Replies

I agree with Puppage. I also look at it in a religious aspect. What would God be more happy with - that we protected a human life or we protected a thing of the world. Hey, sh** happens. When we look throughout history, how many artifacts never made it this far into history? Where are all the historical artifacts from Solomon's reigh? And I also look at it this way. These works of art were not created and then placed in this building. They were found throughout the ages. If whatever was stolen is not broken, then we can find it again and place it in another building when we do. Myself, I rather look after the welfare of people than things.

Concerning Hannity, I wish there was someone else I could listen to on my drive home from DC in the afternoon. He is such a bore and is historically ignorant.

What would God be more happy with - that we protected a human life or we protected a thing of the world.

I'm sympathetic to this argument, but I believe it frames the whole issue unfairly. Given the choice between a human life and "a stupid clay pot," who wouldn't choose to protect the life?

Do you remember about 8 months ago when the Palestinian terrorists were holed up in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem? At the time, there was a vocal group on FR--Christians, no less--who were saying "To hell with the church, it's just a bunch of old stones and mortar anyway. Bomb it, kill the terrorists inside, and ensure that they never take another innocent Israeli life."

But the Israeli government, thank God, didn't see it that way. It was a false choice, just as I believe the choice between American troops' lives and old Mesopotamian pots is a false choice.