Tread lightly on the things of earth

I am speechless over this:

US soldiers driving bulldozers, with jazz blaring from loudspeakers, have uprooted ancient groves of date palms as well as orange and lemon trees in central Iraq as part of a new policy of collective punishment of farmers who do not give information about guerrillas attacking US troops. …

Asked how much his lost orchard was worth, Nusayef Jassim said in a distraught voice: “It is as if someone cut off my hands and you asked me how much my hands were worth.”

River of Baghdad Burning hints at the cultural significance:

The death of a palm tree is taken very seriously. Farmers consider it devastating and take the loss very personally. Each tree is so unique, it feels like a member of the family …

Historically, palm trees … are a reminder that no matter how difficult the circumstances, there is hope for life and productivity. The palm trees in the orchards have always stood lofty and resolute — oblivious of heat, political strife or war … until today.

There are very few things in life that could move me to violence, but destroying my family’s orchard would likely be one of them.

Just as sudden as my anger is my sadness; my eyes well up.

[by way of Body and Soul]