Prince Harry says he won't sit out Iraq

[villager]

Prince Harry says he won't sit out Iraq

By JENNIFER QUINN, Associated Press

LONDON - He's a freckle-faced royal rascal who has led a life of privilege. But Britain's Prince Harry is also an army officer — and he could soon be heading to
Iraq to face the reality of combat.


No matter that royal officials have said no decision about a deployment has been made, or that the Ministry of Defense has dismissed such reports as "entirely speculative." Newspapers are filling their pages about the security headache that a war zone assignment for Harry — who is third in line to the throne — could bring for the British army.

"Harry's always wanted to be treated as an ordinary soldier," the Daily Mail quoted an unidentified army source as saying. "He's not an ordinary soldier, of course."

When Harry, 22, left Sandhurst Military Academy last year, he became a second lieutenant and joined the Blues and Royals regiment of the Household Cavalry. At the time, the defense ministry said he could possibly be deployed to Iraq, but that there might be situations when the presence of a member of the royal family could increase the risk for his comrades.

Harry himself was having none of it. "There's no way I'm going to put myself through Sandhurst, and then sit on my arse back home while my boys are out fighting for their country," he said in a television interview to mark his 21st birthday.

<snip>

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070219/ap_on_re_eu/britain_prince_to_iraq

[shance]

1. No, he'll just be equipped with body guards and food testers. How brave of him.

:eyes:

[villager]

2. still, I'm thinking, "in contrast to the twins...."

n/t

[1monster]

3. Damned if he does and damned if he doesn't, hmm? Even with

body guards and food testers, a war zone is dangerous.

I know a guy who was in Vietnam, but he was not anywhere near the shooting zones.

He was sitting in a bar in Saigon when a bomb went off. He was knocked out. When he came to, he realized that he was the only one left alive in that bar...

[truebrit71]

21. As opposed to your 'royal' offspring that are doing WHAT exactly?

His uncle fought against the Argentinians in the Falklands, he is simply doing what soldiers do. Following orders.

Good for him.

[shance]

26. No, I actually read that they are sending bodyguards with him.

I believe it was at Huffington Post yesterday or the day before.

If that is true that he is being sent with bodyguards, then please, what in the world is the reason for going?

Not to mention that if it is true, what message does that send to the other Brit troops over there? That their lives aren't as importantb because they weren't born into royalty as well?

This is not an issue with Harry. He is merely a product of a much bigger environment and system.

I am sure he is doing the best he can with all that surrounds him, not to mention he is still a young boy in many respects. Like the majority of other troops that are being sent into harms way.

[Zynx]

29. Traditionally, British royals in the military aren't allowed or expected to shirk

Seems odd with how heavily we protect everyone remotely related to the President, but it's true.

[Canuckistanian]

4. Oh, just shut up and open a hospital somewhere

We all know you'll never be put in a real combat situation, so just relax....

Start thinking about being "fruitful" That's your purpose in life.. Leave the real world to people who understand reality.

[Stella_Artois]

16. I wouldn't be so sure of that

His uncle asked and recieved no special treatment in 1982, and carried out exactly the same duties as the other pilots, including being a living decoy for exocet missiles.

If i remember correctly he is third in line for the throne, and Andrew was third or second in 1982.

[truebrit71]

22. He's an officer in the Blues and Royals. Opening hospitals isn't one of the job requirements...

...His uncle fought in a real war, no reason to believe why Prince Harry wouldn't do the same...

[Canuckistanian]

24. I know, I know...

But I've heard stories of incredible pressure put on the regiments of royals just to protect the royal's asses.

Pardon me if I seem a "skeptical subject".

[BestCenter]

25. Right, but on the other hand

What kind of insurgent will want to risk killing an heir to the British throne?

[Canuckistanian]

27. You've got a point there

They're almost rid of the Brits. Why bring them back in with the SUPPORT of the British public this time?

[Judi Lynn]

5. Harry's Deployment Poses Royal Challenge

Harry's Deployment Poses Royal Challenge
Prince Harry's Rumored Deployment to Iraq Presents a Royal Challenge

By JENNIFER QUINN

LONDON Feb 19, 2007 (AP)— He's a freckle-faced royal rascal who has led a life of privilege. But Britain's Prince Harry is also an army officer and he could soon be heading to Iraq to face the reality of combat.

No matter that royal officials have said no decision about a deployment has been made, or that the Ministry of Defense has dismissed such reports as "entirely speculative." Newspapers are filling their pages about the security headache that a war zone assignment for Harry who is third in line to the throne could bring for the British army.

"Harry's always wanted to be treated as an ordinary soldier," the Daily Mail quoted an unidentified army source as saying. "He's not an ordinary soldier, of course."

When Harry, 22, left Sandhurst Military Academy last year, he became a second lieutenant and joined the Blues and Royals regiment of the Household Cavalry. At the time, the defense ministry said he could possibly be deployed to Iraq, but that there might be situations when the presence of a member of the royal family could increase the risk for his comrades.

