... or pure Russian.

http://www.strangehistory.net/2013/08/17/the-longest-sentry-duty/

Other citations suggest that Bismarck heard the story from Tsar Nicholas I, who was likely emphasising the (supposed) unquestioning obedience that he as Tsar could command over the span of many lifetimes.

Vilani as Centauri? Hmmm. Never occurred to me, as the Centauri never struck me as particularly _efficient_. The anonymous Ishimkarun seems the diametric opposite to the showy cult of personality that seems to surround each Centauri Emperor.

Vilani as Russians? Once again, Russian historical events and personalities seem much to (melo-) dramatic to match my grey-suited vision of the Vilani.

The closest historical model for me (visual aesthetics to one side) is the history of China: dynasties more memorable than individual rulers (though that is likely my Western cultural bias in parts), the complete focus on the singular nature of their Celestial Empire, and entrenched bureaucracy that seems to transcend the ebb and flow of other historical factors.

Cheers!

Ken

********************************
Kenneth Barns MB BS BSc FACRRM (Emergency)

General Practitioner, UQ HealthCare Ipswich

Senior Lecturer (General Practice), Rural Clinical School, University of Queensland

email: ken.barns@gmail.com (preferred contact)

Mobile: +61 4 5957 2825 / 04 5957 2825

Fax (work): +61 7 3381 1809 / 07 3381 1809

On 27 September 2014 10:46, Richard Aiken <raikenclw@gmail.com> wrote:

On Fri, Sep 26, 2014 at 10:17 AM, Phil Pugliese (via tml list) <nobody@simplelists.com> wrote:
This email was sent from yahoo.com which does not allow forwarding of emails via email lists. Therefore the sender's email address (philpugliese@yahoo.com) has been replaced with a dummy one. The original message follows:

You know, I'd really like to edit the subject line, but gmail seems to have hidden that option on me . . .

I previously wrote: "I positively loved the holographic
recording of Londo making his little speech to the
soon-to-be-dead Refa, especially the bit were Londo's
image pace right through Refa. And also - of course - the
surreal juxtaposition of Refa's rat-like scramble for
unattainable escape with shots of that choir on B5 singing
'No Hiding Place Down Here!'"

Yeah, JMS really knew how to set up a scene.

Just about my fav series of all time.

I really like B5, too. The Centauri are often my go-to reference for things Vilani IMTU.

I particularly remember Londo's story about noticing - while a young man - that a guard was always posted in the middle of one of the Imperial palace courtyards, for no readily apparent reason. Asking around, he could find nobody who knew why. They all just said that a guard had always been posted there. Curious, Londo had started searching the palace records. Eventually, he found that - centuries before - a child of the reigning Emperor had spotted the first flower of spring growing on that spot and a guard had been posted to make sure nobody stepped on it . . . and this order had never been rescinded.
.
THAT is pure, 100%, undiluted Vilani!

--
Richard Aiken

"Never insult anyone by accident." Robert A. Heinlein
"A word to the wise ain't necessary -- it's the stupid ones that need the advice." - Bill Cosby
"We know a little about a lot of things; just enough to make us dangerous." Dean Winchester

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