Most antiquities found, unharmed

Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | 5/5/2003 | Christine Spolar (CHICAGO TRIBUNE)

[Fifth Business]

Plus the Chicago Tribune had a long article on it in Friday's paper, which I posted here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/904490/posts

[Dilbert56]

just as we secured the oil ministry.

From today's FrontPageMagazine.com.

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More irritating is the myth constantly repeated by antiwar columnists that the military let the city be destroyed--in particular the hospitals and the national museum--while guarding the Ministry of Oil. The museum looting is turning out to have been grotesquely exaggerated. And there is no evidence for the ministry of oil story. Depending on the article, the Marines had either a tank or a machine gun nest outside the ministry. Look for a photo of that tank or that machine gun nest and you'll look in vain. And even if the Marines had briefly guarded the oil ministry it would have been by accident: The Marines defended only the streets around their own headquarters and so-called Areas of Operation. Again, though, given the pro-regime sources favored by so many of the press corps huddled in the Palestine Hotel, it's not surprising that this rumor became gospel.

[Fifth Business]

Thank you, that's the first time I've seen that. I'll stop using that particular argument until I can verify we did or did not secure the Oil Ministry.

[Milligan]

Maybe the whole thing was a rouse! The museum curators decided to fool everyone by making everyone believe the place was sacked and cleaned out. Produce crocodile tears, blame the US troops and your antiquities were stashed in some bombproof vault outside the city. Museum curators are business people. Mr. George needs GOOD PRESS coverage right now to get the tourist money coming in. I can see Mr. George and Baghdad Bob greeting their guest at the gates. The grand opening sign should say-"Rocking the Cradle of
Civilization." OH...the tall tales they will tell!

[Polybius]

It seems that The Press looted The Truth.

[not-an-ostrich]

If they had to tear down cinder blocks to enter the storage area maybe they figure they weren't missing "by looting" and didn't count in the number of "looted" items.

[Fifth Business]

If they had to tear down cinder blocks to enter the storage area maybe they figure they weren't missing "by looting" and didn't count in the number of "looted" items.

Good question. The article is a little confusing on that point, but I gathered that at least one of the 90 missing boxes were recovered. This may have been the report from last week that took place near the Iran border. It's hard trying to put all these reports together into a coherent picture of what happened.

[Billthedrill]

CNN often agonizes. Struggling with their consciences as being Americans is their main occupation.

That is so deadly accurate I'm going to steal it immediately... ;-)

[JoeSchem]

The media truly does have a pack mentality -- one lunatic reports massive looting of the Museums and all the rest of the media jumps on board!

It's funny how Drudge is just a kid with a fedora and a web site, who used to mind the CBS gift store, and yet for all the accusations of sensationalism and irresponsibility against him, he gets it right and maintains a sober tone more often than the supposedly Responsible News Media.

[BOBTHENAILER]

I'll stop using that particular argument until I can verify we did or did not secure the Oil Ministry.

I rest my case.

[PhiKapMom]

I can remember living in Yucaipa in the 80's and always read the LA Times which I liked. Now I cannot believe the paper!

[PhiKapMom]

That is what is so disgusting! A lie gets told as truth and keeps on going!

[PhiKapMom]

You are right and when Drudge finds out something is wrong he corrects it! Speaks volumes about Drudge and even more so about the leftist media who keep on perpetuating lies without corection for the most part!

[river rat]

Some friendly advice.....

Don't believe ANYTHING CNN reports.....CNN LIES.

Don't believe ANYTHING an ARAB tells you until YOU verify..

Don't believe ANYTHING the NYT or LAT tells you until you verify.....


Democrats, Liberal Newspapers, Hollywood leftists, Arabs, Islamic radicals and America haters in general --- share one characteristic without fail......THEY ALL LIE - most of the time...

Semper Fi

[Dilbert56]

Thanks for the polite and considerate reply. You'd never get away with being so civilized on the TV talks shows. You would have had to attack ad hominem and then ratchet the rhetoric even higher. Thanks again, Dilbert56

[PhiKapMom]

Very well stated and something we all need to remember! Thanks for posting!

[Fifth Business]

Thanks for the polite and considerate reply. You'd never get away with being so civilized on the TV talks shows. You would have had to attack ad hominem and then ratchet the rhetoric even higher.

LOL! I like to think that politeness and reasonability are inherently conservative values. Thanks.

[Cultural Jihad]

Stone vase from Uruk (Warka) with grain plants in the lowest register. Iraq Museum.

[VOA]

Expect the NY Times to lead this story on Page 1 above the fold tomorrow ... NOT!

I've listened (fairly) closely to news on talk radio today for this...
not a peep...

[Erasmus]

The most significant of the damaged pieces was the Golden Harp of Ur.

I was more concerned that they might have gotten the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch.