Timing is everything... especially in archeology and politics!

Viewing political correctness as being more important than moral correctness denotes divisiveness...

(HARRISVILLE, N.H.) - According to an article written by Matti Friedman, published by the AP on October 30, 2011, and titled “Tiny, 1,400-year-old Christian relic found in Jerusalem”, a tiny (.8 inches by .6 inches), exquisitely made box was discovered at an excavation outside the walls of Jerusalem's Old City. The box is believed to be made of cow, camel, or horse bone and has a cross on the lid.

The article goes on to say that “The item was likely carried by a Christian believer around the end of the 6th century”, according to Yana Tchekhanovets of the Israel Antiquities Authority, one of the directors of the dig where the box was found.

A restorer from the Israel Antiquities Authority displays a Byzantine Christian icon box made of bone with a cross carved on the lid in Jerusalem.

According to the article, the box was uncovered two years ago and it was treated by preservation experts and extensively researched before it was unveiled at an archaeological conference last week. It further states that the box is important in part because it offers the first archaeological evidence that the use of icons in the Byzantine period was not limited to church ceremonies.

The article concludes with the following statements: “The relic was found in the City of David excavation, a Jerusalem dig named for the biblical monarch believed to have ruled a Jewish kingdom from the site”.

“The politically sensitive dig is located in what is today the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan, just outside the Old City walls in east Jerusalem, the section of the holy city captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war and claimed by the Palestinians as their capital”.

It may be that the unveiling of this discovery to coincide with the UNESCO voted to grant the PLO full status in that organization is coincidental. It may also be that the timing of this announcement was meant to give Christians pause for thought. I.e. look how carefully Christian relics are handled by Israeli authorities . . . would Palestinian authorities do the same?

To that, I say that if Israel showed the same amount of care to Palestinian children as they did with this relic, there would not be quite as many of us viewing them as monsters. If Palestinian property were treated with the same reverence as this once Christian property they discovered two years ago, maybe there wouldn’t be quite so many of us that view them as a destructive entity.

Viewing political correctness as being more important than moral correctness denotes divisiveness . . . but, that is just my opinion!

Writer Robert Collinsworth is an American who isn't hesitant to talk about the good side of his country, and that is a welcome thing in this day and age. Salem-News.com admittedly, is very critical of both American politics, as well as those of other nations that we perceive is being wrong in their motives and actions. At the same time, within these structures we criticize, are many outstanding people who make each day a better place for all those around them. They embody and personify the American spirit that is sometimes fleeting, but always present.

These are some of the things Robert takes into account when writing commentary that is designed reach people, to "get them thinking" in his words, and indeed it does. Salem-News.com's goal is for all people to be on the same page, we appreciate Bob's more conservative approach toward that same goal."

You can write to Bob Collinsworth at this email address: colli2@webryders.net

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Lucila November 17, 2011 1:21 pm (Pacific time)

Who’s destroying antiquities in Jerusalem? http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?ID=246012andR=R1andutm_source=twitterfeedandutm_medium=twitter

Editor: Lucila, that link does not seem to open the story in question, however a person could use it to get to JP and search for it. For the record, I disagree with most of what you send in, and I don't publish all of your comments, but I sure appreciate the fact that you are a single person who uses a name and whose comments are all coming from the same point. Those who leave negative comments under different names are the worst.

Lucila November 13, 2011 7:15 am (Pacific time)

Archeology politicization common in Mideast http://www.cjnews.com/index.php?q=node/88740

Lucila November 3, 2011 7:45 pm (Pacific time)

I am an Israeli. I lived in Israel. I was a teacher in Israel. I know this society profoundly. My experience and knowledge of Israel is completely different from what you describe, even counting with the political ideas of the Israelis who live in the disputed territories. There is injustice, yes, but it starts with the Palestinians and their hatred and intolerance of jews and Isralis. The rest are mistakes done by Israel when trying to defend itself from them and their murderous missiles and suicide bombers.

Tim King: Lucila, I am trying to understand what is it that you are saying.

Do you deny that it was wrong to steal land from human beings?

Do you deny that there are not equal rights between Jews and Arabs in Israel?

Finally, do you deny that there are 'Jew only' roads and since you seem sincere, you must know they exist, how do you defend this?

This is how we have to conduct this type of discussion. 29 Israelis in all of history have died in the rocket attacks, 29. Hamas halted suicide bombing years ago and they are serious about cracking down on rogue factions in Gaza. So I don't see the threat you describe, not at all. I hope we can continue this conversation, I insist that you address the above three questions, let's try to really do this. If you care about peace then you will. And for the record, I do not believe in my government's horrific terrorism in other countries where it has no business being.

Thank you

Lucila November 3, 2011 1:49 pm (Pacific time)

One last thing. Neither are the Palestinians the innocent victims you paint, nor are Israelis the monsters you portray. There is no "black or white" in this story, and I still insist you don't know enough to support your opinions. Go learn ME History, please.

Lucila, I am the editor of Salem-News.com, I publish the writings of a hundred plus writers, We cover all of the major developments, and I have spent time in the Middle east, though I suspect Israel would not let me enter its borders, and if it did I would go straight to the West Bank. I wold love it if someday things were different, but I hate bullies, I stand up for people who are suffering. That of course means I have sadness in my heart for the Palestinians and I don't see the Jewish population of Israel suffering, they are living well on my tax dollars. I am ashamed of the USA and Israel and Great Britain. Of course the Washington and London both supported apartheid South Africa, so what is left to know? If you are the person you seem you might be, then open your mind to the injustice Lucila.

Thanks,
Tim

Lucila November 3, 2011 6:32 am (Pacific time)

Israeli children are NOT raised to hate! One can see you don't understand anything of what you're talking about. Go spend a summer touring Israel, PLEASE!

Editor: I have so much proof that contradicts your point. I wish it wasn't true, but if you are suggesting Israeli kids particularly in the settlements are not conditioned to hate Palestinians, then you are betraying either willful dishonesty or pathetic ignorance, no insult intended. Just know that people who are stolen from long enough, (Palestinians) and watch Israelis kill one too many of their family members, humiliate one father too many, assault their children... they revolt, they fight back, just like any person would. The Palestinians did not ask for what they have, they did not cause or participate in the Holocaust. And sometimes, no matter how conceited, self-entitled and arrogant the Israelis settlers are, they pay too, and then they feel the real wrath of their actions and it is all one big tragedy. Their actions then reach out and ruin the lives of other Israelis who are willing to pay their way in life and not take the freebie handout settlement housing, isn't it sort of like batches of welfare-fed religious zealots? Sure, they lap at the public trough while they steal from Arabs, this is all screeching to a halt, and those nice settlement condos are going to be filled with Palestinians, who rightfully own the property. Terrorists? Can you say 'cast lead'? That is the work of terrorists. Good luck to you..

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Lucila November 2, 2011 1:40 pm (Pacific time)

Palestinian children are the responsibility of palestinians. Not Israel's fault if they're raised to hate and become terrorists.

Editor: Conversely, israeli children are not the responsibility of Palestinians. Not Palestine's fault if they're raised to hate and become terrorists.

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