Prince Harry and Iraq
Yesterday, I got an incredibly cool treat: my dad called from base! *happy dance*
We talked about a number of things, from the weather there and here to politics and even a little bit about this blog. One topic that came up was that Dad hadn't heard the news that Prince Harry of England will not be going to Iraq, due to threats against him and the soldiers who would serve under him.
Now, both Dad and I had contrasted the willingness and even eagerness of Harry Windsor to serve with the fact that very few in either the current administration or in Congress have relatives serving. I am one of a minority of Americans who has an immediate relative serving in the Armed Forces, and we had both noted that perhaps our leaders would be less eager to overcommit our forces if they had some real idea of the sacrifices and hardships that military families must endure.
When he heard that Prince Harry was not going to go, Dad's comment was, "I'll bet he's pretty upset," and I mentioned that the newspaper did seem to imply as much. the line was silent for a few seconds, then Dad allowed as how he was upset, too. "If all they have to do to get what they want is make the threat, then they've already won."
Now, I've said the same thing over and over again about the state of fear that so many seem to live in since the September 11 attacks. If we let fear rule our decisionmaking, as it all too often has, then who has won? While I can understand not wanting an extra threat to fall on him and his comrades, I also admit to being disappointed that the prince, who has trained to go will not be sent along with the rest. I had hoped that perhaps, the prince might show America what we are supposed to understand better: that in the end, true nobility lies in service.
We talked about a number of things, from the weather there and here to politics and even a little bit about this blog. One topic that came up was that Dad hadn't heard the news that Prince Harry of England will not be going to Iraq, due to threats against him and the soldiers who would serve under him.
Now, both Dad and I had contrasted the willingness and even eagerness of Harry Windsor to serve with the fact that very few in either the current administration or in Congress have relatives serving. I am one of a minority of Americans who has an immediate relative serving in the Armed Forces, and we had both noted that perhaps our leaders would be less eager to overcommit our forces if they had some real idea of the sacrifices and hardships that military families must endure.
When he heard that Prince Harry was not going to go, Dad's comment was, "I'll bet he's pretty upset," and I mentioned that the newspaper did seem to imply as much. the line was silent for a few seconds, then Dad allowed as how he was upset, too. "If all they have to do to get what they want is make the threat, then they've already won."
Now, I've said the same thing over and over again about the state of fear that so many seem to live in since the September 11 attacks. If we let fear rule our decisionmaking, as it all too often has, then who has won? While I can understand not wanting an extra threat to fall on him and his comrades, I also admit to being disappointed that the prince, who has trained to go will not be sent along with the rest. I had hoped that perhaps, the prince might show America what we are supposed to understand better: that in the end, true nobility lies in service.
posted by Plain Foolish | 7:46 AM
2 Comments:
And thanks to an anonymous comment:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-moyers/im-harry_b_48220.html
I had hoped that perhaps, the prince might show America what we are supposed to understand better: that in the end, true nobility lies in service.
And not just in military service, but also in service to one's community, something else I do not see our esteemed Congress critters or their families doing. It's too bad the prince won't get a chance to be the example he should have been.
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