tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3279887958085077691.post7409996985052835055..comments2024-02-22T10:35:12.485-08:00Comments on Cultural Property Observer: Apt QuestionCultural Property Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05924359202414555962noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3279887958085077691.post-90975226628946308752015-09-14T11:41:00.670-07:002015-09-14T11:41:00.670-07:00Hi Dave:
Yes, I know all about the corruption hen...Hi Dave:<br /><br />Yes, I know all about the corruption hence my earlier comment. <br /><br />Oh, so if they are poor then (by our standards), that makes it right? You're way off the mark Dave. It's most certainly realistic to condemn them. Honesty has no bearing on wealth. Some archaeologists have had considerable wealth and still had their sticky fingers in the cookie jar. <br /><br />So, if poor officials have to thieve to feed their families I understand, but they are still thieves.<br /><br />John Howland<br />EnglandJohn Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11752752229384757087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3279887958085077691.post-73795132795489735132015-09-12T15:09:38.001-07:002015-09-12T15:09:38.001-07:00John,
I am not certain whether the individuals co...John,<br /><br />I am not certain whether the individuals concerned were archaeologists, but there was a very distressing and highly publicized scandal involving Egyptian officials a few years ago, who were involved in issuing false documentation for smuggled antiquities.<br /><br />I don't know just how prevalent that sort of thing is. However, given the endemic corruption in most Middle Eastern nations, it would be realistic to expect that some officials including law enforcement officers would be "looking the other way" in return for some form of compensation.<br /><br />These officials are, by our standards, very poorly paid and it may be unrealistic to condemn them for doing what they must, for their families to survive in a corrupt and disfunctional society.<br /><br />DaveDave Welshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07255744164675503973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3279887958085077691.post-46487495201592051932015-09-12T11:48:27.640-07:002015-09-12T11:48:27.640-07:00There are some shady archaeologists out there who ...There are some shady archaeologists out there who are always on the look-out for a tax-free fast buck! They have history. They don't have the monopoly of honesty either despite what they try to tell the world. Just look at UNESCO.....<br /><br />John Howland<br />EnglandJohn Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11752752229384757087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3279887958085077691.post-79384522217024428852015-09-11T18:16:58.153-07:002015-09-11T18:16:58.153-07:00Perhaps the smugglers have an arrangement with the...Perhaps the smugglers have an arrangement with the police.<br /><br />Dave elshDave Welshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07255744164675503973noreply@blogger.com