Just got back from Athens and got a chance to visit the new Acropolis museum which opened last fall.It is beautiful and is done right with lots of space,openness in each of the rooms,signs in both Greek and English,lots of bathrooms,great views of the Acopolis and a wonderful restaurant both in and outside.

That said-it is so sad to see "copies" of the things that were stolen by Lord Elgin back in 1803 (particularly the "marbles") that rightfully should be back in Athens.He sawed these treasures off of the Acropolis and shipped them home to the UK. I have understood the British thinking from years past that there have been unstable governments,acid rain,etc. that prevented them from returning the treasures but now that this beautiful museum has been built I cannot understand why the traveling public is not more in an uproar about returning them?
When Egypt finally builds their new Egyptian museum I think that the Rosetta stone should be returned too!
And for those of you who think that I don't understand history and the British Empire and Commonwealth-I do as that was my major in college.Any thoughts?

Yes, and we need to give America back to the Indians, Iceland back to the puffins, Taiwan back to China, Spain back to the Moors. We should all just hold hands and sing "Kumbaya" as we all head back to the Garden where it all started.

"<i>Anyone else think that the British Museum needs to give back some "stuff"? </i>"

nope . . . .

What a dumb response.

Current article about this issue:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...oWAwgD9EV332O0

This a problem that actually CAN be solved.

Elgin stole those things fair and square.

Though there is some controversy, he did buy the stuff from the powers that were, then, and later the matter was publicly debated in Parliament, which settled the issue, and then Parliament bought them, fair and square.

I'm on Otzi's side here. I really don't think we should give Manhattan back to the Lenapes.

All I'm saying is that it's a complex issues and flip responses are ridiculous and insensitive.

I suppose all of you who joke about Manhattan and the Lenapes, etc. are totally opposed to the state of Israel then as well, correct? I'm waiting for the jokes about biblical ties to land, etc.

So anyone who disagrees w/ you is dumb???

I do not think the museum should return things. Simple as that. One word about covers it. Why go on and on and on (or copy paste someone else's opinion)

No, people who make snide remarks about sensitive, important issues are dumb.

I would think travelers, of all people, would be a little more sensitive to cultural issues.

Why would we be opposed to the State of Israel? They didn't even steal it. It was given to them by the U.N. in 1947. Most of it anyway.

So far you have called me dumb, insensitive, and snide -- all because of one word???

Amazing . . . .

Exactly - those three terms describe what I think of your response.

It was a one word response that added nothing to what could be an intelligent debate. Why did you respond with just "nope" - the fact that you used that word instead of "no" says a lot. You were trying to be flip and obnoxious...period (as was the responder before you).

I'm all for healthy debate, and appreciate those who disagree on this issue. Obviously there are some here who had nothing intelligent to add to the discussion yet responded anyway, just annoy the original poster. You could have answered with a "No, and here's why..." You didn't. You answered like a twelve year old trying to annoy the teacher.

Go on...keep defending your childish, obnoxious, one word response. Very mature of you. I'll read another forum this evening.

My,my.It must not be cocktail hour yet.
I would think that more people would have a chance to enjoy the marbles in London than Athens.

John127, name-calling is not exactly what I would call an intelligent response to someone's opinion that you disagree with. If, in fact the marbles were bought, what's your beef? Administrations change, politics change. Unless I'm mistaken, you are no more the moral authority on this issue than anyone else on this Board. And if they feel strongly the Greek gov't can offer to buy the marbles back at current market value.

dumb, insensitive, and snide . . . and now flip, obnoxious and childish.

My my, this is getting fun.

The problem in this is where does it start and where does it end? Elgin marbles back to Athens. What about the Egyptian stuff? The facade from the Pantheon, the parts and pieces of the Ara Pacis. What about paintings? Should the Monet exhibit at the Met go back to France? Should the obelisks in Rome, London, NY go back to Egypt?

Problem with history is that it has happened and is in the past. I see your point and don't necessarily disagree. I just don't see an answer that works.

dave

Any American telling us to give things "back" presumably has a timetable for restoring his country to the people the white regime stole it from.

Any such American who ISN'T actively campaigning for this can be dismissed as a posturing hypocrite.

<<< I suppose all of you who joke about Manhattan and the Lenapes, etc. are totally opposed to the state of Israel then as well, correct? >>>

Why, the Bible makes it very clear that the Hebrews stole it from someone else

Hmm. time to change the oil in my car

Don't encourage the Venetians to give things back please.
They even pinched the body of Saint Mark ;-)

I remember when the Americans wanted to buy the lease of their embassy from the Duke of Westminster. He offered it to them for free in exchange for Manhattan which he claimed that they stole from him

>>He offered it to them for free in exchange for Manhattan which he claimed that they stole from him<<

And we haven't heard from the Dutch yet....