Harry himself was having none of it.
(snip/...)

http://www.abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2888095

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[legin]

6. This has probably been suggested before

But it occurs to me that this would give bush* a very good way of getting the british public more on-side in the 'war on terrorism'.

"PRINCE HARRY KILLED BY AL-QAEDA TERRORISTS" would be a lovely headline for bush*.

[legin]

7. If Prince Harry wants to do something for britain

He should stay the f**k away from Iraq.

If he gets killed/wounded in Iraq (just by bad luck even) the rest of us will end up getting sucked into the quagmire even more than we already are.

[legin]

8. If Harry goes to Iraq

and he survives (as he probably will), all he gets is a good PR boost (and some distorted job satisfaction ?? ), whilst I and the rest of the population get nothing at all.

If in the 1 in 200 chance he gets killed, it does nothing whatsoever for him, and the rest of us get futher dropped in it.

I think the potential possible losses far exceed the near certain gains.

[Fire Walk With Me]

11. Would Britain rally against the war if it happened?

I hope nothing happens to him, but if so, would it bring home the cost of war, especially this "war", to the people of the UK?

[stanwyck]

9. What if

American politicians who vote for war, based on lies, and without taking the time to carefully consider the consequences, were required to send at least one of their children to that war?
Maybe then our bully boy sofa warriors wouldn't be so quick to invade. Maybe Congress would actually do its job and deliberate before sending in the troops.
Ease off Harry. He's headed for a war zone where even a supply clerk like Jessica Lynch could be ambushed and taken prisoner. Nobody is safe over there. It's a religious war with our troops as policemen so the chaos won't interfere with American oil profits. At the same, the war profiteers get to cash in. The longer it goes, the more they profit.
Harry, like my son, is doing his job. Aim your anger at the obsequious Tony Blair. Not Harry.

[MGD]

10. I can't share the cynnical sentiments towards Harry for this. He is sharing in the hardships

of his countrymen when he really doesn't have to and; as such, he is exhibiting the qualities of leadership that are lacking in modern elitist circles: courage, selfless sacrifice, honor, duty, loyalty etc.

[Turbineguy]

12. Just had a conversation with my Mom

(She's a Bush voter) She thinks sending him is just a nuisance. I told her maybe she had a point and that was probably why republican lawmakers weren't sending their kids over there. Either it went a bit over her head or she just did not want to give me the satisfaction of a reaction.

[Hobarticus]

13. One thing you can say about the royals....

They may be living off the public teat, but at least when it's their time to go, they go.

Didn't Andrew fly a helicopter during the Argentinian War?

They may be well behind the lines, and maybe never even hear gunfire, but they go. More than what can be said about our own "royalty". Our annointed won't even send their kids in peacetime, fer crissakes. Or if they happen to have the bad luck to be in uniform when the shooting starts, they get shuffled off to patrol the little-known branch of the Ho Chi Minh Trail that ran along the Rio Grande.

[closeupready]

17. That's a good point. During the Blitz of London, they stayed rather than flee.

So, you can respect that about them.

[SayWhatYo]

14. Seems like a damned if he does or damned if he doesn't situation for him...

I do not understand it. No one here supports the war in Iraq and would rather have all US and British troops home, but that's not going to happen any time soon.... So, if he doesn't go then some scream about how the elites send others off to war but don't go themselves. He goes, and now he is criticized for it.. Let's say the article said "Prince Harry says he wants sit out of Iraq", what would your reaction be then?(this is directed toward those who are attacking him now)

[zonkers]

15. I bet Harry goes and sees combat. He seems to have "that personality type

that digs action. He seems headstrong. I think Harry will end up being a bigtime favorite son of England -- seems like he's got balls.

[cui bono]

18. He is showing integrity. I don't get the attacks on him. Sheesh.

Are you guys just on attack mode no matter what? I don't agree with the war, but at least he's is putting his life where his mouth is. I don't see how you can criticize him for that. And if he gets a little special treatment, which I'm not sure that he will, it's not his fault. He can't help that he was born into royalty. He's trying to be an average joe and support his comrades. Give him a break already.

[MasonJar]

19. It is important for him to go and very brave so stop bashing Harry.

England should never have joined our bloody war, but since they did, Harry needs to serve if they let him. It is honorable and the British royals have always been honorable when it comes to serving their country.

[420inTN]

20. moot point now... no new British troops going to iraq

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/02/20/wirq120.xml

[truebrit71]

23. They will still have to rotate the troops that are there now...

...the overall level will not increase is all...

[noonwitch]

28. It's traditional for the spare to serve.

Wills should watch out. Richard III was one of the spares, who distinguished himself for his service at Teweksbury, and look how far he went.

[classysassy]

30. Queen to PM

Tony lets get our boys out of Iraq.Don't worry Harry,MOMS ending our madness.