Prince Harry is nuts

[Radio_Guy]

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18908670-401,00.html?from=rss

Prince Harry: Send me to war or I'll quit

The prince and his older brother William have both made it clear they want to see active service with their units. Earlier this month Harry, 21, was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals, the army's oldest and most senior regiment. The Blues and Royals have been deployed in almost every major operation of the past 25 years, including the Falklands, Bosnia and both Gulf wars.

And now it has been revealed the determined prince told top brass at the Sandhurst military academy: "If I am not allowed to join my unit in a war zone, I will hand in my uniform."

This poses serious problems for advisers tasked with protecting William and Harry, the second and third in line to the throne, and those fighting alongside them.

A Clarence House spokeswoman said: "Harry is very clear that he is joining the Army to serve his country as an operational soldier."

But she added: "There may be circumstances in which his presence could attract attention, which could lead to additional risk to those he commands or himself.

"In these instances it is a judgment call made by his commanding officer."

<snip>

At least he has more brass than the Bush twins.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

1. He's not nuts- he's a young man who doesn't want to be coddled

I can strongly relate. His family has a tradition of national service, and he doesn't want his own to be false or limited. Sounds like a strong, brave young man to me.

[Radio_Guy]

5. I could understand if Britain had been invaded

But to possibly die for Bush's war? I don't get it.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

8. He can't choose his war any more than we can.

:shrug:

[Radio_Guy]

11. No, he can't

But he is requesting to go to the front lines. He is choosing to do so. That's what I don't get. If I had the choice, I wouldn't be on the front lines in Iraq.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

13. Determination. Honor. A desire to grow up honestly. Unselfishness.

Not hard at all to understand.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

26. If he wanted all of that

he should become a fireman.

I say "attention whore."

This is the same person who dressed as Hitler at a costume party. Armband and all.

[roguevalley]

14. I think he doesn't want to be seen as a weenie with a way out. His

unit is going soon and he wants to make sure he doesn't get left behind because he's a royal. its a matter of his own self image. I agree with post one.

[pacalo]

39. He doesn't want special treatment. I think it's a sign of a good

leader when he insists on serving side by side with the average guys.

[Orsino]

67. Possibly, he'd rather die than live as a...

flight-suit pretender like *. By volunteering for and demanding service in a war zone, he cannot be called an AWOLler.

Were he to stay behind while the rest of his unit deployed, he'd look like something even worse.

[Horse with no Name]

33. Even though this is not a war to be proud of

His service is. I'm sure Princess Diana would be very proud of her two young men.

[Taverner]

2. I wouldn't say nuts...

I'd say he's showing a bravery the Bush family would never be capeable of...

[sasquatch]

3. In the book "Johnny got his gun" there was a blonde limey just like him

He ended up going insane after he came across the rotting corpse of a Bavarian soldier.

[harlinchi]

19. And what a grim tale that was! n/t

[TechBear_Seattle]

4. He's a pretty smart guy

What better way to spotlight the atrocities being done by the occupiers?

[mtnester]

16. Now if he could just get that bull's eye off his back LONG enough

to spotlight those atrocities.

Brave young man (and naive)

[TechBear_Seattle]

22. I think he's hoping he doesn't go

If the heir to the throne can't go because it is too dangerous, despite an expectation that the royals lead from the front, what does that say to the ordinary Brit? If Mum refuses to let him go and he resigns as a result (a priviledge I doubt very much is open to most just-graduated officers), the whole monarchy is shamed. So Mum lets him serve in Iraq, which puts tremendous pressure on her -- and as a result, tremendous pressure from her on the Government -- to ease the UK out of Iraq. Naive William may be, but this gambit could very well end Blair's rule.

[sharp_stick]

6. He'll draw less press than he would at home

Most of the press never leave the green zone anymore. I bet he has less to worry about if he's away from the green zone and with an active duty group. He's a 2nd Lieutenant which I don't think is much of a rank to draw intentional fire and I really don't see a lot of the insurgents reading the daily London rags with his picture all over them so he's probably going to be just as safe as any other poor bugger.

I second your comment that he has more brass than the twins or the kids of all the other chickenhawk pricks running things over here.

[wickerwoman]

47. He won't draw fire because of his rank

but come on, he's kidnapping target numero uno over there. Of course they know who he is. Believe it or not, some "insurgents" speak English and know something about the world.

I admire his bravery and desire not to be coddled, but I think a really brave person would put the lives of the other people in their unit ahead of their own desire to prove themselves. He's putting the other soldiers in his unit at a *huge* risk.

I'd say "brass" in this case is a double-edged sword.

[mconvente]

63. good point

I'm sure they'll protect him big time (as best they can - and even thought that isn't really fair to the average troops) but he is most definitely a major kidnap target. I admire his honor and desire to attempt to remove his silven spoon, but I hope he (and all the troops) remain as safe as possible.

