US Military to Speak at WAC Conference in Dublin

by IshtarCelt Tue Jun 24, 2008 15:42

Quoting the abstract for this theme (working with the military; not evil, just necessary)

"We are familiar with the concept of archaeologists accepting multiple viewpoints and polyvocal interpretations. We accept that groups defined by kinship, descent, location, or mode of worship can have valid influences on our work. We accept We are familiar with the concept of archaeologists accepting multiple viewpoints and polyvocal interpretations. We accept that groups defined by kinship, descent, location, or mode of worship can have valid influences on our work. We accept commercial, industrial and capitalist organisations as well as arms of government as our patrons. The military are generally considered to be a legitimate arm of government, yet there is disagreement on how, or even if we should interact with them. "

Is this the old hoary arguement that all worldviews are valid, including Nazism, Hitlers views, Eugenics...etc...

Or is the arguement that war is ethical?
Or is it ethical for archaeologists and other professionals to discuss preparing for damage limitation in the case of war ethical? Is it ethical if you prepare to try to preserve culture and heritage in a war situation, rather than opposing the war?
Does this involve removing the threatened heritage from the area - that could also be seen as cultural appropriation.
Is it possible to preserve or limit the damage in a war situation?
If Ireland was in a war situation, and I broke into the National Museum and took the bronze age gold and other artifacts in order to keep them safe, would I be seen as a terrorist or thief?
Does accepting "...commercial, industrial and capitalist organisations as well as arms of government as our patrons." mean that this involvement should supersede ethical concerns?

But, the question here is not whether or not archaeologists should work with military, how we should : "This session will highlight and discuss the particulars of military culture, and how archaeologists can and SHOULD work with this cultural group..." (emphasis mine)

It is valid to discuss war in relation to archaeology and heritage work, but is it ok to include a known US army spin-doctor as Discussant?? (Planning for consideration of archaeological heritage during military conflict)

The abstract seems to indicate that this session is a pro military spin exercise:
"The proposed session is designed to bring conference participants up to date on Defense Department initiatives from the US, Germany, the Netherlands and others concerning planning and training with respect to archaeological and heritage properties during global military operations. "
read the rest at http://www.wac6.org/livesite/item.php?itemID=254&itemTy...ssion
They are showing new gadgets and have a set of playing cards based on archaeological and heritage education!!!
Also: "Related tasks include development of foreign country buying guides with emphasis on avoiding looted antiquities." But, there is no stipulation for what to do to prevent looting, or what to do about looted antiquities?

It appears to me that WAC has been compromised
Are any antiwar campaigners staging a protest???

by ugh - ugh Thu Oct 02, 2008 05:31

'a known us army spin doctor'

i cant believe you are so insensitive and insulting. where is your sens of cultural sensitivity?

calling a marine a member of the us army is like calling a someone a racial slur.

im shocked that this sort of thing is allowed on indymedia.