We have previously discussed the burning of rare books by Islamic State. Now, a new report says that the group has burned more than 8,000 rare books and manuscripts in Mosul. They then reportedly bombed the Mosul Public Library according to the director of the library. A new video also shows ISIS fighters smashing works of art, including a 9th Century figure.
The latest losses including manuscripts from the 18th century, Ottoman-era books, a sand glass used by ancient Arabs and Iraqi newspapers from the early 20th century. ISIS also destroyed the church of Mary the Virgin in Mosul and Mosul’s University theater.
What is fascinating is how similar these Islamic extremists are to the Nazis in their extermination campaigns coupled with the destruction of cultural and intellectual centers. In some ways, Islamic fascists are more dangerous because they combine this murderous culture with a promise of eternal salvation. As we have seen from the Nazis to the Stalinists to the Kymer Rouge to the Islamic State, intellectuals and their work are some of the first groups to be attacked by these forces of ignorance and hatred.
The thought of the loss of these early Islamic works is heartbreaking. I am only imagine the pain of this director and so many others to see their intellectual history literally go up in smoke.
Has anyone checked the weather report for Hell? It must be freezing down there because I completely agree with Davidm @ 5:23
Wadewilliams – LOL! I don’t keep up with the weather report down there, but nice to see we agree about something.
Well, Trooper, maybe it is because some people see things in black and white, some in shades of gray, and some in color.
By the way, who said the destruction was by “devout followers of the religion of peace?” I don’t quite understand your lumping Muslims into the group you say “can’t even focus on it while the books are burning before their very own eyes.” Can you be more specific? If there were photos of a perpetrator in trooper garb, would it be accurate to ascribe this comment to all troopers?
What we have here are many commenters of many stripes who remember history where this sort of thing has happened in the past and they are mindful of history repeating itself and the consequences. This is a complex topic. Our world is fraying in many respects. Better to focus on bringing people of common interests together rather than divide them.
I remember a time when Republicans had both liberals and conservatives under their tent. Same with the Democrats. They worked together under their respective tents to compromise and come up with the best that each had to offer so that the nation would get the best in the end.
It is always interesting how the left has to change the subject. The subject being the destruction of books and knowledge by devout followers of the religion of peace. Not Nazi’s. Not imaginary Christian fundamentalists.
Muslims. They can’t even focus on it while the books are burning before their very eyes.
Paul
Please cite the offending comment.
Thanks fiver and Inga for pursuing the truth.
It’s amazing that some continue to believe anything Karen has to say.
Wadewilliams – those ad hominem attacks are zinging right out of you today.
Some here oppose political correctness. They find no harm in speech that others may find offensive. It’s a position that I think has some merit.
Banning Mein Kampf from public libraries is pretty cowardly. Best that history remains available to us.
Of course. I should’ve know O’ Keefe was behind it and conservatives lap it up and pass it along as truth. No wonder I doubt every single thing they say.
Just a note on Karen S’s claim to have a video “instructing 15 year old girls on how to be hit” which I’m guessing is the same as Planned Parenthood having experts which “taught about bondage, S&M, choking, how to know if you’re ready for abusive rough sex, how to be submissive to your boyfriend, how to use sex toys, how for young girls to experiment with sex that leaves bruising.”
While it’s difficult to tell for sure without any source being provided, it appears that this is a vague reference to a hit piece put together by James O’Keefe (yep that very same James O’Keefe) for the anti-abortion group Live Action.
Apparently they went to Planned Parenthood (this was not in a school or class) and sent in someone posing as a 15 year old girl. The poser then asked the PP staffer about the kinkiest things she and/or O’Keefe could come up with. Again: PP did not just volunteer this information; the person posing as a 15 year old specifically asked for it to be provided. It was then portrayed, however, as if PP was promoting this behavior instead of responding to specific questions.
Sure, I’m only guessing this is the reference, but it does explain why no link was provided along with these wild assertions.
Here’s a link. (piece with “15 year old” begins about 1:30)
I say we lend them Dick Cheney’s document shredder…
Nick
So far Obama has appeared weak. However, he has not acted weakly but within the perimeters of the circumstances of conflict. In Ukraine there is nothing really that the West can do that it hasn’t done. Obama’s stance is vastly more harsh than the Western European nations that rely on Russian gas, oil, and purchasing. Ukraine was a mistake made during the years of the USSR. The Eastern half is predominantly Russian and the Western half predominantly Ukrainian. The only point of contention is how Putin is going about it. He’s going about it in the same manner that global powers have gone about their business for centuries, including the US.
