ISIS has continued its blood soaked campaign to impose its view of pure Islam on the world and to destroy all evidence of art and civilization in its path. The destruction of ancient works and structures has appalled the world. The Islamic extremists have now murdered one of the world’s leading experts on the history and art of the region — 82-year-old archaeologist Khaled Asaad. By all accounts, Asaad refused to tell ISIS where art was hidden. ISIS has been destroying large works while selling smaller works on the black market. Images show ISIS supporters laughing and rejoicing as their ancient history and art is destroyed with sledgehammers as the professed will of Allah. The standoff between Asaad and these murderers put the conflict between civilization and these Islamic extremists into the sharpest relief. It also shows who many Muslims continue to put their very lives at risk to protect their history and art. Indeed, they are protecting the art and history of the very nadir of civilization.
ISIS beheaded Asaad and then hanged his body from a column in the town’s main square. He had been interrogated by Islamic State for over a month on the location of the antiquities after they seized Palmyra.
Asaad spent over 50 years working at the UNESCO World Heritage site with experts from around the world. He was renown for his knowledge and passion for archeology. His books include “The Palmyra Sculptures” and “Zenobia, the Queen of Palmyra and the Orient.” He was one of the greatest experts in the world on Syrian archeology and personally discovered several ancient cemeteries, caves and the Byzantine cemetery in the garden of the Museum of Palmyra.
Few academics or intellectuals are ever called to put their very lives at risk for the preservation of knowledge and art and history. Those like Asaad are on the frontline in a war between science and ignorance; between civilization and barbarism; between free thought and religious orthodoxy.
His headless body hanged from a pillar as another indelible image to the world by ISIS of its intent to destroy the very existence of civilization in its twisted view of Islam. For academics around the world, Asaad will remain an image of a different kind: a man of conviction and courage who died in the effort to preserve his nation’s history and very identity from those who would erase it. He died as he lived in showing that civilization transcends the lives of any given generation. This educated and enlightened man died at the hands of religious extremism and ignorance. In doing so, he left the world with a challenge to meet this ISIS threat united and unafraid and unbent.
Put away the Bourbon boys.
Olly, He doesn’t get the USA. He’s conflicted. Obviously he has chosen to live here but thinks there are so many other places he finds more suiting his sensibilities. So, there’s that conflict that he never discusses. Why not Canada? I could live in some parts of Canada. Why not France, the country that is his true love and where he learned everything about BBQ. All 4 of my grandparents were immigrants, like our Canadian malcontent. And, like the vast majority of immigrants, all 4 loved this country. Certainly they had family they missed in their birthplace. Certainly there were some aspects of US culture they didn’t get. But, they loved this country and found no reason to try and mold it into their own image.
There are currently 1.4 million people in the military. Let’s say 1 million vote, which is generous. Last election only 57% of eligible voters voted. But, 1 million military voters is what we’ll use. That means 390,000 voted Dem. Without question, the largest voting block of military Dem voters are black. I doubt there are 100,000 true liberals in the military. But, it’s shoot from the hip, arrogant and just plain stupid to say either there are “lots of liberals” or “hundreds of thousands” liberals in the military. Olly served in the military, I know he laughed @ those statements.
It is stupid to think just because someone votes Democrat that they are liberal. Go to Southie in Boston, Chicago southside Irish neighborhoods, as strong a Dem districts there are in this country. If a black person goes into a bar w/ all these Dems he will be served, but when he’s done drinking the bartender will break the glass in the trash can and say, “See ya’, NIGGER.” A woman will be fondled and hear some vile stuff. Asians, Hispanics, etc. get the same treatment. I have traveled this entire country. There are no more racist bigoted, people than in some of these Dem strongholds. They pull that straight Dem ticket every election and use the word “Nigger” more than any southern redneck.
Now, let’s go to the strongest Dem demographic, black folk. Ever hang w/ them. I do. They are one of the most anti-gay demographic in this country. Many treat women like “Ho’s.” The Dem coalition is a strange brew. Many vote Dem because that’s what their parents, grandparents did. But, to call them liberal is idiotic.
Good luck finding many dishonorable enough to be progressives.
Even after being scrutinized by the gumshoe, the statement still stands. There are lots of liberals in the military, not the majority but lots, as in hundreds of thousands.