1/19/2004: Swedish art provokes Israeli ambassador

[richlevy]

Originally posted by mlandman
This I strongly believe is true:

I can understand debating the point of whether or not the diplomat should have done what he did. Certainly looks like it could have been handled more 'diplomatically' -- like pursuing legal methods to have it removed, etc.

However, to be as radical as to say the guy is a FUCKING IDIOT for getting clearly upset about an exhibit potentially glorifing a particular suicide bomber, over a pool of blood of his countrymen -- well, I don't think it's as simple that it can be concluded that the guy is a FUCKING IDIOT.
-m

I think I would go with 'individual throwing a childish tantrum' more than anything else. First of all, there are no legal methods for having a piece of art deemed by some as offensive removed, especially one inside a museum.

Secondly, I do not believe that the diplomat was suprised by the exhibit. His actions were probably pre-meditated.

Thirdly, do we want to live in a world where any object inspiring strong emotions can be destroyed or damaged, even if it could be done without harm to anyone else?

Liberty Bell Attacked

Compare the two situations. Besides the fact that one man is a diplomat, the two cases are not really different. Both men felt strongly that they had the right to deface or destroy something (I do not believe that the man did not understand that the bell would be damaged).

I also do not like that kind of behavior from a diplomat. For one thing, with immunity he is shielded from any direct consequences for his actions, which smacks of cowardice.

Being Jewish, I would expect to excused if as a diplomat for the US I declined to visit Bitburg and lay a wreath there like Reagan did. However, that would not give me the right to go there and piss on one of the SS graves.

There is a line between moral self-defense and senseless provocation. What would I be protesting? Who or what would be in danger that would justify my actions?

If the diplomat didn't like the exhibit, he had every right to write about it, talk about it, or lodge a protest. Vandalism is the wrong way to go.