When Ordinary People Act Like Savages

Common Sense Commentary:

Historically, American Indians, have looked upon animals and even insects as "little brothers" or at least apologized to, if hurt by people.  I've always appreciated the Indians' harmony with nature if not with strangers and other tribes in general.  It may seem odd to a gullible, Liberal mind but they had good reason for their caution and suspicion of other than their own tribe.  War between the tribes was almost exclusively to gain more or better hunting grounds or protecting those they already had.  For this reason, bravery, hunting success and ability to steal horses were the most honored characteristics.

Life itself was extremely difficult just to survive long enough to find the next meal, good water or to live through a wound, snake bite or river crossing.  An Indian's life was, indeed, a survival of the fittest.  Their entire day was usually spent hunting meat, roots, berries, water or making leather clothes, moccasins, shelter or weapons.  Also preparing for the next winter's food and warmth.  This brings us to the reason Indians, animals and insects lived the way they did.  It was the only way they could survive.  If they could see starvation coming their way, robbing, injuring or even killing were simply essential to their own survival.   Unlike "civilized" people, Indians didn't war and kill over politics or religion but almost always for their own survival.  The same is true of animals and insects.  They sting and bite in self defense or to survive.  We are the ant's calamity, the mosquito's collision.  They sting and puncture to survive not because they hate us.

My application is this:  When we see people in "poor" countries or those dominated and terrorized by abusive governments, suddenly turn on their cruel masters and persecutors, like wild animals, it is for survival more than hate: But "restrained" anger caused by such abuse and deprivation can morph into hatred too.   As a rule, ordinary people will endure such treatment for months or years out of fear.  But, when they, like an abused animal, reach a point of life or death survival, they will become savage.  Cruel leaders usually aren't expecting their humble, obedient, law abiding subjects to revolt and change into "Freedom Fighters" overnight ... but it has happened many times in history.  The most savage of all are those who have worked hard all their lives, been thrifty and saved for their family's future needs   and then to have it all taken away and given to someone else.  That degree of Injustice ignites explosive reactions from most men of justice more than from the unjust.  But the unjust are the next most explosive when their gratuitous, undeserved largess suddenly stops.  Pampering, naive parents are murdered, from time to time,  by their own lazy, grown children for ceasing to pay up as usual.

Like the American Indians, there are nations of people today who live on the edge of survival every day.  When they are forced over that line, they usually revolt.  When the average person has lost everything, there is nothing left to lose.

God help His people to be prepared  and faithful stewards of our blessings and responsibilities when  all welfare ceases, there are no jobs even for willing workers,  someone is breaking down your door in the night and 911 is overburdened.  You may look back on these words and wonder, "How did he know"?

Pass it on. RB ... Read my son Ron's answer to the "blue" question.  It is under "comments" just below.