While we're about horses...

[mahnmut.livejournal.com]

I was recently told a nice parable that I'd like to share. It's about people who always try to please everyone, and then experience the backlash of their obligingness. Take it as you wish - it could apply to a certain US president and his apparent inability to slam a fist on the table and hold his position in the process of decision-making; or it could apply on a more personal level to some of us who, in their attempt to be liked by everybody, ultimately end up being called the "bad guy" by everyone.


So, a father and a son bought a horse. It was a nice horse. Strong and energetic.

One day they led the horse through town. The father said,

"My son, get on the horse, and I'll walk".

When their fellow townsmen saw them, they said to each other,

"Look, what kind of son is this? He's riding, and his old father is walking!"

On the next day, as they brought the horse through town, the father told his son,

"Son, this time I'll ride the horse and you'll walk".

When the people saw them, they said to each other,

"Look! What kind of father is this? He's riding, and his young son is walking!"

On the third day, they both decided to walk beside the horse. And the people weren't late with their judgments,

"Look at these fools! They've got such a nice horse, and yet they're both walking! Ha ha!"

On the fourth day, both son and father were on the horse's back. And the people said,

"Those two have no mercy! They'll kill the poor horse!"

On the fifth day, the horse suddenly died. Then, full of sorrow, the father told his son,

"You see, son? If you listen to what everyone says, you'll end up like the horse!"


We could also use this short segment as well if you like, to illustrate the moral of the story some more:


"Three Billy Goats Gruff" Budget Negotiations
When handling budget negotiations, Troll Obama should never have let the Republican billy goats clomp over his bridge.

Comments

[stewstewstewdio.livejournal.com]

it could apply to a certain US president and his apparent inability to slam a fist on the table and hold his position in the process of decision-making

Oh.  You must mean President Kruschev



Oh.  He's dead?  Well.  Never mind.

[luzribeiro.livejournal.com]

Yes, slamming his shoe on the table totally killed him!

[underlankers.livejournal.com]

As I recall the previous President did put his fist on the table and forced through unpopular legislation with a merry abandon and basic disregard for the Constitution. For his troubles he won undying hatred from the rest of the world and seven out of ten Americans but hey, the man got shit done. Wasn't good shit, it was akin to diarrhea but it was still shit that got done. The current POTUS tries his best to be the opposite and is universally bashed as a spineless, weak stimpleton getting rings rung around him.

At this point I'm just going to assume that like the USA the rest of the world makes the President face Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don't and am glad I am not That Guy.

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

You're aware that if he took an inch into more firmer stance he'd be instantly called a dictator, right?

But then, he already *is* called many things and there's no way they'd be happy with him, so what the hell.

[underlankers.livejournal.com]

Bush did take firmer stances and was called a dictator, and a section of the population lived in perpetual fear of a military coup. US Presidents are damned if they do, damned if they don't.

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

He was called that maybe because he acted on his own without even having the courtesy to ask any other institution for permission? After all, didn't God whisper into his ear directly, what do you need Congress for when you converse directly with Tha One.

[underlankers.livejournal.com]

I seem to remember he did nothing not already done by Woodrow Wilson who is hailed as a champion of liberty and justice for all (except that some liberty is more free than others). This is not to say he wasn't an authoritarian asshole, he was just dumber and clumsier than Woodrow Sedition Act Wilson.

[onefatmusicnerd.livejournal.com]

And by all, you mean D W Griffon and the Irish unionists.

[harry-beast.livejournal.com]

There will always be a section of the population that lives in perpetual fear of a military coup.

Billy goat gruff

[sophia-sadek.livejournal.com]

Colbert's advice about roughing up the goat sounds like something they do in New York to welcome you to the neighborhood.

The story about the horse reminds me of the Templars (http://www.dashinvaine.co.uk/templar%20seal.jpg) for some reason. I almost expected a pederasty charge by the locals.