It's a Shame

I'm now in Toronto attending a conference. Today I read in the newspaper an ad about a sellout. Being a collector of Iranian carpets myself and admiring especially tribal rugs from Iran which represent very much the old culture of the country, and having had some experience with shipments of carpets and how carpet dealers in Iran depend on this business with the West, I feel ashamed when reading the following:

SPECIAL LIQUIDATION
IRAN U.S. TRADE EMBARGO
BARGAIN IS OVER
Due to the trade embargo, a large shipment of rugs which normally would have gone to collectors in New York and L. A. has been assigned to our company to liquidate them by the way of public sale. All types (Qum pure silk, Nain, Tabriz, Kashan, Mashad, Jaipur, Bidjar, Sarough, Chubi, Zigler and many tribal pieces) and sizes from 2' x 3' to 12' x 16' and runners up to 22' long.
SALE: Sunday, July 06-2008
Every Rug from
$ 99 - $ 1500
Doors Open 2:00 p.m. sharp
Leaside Memorial Garden
1073 Millwood Rd. (Millwood & Laird)
Debit - Visa - M.C. - AMEX - Cheque - Cash Accepted

I will leave Toronto tonight, so I will not be able to bid. I can understand that the embargo is supposed to prevent business for items which might be used in the construction of nuclear weapons, for instance screws or screwdrivers. But carpets?

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