Afghanistan

[mizmar]

With a wealth of knowledge and analysis from the likes of Pliny and the Princess Bride; it's amazing that people still get things wrong.

 

[Targa]

Every political leader wants a 'good war' to get his minor footnote in history.
Also to increase his fees for 'consultation' and after dinner speeches after leaving office.

 

[Jimmymack]

Thinking 'I'll just go down to the shore and watch that volcano erupting' wasn't a mistake he made twice.

I think he deserves better than that.

 

[Targa]

I think he deserves better than that.

What would you suggest, being hit on the head by a tortoise?

 

[turf3]

It actually appears that Pliny died in an attempt to rescue a friend and some others from the eruption. Exact cause of death is disputed. It does appear that when the captain of his small ship wanted to turn back, Pliny courageously ordered him to proceed.

 

[Jimmymack]

He was killed attempting to rescue a friend by boat and got trapped in the port.

 

[turf3]

Right. The point being, that the general impression has been (and I shared it) that Pliny for all his wisdom and knowledge was kind of a doofus not to know a volcano was dangerous and run away. Instead, it appears that he did the firefighter's thing and ran toward the danger for someone else's sake. Several historians suggest that the corpulent Pliny died either from asthma or a heart attack; so a big fat guy in delicate health disregards the obvious danger (massive clouds of smoke! Pillars of fire! A rain of hot dust and molten rocks!) and charges into the danger to save a friend. Not a doofus.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Sometimes dying trying to save someone is more acceptable to a person than not trying and surviving without the person and living with the guilt.

 

[Targa]

With the arrogance of any military commander wanting to be a 'hero' the views of the crew of the galley he was ordering into danger were not of any concern.
They apparently were recorded as:
Et adipem bastardis mortuus est. Eamus domum.

 

[Jules]

As is mentioned in The Princess Bride: "never get involved in a land war in Asia."

Inconceivable!

 

[Ballymenaboy]

I think you will find all this in the letters of Plinny of ancient Rome fame.. Almost every mistake made by major powers is there and will keep repeating. Sad isnt it!! Regards

Is he related to Plinny Jones the actor?

 

[Jimmymack]

No more than he’s related to Vinny Jones the footballer.