Chile Forum

patagoniax wrote:A visit to the Huáscar is a good one, for many reasons, though not a reason to remain more than a day in the area. A visit offers a cultural insight, the opportunity to see how Chile celebrates those who are suicidal losers and foolishly piss away resources at a crucial moment, but are connected to the right part of society. Very Latin American, and thus very Chilean.......

Afterburner wrote:

patagoniax wrote:A visit to the Huáscar is a good one, for many reasons, though not a reason to remain more than a day in the area. A visit offers a cultural insight, the opportunity to see how Chile celebrates those who are suicidal losers and foolishly piss away resources at a crucial moment, but are connected to the right part of society. Very Latin American, and thus very Chilean.......

So, in sum, a good Chilean is in some way non-Chilean?

patagoniax wrote:

Afterburner wrote:The Huáscar mentioned above is a British-built steamship which the Chileans captured from Peru in 1848 during a war between the two countries in the first half of the nineteenth century, a time when Peru's wealth vastly outstripped that of Chile's. It involved the takeover of a steamship by a sailing ship, which was commandeered by Arturo Prat, who died in the assault (along with many others) having been first to board, and who is now venerated as a national hero.

A visit to the Huáscar is a good one, for many reasons, though not a reason to remain more than a day in the area. A visit offers a cultural insight, the opportunity to see how Chile celebrates those who are suicidal losers and foolishly piss away resources at a crucial moment, but are connected to the right part of society. Very Latin American, and thus very Chilean.

Prat's contributions to the War of the Pacific were essentially little more than propaganda value. The other captain during a related engagement during that war, Condell, was a great deal more successful, but since success is secondary to suicide in the Chilean pantheon, Prat gets his face on the money and his name on a street in every town. Prat was dead by the time the Huáscar was captured, surrounded and taken by Chilean captains Galvarino Riveros and Juan Jose Latorre (Battle of Angamos). But you don't hear much about them, even on the exams for 4o medio equivalency.

Afterburner wrote:

patagoniax wrote:

Afterburner wrote:The Huáscar mentioned above is a British-built steamship which the Chileans captured from Peru in 1848 during a war between the two countries in the first half of the nineteenth century, a time when Peru's wealth vastly outstripped that of Chile's. It involved the takeover of a steamship by a sailing ship, which was commandeered by Arturo Prat, who died in the assault (along with many others) having been first to board, and who is now venerated as a national hero.

A visit to the Huáscar is a good one, for many reasons, though not a reason to remain more than a day in the area. A visit offers a cultural insight, the opportunity to see how Chile celebrates those who are suicidal losers and foolishly piss away resources at a crucial moment, but are connected to the right part of society. Very Latin American, and thus very Chilean.

Prat's contributions to the War of the Pacific were essentially little more than propaganda value. The other captain during a related engagement during that war, Condell, was a great deal more successful, but since success is secondary to suicide in the Chilean pantheon, Prat gets his face on the money and his name on a street in every town. Prat was dead by the time the Huáscar was captured, surrounded and taken by Chilean captains Galvarino Riveros and Juan Jose Latorre (Battle of Angamos). But you don't hear much about them, even on the exams for 4o medio equivalency.

So, in defiance of his mutinous men, when a certain general jumped on to the fortified wall of an enemy tribe's stronghold, killing the defenders on top, dodging arrows from below, and instead of jumping back down as his men pleaded with him to do, this warrior king looked at them for a moment and then jumped directly down into the fortress on his own, right into the arms of the enemy forces; for committing these acts should Alexander the Great be commended for incredible bravery or should he be reviled for being a suicidal loser?

john wrote:Wow! Px and I are in agreement?

john wrote: I don't get the Prat thing either!

patagoniax wrote:

john wrote:Wow! Px and I are in agreement?

Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and then.

Haven't heard that one before!

john wrote: I don't get the Prat thing either!

Hint: The reverence for superficially heroic but ultimately foolishly suicidal losers in ill-conceived, failed adventures is very latinoamericana and thus very Chilean.

patagoniax wrote:By the time Alex made that move, he had developed what was arguably the largest empire of the day. Prat's accomplishments, on the other hand, as of the date of his expiry, could have been summarised on the back of a small envelope whilst leaving room for the more significant shopping list. Alex is remembered for his empire. Prat is remembered for his suicide.

john wrote:

patagoniax wrote:

john wrote:Wow! Px and I are in agreement?

Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and then.

Haven't heard that one before!

john wrote: I don't get the Prat thing either!

Hint: The reverence for superficially heroic but ultimately foolishly suicidal losers in ill-conceived, failed adventures is very latinoamericana and thus very Chilean.

Didn't know Custer was Chilean?