Whether the US left Iraq too soon or not is eclipsed by Syria and the chaos throughout Islamic countries in general. My only criticism of Obama is that he doesn’t wield the political negotiating hand along with the military one. On the other hand, if the US had attacked Syria, this would have brought Russia in, as it has a naval base in Syria, along with a much greater profile as a foreign power intruding where they are not wanted. A lot of this is dammed if you do and dammed if you don’t. In the end the real problem lies with those stable and wealthy Arab nations that could and should be policing their world. Jordan, Iran, and Iraq should be in there funded by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait. If the UN can have a peace keeping force then why doesn’t the supposedly more refined Arab nations have one?
Isaac, I always like to find the positive. We agree, Iran should never be allowed to get nukes. Please write to Obama and tell him that. Oh, I realize the turmoil that would be created by our using tactical nukes. Obama, for reasons only known to him, thinks we can be loved by Muslims. He needs to read, or reread, The Prince. I would much rather we were feared, than loved by those folks.
There is probably a copy of the Koran at your local library. Check out the copy. Take it to the town square, put it on a pitch fork so that it is clear what the book is to the viewer, then soak it in gas and burn it. Make the video and send it to Iraq and Iran. Pay the fine for the “lost book”. You could buy one on-line but I think it is better to get the Koran off the shelves at the local library and make them buy another. Put a copy in the outhouse for arse wiping as well.
Thanks for clearing that up Fiver. Just as I suspected.
Regarding the Planned Parenthood BDSM 101 video: this was not taught in schools; it is a YouTube video (part of a series); and it is specifically directed at adult viewers.
From the actual YouTube video intro:
Of course, children getting their information from Gilbert Watch would receive no such disclaimer or advise, and those following Karen S’s link might actually believe that it has been deemed appropriate for a school class.
The Actual Version
Nick
The nuke thing is best kept in history where WW2 was shortened, probably a million Japanese lives were saved along with a hundred thousand US. Hiroshima and Nagasaki represent the US resolve to win at all costs as well as a glimpse into how horrible war might yet become. Iran should never become capable of obtaining nuclear weapons. Using tactical nukes would erode the West’s position to some degree.
The ingredient missing here is resolve. The lack of resolve is a combination of two things, firstly the incredibly inept and cavalier manner in which the three stooges performed and Obama’s perhaps overly cautious approach. Obama is light years closer to performing satisfactorily when compared with the three stooges. However, enough time has passed, Americans were fed up but it is apparent that there need not be a repeat of Iraq and Afghanistan to apply enough force to wax the thugs. In his final two years, I would like to see Obama work with the military to develop the tools and methods that will be needed to wipe out the thugs; as these tools and methods will be needed again. There is no shortage of opportunistic thuggery in the world. Call it religious extremism or whatever. A thug by any name is a thug. There are too many theaters where religion seems to serve thuggery, too much holier than thou. Start with the most dangerous and work to the center.
The rape of Mosul.
Ignore, Karen.
Apparently, Karen S. has quite a bit in common with Freemont’s Asfia Ahmed (although neither seem to realize that parents can opt their children out of the sex-ed portion of the course).
Why not just opt out and teach the kids at home? I’m not sure about Muslims, but surely Christians could teach their children that virgins can have babies simply by having a spirit come upon them. Parents can also wag their finger at their kids and tell them to just say “no.” After all, look how well it worked for Bristol Palin.
BTW, any actual quotes from the book itself (“Your Health Today”) that Ms. S and Ms. Ahmed find find objectionable? Or are we just going on what the Daily Caller said somebody else said the book said?
Unless, of course, actually quoting the book might undermine the histrionics… or require reading.
Isaac, I know tactical nukes were created for a cold war battlefield. I propose the use for a show of capability as much as practicality. That said, cadres of these beasts travel from city to city. Turn the cadre to dust. As the saying goes, “Dust to dust.” It will help get some “minds right,” a line from the great flick, Cool Hand Luke.
on 1, February 26, 2015 at 1:27 pmKaren S
Here in CA, a school added teaching kids about sexting to first graders.
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Karen have you got a link to this one? This is very concerning, I’d love to see link to a story about this. If true it would not be appropriate.