Thursday, April 26, 2007

Prince Harry


It seems Prince Harry’s planned deployment to Iraq is being “reviewed”.

The recent US “surge” has had no more effect than to redistribute the violence and possibly made the situation more volatile; the British who have served in the southern region around Basra have had 11 killed so far this month.
Sir John Nott, Conservative defence secretary during the Falklands War, told BBC Radio 4's The World at One that he was opposed to [The prince’s deployment ]
"The danger is that Prince Harry will be hazarding the lives of other soldiers and young officers and I think that's not right."

Sir John said the issue of Harry's deployment was different from his uncle's [Prince Andrew] because the war in Iraq was "much more fraught".
"There was complete public support for the Falklands campaign, there certainly isn't for Iraq," he said.
"It raises political and constitutional issues. The situation in Iraq is clearly extremely difficult, particularly with armoured cars."
Despite all its faults, the majority of the British public still holds the monarchy very dear—it is part of British identity, for better or worse.
As a political issue I’d estimate the British would be extremely pissed-off if Harry, who has consistently said he wants to serve with his fellow soldiers in Iraq, wasn’t allowed to go.
They majority is against the war but they can still support an individual’s service, just as so many do here in the US.

Indeed the Royal family is not supposed to be a political institution itself, that’s one major reason why it is maintained. Another major reason is that the Monarchy is supposed to serve the nation---and serving in the Army is a way for Harry to do that, and as a good soldier he wants to serve with his troops and his mates.

His status as a prince is frankly not as significant to the fabric of British society as Sir John Nott would like to think—he’s not the direct heir to the throne (he’s third in line). If he were killed or injured he would suffer no more than others who have served, and whose deployments were never tempered by political concerns for their well-being.

It would be altogether better if the British would end their participation in this illegal occupation and save Harry and everyone else from maintaining it.

But if Harry is a competent soldier then external politics should not prevent him from doing his duty, otherwise what’s the bloody point of Prince Harry’s military service in the first place?

9 comments:

billie said...

i agree.

sumo said...

I guess I agree...but I'd sure hate for anything to happen to him. If this whole thing would just go the hell away...and nobody would have to die anymore.

Carl said...

Is this going to be like Poppy Bush calling up his buddies at TANG?

The boy wants to fight. Let him fight. Why should some other bloke die in his place?

Anonymous said...

"The head of the British army says he has personally decided Prince Harry will go to Iraq." from CTV.ca

so the most prominent coward retains his mantle.

Anonymous said...

Send Bush Twins too, they can give him some company

Red Tory said...

Love the pic! Say what you will, at least he's putting his money where his mouth is. That's a lot more than can be said for the élites on both sides of the pond.

InternetJunkie said...

If Prince Harry has chosen to go to Iraq, I may question his logic in wanting to go there, but I commend him for having the bravery to serve his country.

As third in line to the throne, it's a given that Harry will never be king (at this rate, neither will Charles) so he might as well do what he wants. Perhaps he is looking to go out in a blaze of glory.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Send Bush Twins too, they can give him some company

Does he like girls to? You peasents in Isles are so quiant...I guess all the manly types migrated to American and saved you ass during serveral wars.
Did you ever pay us for that?

Carl said...

Furb Burfnober said...
Does he like girls to? You peasents in Isles are so quiant...I guess all the manly types migrated to American and saved you ass during serveral wars.
Did you ever pay us for that?


Obviously, this little troll is unaware that Americans have more in common with Australians than with Brits.

After all, we were kicked out of all the cool countries...