No threads on Prince Harry????

[Ravy]

I have been in GD:P a month or so, so maybe threads on my Ignore list...

It appears that Prince Harry has been fighting in Afghanistan for 10 weeks now, on the front lines. Story was known to the media but kept quiet until Drudge spilled the beans, but it has been acknowledged now.

Good for Prince Harry!

[Lex]

1. Your search feature is your friend.

nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Could the twins be far behind? Nah. the US does not have that kind of

honor among the ruling classes

[TahitiNut]

8. Have you no compassion for the people of the Middle East?

Why would anyone propose the toxic waste from the Bush gene pool be exported to those ancient nations?

:evilgrin:

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Well there is that, and what did a poor Gunny do to me?

Can you imagine being the DI for EITHER of these two?

But Sarge my nails will break! (Ironically I heard this excuse from one of my female EMTs, who I fired)

[TahitiNut]

13. Yeah... it'd be Private Benjamin on steroids.

And where would their bodyguards sleep? :dunce:

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. Oi forgot about those

drop down and give me fifty....

NO

Recruit!

Talk to the Secret Service there... daddy said no harsh physical.

It would be fun just for a skitt, but somehow it looses its fun factor. (Having trained recruits)

I am getting shivers just thinking about it

[TahitiNut]

27. I think the "nuclear option" would be taken in record time ...

... and it'd be necessary to punish the whole platoon and blame it on them ... repeatedly. It's the last resort for getting them in line ... and I figure it'd be necessary within the first 4-5 days. It'd be brutal.

(Heh-heh-heh... I'd almost like to watch.) :evilgrin:

[nadinbrzezinski]

29. If I had the chance to push certain boots

I think I'd volunteer, even if I get bad dreams from time to time from ahem, pushing boots

:evilgrin:

[emilyg]

3. Good 'ole Drudge.

[Democrats_win]

4. It's FUBAR: How can a rich prince go out and kill poverty-stricken Afghans? Sickening!

He knows the pain of losing his mother so why can't he figure it out that killing people in Afghanistan is unlAWFUL?

[sanjiadem]

5. Lots of troops named Harry, Joe, John, Laura, etc. are on second, third and fourth tours

of duty. Because he's a so-called 'royal' his sacrifice is greater and makes headlines? Give me a break!

It's this type of thinking that keeps them thinking they deserve more attention, money, and power than the rest of us - who work just as hard/smart and sacrifice just as much as they do.

[Muttocracy]

7. the argument people made earlier today about it on DU

is that it may put other soldiers in his unit at extra risk - so it's not that his life is more valuable, it's that he wasn't trying to be special and Drudge blew it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. Bingo, he was trying to live as "normal" a life as could

given who he was.

And the fact that he COULD have not gone after graduating from Sandhurst makes me respect the kid a little more.

Just a little, anybody who volunteers for that.... well I must say deserves a little respect, whether their name is Harry Wales or Harry anybody

[Lex]

20. I absolutely agree.

Esp. when compared to Dubya skipping out on his 'service.'

[WillowTree]

21. Actually, his name is Harry Windsor.

But other than that, I agree with what you said. Good on him!

[nadinbrzezinski]

31. Both his helmet and uniform say wales

that is why I wrote wales, not that it matters really

[MonkeyFunk]

50. He goes by the name Wales

Cornet Harry Wales.

But his last name, if needed, is correctly Mountbatten-Windsor.

[sanjiadem]

15. If he didn't want it to be an issue, he'd have foregone his own ambitions/desires and stayed home

This was played just as it was meant to be - to the media and the gullible.

He is, after all, just one of the tens of thousands who have served -- and, if you include Iraq, which he did not go into (after much hype that he might), hundreds of thousands of troops - thousands who have made the ultimate sacrifice and tens of thousands who's wounds will alter their lives forever.

And, it's not like his Royal presence did much to change the outcomes, in any event.

