re: Error of my ways
With Mini TES - it's a very very simple tradeoff.
You either risk killing off the entire rover, or you risk killing off a single instrument
Take your pick. I know which I'D choose.
And look at todays Navcam imagery - they've succesfully driven into the crater and back out again - it's a considered, sensible decision they've come to. They've simulated it, they've practiced it, they've checked and checked again that this is something they can do - and they're sure that it is. I see no stupidity involved.
Doug