Another Casualty in the Iraq War: Babylon
Today’s Washington Post adds a new and sick twist to the Iraq war: the destruction by U.S. forces of the ancient city of Babylon. Of course, this goes way beyond tourism - this is a heinous offense and one that could have easily been avoided. Are you like us and don’t know much about Babylon? Here’s the overall picture from the article:
“The ruins stretch over a rectangular area measuring 2,100 acres along the western banks of the Euphrates. The site consists of Nebuchadnezzar’s palace, which then-President Saddam Hussein rebuilt in the 1980s; the remains of the Temple of Ninmakh; and a palace for royal guests. In addition, there is the Lion of Babylon, a 2,600-year-old sculpture, and the remains of the Ishtar Gate, the most beautiful of the eight gates that once ringed the perimeter of the town. It still bears the symbols of Babylonian gods.”
The U.S. military decided to use this space to set up an actual base in 2003. After occupying it for 18 months, the troops left but not after they’d major and irrepairable damage.
Oh, thanks, U.S. State Department for giving Iraq a grant in the amount of $700,000 over two years to try to repair history. Meanwhile, we spend how many millions (or is it billions?) of dollars each day doing what exactly in that country?
This is shameful.
