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Hobby Lobby and the Looting of Iraq

Rosencreutz・44 minutes read

Hobby Lobby illegally obtained artifacts through smuggling, knowingly financing the looting of Iraq for their museum project, violating the law. The company retained thousands of items post-case, raising ethical questions about the global market's role in incentivizing looting and the destruction of cultural heritage.

Insights

  • Hobby Lobby engaged in illegal smuggling and financing of antiquities acquisition, knowingly violating the law for their museum project.
  • The connection between the global market's demand for looted artifacts, ISIS's revenue generation, and the destruction of cultural heritage highlights ethical dilemmas and the impact of corporate actions on state governance.

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Recent questions

  • What legal issues did Hobby Lobby face?

    Hobby Lobby faced legal issues involving ancient artifacts, including a fragment of the Epic of Gilgamesh. In 2017, it was revealed that the company had illegally obtained thousands of antiquities through smuggling from Iraq. The artifacts were acquired through illegal means in 2010/2011, violating laws by financing the looting of Iraq for their Bible museum project. Despite forfeiting some artifacts and repatriating others, Hobby Lobby still possessed thousands of items obtained through illegal means, leading to a $3 million punishment.

  • How did Hobby Lobby obtain artifacts illegally?

    Hobby Lobby obtained artifacts illegally through smuggling from Iraq, not purchased from ISIS but acquired through illegal means in 2010/2011. The Dream Tablet, a Gilgamesh fragment, was bought from Christie's, likely originating from the Gulf war. The company knowingly violated the law by financing the looting of Iraq for their Bible museum project, involving creative financing, false invoices, and undervaluing artifacts during smuggling. Despite facing consequences and forfeiting some artifacts, Hobby Lobby retained thousands of items obtained through illegal means.

  • What were the consequences of Hobby Lobby's actions?

    The consequences of Hobby Lobby's actions involved facing legal issues for illegally obtaining artifacts through smuggling from Iraq. In 2017, it was revealed that the company had acquired thousands of antiquities through illegal means, violating laws by financing the looting of Iraq for their Bible museum project. Despite forfeiting some artifacts and repatriating others, Hobby Lobby still possessed thousands of items obtained through illegal means, leading to a $3 million punishment. The company knowingly violated the law by engaging in illegal activities related to ancient artifacts.

  • How did the US law impact Hobby Lobby's case?

    The US law since the 1990s prohibited the importation of Iraqi cultural artifacts illegally removed since August 6, 1990. This law had a significant impact on Hobby Lobby's case as the company was found to have illegally obtained thousands of antiquities through smuggling from Iraq in 2010/2011. Despite facing consequences and forfeiting some artifacts, Hobby Lobby retained thousands of items obtained through illegal means, leading to a $3 million punishment. The law played a crucial role in addressing the illegal acquisition of ancient artifacts.

  • What ethical questions arise from artifact ownership?

    Ownership and preservation of ancient artifacts raise complex ethical questions about cultural inheritance and repatriation. Museums can inadvertently legitimize stolen artifacts, acting as sites of laundering for illegal acquisitions. Private collections, while controversial, play a role in the museum ecosystem but can lead to looting and unethical practices. The case of Hobby Lobby's illegal acquisition of artifacts highlights the ethical dilemmas surrounding the ownership and trade of ancient artifacts, emphasizing the need for responsible practices in preserving cultural heritage.

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Summary

00:00

Hobby Lobby's Illegal Acquisition of Artifacts

  • Hobby Lobby, known for legal battles involving conservative politics, faced issues with ancient artifacts, including a fragment of the Epic of Gilgamesh.
  • In 2017, it was revealed that Hobby Lobby had illegally obtained thousands of antiquities through smuggling from Iraq.
  • The artifacts were not purchased from ISIS but were acquired through illegal smuggling in 2010/2011.
  • The Dream Tablet, a Gilgamesh fragment, was bought by Hobby Lobby from Christie's, likely originating from the Gulf war.
  • Hobby Lobby knowingly violated the law by financing the looting of Iraq for their Bible museum project.
  • Ownership and preservation of ancient artifacts raise complex questions about cultural inheritance and repatriation.
  • Museums can inadvertently legitimize stolen artifacts, acting as sites of laundering for illegal acquisitions.
  • Private collections, while controversial, play a role in the museum ecosystem, but can lead to looting and unethical practices.
  • Hobby Lobby's illegal actions were willful, involving creative financing, false invoices, and undervaluing artifacts during smuggling.
  • Despite forfeiting some artifacts and repatriating others, Hobby Lobby still possessed thousands of items obtained through illegal means.

