Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Prince Harry goes to war, where are our Princesses?

In case you haven't heard, Prince Harry is reportedly getting ready to go fight in Iraq with his cavalry squad this spring. After a big New Year's bash 'Haz' is joining his fellow troops to start training for battle in the mess that is Iraq.

Many different papers across the United Kingdom are printing the story as the news comes from his long-time girlfriend shared the Prince's intentions to serve his country. Now as an American, the first question that pops into my head is....where is Barb and Jen?






From The Sun:

Officially, the Ministry of Defence insists that a final decision about whether second lieutenant Harry will be allowed to fight in Iraq has yet to be made.

The Prince has always said he is determined to do battle with his 100-strong unit, A Squadron of the Blues and Royals — part of the Household Cavalry.

They begin a six-month tour of Iraq in the spring. And before that, they are expected to take part in war games and exhaustive preparations for conflict.

The decision over the young Royal is deemed so important it will be made by the Army’s top man, Chief of the General Staff General Sir Richard Dannatt.

Now the article does note that the Ministry officials are hesitant to send Harry into a high-risk situation. This is especially true considering a soldier of his status can attract un-due attention for the 100-man force.

The Times did an article about this in the spring:

But a defence source told The Times: "We can’t have a situation where Prince Harry’s presence draws enemy fire." He said that the Army hierarchy faced a huge problem as Prince Harry’s unit, The Blues and Royals of the Household Cavalry, was set to go to Iraq next year. The MoD had a "duty of care" towards every member of the Armed Forces. If Prince Harry’s presence in an operational area attracted undue attention, "we will have to see what mechanics might be needed to deal with that".

Clarence House said: "Prince Harry is very clear that he is joining the Army, and the Household Cavalry in particular, to serve his country as an operational soldier. On occasion, there may be some circumstances in which his overt presence might attract additional attention and increase the risk for his regiment and for himself. In these instances, it is a judgment call which would principally be made by his commanding officer."

As the article in the Times notes, Harry is very determined to fight and threatened to resign if he isn't allowed to see action.

Also from the Times article:

Prince Harry said in an interview to mark his 21st birthday last year: "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 . . . That may sound very patriotic but it’s true."

On this side of the pond the royals have a much different attitude. Though to be fair, their father did tell us to shop or else the terrorists will win. The twins are certainly not letting their father down. Seriously though, it is time they leave their ridiculously lifestyle and show that they stand behind Daddy's unjust and illegal war. Now get your uniform and head for basic training, before you know it you'll be facing the hell that George sends the 'volunteer' army into every single goddamn day.


And no, these aren't the helmets they should be wearing.