Remember a couple of years back when the evil-doers called the Taliban shocked the world by using the giant Buddhas of Bamiyan for artillery targets? The world protested in outrage, but the Taliban said they had to destroy the graven images because they were an affront to god.
The good news is that many of the other artifacts at the site in Afghanistan have been preserved and plans have been made to restore some of the damaged statues. Just in time, it turns out, for the archaeologists to beat it on over to Iraq where the U.S. military has been wantonly destroying the ancient city of Babylon.
In our case it's different, of course. We're not using the excuse of graven images and "god told me to do it." No, we're ripping up the place because of its strategic importance to the War on Terror and in order to bring the almighty's gifts of freedom and democracy to the locals.
Besides, we're big enough to apologize. According to a Pentagon spokesman, plans are being considered to move some of the military units in order "to better preserve the Babylon ruins. The significance of Babylon is not lost on the coalition. The site dates back to the time of Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon."
That's it. We're sensitive. Smart too. Besides, we're there to help. Somehow that makes it different when a U.S. soldier gouges out a decorated brick from the famous Ishtar Gate as a souvenir and then drives away in his tank crushing the 2,600-year-old brick pavement.
CBC News (Canada) - Mission secures Buddhas of Bamiyan site in Afghanistan
Guardian (UK) - Babylon wrecked by war
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