The destruction of antiquities in Syria and Buddha statues in Afghanistan by Islamic militants were senseless acts. We actually had a similar incident years ago here in our part of the world. Villages of native peoples here, up to Alaska, had totem poles, some were huge — those wood carvers had a lot of skill, and were real artists. When the Christian missionaries arrived, they destroyed every pole they could find, many hundreds, maybe thousands, thinking they were worshipped. Actually they were story poles, part of their history and culture. If you get to Alaska, Ketchikan has a couple of the old ones left.
Damon Davis
Everett
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