A few years ago, I befriended a Christian who had left the University in Baghdad, coming to the United States. He told me a story that is a parable of sorts commonly known where he grew up in Iraq.

The story is not a true story, it merely speaks of how different cultures may approach and choose to deal with what they may perceive as a problem with the elderly.  And I am convinced that those who told the story, understood ...and valued their elders.

This particular people told a story of a time when it was generally agreed upon that it was too burdensome to continue to attempt to care for the elderly among them. When it was deemed that one was too old, it was the responsibility of that person's son to carry him on his back. In this fashion the son would carry his dad up the mountain, and throw him off the cliff.

It was not just common for this to take place, it was expected. Yet, it was also expected that during that long trip up the mountain, that neither the dad nor his son express any emotion. Neither would talk at all ...after all, what could be said?

About halfway up the mountain, the dad says, "Son, are you okay?"

The son had not expected his dad to speak, and answers with an unprepared and uncomfortable tone of surprise, "Why do you ask?"

The dad offers a bit of advice, "Perhaps you should rest a bit; you look a little tired."

"No, I'm fine!" answers the son, abruptly.

The dad persists, "No, I'm serious!"

By the tone of his voice, it's obvious that the son is frustrated, "You know that everyone says it's best not to talk. You know this must be done; you're just attempting to prolong this! What must be done, must be done."

The dad insists, "No, I'm not trying to prolong this ...seriously, you don't look well."

The son's tone reflects increased frustration, "I'm fine ...and we're not going to rest. We're going on! And I'd appreciate it if you'd not make this any more difficult than it already is. I will be very thankful if you'd not talk to me anymore!"

There is a long silence. They are three quarters of the way up the mountain, when the old man begins to laugh. He starts out in low, and his laugh builds in intensity.

The son shouts above his dad's laugh, "What is so funny! The laugh is even worse than your talking! If you must, tell me what is so blamed funny!"

The dad chuckles, "I'm sorry, but I think we should stop; I don't think you are in that good of shape. I don't think you can make it."

As nervous sweat pours off his forehead, the son screams, "I've never felt better in my life ...I'm not even sweating!"

The dad laughs, "Oh, I don't know about that ...I don't think my grandson, your son, would see it that way!"

The son, knowing how much his own son truly loves grandpa, cannot handle such a statement as this, "Dad, you know this must be done!"

The dad laughs once more, then gets serious,"I'm sorry, son, I didn't mean to make this so difficult for you. But I honestly don't feel you are in that great of shape. I mentioned that to my grandson. He is following not that far behind us. I told him that making a climb like this takes a heavy toll on a body, and by the time you reach the cliff, you'll probably be an old man yourself. I told him he'd might better throw you off the cliff too ...and save himself a trip later on."

The son stops short, turns around, and starts back down the mountain with his dad.

Now those, whose customary behavior is to use fear tactics as a political tool, stating that one group of people who feel we should balance the budget, are willing to throw the elderly off the cliff ...well, that kind of hate talk is actually only ignoring the issue, and admits to the insensitivity towards their own sons and daughters. Those same sons and daughters may someday realize that the parents were the negligent ones ...who threw their children's future off the cliff.

Try to read history.  But if you think that is too much to read, perhaps you can read someone's Cliff Notes.

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