Completely agree, though a smart ranger can make proper use of a utility like a Longbow. Longbow users who main it.. are retarded, but those who swap to it at proper times (a couple enemies near a cliff? Point Blank Shot in the ass, gtfo) oh.. and guarding spots in the jump puzzles with it is fun as hell. Also it's good for either speed-killing those teleporting pricks after they die (Quickening Zephyr + Rapid Fire) or Zephyr + the flag throw.
But yeah, short bow rips just about anyone a new one. Only ones I've had issues with were guardians who didn't suck, which are few and far between. Most times I die, it's to a gank.
A strat I do use though is when I"m in the back, I'll pop my elite, swap pets for the quickening, pop Rapid Fire and deal around 15-17k damage there, then pop Quickening Zephyr and pop another Rapid Fire.. then swap to Shortbow and go to town. It's such a good tool.. just not a good main weapon.