Shock and awe
Google is playing Jim'll fix it for Iraq's National Museum by promising to create an online copy of the closed down museum's collections at its own expense so the public - and indeed, the world - can enjoy them virtually.
Google CEO, Eric Schmidt, visited Iraq himself and spoke at the museum, home to many historic Babylonian treasures, on Tuesday, outlining his firm's plan to make over four millennia of archaeological treasures accessible free online within a few months.
The museum was ransacked and looted during the American invasion of Iraq, with many precious items pillaged and damaged. Now, the US, probably feeling a tinge of guilt, has asked Google to step in and do some patriotic PR.
Speaking in front of Iraqi officials, the press and members of the American Embassy at the museum, Schmidt said he could think of "no better use of our time and our resources" than to make the images and the ideas of Iraq's civilization "available to all the people of the world."
The US Ambassador to Iraq, Christopher R. Hill said the move was all "part of an effort spearheaded by the State Department to bring technology to Iraq." Let's hope the attempt doesn't go as disastrously wrong as the US effort to bring democracy to the country.
Apparently recognising the US government's shortcomings when it comes to helping Iraq and the Iraqi people, Hill said "We thought, what better way to do that than bring Eric Schmidt here?"
The museum has been closed to the public for a long time now, with only certain academics and approved student groups getting a glimpse at its remaining treasures, so it's no surprise the museum's director, Amira Edan announced the news was "really wonderful."
