# Should (and would) the West intervene if the Pyramids were in danger? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 10, 2012, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822 "2012-07-10T19:13:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nunzio_Tavulari)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822/21 "2012-07-10T21:50:13Z")
How reliable is this report anyway? The idea that this would have any support beton a handful of people seems ridiculous. This looks like the tripe that the Tea Party puts out. More fear-mongering about the Muslim Menace. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822/22 "2012-07-10T21:52:29Z")
It’s from the Tea Party’s official news mag: The Assyrian International News Agency. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822/23 "2012-07-10T21:58:02Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > It’s from the Tea Party’s official news mag: The Assyrian International News Agency. The article seems to have come from Frontpage magazine, which is run by [David Horowitz](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Horowitz). So not exactly tea party, but close. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822/24 "2012-07-10T21:59:14Z")
The OP’s cite has a whiff of the paranoid. Muslims lack nationalism? Really? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822/25 "2012-07-10T22:01:29Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > The article seems to have come from Frontpage magazine, which is run by [David Horowitz](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Horowitz). So not exactly tea party, but close. How are you getting that? From the first sentence in the link in the OP: > [@](#): > > According to several reports in the Arabic media… ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822/26 "2012-07-10T22:01:54Z")
> [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](#): > > How reliable is this report anyway? The idea that this would have any support beton a handful of people seems ridiculous. This looks like the tripe that the Tea Party puts out. More fear-mongering about the Muslim Menace. The follow-up: “Jews to report to Egypt to resume pyramid-building duties”. Oh wait, that was the Onion. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822/27 "2012-07-10T22:03:56Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > I seriously doubt any conventional bombs could do much more than dent the pyramids. A couple of bunker busters and you’d shatter the interior space, if nothing else…and create a hell of a mess. I think you could basically destroy the pyramids with bombs if you really wanted to…though it would probably be easier to just use conventional explosives (even better would be to use magical nano-thermite, since it can do anything) and regular earth moving equipment. Wonder what the contract would pay to demolish the pyramids… -XT ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822/28 "2012-07-10T22:07:44Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > How are you getting that? From the first sentence in the link in the OP: I mean the actual article came from Frontpage. Its [linked](http://frontpagemag.com/2012/raymond-ibrahim/muslim-brotherhood-destroy-the-pyramids/2/) at the bottom. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822/29 "2012-07-10T22:24:07Z")
This article is the first time i’ve ever heard the allegation that Muslims destroyed the Library of Alexandria (which i’m pretty sure happened a couple hundred years before there was any such thing as Islam) or “de-nosed” the Sphinx with cannon fire (which i’m pretty sure was the victim of natural erosion). I’m not sure the “let’s blow up the pyramids” people quoted in this article are any more well-known in the Muslim world than any random Tom or Dick or Abdullah, and I doubt they have much pull in the new government. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822/30 "2012-07-10T22:40:25Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > I seriously doubt any conventional bombs could do much more than dent the pyramids. It would be pretty rough on the sandstone. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822/31 "2012-07-10T22:43:55Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > The follow-up: “Jews to report to Egypt to resume pyramid-building duties”. > > Oh wait, that was the Onion. 😃 I believe our gig was after they were built…or maybe before… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822/32 "2012-07-10T22:49:04Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > It would be pretty rough on the sandstone. The[Great Pyramid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyramid_of_Giza#Materials)is made chiefly of limestone. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822/33 "2012-07-10T22:50:03Z")
You know, it strikes me this might not be the easiest war to win. We attack, they bomb pyramids, now why are we there? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822/34 "2012-07-10T22:50:40Z")
> [@XT](#): > > A couple of bunker busters and you’d shatter the interior space, if nothing else…and create a hell of a mess. Where are Islamic extremists going to get bunker-buster bombs? ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822/35 "2012-07-10T22:52:35Z")
