The should be dead... alive!

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I just had to comment on the release of Alan Johnston, BBC reporter, who was held hostage for 114 days by terrorists. If you recall, I had a brief blurb on here and fed you a link in which there was an online petition calling for the release of the respected journalist. I did not sign the petition because I figured it was an exercise in futility, feeling also that he would be yet another victim of terrorism. However, he was released. Amazing. Did any of you sign the petition? While I think that it was not the petition which was the mitigating factor which secured his release, it would have been another small step in the right direction. It was a vote for hope, and a vote for a peaceful solution. I am glad Alan Johnston is alive, and hope he can receive any mental healing he needs to receive. I would have felt a bit better, if I had put my name to the petition, and maybe felt that I had done a little, itty, bitty thing to help sway the minds of evil to release one who was a pawn in a much larger game. One could argue that I am being a bit harsh when I refer to the kidnappers as evil, as they were just trying to negotiate better conditions for their movement. However, I don't know that involving bystanders, or killing children, or using suicide bombers will ever enter my mind as an acceptable method of achieving empathy for a cause. I will, for now, simply say the kidnappers are evil. I watched Alan, say he didn't give up hope. While being in chains, in desolate circumstances, in uncertain times, he never gave up hope. I admire his composure, but again, it is evident that he never gave up because he didn't look like a beaten man, he looked tired, he looked weary, but he also looked strong and able. I felt a bit sorry for him, as he gave interviews, and liaised with the former leader of Lebanon and other Hamas members, becoming once again a pawn, or a photo opportunity for another side of the conflict. Hopefully, he can now get some rest, and spend some much needed time with some loved ones. Maybe we all can take a little time to spend with the ones we love.