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Harry the Hero

Entry 478, on 2007-02-20 at 14:51:59 (Rating 4, News)

Apparently, Britain's Prince Harry wants to be deployed to Iraq! His regiment (known as the Blues and Royals) is doing reconnaissance work near Basra and he wants to join them. Of course, the potential for disaster here is extreme. He may think he's making a useful contribution to his county's war effort, but in reality he's embarking on a publicity stunt which has the potential to significantly set back the UK effort in Iraq - and its not in such great shape already!

Imagine the pressure on the British forces to keep him safe, and imagine the potential kudos for any terrorist who might be able to kidnap or assassinate him. There's everything to lose, and almost nothing to gain, so why does he want to do it? Probably because of some archaic ideas originating from the archaic institution which is the monarchy he is a part of.

But there's an even more interesting possibility. What would happen if Harry was the victim of "friendly fire" from some over-enthusiastic American fighter pilots! That would be just too ironic to contemplate, but based on past experience it could happen (although I don't think the Americans operate in the area). I can barely contemplate the consequences of such an error, but it would certainly be interesting if it ever happened. I can just imagine Tony Blair to George Bush: "frightfully sorry to bother you old chap, but you seem to have blown up one of our royals!"

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