When The Jackals Come Out At Night

An excellent hub Bill.

@Dexter Yarbrough - No doubt in my mind whatsoever.

Awesome hub! I like the way you wrote it a lot, having the jackal represent the negative parts of society (at least, that's how I interpreted it).

Voted up, awesome and interesting! :D

Is there any doubt that you are one of the top 5 writers on HP? Is there any doubt that you are a great humanitarian? Is there any doubt that those of us that read your outstanding words are blessed? Is there any doubt that so many of us yearn to read your next hub, which we anticipate to be full of wisdom?

Another great one, Billybuc!

Voted up and interesting. Real deep message Bill. I've known real "jackals" people who would just as soon rip your heart out if they didn't get what they wanted. I've always prided myself in keeping away from such trash and don't know anyone like this anymore. However I will say that the title "jackal" unfortunately is really appropriate for a great deal of politicians and money grabbing people here on this side of the world. Passing this on.

Incredible title and you have put everything into this Hub voted up!

Fear of whatever isn't like me, fear of what I don't understand, fear of whatever is contrary to my beliefs. And fear all to often is expressed as anger because it is the only way to chase away all that I fearfully oppose. Thanks for opening our minds up just a little more with this hub Bill.

Nothing has, nor ever will, stop me from anything. I am my own light in the face of darkness.

Intriguing hub and sadly I think there is a little bit of a jackal in everyone, even if they don't want to admit it. You got me thinking today with this one Bill. Thanks.

This is so profoundly true it actually brought tears. I know people like that who are pillars of the community. They hate anyone who has a different belief system or skin color. It is even in my family and that hurts the most. This is your best hub, don't stop!

And coffee, please. Don't forget the coffee; and some vanilla syrup. And maybe a carton of smokes. Like I said, it's going to be a long night.

I live on the other side of the island in East Anglia. It hasn't snowed here since Sunday gone but that's still hanging around. Temps are rising a bit so this might be gone in a few days. I live in a village that rarely ever gets bad weather. We mostly just catch the edge of it. Don't know why that is but we just don't get it as bad as the rest of the country. How about you?

Billy, this one is exceptional. You took those irrational feelings, drummed up by those who would have us living in constant fear and showed the rediculousness of it.

Simply brilliant.

Walk softly and always carry a big torch!

Outstanding. I'm there with you, Bill. I'll be the one in the rocking chair. Fighting jackals is tiring work and I want to save my strength. I have a feeling it's going to be a long night.

Yes, we certainly must keep a watch out for the jackals who try to sway minds to the negative! Thanks for the reminder!!

Pull up another chair Bill, as soon as I get done giving my Jackals to the fire walk, Ill join you!

Bill - Another strong hub, my friend. I've been fighting the jackals for as long as I can remember, starting with my father when I was young. What he said just didn't make sense, and still doesn't. Bigots will very seldom change as they've either been environmentally conditioned, or had some violent experience to make them the way they are. I used to get into harsh arguments with them, but, over the years have simply fought them by fighting the example they set by showing others we're all not like them ... as some of us can exhibit intelligence. Great job, my friend!

Great hub as usual Bill. Thank you very much for you wise words.

This is powerful and honest and so right. Plus those jackals are universal. Please save a space for me on the porch.

Gosh..this is so true, bill.

Man fearing man in all possible ways...fail to u dear stand why???

I tell my kid about strangers and avoiding to talk to them...and he comes up with the innocent questions...can't handle it.

Dunno what will happen of this world.

Voted up as beautiful, interesting.

When I hear someone, and I myself am no less reckless of the statement " I am standing up for what I believe," I cannot help thinking that it is not only an expression of conviction but also a challenge to the other party concern to prove us wrong.

Often it is cloth in moral or religious hypocrisy. Prejudice ingrain in us that prevents objective consideration of the issue or situation. It has such an inflexible tone, rigid and incapable of compromise, unwilling to adapt to changing circumstances. Wars and conflicts have resulted over "Principles".

