Oh Oh: Prince Harry not going to Iraq

[malaise]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6663053.stm

Prince Harry will not be sent to Iraq, the head of the British Army has said.

The Prince had previously stated that he wanted to be involved in active service with his unit.

But the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, has confirmed the decision not to send him to the region.

[williesgirl]

1. Does this mean the rest of his unit won't go either?

[mediawatch]

22. I think I just heard the others wont go

The TV is on in the background. I thought I heard Harry wont go because of the risk factor and then I thought he said neither will his troops.

anyone hear anything different?

[malaise]

25. I heard that the rest of the unit

were already on their way.
'His soldiers will miss his leadership in Iraq...'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_6660000/newsid_6663100?redirect=6663125.stm&news=1&bbwm=1&nbwm=1&nbram=1&bbram=1

[Nikki Stone1]

2. He's going to be hanging out with Dr Laura's kid, eh?

:D

[whistle]

3. Lucky bawstard....(speak in a British accent)

[LionInWinter]

4. Wonder if the capture of the 3 US soldiers had any impact on the decision.

:shrug:

[malaise]

5. So why is it OK to risk working class kids but

not royalty or the children of the rich?

[LionInWinter]

9. The same reason as always...

They fear the bad PR of a captured "prince". Can you imagine the press field-day if Diana's son was captured? A previous poster questioned whether his entire unit was being re-assigned or if it was just him. The answer to that one will tell the truth of my assumption.

[malaise]

21. The only reason the army spoke today is because

the rest of the unit is already on its way.

Responses aren't that positive...from that BBC link
<snip>
But Reg Keys - whose son Thomas was killed while on active service in Basra in 2003 - said he found the decision distasteful and questioned whether insurgents could have told the prince apart from other service personnel.

Mr Keys added: "It would appear that Harry's life is more valuable than my son or the other nearly 150 service personnel who've given their lives."
----------
That's the real problem. Why should anyone else's kids be at risk.

[LionInWinter]

28. You're damn right.

Get everyone home - NOW!!

[oldtime dfl_er]

31. oh yea

Plus the commander who made the decision said he actually went to Iraq to check out conditions for himself, and he concluded after that trip that it was just too dangerous. YOu couldn't even give Harry a desk job in the heart of the Green Zone.

http://www.cafepress.com/scarebaby/658010

[Botany]

6. It might be the smart move

He would be a target and draw fire along w/ unneeded attention to his
unit. British military does the right thing.

[sheerjoy]

7. Protection

brought on by the Queen no doubt.... same as here in the states with * ... his drunken daughters don't hafta serve either.

[CountAllVotes]

8. I knew the Nazi prince would never go

too busy drinking it up and partying.

:kick:

[malaise]

12. And there's a test match starting at Lords tomorrow

Bet I see the jolly old chap there :D

My position is that no one should be there.

[CountAllVotes]

14. I don't think anyone should go either

but Harry wanted to go. Oh well, have a few more :beer: Harry and forget it.

[jilln]

17. Nazi prince??

[Captain Hilts]

19. He wore a Nazi uniform to a party with a "bad taste" theme. nt

[SoCalDem]

Look.. there's going to be a new prime minister and even Tony Blair

said they planned to remove ALL troops within 4 months, so WHY send Prince Harry NOW, only to expose him and his "mates" to unnecessary danger.

EVERY man/woman in his unit might as well be wearing bulleyes on their helmets to help identify them as "with him".

You know there were special plans underway to capture or kill HIM, just to have a PR field day.

Why play into their hands?

No one doubts his bravery, but why throw him into that mess, just as they are withdrawing?

[CJCRANE]

11. True

but the worse thing is that Basra was the easy option compared to Helmand province in Afghanistan where many of the British troops are being re-deployed to.

[Cha]

10. Wonder if they'll be any

rumblings in the British Brigrade about upper class priveleges and all that?

If Iraq is so fucking dangerous maybe they should all get out and find tony to thank him for all the trouble?

[cally]

13. Am I the only one here who is happy about this?

Harry would put too many at risk by being there. He would divert attention to him and his protection. I believe him when he says that he wanted to go but I don't think it's in the best interests of his fellow soldiers to be there.

[jilln]

15. No, I'm happy he's not going.

I'm happy for anyone who doesn't go.

[mainer]

16. If my son was in his unit, I wouldn't want Harry to go either

Harry would have endangered everyone around him. I'd protest mightily having my son serving anywhere near him.

[ElizabethDC]

18. I'm happy too

he would be at a greater risk than most soldiers due to who he is and, as you said, would cause added risk to those around him.

[Bobbieo]

20. Most of you Anti-Harry 'kids'sound as if you are rebelling

against your conservative parents! Grow up!

[jesus_of_suburbia]

23. I'm happy too, and I think it was honorable for him to want to go..

Glad he isn't going!

[AlCzervik]

24. i think it's good, i think him being there would put his unit in more danger.

[Ganja Ninja]

26. Of course Harry's not going he's royalty.

Next you'll be expecting the Bush twins or the Romney boys to go to Iraq. Fat chance!
:sarcasm:

[Bobbieo]

27. To send him would endanger every one in his unit! That is not a smart move.

[CottonBear]

30. His older brother fought in the Falklands War and his father was in the WWII British Navy.

His grandmother(QEII) served during WWII as did many of his male ancestors. His father served in the armed forces as well. There is a history of military service in the royal family.

[cmkramer]

32. Prince Andrew is his uncle, not his brother

Incidentally, the Queen is an old school royal where duty and honor trump everything. So, while as a grandmother she no doubt would have been incredibly anxious if Harry had gone (as would the rest of his family) it's doubtful that she would tried to keep him out of Iraq.

[Annces]

29. I think it is good he is not going

And he is clear with his own conscience too. He was ready to die and be a part of society.

[terrya]

33. Did that surprise anyone?

I was shocked that they would even considering sending the 3rd in line to the Throne to that hellhole.