His mother must be so proud...

   I usually try to stay away from topic that involve politics or world events because I generally am not that well informed, being informed only by the news reports on television and what I read in the paper. And having been part owner and associate editor  at  a local newspaper, I have a good sense of how accurate that information can be.

   But the circumstances surrounding the cold blooded murder of James Foley and the reign of terror by radical groups around the world has continued to haunt me this week as I wonder what kind of world and society my grandchildren and future generations will inherit.

   The mother of the young man, and I assuming it to be a young man, standing over James Foley before his death, must be very proud of his actions and accomplishments. Perhaps he was a high school graduate, or an auto mechanic, a lawyer, maybe  a useless society dropout or just an outright killer and terrorist.

   She must be so proud that he hides his face behind a mask so that no one, except her, is able to identify him, thus insuring his continued safety and lowering the risk of possible death at the hands of others in a world that seems to be spinning out of control. Deep down inside she knows that she could not survive the death of a child or family member at the hands of a cold blooded murderer. Or does she?

    She must be so proud that his cowardly act has given him world-wide attention, his masked identity plastered on newspapers and television screens around the world, a popularity and recognition every mother (and father) wishes and dreams for their child. Who could be more proud?

   His mother must be so proud as she watches the American news and the interview being conducted with the Foley family as they struggle to understand the reasons for their loss at the hands of her son and yet, through their tears and sadness, are still filled with pride by their son's achievements and accomplishments: a teacher, a believer, a friend to others and one with a commitment and vision to building a better world. Only a mother can understand and feel the pain they must be experiencing on the one hand and their pride on the other,

    The mother of the young man behind the mask must be very proud that he gave up the opportunity to go to medical school or help find a cure for cancer and save tens of thousands of lives, instead joining a group that has no respect for education or for people with different beliefs and political points of view, who have little respect for children and families and whose daily routine consists primarily of kidnapping, torturing and the raping of women and young girls. 

    She must be very proud that her son is part of a culture and society that rules by fear and intimidation, with bombs and bullets, instead of respect, understanding and the importance of tolerance.

    She must be very proud to know that at some point and time her son could fall victim when his value and usefulness is no longer needed by those he currently serves and she stands side by side, fighting back the tears, with the other families who have lost family members in the senseless struggle to gain control of the world.  Maybe then she will truly understand the pain and sorrow felt by the Foley family, the pain and sorrow felt by other families who have lost loved ones at the hands of her faceless, nameless, cowardly  son, a son who now lies at the bottom of a shallow grave, no longer the terrorist hero, but instead, just another dead.... son.

   Perhaps then she will be so proud.........