Just another ego boosting/media manipulating play, IMNSHO.

[Muttocracy]

22. well, you can argue that he shouldn't have gone maybe, but not that the press should

help get his comrades killed faster? I think that was the anger about the Drudge leak - not protecting Harry so much as Drudge interfering with the troops for his own selfish gain (web hits, attention)

[sanjiadem]

24. In my experience, most 'leaks' are more like

planned manipulation of the media.

[Muttocracy]

25. well, sounds like your mind is made up

I'm still naive enough to listen to the BBC and AP sometimes
:tinfoilhat:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3202340&mesg_id=3202340

edit to fix link

[gatorboy]

26. Wow. You could be a Swift Boater there, slim.

Sounds exactly like what they said about Kerry's service. I'm sure you agree with them as well.

[sanjiadem]

34. No, because Kerry didn't just pose for the cameras

He actually fought without anyone 'leaking' his presence to create photo ops and manipulate the media.

Just take a look at the stills and the video feeds of Harry 'fighting'. It's made for cable stuff.

[w8liftinglady]

6. I think maybe we should let him be.

[RB TexLa]

9. I swear I think some on DU would like to have American royals the way they show concern about those

pieces of shit.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. Actually I'd love to have OUR RULING CLASSES

send their first born, if this war is that important, That is a free give away that this is not that important

[enlightenment]

18. Why do you call them that?

A personal grudge? Are you British?

I'm curious.

[sanjiadem]

23. You don't have to be British to recognize there is a 'ruling class' that has

sent the sons and daughters of the 'little folk' to die, while they feed at the trough provided them by those same 'little folk'.

Sending one royal to serve for photo ops, will not change the truth. And, yes, these were photo ops -- take a look at the videos and stills being sent to the media.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2008/02/29/2176246.htm

Feel good patriotism.

[walldude]

28. Wait a sec, the media was on blackout till Drudge spilled the beans

how can you say this was a photo op when no photo's were allowed till Drudge fucked up? Sure they may be for future use but the Brits were keeping quiet about this. I have no respect for a "Ruling Class" but this kid didn't need to go, didn't have to go and he went anyway, under secrecy. Since I don't know him I won't judge him by the family he was born into, but to me, with the evidence I have in front of me, he seems much more "stand-up" than the kids of most of our leaders.

[melody]

32. Actually, an Australian magazine beat him to it

It's just no one noticed it till Drudge ran it.

[sanjiadem]

36. Please the lead up to him serving not serving in Iraq and now this?

In any event, he's just one more human being serving -- why aren't you folks paying as much attention to all the troops who have died or been wounded -- or the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians killed and millions exiled?

Fact is, he's just one of many of the troops put in harm's way due to lies and deceit. But, while he receives overwhelming, international accolades and recognition -- many are buried or have come back damaged, without such fanfare. That is what I find shameful.

Watch the video http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2008/02/29/2176246.htm decide for yourselves. And, please, Iraq/Afghanistan vets, do chime in. After all, I'm sure your tours of duty looked just like this. :sarcasm:

[nadinbrzezinski]

40. Ok, time to ask the obvious question

how many relatives of yours have served in the front lines? For me one (A hubby, thankfully retired)

How man care packets have you sent to perfect strangers? Lost count

Save your false outrage... and you know what? Coronet Wales can BE a symbol of those serving in the front lines

And for the record, his mugs today were the most we have seen of ANYBODY serving in the front lines in MONTHS... that is FRESH footage.