I’m assuming it would be the Egyptian government…they are a nation state, so they would have access to something along those lines, or could buy or fabricate them if they really wanted to. If we are just talking about terrorists, then no…I’m not seeing them being able to destroy all the various Egyptian ‘pagan’ temples, pyramids and such. -XT ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822/36 "2012-07-11T00:23:27Z")
Islamists are currently destroying Timbuktu’s mausoleums (or already have finished destroying them) and I don’t see any foreign army there. And they aren’t even a rightful government, just rebels. ---
**Author:** ![Esox\_Lucius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@Esox\_Lucius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esox_Lucius)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822/37 "2012-07-11T04:42:09Z")
_ **The Muslims are at it again!** _ In a related story that’s all too depressingly real, an Islamic group that has taken control of northern Mali is showing its displeasure with the West by…wait for it…[destroying Muslim tombs at an ancient mosque](http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/9/47361/World/International/Mali-Islamists-destroy-tombs-at-ancient-Timbuktu-m.aspx): > [@](#): > > Armed with hoes, pick-axes and chisels, members of Ansar Dine (Defenders of Faith) hammered away at the two earthen tombs until they were completely destroyed, witnesses told AFP. > > … > > On Tuesday a source in Ansar Dine told AFP that “from now on, as soon as foreigners speak of Timbuktu” they would attack anything referred to as a World Heritage site. > > “There is no world heritage, it doesn’t exist. The infidels must not get involved in our business,” said a Tunisian jihadist who gave his name only as Ahmed and said he was part of Ansar Dine’s “media committee.” They ain’t the pyramids, but Jeez Louise, where are their fucking brains? ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822/38 "2012-07-11T04:59:33Z")
You know, I’m not one for cultural relativism, but I don’t usually get too worked up about the horrific things the Taliban does to women, etc. I hate it, and hate them for it, but it doesn’t ping my outrage on a constant basis. The thought of them destroying the Pyramids…well, fuck them. Hard. In the face with a nuke. I don’t know exactly why this makes me so extremely angry, but I’m really pissed off that this would even be considered. I mean, it was obvious that they were total jackholes, but this blows my mind. The Pyramids may be located in Crazy Town in an accident of history, but I truly believe that they belong to humans as a whole. I would fully support even military intervention and bloody murder to prevent this. I hope that attention is being paid to the actions of the radicals in relation to these statements, and something is done swiftly if it is discovered that destruction is in the works. We’ll be damned if we let a johnny-come-lately group of religious zealots destroy our human heritage. ---
**Author:** ![Scholar\_Beardpig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@Scholar\_Beardpig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scholar_Beardpig)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822/39 "2012-07-11T08:27:38Z")
The Pyramids belong to Egypt; the civilization that created them has gone wholly extinct, and the Egyptian government and people own the soil on which they sit. National determination is a bitch, sometimes, and I think there are no compelling reasons to ever do this, but if the locals can think of one and broadly accept it, then - shit, go for it. It’s your property, you can do what you like with it. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822/40 "2012-07-11T09:00:36Z")
> [@Sateryn76](#): > > The Pyramids may be located in Crazy Town in an accident of history, but I truly believe that they belong to humans as a whole. Which is all well and good in an _abstract_ sense, but in terms of real estate they’re the property of the Egyptian government, and “humans as a whole” possess no means by which to compel them to do or not do anything with them. In the unlikely hypothetical that Cairo decides to drop tactical nukes on some old stone landmarks right outside its own front door, what would you have the international community do? Start a war to defend the tombs of some 4,000-year-old kings? Slap sanctions on a country that nobody will want to visit anyway because it’s now radioactive and has no pyramids? Demand that they build new pyramids? There’s not much the international community _can_ do besides send a firm but polite letter asking them please to make nice with the old landmarks. In the end, the new Egyptian government may be further to the right than its predecessor, but they’ve got enough issues on their plate to make “destroying the pyramids” a low priority, and they’re surely savvy enough of their value as national symbols and sources of tourist revenue that the idea would never fly with the general public even _if_ radical Islamists took power. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822.md?page=3)