All wars by their nature likely involve illegal invasion and the abuse and torture of prisoners, modern wars being no exception. One would hope that although people can't respect each other, they could at least avoid the wanton destruction of historic sites so far as humanly possible. Alas Babylon, which the BBC reports was damaged by occupying US armed forces.
The ruins were once a wonder of the ancient world famous for their Hanging Gardens. I've seen the Ishtar Gate and it is stunning. For those who (apparently) don't know, Babylon represents Culture.
Detail on the Ishtar Gate (Pergamon Museum, Berlin)
Landing helicopters amidst buildings prone to vibration damage, or filling sand bags with archeological material hardly constitutes respect for the past. They say it was to keep looters out—doesn't Hollywood suggest the thing to do in such situations is "establish a perimeter"? Perhaps it was more a case of establishing an "Archeological Shield" for similar self-protective reasons the "Human Shield" supposedly used by Iraqi forces?
It seems the Iraqi people, who will need tourism to help their economic recovery, must sadly ask for an apology before one is given:
Col Coleman told the BBC that if the Iraqis wanted an apology for the destruction caused by his men he was willing to give one.
Words are cheap; they should go further and make good the damage. I may not be fully informed about military tactics or necessity, but feel obligated to stand up and protest the destruction of world heritage.
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