Working Ranch Blog
Freedom or Security? by Brett Haas
Jul. 9 2010, 10:40 PM
Jul. 9 2010, 10:40 PM
I remember my first time in the feedwagon alone when I first started at the ranch. It was a cold, December morning and there was quite the frost on the ground. The yearling steers were staring at me through the gate like my kids when I take the last pancake at breakfast. They were packed up against that fence tighter than painted on jeans. I sat there for a minute, then two, and then five minutes later I called Kirk. Every morning Kirk had been a horseback to get the gate and shoo 'em out of the way and make sure no convicts escaped. How was I gonna do this alone? "How do I get through the gate without 'em getting by me?" I asked.
"Just go on through. They'll follow you."
"O.K. I guess so," I replied with obvious doubt in my voice. I felt like I might as well be talking to a politician who promised not to raise my taxes or spend more money. I got the gate and did a Jesse Owens impression back to the tractor. I got going through slow as not to run 'em over. Everything in me wanted to jump out and leave the tractor going and get the gate, but, fortunately, common sense got the best of me.
"Well, I'll be", I commented as I just kept on going. A few of 'em took a few peeks out towards the road and even looked back at me, then the road, then me, then the road, and then finally their stomachs and herd bound instincts got the best of them. We were all on the way to the bunks.
Since cattle ain't much for talking, and I can only listen to talk radio for so long, I've got a lot of time to think on the job. I know, scary isn't it? So I got to pondering why those cattle would rather have food than freedom. The security of the herd and the prospects of a sure meal won the instinct battle. Then I got to thinking a lot of people, including yours truly, act that way as well.
I guess our country's recent Independence celebration got me harkening back to this life lesson I got that winter morning at the gate. That and a good friend of mine just left behind his family to go to Iraq for a year. It's his second time over there. We have paid a great price for the freedom we enjoy, not only on the fourth, but everyday here in this great country. This country is exceptional and I will make no apologies otherwise. Our founding fathers knew the cost of freedom was high, but worth the trade for the "security" of a King. Benjamin Franklin said, "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." Come on America. Don't be a steer. We all know how that story ends.
"Just go on through. They'll follow you."
"O.K. I guess so," I replied with obvious doubt in my voice. I felt like I might as well be talking to a politician who promised not to raise my taxes or spend more money. I got the gate and did a Jesse Owens impression back to the tractor. I got going through slow as not to run 'em over. Everything in me wanted to jump out and leave the tractor going and get the gate, but, fortunately, common sense got the best of me.
"Well, I'll be", I commented as I just kept on going. A few of 'em took a few peeks out towards the road and even looked back at me, then the road, then me, then the road, and then finally their stomachs and herd bound instincts got the best of them. We were all on the way to the bunks.
Since cattle ain't much for talking, and I can only listen to talk radio for so long, I've got a lot of time to think on the job. I know, scary isn't it? So I got to pondering why those cattle would rather have food than freedom. The security of the herd and the prospects of a sure meal won the instinct battle. Then I got to thinking a lot of people, including yours truly, act that way as well.
I guess our country's recent Independence celebration got me harkening back to this life lesson I got that winter morning at the gate. That and a good friend of mine just left behind his family to go to Iraq for a year. It's his second time over there. We have paid a great price for the freedom we enjoy, not only on the fourth, but everyday here in this great country. This country is exceptional and I will make no apologies otherwise. Our founding fathers knew the cost of freedom was high, but worth the trade for the "security" of a King. Benjamin Franklin said, "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." Come on America. Don't be a steer. We all know how that story ends.
Do you have family or friends overseas this 4th? Tell me about it at thekansascowboy36@gmail.com. You can also friend me on Facebook or tweet me on Twitter.
