A terrible tragedy.

Submitted by Ben Eisen (Canada), Apr 23, 2003 at 14:58

Sir,

The destruction of Iraq's ancient treasures was terribly upsetting to all of us, but must have been particularly devastating to scholars of Islamic civilization such as yourself.

In light of the loss of civilian lives and those of coalition soldiers during the conflict, it feels almost awkard to dwell upon the destruction of these artifacts which, after all, are mere things and not human beings. Still, it is a tragedy to think that those reminders of those who came before us could have been passed along to be enjoyed by our children and their children for thousands of years more were it not for the unconscionable actions of the fiends who destroyed them.

I don't know enough about Iraqi society to agree or disagree with the broader thesis of your article. I do, however, know that you are right on the money when you remind us that the moral responsiblity for this outrage belongs exclusively to the individual Iraqis who perpetrated it, and not to the coalition forces or the United States government.

Take Care,
Ben Eisen

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