We seem incapable of thinking for ourselves. Allowing media, with it's "public opinions", the machination of interested parties, or mob rule to sway us. Prejudice is not only rooted in ignorance, but also fear. Instinctively, we develop an attitude of "we against them" for protection. How convenient to find a scape goat to put the blame of all the ill's of society and our misfortunes. This article makes us look deep within us. The face of the Jackal, may indeed be a reflection of ourselves.

jackals......damned pests.....there simply is no rest for the defenders & protectors of the oppressed. My tolerance wears so thin for the ignorant....I need to watch that. Don't need to reduce myself to their level....UP+++

Billy - Amazing way to send this point home with such power of words! I am the fearless jackal hunter. I have an arsenal of weapons at my disposal. One is the common respect for all human kind, another is laughter in the face of the jackal and another are the endless numbers of fearless jackal hunters who join me.

I'm on the porch now and "We'll leave the light on for ya"!

I really liked the way you wrote this hub, Bill. Of course, I am a huge horror movie fan and my instinct is NOT to head out into danger (don't you usually yell at the movie screen when they do that!), but this is a much more worthy cause. So, I'll step out onto that porch with my brightest flashlight!

Well done Bill. I realised immediately who the jackals were. The trouble is there is a jackle lurking within all of us if the truth be told.

Graham.

Wow Bill! Being orignally from Texas, living there until the mid-fifties I have known a lot of jackals along the way. In California, before I was drafted, I was told by a number of vets I worked with that the reason I was not prejudiced was because I had not been in the service and had to serve with, live with eat with "them." I served in the sixties, we all got along great. Even my mother, born in the South in 1899 used words that I finally had to insist that she not say around me.

This is so well done; it should make all of us think about the "jackals within" first and those around us next.

Yes there are jackals but I feel it is up top us how much light we give them. They only have power in our life if we let them.

Lordy Goshen, Bill. This is a mind blower. You so eloquently and every so slyly related the evil people of the world to jackals. This is a style a little different from what we've been seeing. I like it and I love the message!

You are so right, Bill, jackals are everywhere, and have many faces. Fantastic read!

An excellent observation on life. I have many friends who think just like your jackels.

Still we must as you say rage against the injustice and unfairness in all areas of life.

(just to comment very good read "The 12/59 Shuttle").

Excellent writing Bill. Blood has a "coppery scent." Wow, that's writing.

I love you Bill!! This was pretty funny and scary all at once!

The jackals ARE out there but I'll just sit on the porch with you and Bev and shake my head in amazement! I do not think it's very nice for people to do that...and I'm sure they don't feel good about it after so ...just why?!

(oops something happened to my comment above) here's the rest: ...if this were my article, I'd ask if I could quote parts of Silvergenes comments in your great piece. You could introduce it with something like, "As writer Alexandra Lucas has stated,'Over the years, I have learned that the most frightening jackals live within me.' You could go on with the parts of her comment that you liked or expound on them yourself. The reason I say this is because just as I was ready to dig in my heals when I thought "jackal" meant me, so too, someone with beliefs you'd like to change will dig in their heals. If you open it up to include all of us, and truly "we despise most in others the qualities that we ourselves possess..'. then I think those not in the "choir" will be more willing to join. And, since this is such a meaningful piece, may I add a grammar note: "because they look just like you and ME". Great attention-getting piece!

Whoa! Billy. Awesome, totally awesome. I loved it. Poetry.

Well Done Sir.

Intriguing approach. When I read the title with the word "Jackals", I was ready to rail against the writer who apparently was hurling another insult at my secular humanism bent or my other "liberal" beliefs. After all, in the early days, when Rush Limbaugh started and I thought callers could actually express a counter to his ideas, I was called "the Liberal Lunatic from Minnesota". I do love Silvergenes' additional comment and if this were my article, I'd ask if I could quote parts of her comment in your ar

Unbelievable. I am in awe of how easily you turn a phrase such as this. Jackals they are, and Jackals they shall be until we shine the light of courage, knowledge, and faith into their eyes and send them back to the hovel from whence they came.

