# US troops are fucking up the ruins of ancient Babylon **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 16, 2005, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010 "2005-01-16T08:48:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010/21 "2005-01-16T19:25:32Z")
Who the fuck cares they are THINGS no object no matter how old, shiny, intricate or rare is worth one human life. Human life is invaluable. If bulldozing ancient babylon saved one life then I am all for it. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010/22 "2005-01-16T19:54:56Z")
> [@treis](#): > > Who the fuck cares they are THINGS no object no matter how old, shiny, intricate or rare is worth one human life. Human life is invaluable. If bulldozing ancient babylon saved one life then I am all for it. Nah, most people are replaceable; historical artifacts aren’t. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010/23 "2005-01-16T19:58:20Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > Nah, most people are replaceable; historical artifacts aren’t. That is perhaps the most callous thing I have ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010/24 "2005-01-16T20:06:07Z")
> [@Airman Doors](#): > > That is perhaps the most callous thing I have ever seen. Call it what you like, I’d sacrifice any number of Wal-mart shoppers to preserve a single work of irreplaceable art–there’s six billion people in the world and only 35 Vermeers. Do the math. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010/25 "2005-01-16T20:09:48Z")
But I don’t think there are 6 billion Wal-mart shoppers. Not yet anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010/26 "2005-01-16T20:11:12Z")
Shall we start with you? Are you worth a Picasso, or merely a Degas? :rolleyes: I can’t believe that you believe what you’re saying. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010/27 "2005-01-16T20:21:06Z")
Degas is overrated, but I’d sacrifice a Wal-Mart shopper to preserve _Les Demoiselles D’Avignon_. Not me, obviously, 'cause the whole point is to save art for me to enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010/28 "2005-01-16T20:22:52Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > Nah, most people are replaceable; historical artifacts aren’t. Eh. It’s not like we’re ever going to run out of history. At least, not if we don’t run out of people first. ---
**Author:** ![Lee\_from\_Texas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Lee\_from\_Texas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lee_from_Texas)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010/29 "2005-01-16T20:52:09Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > Degas is overrated, but I’d sacrifice a Wal-Mart shopper to preserve _Les Demoiselles D’Avignon_. Not me, obviously, 'cause the whole point is to save art for me to enjoy. How generous of you to offer someone else as a sacrifice. Tell you what- go blow your brains out and I’ll spend the rest of my life standing watch over Les Demoiselles D’Avignon. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010/30 "2005-01-16T20:59:24Z")
It’s decided then. Fuck the tsunami victims, let’s spend the money on artwork. Art is far more valuable than they are. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010/31 "2005-01-16T21:01:17Z")
I know why you are all beating up on **gobear** , and would agree that it’s a bit callous; however, his original statement is pretty much the operant theory behind those who would take us to war and those who would blow up buildings full of people. “Right to life” only applies, it would seem, to those who are part of one’s own belief system/race/creed/nationality, **gobear’s** thoughts on Wal-Mart shoppers notwithstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010/32 "2005-01-16T21:01:48Z")
> [@Airman Doors](#): > > It’s decided then. Fuck the tsunami victims, let’s spend the money on artwork. Art is far more valuable than they are. I think you’re being whooshed, but I’ll admit that it’s hardly clear. At least, that’s my impression. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010/33 "2005-01-16T21:14:50Z")
> [@Airman Doors](#): > > It’s decided then. Fuck the tsunami victims, let’s spend the money on artwork. Art is far more valuable than they are. Hmm? Never said that. I think you’re taking a tongue-in-cheek comment wayyy too seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010/34 "2005-01-16T21:23:56Z")
Diogenes, you do not have the requisite data to question the decision so why don’t you take your [“questions”](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=5668789#post5668789) outside and pound them up your ass. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010/35 "2005-01-16T22:21:51Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > Hmm? Never said that. I think you’re taking a tongue-in-cheek comment wayyy too seriously. **gobear** , you are–and this is coming from a professional ass like myself—an Aaaaaaassssssss!!! :wally ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010/36 "2005-01-16T23:27:22Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Diogenes, you do not have the requisite data to question the decision so why don’t you take your [“questions”](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=5668789#post5668789) outside and pound them up your ass. But I DO have all the requisite data, fucko. I know that the invasion of Iraq was unnecessary, unjustified, illegal and immoral, therefore there can be no justification for setting uo their genocide gear in Babylon, no matter what. Once a criminal breaks into your house, it doesn’t matter what his excuse is for pissing on your carpet. We have no legal or moral right to be in that country at all. That information is sufficient to determine that fucking up Babylon is an atrocity. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010/37 "2005-01-16T23:31:30Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > there can be no justification for setting uo their genocide gear . Are you going to justify that quote? Are you talking about equipment that possibly could be used for genocide? Or are you honestly saying the US military is engaged in a campaign of genocide? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010/38 "2005-01-16T23:31:45Z")
> [@treis](#): > > Who the fuck cares they are THINGS no object no matter how old, shiny, intricate or rare is worth one human life. Human life is invaluable. If bulldozing ancient babylon saved one life then I am all for it. This is a strawman. There was no choice that had to be made bewteen protecting human life and shitting all over Babylon. We never had to go to Iraq at all. Besides, since when do any of the warhawks give a shit about human life. The main reason we’re in Iraq at all is to kill people for their oil. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010/39 "2005-01-16T23:35:04Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > Are you going to justify that quote? Are you talking about equipment that possibly could be used for genocide? Or are you honestly saying the US military is engaged in a campaign of genocide? I’m saying that the US military is engaged in a campign of genocide. 100,00o civilians murdered for no motherfucking reason whatsoever is genocide. How is that NOT genocide? ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010/40 "2005-01-16T23:50:23Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > I’m saying that the US military is engaged in a campign of genocide. 100,00o civilians murdered for no motherfucking reason whatsoever is genocide. How is that NOT genocide? [Didn’t want to hijack your thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=5726515#post5726515) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-are-fucking-up-the-ruins-of-ancient-babylon/285010.md?page=3)