12:52

Iraq Museum Looting: Negligence and Consequences

  • The $3 million punishment for Hobby Lobby was considered a fee, not a fine, due to grey market artifacts.
  • US law since the 1990s prohibited the importation of Iraqi cultural artifacts illegally removed since August 6, 1990.
  • Lawrence Rothfield's book highlighted the looting of the Iraq Museum post-Saddam Hussein's toppling, leading to illegal artifact acquisitions.
  • The American invasion's negligence towards protecting cultural assets allowed looting, with insufficient planning and response.
  • Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld's strategic decisions and lack of a policing force contributed to the museum's looting.
  • William Sumner, assigned to protect cultural sites, lacked funds and support, leading to the museum's vulnerability.
  • The museum staff, drafted as guards, faced danger and confusion during the invasion, with some choosing to leave.
  • Insurgent forces fortified the museum, leading to looting and destruction of non-digitized records.
  • The looting of antiquity sites, alongside the museum, raised ethical questions about the value of history versus contemporary needs.
  • International efforts post-invasion aimed to track and return stolen artifacts, involving various organizations and enforcement agencies.

25:13

Looting in Iraq: Unarmed Guards, ISIS, and Antiquities

  • Unarmed guards without political connections were tasked with policing looted sites, despite being targeted by armed groups.
  • The process of involving other agencies, assessing damage, and inviting security forces from other countries took months.
  • The US State Department announced a coalition team to assist in rebuilding Iraq's cultural heritage infrastructure over three months after gaining control.
  • Sites faced looting despite the coalition having no mandate for security, leading to the targeting of valuable antiquities by dealers.
  • The connection between looting and funding insurgents was not initially recognized, despite the known practice of selling antiquities for arms.
  • ISIS's destruction of cultural artifacts was strategic, with some destructions downplayed and others used for social media attention.
  • ISIS relied on the sale of looted artifacts as a significant revenue stream, second only to oil, with Europe being the intended market.
  • The destruction of artifacts was part of ISIS's revenue stream, distinct from other resources like cotton, and was a key part of their economy.
  • The ethical dilemma of purchasing looted artifacts from ISIS raises questions about the global market's role in incentivizing looting.
  • The presence of a willing Western market for artifacts contributed to ISIS's industrialized extraction and trade in antiquities.

37:47

Corporate Power and Zoning: A Critical Analysis

  • Badiou discusses the empowerment of corporations like Hobby Lobby and the concept of "zoning"
  • Globalized capitalism's triumph is evident, with large firms like Total not paying taxes in France
  • Corporations have surpassed reasonable governance, leading to the weakening of the State
  • Zoning is proposed as an alternative to privatization, suggesting the destruction of states
  • The relationship between zoning, ISIS, and Hobby Lobby is explored, highlighting contempt for the State
  • Hobby Lobby's actions reflect elements of Badiou's framework, showcasing a disregard for the government and laws
  • The company's involvement in illegal artifact purchases and defrauding the government is detailed
  • The connection between zoning, ISIS funding, and the destruction of Iraq's heritage is emphasized
  • Hobby Lobby's fine for illegal activities is discussed, with the retention of thousands of artifacts post-case
  • The need for a reframing of the market's acceptance of grey areas in artifact trade is proposed, likening it to blood diamonds

51:05

Supporters of content creation acknowledged in text.

  • Acknowledgments to Armchair Egyptology, Andy from Seitanic Panic, and patrons Can Uğursal, Freddy, Marc Soto, Nitesurgeon, and Queen Naked Mole Rat for their support in the content creation process.
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