Quote:
Originally posted by antryg:
The reality is that I'm saddened by so many posting in this forum who delight in believing the worst not only of the American government but its people as well. We are accused of not understanding other nations or cultures but the accusers seem to be no better informed and also seem to have gotten their understanding of American life and culture from movies and TV, which is no more real than a fairy tale.
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I don't think anyone is believing the worst of the American government in this instance, merely wondering as to whether taking the artifacts on an American tour was the
wisest course of action given the alternatives (ie: a tour of a 'neutral' or 'allied arab' country as
Truemoose pointed out).
Most of us here at IW would know simply through common sense that there is no malignant intent in taking this exhibition on US tour, however, there would certainly be some in Iraq and other parts of the world that would take this as an opportunity to turn this into an 'imperisalist' issue and further increase animosity toward the US army.
No one's saying it's
wrong, just that it's
unwise. And I think
Skunk's appeal to cultural sensitiviy is well founded here.
John D Harris: but if you wanted to maintain public motivation for resisting what you percieve as an enemy's presence in your land, wouldn't you jump at any opportunity that presents itself to twist their actions into acts of imperialist malevolence?