> 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 ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).