makeup as the terrorists; in fact, they are our terrorists. This incident is not even surprising, given the pathology of mercenaries who have been freed of all legal and moral restraints by the least moral man in the world, our own chimpster. Stop being so damn fair, they don’t deserve it, and haven’t earned it.

]]> By: MapleStreet http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/comment-page-2/#comment-4197992 MapleStreet Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:29:27 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/#comment-4197992 Skeeter1 - while as a philosophical argument I may agree with what you said, what neither of us have is a videotape of the incident (surveillance camera perchance ?). Hopefully, you would agree with me that the devil is in the details - specifically, who attacked who. Skeeter1 – while as a philosophical argument I may agree with what you said, what neither of us have is a videotape of the incident (surveillance camera perchance ?). Hopefully, you would agree with me that the devil is in the details – specifically, who attacked who.

]]> By: mary http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/comment-page-2/#comment-4197878 mary Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:44:56 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/#comment-4197878 Years from now, when lunatics shoot a place up and kill innocent people for no apparent reason, and everyone is wondering what happened, someone will say, "He used to work for Blackwater." and others will say, "Ahhh yes, now it makes sense." Years from now, when lunatics shoot a place up and kill innocent people for no apparent reason, and everyone is wondering what happened, someone will say, “He used to work for Blackwater.” and others will say, “Ahhh yes, now it makes sense.”

]]> By: Doc Rock http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/comment-page-2/#comment-4197872 Doc Rock Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:42:37 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/#comment-4197872 Blackwater is a great blemish on this nation and it is ENTIRELY because of the actions and policies of the Cheney-Bush administration! Blackwater is a great blemish on this nation and it is ENTIRELY because of the actions and policies of the Cheney-Bush administration!

]]> By: Michael Lafferty http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/comment-page-2/#comment-4197857 Michael Lafferty Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:36:14 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/#comment-4197857 Oh, and then there is this: "Blackwater spokeswoman Anne Tyrrell said the dog had attacked one of Blackwater's bomb-sniffer dogs while a security team was sweeping the compound for explosives." I'll bet. Sort of like those seventeen now dead Iraqis attacked that Blackwater led convoy at Nisour Square. Or, not so much. Oh, and then there is this: “Blackwater spokeswoman Anne Tyrrell said the dog had attacked one of Blackwater’s bomb-sniffer dogs while a security team was sweeping the compound for explosives.”

I’ll bet. Sort of like those seventeen now dead Iraqis attacked that Blackwater led convoy at Nisour Square. Or, not so much.

]]> By: Michael Lafferty http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/comment-page-2/#comment-4197846 Michael Lafferty Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:29:32 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/#comment-4197846 As a former military policeman who has handled both narcotics and explosives detecting working dogs in the US Army, I've just got to say, "…what the hell?" If I could not handle and protect my dog from another aggressive animal under the circumstances reported—however incomplete the details may have been—I should not be a dog handler! At all. Taking that report at face value, the need to use deadly force against the other dog is completely inappropriate. What a pathetic response on the part of the Blackwater employee. Of course, what would a Blackwater employee know about the reasonable use of deadly force? As a former military policeman who has handled both narcotics and explosives detecting working dogs in the US Army, I’ve just got to say, “…what the hell?” If I could not handle and protect my dog from another aggressive animal under the circumstances reported—however incomplete the details may have been—I should not be a dog handler! At all.

Taking that report at face value, the need to use deadly force against the other dog is completely inappropriate. What a pathetic response on the part of the Blackwater employee.

Of course, what would a Blackwater employee know about the reasonable use of deadly force?

]]> By: Menehune http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/comment-page-2/#comment-4197782 Menehune Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:08:27 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/#comment-4197782 <em>54. What was the NYT doing with a dog in Baghdad? Comment by cold_hard_left </em> My suspicion is that Hentish was a seeing eye dog, considering all the stories that the NYTimes hasn't "seen" or "sniffed out" this year. 54. What was the NYT doing with a dog in Baghdad?

Comment by cold_hard_left

My suspicion is that Hentish was a seeing eye dog, considering all the stories that the NYTimes hasn’t “seen” or “sniffed out” this year.

]]> By: Spudge Boy http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/comment-page-2/#comment-4197754 Spudge Boy Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:00:25 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/#comment-4197754 What does Blackwater being murderous mercenaries have to do with "the man" moron. What does Blackwater being murderous mercenaries have to do with “the man” moron.

]]> By: tombaker http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/comment-page-2/#comment-4197733 tombaker Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:52:23 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/#comment-4197733 What was the NYT doing with a dog in Baghdad? They were trying to report the "good news", but then Backwater wouldn't let them. What was the NYT doing with a dog in Baghdad?

They were trying to report the “good news”, but then Backwater wouldn’t let them.

]]> By: Yankeluh http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/comment-page-2/#comment-4197718 Yankeluh Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:45:16 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/#comment-4197718 This is going to do more harm to Blackwater than anything else. Americans seem not to give a rat's ass about our soldiers or Iraqi civilians, but if you kill a dog... oooooboy it is gonna hit the fan now. This is going to do more harm to Blackwater than anything else. Americans seem not to give a rat’s ass about our soldiers or Iraqi civilians, but if you kill a dog… oooooboy it is gonna hit the fan now.

]]> By: dbadass http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/comment-page-2/#comment-4197675 dbadass Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:28:23 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/#comment-4197675 Comment by cold_hard_left — December 18, 2007 @ 4:25 pm Fishing with the same poor bait eh? Comment by cold_hard_left — December 18, 2007 @ 4:25 pm

Fishing with the same poor bait eh?

]]> By: Skeeter1 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/comment-page-2/#comment-4197669 Skeeter1 Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:26:04 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/12/18/blackwater-guards-shoot-nyt%e2%80%99s-dog/#comment-4197669 Sean, Assuming no handler around, there are a lot of types of dog where that could be necessary -- any dog of type over 80 pounds, Chow, GSD, Rot, Pit, Akita -- I've seen seen some Labs that, if they are out off control and no handler is present can be a problem. Personally, I had a situation a few months ago where my GSD was minding his own business (taking a nap on the ground while my wife and I spoke to some friends on a Chicago street), where two dogs (one about 40 pounds and one about 60) attack my dog and me. Luckily I was able to shake free of the dog that went after me and my friends pulled the second dog off my GSD, but if my friends were not there, I'm not sure what I would have done. The real issue is whether it was posted that guard dogs would be roaming or whether there was any handler around. It is easy to rip Blackwater because, for the most part, Blackwater is scum. However, if the left is going to be different from the right, we need to give credit where credit is due and place blame where blame is due, and not simply assign blame to those we don't like. Sean,

Assuming no handler around, there are a lot of types of dog where that could be necessary — any dog of type over 80 pounds, Chow, GSD, Rot, Pit, Akita — I’ve seen seen some Labs that, if they are out off control and no handler is present can be a problem.

Personally, I had a situation a few months ago where my GSD was minding his own business (taking a nap on the ground while my wife and I spoke to some friends on a Chicago street), where two dogs (one about 40 pounds and one about 60) attack my dog and me. Luckily I was able to shake free of the dog that went after me and my friends pulled the second dog off my GSD, but if my friends were not there, I’m not sure what I would have done.

The real issue is whether it was posted that guard dogs would be roaming or whether there was any handler around.

It is easy to rip Blackwater because, for the most part, Blackwater is scum. However, if the left is going to be different from the right, we need to give credit where credit is due and place blame where blame is due, and not simply assign blame to those we don’t like.

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