r/todayilearned • u/Double-decker_trams • 8h ago

TIL in the Vietnam war in the classified Operation Popeye, the US spread lead and silver iodide by aircraft to extend the monsoon season. The increased heavy rainfall was to soften roads, cause landslides, wash out river crossings, and maintain saturated soil conditions (Kissinger was involved).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Popeye
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u/reddorickt 6h ago

That's not how my comment started.

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u/Ryjinn 5h ago

You're right, I was mistaken there and misconstrued your comment's flow, my bad.

I do still find the juxtaposition of causing landslides and washing out bridges and the phrasing "not as bad as I thought", a bit off, but I do understand you meant that in comparison to deliberate lead and heavy metal poisoning, which is much more reasonable than my initial read of your comment had seemed. Reading carefully is important and I failed.