In the May 7 Our View of the Daily Forty-Niner, the author discussed the implications of Prince Harry being sent to Iraq for military duty. Unfortunately, the author made the mistake of cramming multiple unrelated topics into one disgruntled mess of an article.
First of all, the author mentioned President George W. Bush’s military recruitment policies almost in the same breath as the British government’s decision to send Harry to Iraq.
I understand the primal journalist’s instinct to seek out a universal scapegoat, but sometimes enough is enough. Bush did not send Harry to Iraq. That was the British government’s decision alone, so please respect the existing political distinctions. If the author would like to discuss the recruitment practices of the U.S. Army, please do so in an article where it would be relevant.
Second, I take issue with the author’s assertion that Harry should be treated no differently than any other soldier. Whether or not there is a class distinction in the army is irrelevant. The fact is that it’s just ignorant not to realize that Harry is going to Iraq with a target the size of a whale on his back. Terrorists always go after the biggest fish first, and it’s difficult to imagine a bigger fish than the Prince of Wales. At least one terrorist organization has already issued a threat to kidnap and/or kill Harry when he arrives in Iraq. If that’s not a danger to Harry’s platoon, then nothing is.
– Andy Ross, freshman mechanical engineering major