[Jara sang]

7. The military and military service is "window dressing" to the royals.

Who else could just quit if they didn't get their way. I'm surprised we wasn't commissioned as a general, but I guess that would be a bit much.

[nickinSTL]

15. that's a completely ignorant comment.

The British royals have a long tradition of serving in the military. And in combat. Prince Andrew flew helicopters in the Falklands (much to the dismay of many in the court/government). Prince Albert, Duke of York (the future George VI) served in the Royal Navy during WWI. Prince Philip, while not yet a member of the royal family at the time, served with some distinction in the Royal Navy.

HM the Queen (Princess Elizabeth at the time) insisted on serving in the Women's Auxiliary forces in Britain as her contemporaries did.

And, no, they don't get made Generals at 20 - in fact, Prince Andrew had to retire from the Navy because of the up-or-out policy...where you hit a certain rank and if you don't move up to the upper echelons, you're expected to retire...he retired, as many other early-40s naval Commanders do, and they don't "get out whenever they want", though Prince Edward's short-lived stint in the Royal Marines might make one think otherwise. He's the only one to do so...and unarguably the least suited to military life.

If Harry wants to quit because he isn't sent where he wants...he'll have to do it following the same rules as any other 2nd lieutenant.

[CatWoman]

23. I'm really proud of the ole girl

[Jara sang]

25. And he is probably the most decorated junior officer in British history.

Puhhhhh-lease.

[nickinSTL]

36. what?

I have no idea what you're talking about. Harry hasn't been decorated for anything...and I'm not saying he's some spectacular guy, just that he and his family have a tradition of military SERVICE - and service to the British people...regardless of whether you think their service is worthwhile, they take it very seriously.

[sonoranleftist]

28. I'm with you most of the way

Meaning I don't think they would make him a general but I think he just wants be a war monger, not very progressive of him.

[Jara sang]

32. No, of course they wouldn't make him a general.

I was being facetious. But he can basically get any commission he wants. He is the friggin' Prince.

[BooScout]

38. No he can't.....

Before you type you should try thinking first. :eyes:

[Jara sang]

59. Hahahaha...You are telling me that a member of the royal family

wouldn't get posted to wherever they wanted to be within the military? There have been Kings coronated that were younger than Prince Harry. Get real. Ignorance is not a quality that is particularly attractive in you.

[Iblis]

9. So... It's crazy that he wants to be with his unit?

I don't get it.

L

[Gormy Cuss]

10. Naive maybe, but at least he's not hiding in the palace.

He and his brother are showing class in insisting that they not be shielded from the risks of other soldiers. Their presence may cause additional attention to their units as noted in the article, but I can't fault either prince for demanding to be sent where their units go.

[DS1]

12. Jenna? Barb?

You listening?

[bumblebee1]

40. You can also add George P and Pierce to that list.

[katty]

17. it's one way to get away from the seriously toxic monarchy

[KittyWampus]

18. Their dedication to their fellow troops is admirable, IMO.

Don't troops usually feel obligated to serve with those they've trained with?

[Kingshakabobo]

20. Take notice lurking chikenshit CHICKENHAWK trolls!!!

If the royals can serve why can't you? I'm sure they have more "idea" battles to fight at home than you. I don't agree with the war but at least they put their money where their mouth is, unlike followers of the 400 pound Anal Cyst.


I was reading a conservative message board yesterday where a vet asked how many members actually served or served in combat. The responses were straight from a comedy routine. I never heard of so many war cheerleaders who never served or were willing to serve but had uncles and long lost relatives who served.


Fighting the battle of ideas at home indeed. Bwaak Bwaak

[MsTryska]

21. Good for him....

he's no dubya.

[davepc]

24. Nuts for doing what John Kerry did?

Which is volunteer to serve on the front lines?

You can't have it both ways, If someone doesn't go, they get called a coward chickenhawk for not going, then when some one volunteers to go they get called 'nuts'.

[truebrit71]

27. Not nuts - Just understands what Duty is about.

He wants to serve alongside those with whom he trained, and why shouldn't he? His Uncle fought in the Falklands war, his father served in the Royal Navy, there's nothing new or different...

He has stated before that he is looking at the military as a career and it would be a little difficult to have a career if you can't fight in a war and have it mean more than simply "playing soldiers"....

He has more balls than the entire * cabinet combined....

[davidinalameda]

29. he's the spare, not the heir

[truebrit71]

30. BOTH sons are in the military and BOTH have said the same thing...

...

[ShortnFiery]

31. I wanna see the twins and Liz Cheney on Active Duty ..

MP corps! You do recons and can get closer to the action that way. Just because you're women doesn't make ya any more special than our young men in uniform.

