> In any event, this situation isn't comparable to that of the endangered (or
> already destroyed) sculptures.  The owner of the Washington painting isn't
> threatening to destroy it if he doesn't get his ransom.  Your point is well
> taken about ransom, however, when thieves or marauders threaten to destroy
> cultural artifacts: paying them off to prevent loss or destruction would
> probably encourage copycat crimes.  However, begging barbarians to hold off
> while you pay the cost of protecting or moving threatened artifacts isn't
> ransom either.
>

On the front page of today's JAPAN TIMES, Mohammed Omar is quoted as saying that
2/3rds of all the known statues have been destroyed as of Sunday evening.  They
expect to complete the task by Wednesday.

Later, Mark Hall

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