April 14, 2003
There's an article here in the NYTimes about the widespread looting that has been going on down in Iraq. Rumsfield has made the comment that the chaos is part of the process of freedom. I don't know if I'd go that far, but one fortunate fact is that the Iraqi's have largely kept the looting confined to anti-Saddam sentiment -- targeting government and Saddam-loyalist buildings. However, something I view as extremely unfortunate is that in their targeting of government buildings, they have destroyed the National Museum of Iraq as well as the Nation Library. With the museum, went some 170,000 artifacts, and with the library went pieces of Iraq's past over some 7000 years -- the Iraqi area being possibly the oldest documented civilization on the Earth. That, in my opinion is tragic, and I can understand the high emotions against the government, but destroying irreplaceable things that had nothing to do with Saddam's tyranny is tragic and irresponsible. My hope is that the looting and chaos will come to a quick stop now (it's starting to), and a healthy government can settle in.
Posted by charr at 9:21 AM
Reader Comments
According to the news today, our military is beginning to put the kibash (sp?) on the looting.The history of the Middle East is so rich. It would nice if it became a place safe to travel to again. Don't know if it will happen in my lifetime, but I would love to go someday.
For once, Cameron, we're in complete agreement on one of your blog entries! ;)The tendency for people to form mobs and loot/destroy public places is one of the aspects of human nature that I find most mystifying and disturbing. I hope they come to their senses soon, and that some of the stuff they've vandalized can be salvaged.
Let us all take a moment to reflect on the magnitude of this event; Levi agreeing with Cameron's blog entry.
When I was writing this (and I'm being honest), I thought that Levi might actually fail to disagree with me here. I hope the fact that we have nothing to argue about doesn't ruin our friendship ;).
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According to the news today, our military is beginning to put the kibash (sp?) on the looting.The history of the Middle East is so rich. It would nice if it became a place safe to travel to again. Don't know if it will happen in my lifetime, but I would love to go someday.
Posted by Renee at April 14, 2003 1:03 PM