A Cultural Tragedy is About to Happen!

**Big_John** · January 18, 2006, 02:07 PM

Recently, Iran has constructed the Sivand Dam in the Tang-e-Bolaghi gorge. This dam will flood the gorge and consequently destroy or damage some of the most important arcaeological sites in the world, inculding the tomb of the founder of the Achaemenid dynasty, Cyrus the Great.

It doesn't look good for these ancient sites, but please sign this petition to possibly cause the Iranian Energy Ministry to delay the operation of the dam and give archaeologists more time to salvage the sites. Let them know that we care about the world's history and cultural heritage!

links:
http://www.cyrusgreat.com/content/view/15/2/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story...378845,00.html

edit: repaired link, thanks mike^_^

**Marcus Scaurus** · January 18, 2006, 02:08 PM

Shouldn't this be in VV or Thema Devia?

**mike^_^** · January 18, 2006, 02:11 PM

the petition link is broke

**Big_John** · January 18, 2006, 02:29 PM

fixed

**Zenith Darksea** · January 18, 2006, 04:43 PM

Armenia has already suffered exactly this from the Turkish government. Important Armenian historical sites have been swept away in damming operations without a thought spared for them (though the Turks claim that the Armenians never existed in Turkey...), so I'd hate to see more important historical sites vanish in the East. I've signed.

**~~Legiondude~~** · April 15, 2006, 06:26 PM

[QUOTE=Zenith Darksea]aefsfasfasfasfaf

**Simetrical** · January 18, 2006, 06:01 PM

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/petition/internet.htm

**RZZZA** · January 18, 2006, 06:04 PM

This is quite interesting....as a selfish American I think back to our invasion of Iraq and how everyone was talking about American tanks riding over some anicent road and how it would stir the muslims and everyone should cower for the anger of Islam would descend upon us...etc....and now it turns out the governments in these places are destroying their own peoples ancient sites....

Well I think American can wipe its hands clean of that particular situation in Iraq now.

edit-as for saving the site...eh I really dont care either way. This American is not sticking his nose in where it isnt wanted.

**Nationalist_Cause** · January 18, 2006, 06:08 PM

That wasn't very sensitive.

Anyways, I hope the Iranians rethink this course of action, among many others. However, I doubt that signing a petition will do any good.

**jedisponge** · January 18, 2006, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by Simetrical

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/petition/internet.htm

In the larger order of things, online petitions have never worked. Things on the international, national and lower than national scales have shown over and over and over and over again that these petitions never ever work! The closest chance of them working is on things like small aspects of goods and services (be it a product and things along those lines; think video games). And even then they have a very small chance of making any sort of difference. Things that involve immediate human danger have a shot, but e-petitions are usually pointless as these situations would've been known and acted upon before one could get started.

All in all, there are better ways to take action rather than e-petitions, though some may be inaccessible to some.

**rez** · January 18, 2006, 06:10 PM

how thoughtful of you, does it occur to you that you are in fact more than an american? just because the us has not wandered through the area that doesnt mean you cannot devote a minute or two to save historical artifacts which whilst unimportant to you, bring wonder and inspiration to many others. Im fairly sure ive signed this one or a duplicate many months ago. But im going to make sure nonetheless.

**RZZZA** · January 18, 2006, 06:13 PM

What do you mean I'm more than an American?

And hey, if these peoples own governments want to disrespect history I dont see how thats any business of mine. If it was my own government....filling in the Grand Canyon or pissing on the alamo or whatever...I'd have something to say. But this is obviously an Iranian problem that they need to work out with their government...I'm sure Iranians dont want or need my help. Sorry, insensitive but practical.

**Last Roman** · January 18, 2006, 06:11 PM

RZZA, its not like were trying to sign a petition to invade another country, its to save a historical monument. I signed the petition, maybe it wont do anything, maybe it will

**rez** · January 18, 2006, 06:15 PM

What matters is that we tried, you can be apathetic and just say but it wont do any good. But it will do all of us the world of good to know we stood up in theface of injustice and said NO. That is far more important than the stones themselves

Edit: you are a human being first, then you are a human being living in america. What does it take to convince you that people other than americans are just as important as U.S. citizens

Edit 2: what in gods name possesed you to post this in the EB modification forum? theres far more coverage in thema devia for a start. not to mention infringing on EB turf

**RZZZA** · January 18, 2006, 06:19 PM

Ok whatever makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside

But seriously, I'm not anti-government...The iranian government is also controlled by Iranians and they obviously have deemed it necessary to demolish some history. If thats a problem for the Iranians then they should protest and get something changed within their government. I dont see how it concerns me, other than some vague and idealistic wish to see "history" preserved. Well whatever, it doesnt seem to be worth preserving for the iranian government so who am I to say you guys are right and the iranian government is wrong? Maybe they have some good reasons to do what theyre doing....I doubt it cuz its the iranian government, but you never know.

**rez** · January 18, 2006, 06:20 PM

if you hadnt noticed the iranian government is not exactly popular with the iranian people...

And hasnt anything ive said struck a chord with you? do you honestly have no compassion to help a certain people purely because they are strangers to you?

**RZZZA** · January 18, 2006, 06:21 PM

Show me some convincing proof that most iranians disagree with the iranian government about this particular issue and I'll sign the petition.

**rez** · January 18, 2006, 06:30 PM

well just lookie here my friend www.activistchat.com

Im not saying read all the bias comments of iranian students though they are the majority in iran.

Go to the news and announcments forum and scan around for anything you like. Also consider the fact this forum is one of many.

And finally i have been to iran twice, i have met hundreds of iranians in america. And i have NEVER, EVER heard any of them say one good word about the iranian government. quite the oppisite

**RZZZA** · January 18, 2006, 06:35 PM

Well, I still think I'm an outsider and middle east muslims generally dont want or appreciate American help of any kind. I still think this is Irans problem and they need to work it out themselves, but I can't ignore people who claim to be fighting for freedom and democracy...so you've convinced me about this issue I guess, I'll sign the petition....