On Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs; a Libertarian Response

A essay circulating on the internet, called "On Sheep, Wolves and sheepdogs" asks us to view the world as if there is a warrior class providing us freedom, and protecting us from all the dangers in the world. This essay uses the metaphor of sheep and sheepdogs, an ironic choice really, and paints the military as the faithful protective sheepdog, and the general public as the docile sheep. Since I am not in the military, I am apparently a sheep, and somehow owe my freedom to the sheepdog, and I am also apparently helpless without the good sheepdog. Is this anywhere close to true ?

To illustrate a point, let me extend the metaphor.

First, lets consider "the sheep". Not all sheep are the same. Wild bighorn mountain sheep are tough characters. They live where few other animals can survive, by their own guile, and they prefer the rugged mountain freedom to the safety of the farmers pen. They are vigilant, and when wolves attack, they join together to defend the herd, their loyalty is to their herd. But sadly, there are few of the bighorn sheep left. Many have been caught in the farmers pen. The farmer has cut off their horns, and domesticated them. The farmer provides food and a warm pen, but he also fleeces the sheep once a year, and takes a few of the lambs for slaughter.

Now since the sheep really aren't any safer in the farmers pen, the farmer gets a sheepdog. But the sheepdog does not serve the sheep, it serves the farmer. The sheepdog will jump and bark at each of the farmers whistles, and, since it has been trained to obey the farmer without question, it will chase a pigeon as easily as a wolf, depending on the farmers command. And sometimes the sheepdog will herd the lambs to the slaughter.

But deep in the heart of each sheep is the memory of the mountains, and of the free roaming herd. Maybe someday, the farmer will let the gate open just a little, or make the pen just a little to small, and the sheep will once again claim their birthright, no longer beholding to farmer or the sheepdog for their lives.

Postscript: Given the recent events concerning blackwater security, we must ask just who are the "sheepdogs" and who do they serve.