Appointment in Samarra two days hence
Speaking in his wan, faux sincere voice George Bush just threw down his 48-hour ultimatum to Iraq. Everything he said of Saddam Hussein might just as well be said of himself and this country. Hussein is a bully, says Bush. Ditto. He tortures dissidents. We torture the ones Bush and Ashcroft choose to label "terrorists." I could go on, but it should suffice to quote Pogo: "We have met the enemy, and he is us."
In 48 hours then the bombs will rain and we will be well on our way to the marketplace in Baghdad for an unexpected appointment. Recall the old parable, recounted by former news reporter and author John O'Hara in the frontispiece of his slim, but classic, novel Appointment in Samarra:
Samarra is one of a score of historically significant sites in Iraq that was bombed in the 1991 Gulf War. The archeological remnants in and around that ancient way station on antiquity's trade routes are priceless dn irreplaceable, yet there is a high probablility it will be bombed again, if and when, the order is given to sack Iraq.
Writing in TheArtNewspaper.com last year, David D'Arcy described Samara as the "(n)orthern capital of Caliph Al-Mutasim, built 836. Ancient town extends along Tigris for 20 miles. Great Mosque, Ma’shouq Palace, Caliph’s residence, Abu Duluf mosque, Askari Tomb. Nearby main Iraqi chemical research complex and production plant (mustard, Sarin and Tabun gasses); major bridge, and main north/south artery road bombed 1991.
It is only one of many sites antiquarians and archeologists fear for, D'Arcy reported.
"Experts estimate that the number of archaeological sites in Iraq could be anywhere between 10,000 and 100,000. They warn that these sites face a greater risk than they did 10 years ago because of the greater American determination to topple the regime," D'Arcy wrote.
A few groups and individuals" beyond D'Arcy are trying to protect those sites as best they can, largely by informing the public and the bureacrats making the decisions.
But as of this St. Patrick's Day, 2003, it appears for all the world that we have a new appointment, or at least, Hizzoner Mr. Pretzel-ident George W. Bush has penciled in for us.
It is Public Servant #1's panic that is driving us there. He saw the specter of No Reelection in the marketplace and felt threatened.
Now, under the quirt of the Sheriff G. Dubya's (your)blood-for-(his)oil obsession, the America people will hasten there.
Others are writing about this anticipated destruction of antiquities. See today's TomDispactch.com for more information.
Speaking in his wan, faux sincere voice George Bush just threw down his 48-hour ultimatum to Iraq. Everything he said of Saddam Hussein might just as well be said of himself and this country. Hussein is a bully, says Bush. Ditto. He tortures dissidents. We torture the ones Bush and Ashcroft choose to label "terrorists." I could go on, but it should suffice to quote Pogo: "We have met the enemy, and he is us."
In 48 hours then the bombs will rain and we will be well on our way to the marketplace in Baghdad for an unexpected appointment. Recall the old parable, recounted by former news reporter and author John O'Hara in the frontispiece of his slim, but classic, novel Appointment in Samarra:
A merchant in Baghdad sent his servant to the market. The servant returned, trembling and frightened. The servant told the merchant, "I was jostled in the market, turned around, and saw Death.Seventy miles north of Baghdad lies the city of Samarra, and it seems America now has its own appointment to keep there.
"Death made a threatening gesture, and I fled in terror. May I please borrow your horse? I can leave Baghdad and ride to Samarra, where Death will not find me."
The master lent his horse to the servant, who rode away, to Samarra. Later the merchant went to the market, and saw Death in the crowd. "Why did you threaten my servant?" He asked.
Death replied,"I did not threaten your servant. It was merely that I was surprised to see him here in Baghdad, for I have an appointment with him tonight in Samarra."
Samarra is one of a score of historically significant sites in Iraq that was bombed in the 1991 Gulf War. The archeological remnants in and around that ancient way station on antiquity's trade routes are priceless dn irreplaceable, yet there is a high probablility it will be bombed again, if and when, the order is given to sack Iraq.
Writing in TheArtNewspaper.com last year, David D'Arcy described Samara as the "(n)orthern capital of Caliph Al-Mutasim, built 836. Ancient town extends along Tigris for 20 miles. Great Mosque, Ma’shouq Palace, Caliph’s residence, Abu Duluf mosque, Askari Tomb. Nearby main Iraqi chemical research complex and production plant (mustard, Sarin and Tabun gasses); major bridge, and main north/south artery road bombed 1991.
It is only one of many sites antiquarians and archeologists fear for, D'Arcy reported.
"Experts estimate that the number of archaeological sites in Iraq could be anywhere between 10,000 and 100,000. They warn that these sites face a greater risk than they did 10 years ago because of the greater American determination to topple the regime," D'Arcy wrote.
A few groups and individuals" beyond D'Arcy are trying to protect those sites as best they can, largely by informing the public and the bureacrats making the decisions.
But as of this St. Patrick's Day, 2003, it appears for all the world that we have a new appointment, or at least, Hizzoner Mr. Pretzel-ident George W. Bush has penciled in for us.
It is Public Servant #1's panic that is driving us there. He saw the specter of No Reelection in the marketplace and felt threatened.
Now, under the quirt of the Sheriff G. Dubya's (your)blood-for-(his)oil obsession, the America people will hasten there.
Others are writing about this anticipated destruction of antiquities. See today's TomDispactch.com for more information.
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