So, Folks Across the Pond, Prince Harry to Deploy...

[Gawain 0]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070222/ap_on_re_mi_ea/britain_prince_harry_iraq;_ylt=ArRP_WNevxX.OP3.hIGqlzxvaA8F

It's making small news ripples here in the US. What's the news coverage like over there. He's a Lieutenant right?

I read on BBC.co.uk that he's in the Army for a career.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[shropshire 0]

It's making the news and most of it possitive.

My take: He seems like a good lad and wants to be a real soldier, not just play at it. Good for him.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[Gawain 0]

That was my impression too. I was curious about the general public opinion. Like you said, good for him.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[mr2mk1g 10]

I think the beeb article header about sums it up "Harry Iraq deployment no surprise".

We've a long history of our Royals serving in combat. There's coverage but no one's really surprised by him going out there. Prince Philip, (Queen's husband), saw active duty during WWII and was actually mentioned in dispatches, (a gallantry citation). Prince Andrew, (Queen's son), was a helicopter pilot who saw active duty during the Falklands war.

It's not really much of an issue over here. I guess it's maybe seeing more coverage in the States because there's often criticism in the US media regarding the lack of service from families of US heads of state and politicians in general, but that's not really something that gets much press over here.

[jakee 1,594]

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That was my impression too. I was curious about the general public opinion. Like you said, good for him.

Generally speaking I prefer it when the royalty act like twats and abuse their positions (because it brings the abolition of the royal family one step closer).

In this case though, there's no faulting him. He's a soldier, he's deploying with his unit and that's all there is to it.

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[kallend 2,146]

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Prince Andrew, (Queen's son), was a helicopter pilot who saw active duty during the Falklands war.

Andrew's duty was particularly hazardous. The helicopters were used as decoys to attract Exocet missiles away from the ships.

QEII's uncle, the Duke of Kent, and cousin Louis Mountbatten, were also active duty in WWII. The Duke of Kent was KIA. Mountbatten was murdered by the IRA.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[Skyrad 0]

Good on him. Sandhurst doesn't pass you just because your Mummy's the Queen. From what I hear hes shaping up to be a good officer. He wants to be with his men instead of sitting in a barracks somewhere safe in the UK or some cushy posting, top man.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[Zipp0 1]

Royalty. How quaint.

--------------------------
Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down.

[DZJ 0]

You'll have to forgive us for having traditions.

[dorbie 0]

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Prince Andrew, (Queen's son), was a helicopter pilot who saw active duty during the Falklands war.

Andrew's duty was particularly hazardous. The helicopters were used as decoys to attract Exocet missiles away from the ships.

I'm not buying that, but they did get regular British Sea Wolf locks on the Sea Kings when they were mistaken for enemy threats though. Andrew was cool, flying helos over there and banging Koo Stark over here. Those were the days.

[Zipp0 1]

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You'll have to forgive us for having traditions.

Tea time is a tradition. Royalty is silly.

Sorry, that's just my opinion. If you want to honor someone for their blood line, have at it.

--------------------------
Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down.

[DZJ 0]

It would be silly if the system didn't work, but it does, and more than satisfactorily. Do you think the monarchy would persist if it was without any advantage?

For me it's a clear case of 'it ain't broke, so don't fix it'.

[EDIT - Getting back on topic: Good on Prince Harry, and good luck to him and all his comrades]

[jakee 1,594]

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Prince Andrew, (Queen's son), was a helicopter pilot who saw active duty during the Falklands war.

Andrew's duty was particularly hazardous. The helicopters were used as decoys to attract Exocet missiles away from the ships.

I'm not buying that, but they did get regular British Sea Wolf locks on the Sea Kings when they were mistaken for enemy threats though. Andrew was cool, flying helos over there and banging Koo Stark over here. Those were the days.

No, I believe he's right. Lynxs with ECM pods attempted to 'mimick' surface vessels radar signatures to try and draw Exocets away from the real ships.

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[Skyrad 0]

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You'll have to forgive us for having traditions.

Tea time is a tradition. Royalty is silly.

Sorry, that's just my opinion. If you want to honor someone for their blood line, have at it.

No more silly than making common actors into Royalty. Or treating some slapper who banged an old man till he croaked then pretended to be Marilyn Monroe until she OD'ed like a goddess. Have they finished fighting over her corpse over there yet?

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[warpedskydiver 0]

Andrew was the only sibling that wasn't a true tosser.

Geez how did the Queen not throttle the others?

In a celebrity death match Queen Elizabeth II vs. Charles, Prince of Wellie wearing tossers I would bet on the Queen, she is way tougher than he could ever be.

WTF happened, his dad wasn't a coward.

[lawrocket 3]

What I find ironic is that this news came about at the same time as Blair's comments about a withdrawal timetable.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[NCclimber 0]

Kudos to Harry.

[livendive 8]

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You'll have to forgive us for having traditions.

Tea time is a tradition. Royalty is silly.

Sorry, that's just my opinion. If you want to honor someone for their blood line, have at it.

We've got the Kennedy and Bush families over here, both of which seem to be honored for their bloodlines rather than their merits.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[shropshire 0]

Sir..... Royalty is NOT silly...... Silly is a president who talks to god

H is going to do alright, I suspect. If only we knew who his dad is

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[dorbie 0]

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Prince Andrew, (Queen's son), was a helicopter pilot who saw active duty during the Falklands war.

Andrew's duty was particularly hazardous. The helicopters were used as decoys to attract Exocet missiles away from the ships.

I'm not buying that, but they did get regular British Sea Wolf locks on the Sea Kings when they were mistaken for enemy threats though. Andrew was cool, flying helos over there and banging Koo Stark over here. Those were the days.

No, I believe he's right. Lynxs with ECM pods attempted to 'mimick' surface vessels radar signatures to try and draw Exocets away from the real ships.

OK, I thought he was anti-sub on Sea Kings. I guess more emerged in the course of time.

[jakee 1,594]

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OK, I thought he was anti-sub on Sea Kings. I guess more emerged in the course of time.

ok, I wasn't too sure so I looked it up on Wikipedia

It appears the truth lies some way between the two of us, you're right he was on Sea Kings not Lynxs, and his missions were a mix of anti sub/ surface warfare as well as exocet missile decoy.

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[Zipp0 1]

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You'll have to forgive us for having traditions.

Tea time is a tradition. Royalty is silly.

Sorry, that's just my opinion. If you want to honor someone for their blood line, have at it.

No more silly than making common actors into Royalty. Or treating some slapper who banged an old man till he croaked then pretended to be Marilyn Monroe until she OD'ed like a goddess. Have they finished fighting over her corpse over there yet?

At least actors did something for their noteriety other than being born.

Royality is silly and outdated. Accept it and move on.

Or kiss my "royal" ass.

--------------------------
Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down.

[gagners 0]

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What I find ironic is that this news came about at the same time as Blair's comments about a withdrawal timetable.

I too, found this curious. It is, more than likely, simply a coincidence, as the royal fam does have a history of service.

[rehmwa 2]

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It is, more than likely, simply a coincidence

nuts, the royal family is in cahoots with Haliburton who run the british parliament. Now, with Tony Blair and GWB under the secret pay of the Heinz corporation, who are held hostage by Pepsi-co, it is obvious that the British pull back is direct means of protecting young Harry from getting his hair sandy.

it's a conspiracy

what would people here say if young Chelsea or one of the Bush daughters were on track to go over in a couple months and the US would suddenly annouce a withdrawal in the same timetable????

they'd say nothing - if they knew what's good for them and they wanted to keep getting ketchup rations

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[shropshire 0]

Sometimes a coincidence is just that.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome