'Arry the 'Ero

[Ja'chyra]

I think some of you are just a bit harsh.

It looks to me as if pulled some strings just to get sent over in the first place and the fact that he was pulled wasn't down to him.

Good on him for going in the first place, cos let's face it he was probably the only one in the army with a choice. I also agree that now the whole world knows he's over there the risk is too great, not only to him but the guys round about him.

I don't it's beyond the realms of possibility that he'll be posted somewhere else though.

[Viking]

But why would anyone care...He's an average person; the only thing special about him is some ancient & silly royal title which he has done nothing to achieve but getting born and following the clichés.

[Geoffrey S]

He wanted to serve, kudos for him. I find it in poor taste that criticisms are labeled at him for having no chance of being in danger, it all being a publicity stunt... ultimately he didn't have to go, and as far as I'm concerned that garners him an equal amount of respect as with all those who choose to serve their country.

Find it quite amusing that army chiefs, while publicly saying it was clear that he couldn't serve, were secretly pulling strings to get him sent out. Is a fairly interesting and remarkably clear look at how the government handles disinformation.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

My first thought was that as a forward observor, they hadn't exactly stuck him in a dangerous spot. I mean, it's only Afghanistan -- it's not like he was put in a Canadian unit doing training with US airpower....


Seriously,


If you loathe the concept or Royalty, then all of the kerfluffle over this will gall you. I'm glad we have no royals locally, but don't particularly have any concern over the concept.


A son of privilege in his society chose to serve in a manner that brought much more risk to his life/health than not serving would have done. I assume most would agree that such an act does not consititue the worst possible choice of actions for a member of his society's privileged class. People snipe at the Bush twins for not "jinin'" up; they cannot snipe at this royal for the same reason...they'll need to find others.


Of course, once the story broke, the safety of his unit demanded his removal. Any AQ operative, any Talibani, and -- as Tribesman would probably agree -- a goodly damn proportion of our "allies" might take the opportunity to make a big windfall profit by taking him out or selling him to those who would. That area of the world doesn't exactly revel in the rule of law and niceties of international discourse. This -- once public -- put his whole unit in the cross-hairs.


Drudge is a gossip columnist and aims a good bit of his "reportage" at the least common denominator element. Once he'd secured the info, there was no hesitation about publishing it. This was a BAD journalistic decision -- it cannot be credibly argued that the importance of this news to an electorate or to the public's "right to know" outweighed the added risk to the human beings involved -- it's not as though Harry is vital to the free world. However, as has been noted, Drudge is NOT much of a journalist and can be relied upon to preference the prurient value of a subject over good taste or sound ethics. Occasionally, he does unearth something of importance; but even a blind squirrel stumbles over an acorn once in a while.

[LittleGrizzly]

This was a BAD journalistic decision -- it cannot be credibly argued that the importance of this news to an electorate or to the public's "right to know" outweighed the added risk to the human beings involved --

I agree completely, Im fairly sure the plan was to reveal Harrys service after he returned but to some people knowing a royal is in Afghanastan is far more important than peoples lives.

Harry joined up the army and i thought it was fairly pointless and a bit of a waste if he was going to be an unused solidier, but fair play to Harry, from what i heard he wanted to goto war, he didn't want special treatment as a royal.

I would say overall for the use we got out of 1 extra solidier (Harry) that it hasn't been worth everything thats been done to make it possible, but i don't think anyone can level criticism at Harry who joined up and wanted to serve his country.

[Viking]

but don't particularly have any concern over the concept.

Oh yes, I am sure you have concerns over tax money spent in the most ridiculous ways.

I would say overall for the use we got out of 1 extra solidier (Harry) that it hasn't been worth everything thats been done to make it possible, but i don't think anyone can level criticism at Harry who joined up and wanted to serve his country.

Kudos to him, but if he wasn't a royal he could've "served his country" in a much more efficient manner.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Oh yes, I am sure you have concerns over tax money spent in the most ridiculous ways.

How about the money they bring into the country through additional tourism?

[Viking]

How about the money they bring into the country through additional tourism?

Oh, I am sure they are interested in looking at the castle and not the royals themselves who they are not gonna see anyway.

[HoreTore]

How about the money they bring into the country through additional tourism?

They're all blown on new hats.