Harry’s fate hangs in balance
Rizwan Ghani
April 29, 2007
Harry like rest of the world would be waiting to see what is there for him as destiny plays its next move while fate sits on the edge as in Keats “Ode to Death”
King Richard III, 1483 insisted on wearing British crown to the Battle of Bosworth Field that made him an easy target for enemy soldiers who wasted no time in killing him. By any standard, Harry will be in mortal if he land in Iraq War Theater.
Prince Harry’s fate hangs in balance over his Iraq deployment while Ministry of Defense deliberates threat to his life, wider repercussion for the country. Reports of enemy threats promising Harry will be returned in a coffin are making any headway difficult.
Reportedly, in wake of withdrawal plans and partial repatriation back home left over British troops are under immense pressure in their operation area in Iraq.
PM Blair has made his views clear on the issue. Since his own children are not of age so he supports the views that Harry must head for Iraq. Reportedly Harry does not want to keep sitting on his a**. He opted to serve in armed forces of his free will unlike William’s who took the training as future king. By opting to join forces Harry gave royal family a chance to show to the public that they are normal and useful.
However, most parents of soldiers serving in Iraq want to see Harry in Iraq.
Public like British press leaving aside few, appears to be supporting “equality” and want to see a royal amongst commoners. However, at times it appears that there is revenge in the air. Something that is eerily reminiscent of crowds wanting to see blood in Roman arenas. This presence of ancient thirst in 21st century civilization is somewhat weird.
Or it’s just on the surface. Humans have changed little in some ways since the start of civilization. It could be the only logical explanation for continuation of bloodshed in Iraq, Somalia, Darfur or for that matter across the globe. Same is true for rape and murder around us.
Ironically, when Harry heads for Iraq the Royals like rest of soldier families will turn “normal” and share similar fate at individual level.
Harry’s fate has raised the questions about legitimacy of Iraq war and millions want an end to it. Something that should never have been allowed to happen in the first place.
Harry is about to make history in either case. However, Harry can make history by protesting against Iraq war and ask for return of all troops from Iraq without further delay.
He like hundreds and thousands of British who protested against Iraq war can go and stand in Trafalgar Square and give his country a hero who stood against illegal Iraq war just like the lone Chinese Tiananmen Square Hero who stood for Democracy.
Like Edwards VIII who left throne for his girl friend, Harry may like to cross over, stand for humanity and peace. He can later stand for country’s PM. For a start, he can help unite divided opinion and help Brown to end Iraq war.
With his fame and international standing, he can make a lot of difference at this stage. His actions in national interest can bring unprecedented pressure on dictators like Bush and Blair who acting against the wishes of majority of (their) public are continuing Iraq war. They are conveniently ignoring the yardstick of public opinion to end Iraq war. It is in itself an undemocratic act.
Bush by promising to veto Iraq bill has shown that he has no regard for democracy, lawmakers who represent public and their legitimate wishes.
Each individual has its role and place in the DNA like helix of humanity. May it be Iraq or Darfur every soul that is lost to such tragedies is a blemish on civilized world.
In all probability, our world has forgotten to honor life, equality and independence. They are the defining achievements of Renaissance that help us get rid of our dark history and embark on journey to respect life and honor peaceful coexistence as part of natural right.
Ironically, our “pro-life” communities are more concerned about those who are inside the womb than those who are outside. Isn’t it strange that people are going to great lengths to stand up for “pro-life” but tend to look away while hundreds and thousands continue to perish.
Intellectuals untiringly discuss famous scene from Hemingway’s novel in which he threw wine on the ants as they were trying to escape death by running out of a burning stick. As a result, they “sizzled” to death. He was accused of playing god.
If one looks around it would be surprising to see how often humans play god. Each time people allow misery and death to go on unchecked they play even greater gods.
Today, if our policy makers have lost respect for life, dignity and peaceful coexistence it could not have been possible without our support.
If Harry would head for Iraq or stay back in all probability it would be a move much similar to the step that the killer took in Orwell’s “shooting an elephant”. Who killed the elephant because so many hungry eyes were watching expectantly not because the poor beast was mad? In short it was a case of “lack of choice”.
