Looters Ransack Iraq\'s National Library

I can\'t believe we never learned anything from the invasion and occupation of Europe during WWII.  Back then, the US Army had advisors assigned to follow the armed forces, and provide them with information on what culturally significant structures should be protected; both from allied attack, and from local looters.  It makes you wonder how much ethnocentric ignorance was involved in these decisions.  Do we only respect and protect western culture?

This could have been avoided if the commanders in the area had taken a little more interest in the situation.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=540&e=1&u=/ap/20030416/ap_on_re_mi_ea/war_lost_treasures_7

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Looters and arsonists ransacked and gutted Iraq (news - web sites)\'s National Library, leaving a smoldering shell Tuesday of precious books turned to ash and a nation\'s intellectual legacy gone up in smoke.

They also looted and burned Iraq\'s principal Islamic library nearby, home to priceless old Qurans; last week, thieves swept through the National Museum and stole or smashed treasures that chronicled this region\'s role as the "cradle of civilization."

...

Armored vehicles were positioned on the nearby street, manned by U.S. Marines. They did nothing to stop Tuesday\'s continuing trickle of looters.

Knew it.

It doesnt matter- all they are going to have their is Playboy, Great Expectations, and Animorphs.

Just kidding.

This looting is getting out of hand- they better step in with a firm foot or lose the purpose- and pure anarchy and chaos will happen.

the looters looted the library, museum, banks, the arts society building... they left nothing, by doing this their only harming themselves, well atleast the oil ministry and oil feilds were left intact seeing that thats the first thing the "cough" Americans "cough" went to protect.

Of course, but not for us. Just so there wont be another eviormental disaster.

Bah! Those idiots, I would not be surprised if some of those artefacts are going to be sold to "private" museums all over the world.

These things should stay in Iraq.

The Smithsonian is preparing an exhibit as we speak.

[CHIZZY]

Why is it impossible for people to not burn down their own "homes" when there is social unrest? Just like all those idiots who rioted about the rodney king verdict.

"we\'re so pissed off at "the man" that I\'m gonna burn down my house!"

That is a question that has puzzled me about riots since forever. I guess I\'ll never understand either. Then again, if one were to riot, which is usually kinda spontanious, would you travel to another part of the city? Probably not, you riot where you are.

The only riot that I can remember ppl not doing as much damage as they could have easily done were the 68\' riots in Chicago. Tons of ppl from all over the country, but little damage as far as other riots in chicago and riots in general.

Looting of national treasures is a tragedy, but Saddam had the National Museum closed for a few years and then when he reopened it some British archeologists suspected quite a few of the displays had been replaced by replicas.

The British Museum have actually offered to make casts of some artifacts and start filling up their museums again.

I think that takes the piss, just give \'em the originals and let \'em destroy their own culture. If they carry on rioting and looting then I think we should just say f*ck it and leave them to their own devices and pull out completely.

I dread to think what\'s going to happen when elections are held, their savage little brains won\'t be able to comprehend a fair election and they\'ll probably riot as per usual.

If we\'re going to stick around, the ungrateful little shits will have to start behaving like something other than the missing link.

the word ungrateful is probably the wrong choice as they didnt ask to be helped.

You cant expect ppl to thank you for something they didnt necessarily come to you for.

On another note, part of me feels just fine with them looting as for one it doesnt affect me in any way, and they are finally able to let out this agression they held in for 25 years. So in the least, its understandable or maybe even acceptable in this case.

But it\'s not acceptable, Iraq is a country that could have a really rosy future if they just restained themselves as we do most of the time. We vote, we watch the results, we deal with it for four years, simple as that. Wheras in Iraq they will riot, loot, vote, riot, loot, vote etc..... I know their methods are different to ours but I\'m sure courtesy and restraint are words in arabic.

It seems that not even common sense has made it\'s way to iraq yet, I know they haven\'t been able to think for themselves for 25 years and there is a lot of emotion coming out but to destroy your newly liberated country is c*ntish, what about the ones not looting and rioting, they\'re downtrodden again, only this time by the very people they lived in fear with, having all things nice in every major city trashed and spoiling it for everyone.

Do they not think it would annoy an exiled Saddam more to run the country perfectly and without damage rather than play right into his hands, he now thinks even more highly of himself and is having a good laugh at their expense.

I have to agree with Green Meanie on this one.  Restraint should be the order of the day for Iraqi\'s looking toward a brighter future.

On the opposite side of the spectrum though...If it doesnt come out now, the 25 years of oppression will come out sooner or later.

Better now than later.

It\'d just be nice to see some stability in the Middle East, it just seems they\'re not capable of taking care of them selves at the moment.

I didn\'t agree with the war but can see why the US want to have the most power for a bit, they fought hard and I can understand them not wanting to leave it in total chaos. I\'d rather the UN ran Iraq in the interim but to be honest can\'t see the US government ever worrying about what the UN thinks in future after this disagreement.