By the way, in case you wonder FAC IS a dangerous MOS... (Translation since I doubt you know what I just wrote... Forwards Air Controller, and Military Occupational Specialty) and I am sure a tour, ANY tour in the front lines is miserable... or do you speak from experience? (Yes I can actually speak from experience.. being shot at is NEVER fun) By the way... damn British press for not showing us the spa and pool and only the dust and grime and HMGs (there I go again, heavy machine guns)

[sanjiadem]

45. No problem ...

Multiple family members, male, Revolutionary War - Lockettes and Fords; three that I know of; Civil War - two grandfathers, multiple ancestors who were also Abolitionists who worked on the Underground Railroad (although, they didn't call it that -- they just helped freed men stay free; Spanish American War and WWI; father, aunt, multiple uncles, WWII; father, two uncles (one a prisoner of war after his ship was sunk who lived in a cage underwater for many months) and one cousin; Korean War - father - wounded and honored for risking his life to retrieve the wounded even when ordered not to, due to risk; one uncle and two cousins; Vietnam War - two cousins.

Not since WWII, do I believe the sacrifices have been worth the cost. And, our government has not supported or appreciated the service of our troops any where near their worth.

I am sick of providing relatives for lost or immoral/greed driven causes.

Oh, and btw, I sent over $2k in products to Iraq this year (and, I'm far from wealthy) but they were things the troops specifically asked for. I do find it odd that they are not provided these basic needs when we are spending trillions on this war, but that is not their fault nor under their control. So, I sent them what they asked for.

[nadinbrzezinski]

46. This war specifically, thank you for playing

and at least I can think you for sending the toilet paper a privatized military does not provide

[nadinbrzezinski]

33. His uncle was also almost shot down during the Falklands (malvinas) war

Yeah I guess that was also good acting and propaganda... I mean a dead heir to the throne would be good for the press huh?

I realize you have an axe to grind, but Harry is in REAL danger (Together with the rest of the troops under his command)... and for that he gets a little respect from me. IN fact, that same royal family has sent many of their own to the front lines for centuries... unlike OUR ruling classes which send the poor to war, but will not even dream of enlisting... or even serving.

His reasons to go probably have noting to do with kind and country (like any 22 year old just graduated from insert military academy here around the world)... but the fact is... he is doing something OUR ruling classes have NOT done since WWII.

Are they the most straight forward group of people around? No

Are they feeding at the trough? Yes

Has the royal family truly had much to say about politics since the reforms early in the last century? No

Do you know or understand how this works? I doubt it.

Suffice it to say that since Queen Victoria died the Royal Family has surrendered a lot of its executive power to the peasants, (like Tony Blair) and every time they tell them 'bout paying taxes the Queen reminds them that this is the price to enter politics. In fact, one of these days the Crown will probably finally go the way of the dodo... but for the moment it sounds like you really need to learn how this (at times very sick) system works before you pick a stone and throw it out of glass house.

[sanjiadem]

37. Well, actually, I think Elizabeth was heroic during WWII, but since then

they've basically been pathetic.

[nadinbrzezinski]

38. harry's uncle served in front lines

they are NOMINAL heads of state, not full power.You believe they have that much power or use it?

[sanjiadem]

41. They have a shitload of money, a bunch of castles, and titles that cause

people to bow in their presence and support their lifestyles -- even when their contributions are minuscule compared to the masses -- yeah, I think that they have that much power and it is not something I'm ready to bow down to.

It's why we cut the English loose, with our little Revolution. And, something we need to remember, especially, these days.

[nadinbrzezinski]

43. Don't worry, we have our own monarchy

and no, you don't get just how much power the crown have given away, or the fact that the British people are NOT YET ready to get rid of it.

By the way, recognizing historical realities (One of them that their royals DO serve, and have served in harms way), is far from doing a curtsey or bowing

[catnhatnh]

48. You Sir are not intelligent.....

....(see how I didn't call you the names you so richly deserve? That would violate DU rules.) You describe your family as military members who have sacrificed at war (and I will not even attack the idea your Uncle lived "under water" for months) and then obviously attack a young man doing JUST what you say you are proud of your family for doing..."our little revolution" was as much about the moral behavior of despots as cutting "them" (our progenitors) loose. And a "shitload" of anything at home doesn't protect a combat soldier. Perhaps one of your ancestors could have told you that.....

[truebrit71]

62. Wow, talk about completely missing the point...

...:eyes:

[gatorboy]

64. Oh yes, because our current system is so much better...

:eyes:

Patriotic fool.

[Thothmes]

52. She was a truck/automobile mechanic

at a depot in London during the last couple of years of WWII>

[catnhatnh]

39. When you talk about our ruling classes....

you might want to apologize to the Kennedy's and Roosevelt's and Oh yeah-John Kerry...Now our ruling class REPUBLICANS-there you may have a point.

[nadinbrzezinski]

42. Ok lets clarify, in WW II

Everybody served, yes even Republicans. They realized that they needed to

In fact, FDR lost a son in North Africa

Korea the Publicans started to slag off

By Nam the kids on "our side" kept serving, while the other side found a way out

In recent years I can count the children of Senators and Congressmen in uniform with the fingers of one hand. In fact, one John McCain who is in the USMC, and Jim Webb's son who is in the Army.

So you have ONE republican (with a strong service tradition, going to at least grandpa McCain) and one Democrat.

Forgive me if I don't consider this admirable on either side. given that this war is for our survival... so we are told.

[catnhatnh]

47. In fact, the Kennedy's lost one too (Joe)....

And multiple websites will differentiate between Democratic vs Republican involvement during the Vietnam debacle....Biden's son of course....but with the current deal you're talking maybe 200,000 troops MAXIMUM in theater...more participation would be nice but we are discussing the differences between millions exposed to a draft and thousands of slots for volunteers....for England probably a factor less...My bitch is that you label "a ruling class" and lay off a bipartisan equity.

[nadinbrzezinski]

57. I don´t lay off it

in fact I am bothered by the greatest of chickenhawks who will never suit up or have their blood suit up

One exception in the current mess... John McCain... you may say all you want about him (and there is plenty) but his son ENLISTED in the USMC, did not go to the Academy, but ENLISTED and will see action in theater as a lowly enlisted.

As to Biden and Webb, yes their kids are in theater, and the latter in combat too.

Now after I have exhausted the list, how many more of our distinguised leaders ON BOTH sides have kids in theater?

Thanks...

[walldude]

14. Gee, if a British citizen reported on a website that Jenna Bush

was serving in Iraq and reported where she was, what do you think the Bush administration would be doing right now? In spite of peoples feelings about "royals" this isn't about them. It's about Drudge revealing a state secret and putting lives in danger.

The U.K. is pissed:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/princes-cover-in-afghanistan-blown-by-drudge-report-789335.html

"To the fury of the Ministry of Defence and condemnation from the head of the British Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, the website announced a "world exclusive" and proclaimed: "They're calling him 'Harry the Hero!"."

[Lex]

19. And further, the thought of either of the Bush girls serving

in the military is laughable.

I don't blame the Brits for being pissed off.

[melody]

35. No one here would care except to laugh at the idea of the twins in fatigues

When someone recognizes the "common" young people (like my nephew) over there for their third or fourth tour, maybe
I'll feel inclined to start a thread about Harry. I think Harry is commendable to do this, but no more so than Joe
Biden's son or all the other youngsters who could have escaped such duty and went anyway.

The Brits can call him "Harry the Hero". I'm more worried about my nephew being "Billy the Living".

[nadinbrzezinski]

44. Reality is that the Royals have actually lost kids in combat

Unlike our blue bloods... not counting WW II.

The MOD was worried of his location being leaked, but as a FAC, he is (or was) in quite a bit of danger.

Now I'd like to see your nephew out of there (and in my wildest dreams replaced by every damn blue blood that put him in that position)

Realize though Harry didn't have a think to do with that... the royals have surrendered that much political power

[melody]

49. The Royals have more political power than they seem to have ... and yes blue bloods have

I won't get into the intricacies of the Royals argument, however I went to prep school (on scholarship ...
my parents were middle class) and I knew more than a couple of "blue bloods" (one a billionaire's kid
back when billionaires were extremely unusual) who had lost family in Vietnam. Andy Jupiter (whose father
went to school with Buckley and Vidal) died in Viet Nam. I went to school with his sister and brother.

One can only admire the decency of powerful people who go to those place when they don't have to, but it
still remains the case that there are many, many youngsters over there who never had a choice and who won't
go home to a life of gentility and relative leisure. I think we should applaud them first.

Harry would probably say the same. Jimmy Stewart (certainly a Hollywood "royal") served very honorably in
WWII, taking dangerous missions when he could have "served" like Ronald Reagan did. However, Jimmy Stewart
would always point out (when praised) all the people who never came home at all.

[JohnnyLib2]

17. Let's get to it -- is he for Clinton or Obama?

:evilgrin:

[Warren Stupidity]

30. Oh look! A royal is slaughtering peasants!

Like that? Or did you have anything else in mind?

[baby_mouse]

51. ROFL!

Dude!

:toast:

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

53. Help! HELP! I'm being oppressed!!

But seriously, I've seen posts were people who are totally opposed to the military or to the Royals are not impressed by Harry's service, but I am.

Unlike our current President, and his children, and virtually every member of the Bush Administration, and their children, Harry is actually serving his country. And putting himself in harms' way in the process.

He's the child of a multi-billionaire, but he clearly believes in something enough to act on it.

Good on him.

[GoneOffShore]

54. Bright shiny keys, bright shiny keys

[KG]

55. do you really think they put him someplace were he might get shot?

:eyes:

[nadinbrzezinski]

58. Short answer YES, the base they put him in has been attacked often

read a tad about the war.... in Afghanistan

Just like his uncle was almost shot down by the Argentinians during the Falkland war.

I know cynical americans don´t get this, but the Royal family has LOST blood in combat.

[KG]

59. thanks, but i don't need a lecture from you about what i need to read about.

and, now that they've withdrawn the prince from the area since his presence there became public, it confirms the notion that they don't want him to get shot at. his deployment there was a morale building PR stunt.

[KG]

60. Prince Harry will be withdrawn "immediately" from Afghanistan

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-02-29-harry-afghanistan_N.htm?csp=34

LONDON (AFP) - Prince Harry will be withdrawn "immediately" from Afghanistan after a news blackout on his front-line deployment was broken, the Ministry of Defence said Friday.

The army had been widely expected to pull the 23-year-old prince out of the war-torn country after a US website broke a news embargo imposed for security reasons when the prince was deployed mid-December.

"Following a detailed assessment of the risks by the operational chain of command, the decision has been taken... to withdraw Prince Harry from Afghanistan immediately," the ministry said in a statement.


so where's your snarky comments now?

thought so. :eyes:

[truebrit71]

61. Yes. do some research...

...douchebag..

[KG]

63. did my research: Prince Harry will be withdrawn "immediately" from Afghanistan

Prince Harry will be withdrawn "immediately" from Afghanistan

LONDON (AFP) - Prince Harry will be withdrawn "immediately" from Afghanistan after a news blackout on his front-line deployment was broken, the Ministry of Defence said Friday.

The army had been widely expected to pull the 23-year-old prince out of the war-torn country after a US website broke a news embargo imposed for security reasons when the prince was deployed mid-December.

"Following a detailed assessment of the risks by the operational chain of command, the decision has been taken... to withdraw Prince Harry from Afghanistan immediately," the ministry said in a statement.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080229/wl_uk_afp/britainroyalsafghanistanmilitarywithdrawal_080229120839


so, it would seem that if the prince might actually get shot at he's withdrawn, doesn't it, asshole? :hi:

[Ravy]

56. I think in this case they probably did.

Harry was adamant about going to the front lines with his unit. He was thwarted several times. I don't think they would have satisfied him without at least seeing some real action.