Posted on 03/05/2006 10:40:21 AM PST by wagglebee
GGG Ping.
I'd like to sue Yale for allowing the spokesman of the Taliban to attend their school while disallowing the US Military on campus and then having the bloody nerve to collect Federal money that I am providing them through my income tax payments. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
Peru seems to be in the right on this.
The liberal elite is all for supporting the downtrodden third world until they're the ones called upon to do the right thing.
This statement is meaningful if, and only if, the understanding was made in writing and both parties can produce identical copies.
I suspect that this is a retroactive thing on Peru's part, relying mainly on their "understanding" of verbal agreement at the time.
This is similar to Mexico's claims; or Egypt's; or Iraq's.
All are sources of treasures sought, found and preserved by Europeans, and of absolutely no value to the world's present stage of either civilization, societal maturity or technological excellence.
I say return them all, let them deteriorate and disappear, and everyone will be none the worse for it.
Exactly and frankly, I'm wondering if museums and universities have a leg to stand on. They exploited peasants decades ago and took things known to be valuable but the locals often believed to be worthless. Even with clear lines of sale or transfer (as in this case) these antiquities can obviously be worth millions today. I'm a firm believer in "finders keepers" but I don't think a court of law would see it the same way.....
Mind expanding on this opinion?
Are you suggesting study of the past is not important? As far a no value, I'm sure many people would pay big to have King Tut's mask hanging on their living room wall.....;)
This is circular reasoning. Who caused them eventually to be worth millions? Are the present inhabitants of the source of these "treasures" willing to pay what they are "worth" today? I didn't think so.
A treasure, as anything else, is worth no more and no less than what someone is willing to pay for them.
Let's suppose. Suppose all these treasures are returned no questions asked. Not even the expense made to restore and preserve them, or to warehouse them in special environments.
Further suppose that the present inhabitants of these sterling countries decide to sell them to the highest bidders. Would you prevent them from repeating the original mistake? By what authority?
And if not, what's to prevent the repetition of this charade in another 100 years?
This is why I take pleasure in this article.
Not in Egypt... or we wouldn't be having this discussion.
In most cases, that's exactly what I'm saying.
In these cases, the driving force is solely the artificial value induced on the artifacts by the "exploiters". The inhabitants of the original source of the objects have not suggested refunding even the intrinsic worth of the articles.
Of course you are allowed to have one, even if off the wall. What you are not allowed, however, is to make the decision in resolving the dispute or to force your opinion on others.
I believe you and I are saying the same thing. I believe all antiquities should stay right where they are at present, including the British Museum. In this particular case, if Peru can prove that these items were "loaned" then Yale should give them up, if not......to bad for Peru. It will be interesting to see how a court of law rules on this. My guess is universities and museums will be forced to return these objects in the future.....globalism and all that....
Geronimo's skull is trivial.
What is not is the qualitative implications of this line of reasoning:
The Louisiana Purchase.
The Purchase of Alaska.
The Gadsen Purchase.
Etc.
Sounds like with Yale leaving them in boxes for decades, they knew they were supposed to return them. Yes, I do know most of any museum's collection is in storage but in storage for nearly a hundred years? I don't think so. Ship them back and let's hope they are displayed for all to see.
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