Early in 2001, before the 9/11 attacks, the Taliban blasted into oblivion two enormous Sixth Century Buddha statues carved into the side of a mountain in the Bamiyan Valley of Afghanistan. I was outraged at the wanton destruction of these precious and irreplaceable works of religious art. I wrote my senators and representative at the time, demanding action be taken against these barbarians.
To my horror, President Donald Trump has just threatened to obliterate Persepolis and 50 other priceless and irreplaceable historical and archeological sites in Iran. Our president has descended to the level of senseless barbarism of our worst enemies.
Tom DeCoursey
Oak Park
