Iraq Restores Monument That Symbolized Hussein Era – NYTimes.com

I love this article (see below pictures) – partly because it shows that the Iraqi people finally have their country back, and can make their own decisions. More importantly, although quite scary, is that in the article a spokesman for Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki actually compares the Victory Arch in Baghdad to the Buddhist statues in Afghanistan and the Berlin Wall. He suggests that the Iraqi people are somehow “better” because they do not destroy their legacy. Interesting concept – did anyone suggest to the Germans that they ought to keep the Wall intact? Also, does anyone think that the Victory Arch in Baghdad equals in stature to the centuries-old Buddhist statues? Interesting….now that the Iraqis have their country back, what will they do? Apparently, they will not destroy their Hussein-era monuments. I suppose that is ok as long as they do not destroy their true legacy.

Iraq Restores Monument That Symbolized Hussein Era – NYTimes.com.