++ [ originally posted by Roverbhoy ] ++
You know, to most people, running into a burning building to save a communist icons painting may seem ridiculous, but to others it would be deemed heroic. Please explain Rover.....
Well, weren't the fireman who risked their lives to save the Turin Shroud classed as hero's?....defying logic to expose themselves to injury or death for what...a piece of iconic cloth. And if the Mona Lisa was involved in some sort of danger from damage, you can bet your bottom dollar that some mug would lose the plot and risk everything...just for some canvas and timber...ahh folks...we are a truly dumb species:down:
I know what you're saying, but IMO it's a different situation. North Korea is a country where people are brainwashed from childhood to be irrationally loyal to the Communist party and Kim Jong-Il.
They are denied any access to information from the outside world and the situation is almost identical to George Orwell's "1984" in which children report their parents for saying anything that would indicate that they are not 150% devoted to the Communist cause.
It's a grave crime to not have a portrait of both Kim's in one's household, and the North Korean people are taught from childhood that their lives are worth nothing if they are not used for 'the Party'
Compare this to the actions of the firefighters who risked their lives to save the Shroud of Turin. They acted on impulse and a rush of adrenalin, which made them disregard their own safety for a moment, but a North Korean would throw away their life because they genuinely believe that it is worthless.
Not to mention that this is one portrait out of millions we're talking about, not a priceless artwork or a religious symbol