Remember Bamyan

Let me state at the outset:  I don't think the Confederate flag has any place in our public view.  Not on a state flag, not flying at a sporting event, not on a tee-shirt.  Any official buildings or areas named for civil war traitors, whatever level of public ownership, whatever rank the traitor held, should be immediately renamed, and long overdue.  By the way, I think Washington should change the name of its football team, and Cleveland should change the name of its baseball team.  There.  Fine.

Now let's talk about statues.  Sure, a statue of Robert E. Lee in Richmond, VA is offensive.  But don't forget, a statue, or actually several statues, of Siddhartha Gautama was also and equally offensive to the admittedly prickly Taliban.  The world, and I suspect much overlap with those now calling for the destruction of monuments to traitors and oppressors all over the United States, rightfully and righteously condemned the destruction of the Buddhas of Bamyan as wanton and unconscionable.  If a statue can be moved, move it.  If it can be hidden, hide it.  But, what's good for the goose and all that.