I must admit, I was once a Jackal. I spoke some of those words you put into black and white. I felt as some felt. I am ashamed to admit it, but if we do not see the light and change, we will not heal as a nation.

Simply put, this is an outstanding article, worthy of any newspaper or magazine in the world. You are a World Class Writer, and as such, I kneel on bended knee to your talent. I am humbled. Thank you, Sir.

This hub is worrisome. I am not so afraid of the Jackals out there, but the jackals within. How many cursed times has my mind faltered and allowed the beast within to think horrible thoughts. Perhaps as I become better at slaying, others will learn from me.

Bill, this hub addresses some very serious issues indeed. You did an incredible job of describing so many aspects of ourselves and our society that need change.

Over the years, I have learned that the most frightening jackals live within me. I am angered most by those who exhibit things that I dislike about myself, otherwise I would meet them with compassion. Am I racist? Do I judge others? Do I fear differences? Yes, though it doesn't compute through my intellectual functioning. It computes on a much deeper level and recognizing it may take spontaneous combustion on that porch. This makes me more dangerous than those who are outspoken about their judgments.

I am the most terrifying of the jackals. I wear compassionate clothing, speak the correct language, move through the crowd unseen like a shape-shifter or cameleon. Yet, I still subconsciously divide the crowd into 'us' and 'them' at every opportunity. Divisions and sub-divisions occur with binary precision. My words sound so open and encompassing to others like me but they are neatly categorized in a compartment separate from me. "They" are the poor, the rich, the black, the white. The media is me. The socio-economic system is studied by me. I am everything that is wrong with society and the roadblock to change. I am the peacemaker with no hope of peace.

If it horrifies anyone that I would say such a thing openly, then you are just like me. Many of us need to turn on all the lights in the house before we go out on the porch. We may have corners in our kitchens that need sweeping. I know I do.

Simply outstanding!

Billy great hub life is about taking risk standing up for what you believe in no matter what the cost. There will be some that will be offended on the gender part about the guy that sleeps with guys as the jackals in our society today gobbles up all the garbage, the government, artist, stars etc shove down their throats they accept wrong over right etc, and yes those same people will shout out loud am a CHRISTIAN and am born again to.

I once condemn a hub for a guy that use to live with guys when i was ladyjojo here and because of that i lost many followers and people stop coming to my hubs, but you know what billy i didn't give a damn all i care about was STANDING UP FOR WHAT I BELIEVED in i never swayed even if i remained with one follower, I STOOD as a Stalwart soldier in the army of the LORD.

Thanks for telling it as it really is, I will stand on the porch with you :)

God bless you and Happy New Year

Just great Bill and am also with you on this and couldn't have said it better myself if I tried. Have of course voted up and shared all over, too!!

Awesome, Bill. You took an intensely negative subject and made the discussion of it beautiful. What a great hub and an important message. Thank you! Oh and the poem is great. I know it's your first one. It should be the first of many! Have a great day, Bill!

To me people have always been people...I like and not so crazy about all types...It is the person. However I am prejudice against laziness, indifference and cheating in people. I am fairly tolerant but find people who lie and are generally dishonest I cannot deal with. I have always been one to see things in people that others do not. It is simple as just listening to them..People tell you everything you want to know if your ears are open.. This was very interesting Bill. Oops yes I will be on the porch with my candle.

I'm right there with you my friend. Standing BESIDE you all of the way! Very deep and enlightening hub Bill.

Wow Billy this was so powerful! I have walked to a different drum all my life, never on the side of the most popular beliefs or the way things SHOULD be. I do think we do have our personal beliefs in things but when forced on others, with no love, nor respect, we may as well throw all our beliefs out the window as they mean nothing. Our family is diverse as they come and I would not trade it for nothing. Having love towards others is the most important thing. We all think differently and hold our own truths deep within but that does not give us a ticket to hate or show discrimination. Words and actions hurt, we should never be quick to fling either one.

Have a great day,

Sunnie