Yes go Military Police for it will fit you and your Daddys' Authoritarian Personas. :P

[Odin2005]

34. The British aristocrats still has a sense of honor, duty, and patriotism

Ours get draft exemptions because they "have better things to do."

[mr blur]

35. No, I'm afraid he's just an idiot

Arrogant, dumb as a rock and about as popular as his father. Sorry to destroy the romanticised picture you have of these halfwits but he's too dumb to keep out of a war that he doesn't have to be in. Of course "they" will never let him go, so it hardly matters - he's the spare in case his slightly smarter brother turns out to be unsuitable for some reason.

[Skittles]

41. his father is not Charles

and everyone in England knows it

[tenshi816]

42. No, everyone in England does not "know" it.

In fact, Diana didn't even know James Hewitt (the man some people claim fathered Harry) at the time she was pregnant with him. I was no fan of Diana's by any means, but the gossip claiming Charles was not Harry's biological father was baseless.

Apparently DNA testing was done to prove paternity: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/050629/364/fm936.html

[Skittles]

48. who said Hewitt? nt

I guess I should have said everyone in England is aware of the controversy

[tenshi816]

50. Hewitt's the only one ever mentioned on this side of the pond.

When William and Harry were born, Diana was still trying to make her idiotic marriage work.

You don't seriously think the Royals wouldn't arrange DNA testing, do you? Those people are cold-blooded and devious, and there's no way they'd let something like that slide by without confirming it for themselves. They're well aware of the growing number of people against the monarchy and they go to great lengths to look out for the House of Windsor. That would include making sure the Queen's grandsons really are the Queen's grandsons.

[BooScout]

44. Geeeeeee...

I don't know it and I'm in the UK. With those ears of his you have got to be kidding that he isn't the son of Prince Charles.

[CatWoman]

65. you know, you're right?

about the ears that is.

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

58. That and the Harry quote is from the Mail so is most likely bollocks

[Vidar]

37. An honorable young man.

[VolcanoJen]

45. Wish there were more like him.

I'm proud of the kid... seems to have learned something, from all of his privilege.

Bully bully, Prince Harry. And Godspeed.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

43. Baby Brother Syndrome

Seen it in my own family. My youngest brother signed up, fortunately it was peace time duty. Two other sibs, their youngest also signed up. Baby brothers always seem to have something to prove.

[file83]

46. Maybe he just wants to kill people...

...being royalty is SO BORING. :sarcasm:

[NNN0LHI]

49. Yea I wish I could go kill some brown people who didn't do nothing to me

That would show what a real man I was.

Don

[fujiyama]

51. What a striking contrast

to the chickenhawk repuke kids in this country. Young repukes should take note.

[Kailassa]

52. A well educated young prince is helping legitimize an illegal war

of theft and aggression by insisting he wants to fight in it.

War is not a heroic game; war is something you do to protect your country or to kill people.
And the Iraq war is not about protecting England.

I don't give a damn about his loyalty to his unit, what about his duty to decency and humanity?
Prince Harry is intelligent and educated. He should know better than to travel to another country to kill strangers there
without good reason.

[jberryhill]

53. First Hand Experience ALSO Legitimizes Subsequent Criticism

[Flubadubya]

55. My first thoughts exactly...

Let him go and come back (hopefully) and let him protest the damned atrocity. That is what I would fervently like to see happen (only if he is just hell bent on going, that is).

[NNN0LHI]

56. I ain't never been there. Isn't my criticism of this fiasco legitimate? nt

[jberryhill]

69. It's legitimate, but

Kerry's criticism of Vietnam was pretty damned legitimate.

Ditto Gore.

[CJCRANE]

62. I agree.

He's brave but severely misguided.

Aside from the moral and legal aspect, from the angle of pure self-interest The Iraq War has put a massive bullseye on the UK population and made Brits much less safe.

[alcibiades_mystery]

54. Good on him

Cheers, boyo!

[wtmusic]

57. something that might come in handy

[WI_DEM]

60. You see I don't read it that way (meaning "he's nuts")

He wants to be where his unit is and doesn't want to have special privlidges--that's the way I see it. It actually is admirable, imo.

[Atman]

61. Face it, he knows he won't really do "front line" duty

He may get send over there, but he'll be well protected. He knows how important it is to Daddy and to The Crown (his own future crown, too) to be a "war hero." These guys know how to play the game. The Bushes are just flat-out pussies. They'd jump 50 points in the polls if just one of their slimy progeny were actually to serve in their little war. But they're pussies. Every one of them. To the core.

[CJCRANE]

64. The thing I don't get is...

if the Royals want to be treated just like everyone else then...what's the point of Royalty?

[Generator]

66. He's still a little pissed off about

his grandmum having his mum whacked. So a little Army is nothing. (I'm kiding, I think. HA!)

[The Backlash Cometh]

68. Ennui. 'nuff said.