Disgraceful Destruction
We’ve all seen what remains of the once beautiful and historic Askariya shrine, also known as the Golden Mosque. No one can be sure who destroyed it or what their purpose may have been, but one thing is almost a certainty, it would have remained its grand and gorgeous self had the US not invaded Iraq.
Setting aside for a moment all the deaths that have resulted from this invasion, and yes I know that’s impossible to do, but let’s think for a bit about all the art, historical artifacts, and architecture that has been forever destroyed. These are buildings of such great age and beauty. During the looting of Iraq many of the treasures from the national museum were completely destroyed or badly damaged. While deposing a dictator we also caused the destruction of so many old and irreplaceable pieces of history.
The pictures this morning of the disgraced Mosque seem to symbolize this entire war in Iraq. Although the goal of the invasion was to free Iraq, we have caused the destruction of the very things the Iraqis hold so dear, their heritage and their religious treasures, treasures both human and historical.
Bush said yesterday that the US will help restore the Mosque. How do you restore history? You don’t and we can’t. You can rebuild, but you cannot replace the art and beauty that only history can create.
Setting aside for a moment all the deaths that have resulted from this invasion, and yes I know that’s impossible to do, but let’s think for a bit about all the art, historical artifacts, and architecture that has been forever destroyed. These are buildings of such great age and beauty. During the looting of Iraq many of the treasures from the national museum were completely destroyed or badly damaged. While deposing a dictator we also caused the destruction of so many old and irreplaceable pieces of history.
The pictures this morning of the disgraced Mosque seem to symbolize this entire war in Iraq. Although the goal of the invasion was to free Iraq, we have caused the destruction of the very things the Iraqis hold so dear, their heritage and their religious treasures, treasures both human and historical.
Bush said yesterday that the US will help restore the Mosque. How do you restore history? You don’t and we can’t. You can rebuild, but you cannot replace the art and beauty that only history can create.
posted by pissed off patricia at 6:08 AM
13 Comments:
Mornin' PoP. Ever have one of those where you just can't get the juices flowing? Thanks for breaking my impasse with this post. When I saw the the coverage of the damage and theft of the Iraqi museums following the triumphant "Mission accomplished" photo op, I thought it was unfortunate that the army must be spending its resources to protect other, more militarily important sites, like weapons caches, and that there were priceless art and artifacts that would be stolen and destroyed because they weren't high enough on the list of importance to warrant protection. Well ... they weren't protecting the weapons caches either, or the palaces of Hussein or anything else that contained the cultrual treasures of Persia from what I can tell. It is a crying shame. Of course Dumya said we'll help rebuild the Mosque - but of course we'll do like we have in NOLA - start the project then abandon it. This has become the administration of unfinished business. It's a shame.
The dissolving of the country has always been the most likely outcome of deposing its dictator.
It's an artificial country constructed at the end of WWI by England and France out of the remains of the Ottoman Empire. They put together three mutually antagonistic groups to do it. While that probably made sense for the British and French Empires (much easier to keep the natives under control when they're divided and squabbling with each other, don't you know) it hardly makes for long term stability.
Apparently the idiots in charge at the White House, so full of their hubris, never considered any of this, despite the fact that it's obvious to anyone who's learned even a modicum more than the bare minimum about that part of the world.
That such fools are running the shop blows my mind....
- oddjob
Well ... they weren't protecting the weapons caches either, or the palaces of Hussein or anything else that contained the cultrual treasures of Persia from what I can tell.
They protected the oil fields....
- oddjob
Bingo! You're right oddjob, they protected the only thing that meant anything to them. Priorities?
If you look at oil prices actually paid by Iraqis, the US didn't exactly do a great job of protecting the oil supply there either.
I suspect it's no coincidence that this happened just as the Iraqi army took official "control" of Baghdad.
beautifully expressed.
briggy
Historically, one tried-and-true method of conquering a people has been to destroy their culture.
You are so right. We haven't just removed Saddam from Iraq. Our invasion has removed parts of their ancient culture, history, and identity. These are irreplaceable.
I wonder why he is ready to help rebuild for them...yet the aftermath of Katrina is gone by the wayside. It leaves one wondering about his priorities.
Karl Rove seems to think the destruction of the shrine is a positive thing because it will turn Iraqis against the insurgents.
Karl Rove is a slimy pig.
Rebuild? if anything actually gets built it'll be the American/Disney version of the Mosque & only if they can charge admission.
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