I'm Harry

Now I am not a supporter of the War in Iraq: It was instigated under false pretences by a megalomanic chickenhawk who seems to think that he is John Wayne (who was a chickenhawk too) incarnate. Tony Blair and John Howard, poodles #1 and #2 jumped on the band wagon with great aplomb, Blair as he wanted to be a "war prime minister" wasn't hard to convince. Howard is clueless git who, on a visit to Canada, referred to the Shrub as "the greatest force for peace in the world". He then went south to Washington where he was rewarded with a kibble, though it is unknown whether they let him on the furniture.

The US tried to get Canada involved in Iraq, oh they really tried. The US Ambassador Paul "Don't Let the Door Hit You on The Ass" Cellucci was especially vocal and annoying about the whole thing. Our then Prime Minister, Jean Chretien, held firm and at least we were not drawn into that quagmire. I don't think our current Prime Minister, He With the Face Like a Refrigerator Door, would have displayed the intestinal fortitude to say "Give us Proof". As a matter of fact, Stevie Harper, who was in favour of joining the Americans, must be glad he dodged that particular bullet, given how popular (not) invading Iraq has become.

Granted, Canada is in Afghanistan, and I am uncertain how I feel about that. I didn't like the idea of going, but now I am afraid of what will happen there if we aren't. But then, the Taliban and Al Quaeda actually were in Afghanistan. However, it is with great regret I have to say that our reputation as "peacekeepers" is circling the drain, particularly with this latest fiasco concerning prisoners.

Now that my feelings about the whole thing in general are out of the way, I turn to one little microcosm of the war: Harry Windsor, third in line to the Throne. Harry went to Sandhurst for 4 years, and that is no small feat in and of itself. He trained hard along with his unit, and wanted to serve with them when his regiment, the Blues and the Royals were to be deployed in a few weeks time.

It was decided by the powers that be, that deploying Harry would, because of his status, endanger the lives of his unit. Perhaps this is true, but on the other hand, I am of the mind, and I am not alone in this: not allowing Harry to go to serve in the capacity for which he has been trained will have a devastating effect on morale.

It will have a tremendous effect on morale right across the army," Heyman said. "Soldiers will say: 'If it's too dangerous for Prince Harry, then it's too dangerous for me. Is his life worth more than mine?' Well, from a political point of view, yes. But from a morale point of view, the answer is no."

It is not as if the Royals had a habit of being excused from front line duty: Uncle Andrew flew his helicopter in the Falklands war of 1982. His own grandmother, while not exactly on the front lines, drove an ambulance in the later days of World War II, which was not exactly risk free either - in the dark, no headlights, over bombed out roads during air raids. This was no small thing at a time when, contrary to the popular myth, women in serving in any branch of the military were viewed by many as "Little Better than Camp Followers". (I am happy to say that history has proven that particular viewpoint to be terribly, terribly wrong.) His grandfather, though not the prince consort at the time, served as well.

Does Harry deserve any less of a chance to serve his country?

Also, the article points out, Harry wants a career in the army. By the time this is all over, he will be the need front line experience if he is to have any credibility at all. If he doesn't have it, he might as well be the ceremonial head of a regiment like his aunt Princess Anne - looks good, but no real command.

The decision to exclude Harry from combat duty is not exactly popular with the troops. They h have, in their own way, have voiced not their disagreement with this decision, but announced their willingness to take the risk of serving along side him by the simple act of a T-shirt.
These khaki tees, have the words "I'm Harry" emblazoned across the chest, complete with target.

It was mentioned on the Bill Moyers show as a commentary:



I also have to point out, as Bill Moyers has, that it has not gone unnoticed that the sons and daughters of the Bushes and members of congress aren't exactly lining up to join the military. It has always been a fact that the Royal Family has always done their duty in this regard, and now is not the time to be seen to brush it off. Yes, sending Harry would be dangerous, but I think it is even more dangerous to the credibility of the Monarchy as a whole if they do not.