Poor Harry is too young to really grasp the dynamics of royalty or politics. In all probability in first place destiny “shuffled” the deck of cards and dropped him into Royalty when it picked Dianna to be the princess.
Now Harry like rest of the world would be waiting to see what is there for him as destiny plays its next move while fate sits on the edge as in Keats “Ode to Death”. In which the writer presents a chilling reality that stalking death is always watching us from a distance.
It’s not all doom and gloom for Harry who knows what British MoD has up its sleeves. May be MoD makes an exception for Blair junior to keep Harry company in Iraq. Or both Harry and Blair junior can pray that Democrats bring an early end to Iraq war.
Finally, world leaders should allow diplomacy to play its role to end Iraq war to save further loss of lives. All those who are dying are human beings and family members. It is time we stop playing gods and start acting like mortals who share the same destiny. If only we realize.
King Richard III, 1483 insisted on wearing British crown to the Battle of Bosworth Field that made him an easy target for enemy soldiers who wasted no time in killing him. By any standard, Harry will be in mortal if he land in Iraq War Theater.
Prince Harry’s fate hangs in balance over his Iraq deployment while Ministry of Defense deliberates threat to his life, wider repercussion for the country. Reports of enemy threats promising Harry will be returned in a coffin are making any headway difficult.
Reportedly, in wake of withdrawal plans and partial repatriation back home left over British troops are under immense pressure in their operation area in Iraq.
PM Blair has made his views clear on the issue. Since his own children are not of age so he supports the views that Harry must head for Iraq. Reportedly Harry does not want to keep sitting on his a**. He opted to serve in armed forces of his free will unlike William’s who took the training as future king. By opting to join forces Harry gave royal family a chance to show to the public that they are normal and useful.
However, most parents of soldiers serving in Iraq want to see Harry in Iraq.
Public like British press leaving aside few, appears to be supporting “equality” and want to see a royal amongst commoners. However, at times it appears that there is revenge in the air. Something that is eerily reminiscent of crowds wanting to see blood in Roman arenas. This presence of ancient thirst in 21st century civilization is somewhat weird.
Or it’s just on the surface. Humans have changed little in some ways since the start of civilization. It could be the only logical explanation for continuation of bloodshed in Iraq, Somalia, Darfur or for that matter across the globe. Same is true for rape and murder around us.
Ironically, when Harry heads for Iraq the Royals like rest of soldier families will turn “normal” and share similar fate at individual level.
Harry’s fate has raised the questions about legitimacy of Iraq war and millions want an end to it. Something that should never have been allowed to happen in the first place.
Harry is about to make history in either case. However, Harry can make history by protesting against Iraq war and ask for return of all troops from Iraq without further delay.
He like hundreds and thousands of British who protested against Iraq war can go and stand in Trafalgar Square and give his country a hero who stood against illegal Iraq war just like the lone Chinese Tiananmen Square Hero who stood for Democracy.
Like Edwards VIII who left throne for his girl friend, Harry may like to cross over, stand for humanity and peace. He can later stand for country’s PM. For a start, he can help unite divided opinion and help Brown to end Iraq war.
With his fame and international standing, he can make a lot of difference at this stage. His actions in national interest can bring unprecedented pressure on dictators like Bush and Blair who acting against the wishes of majority of (their) public are continuing Iraq war. They are conveniently ignoring the yardstick of public opinion to end Iraq war. It is in itself an undemocratic act.
Bush by promising to veto Iraq bill has shown that he has no regard for democracy, lawmakers who represent public and their legitimate wishes.
Each individual has its role and place in the DNA like helix of humanity. May it be Iraq or Darfur every soul that is lost to such tragedies is a blemish on civilized world.
In all probability, our world has forgotten to honor life, equality and independence. They are the defining achievements of Renaissance that help us get rid of our dark history and embark on journey to respect life and honor peaceful coexistence as part of natural right.
Ironically, our “pro-life” communities are more concerned about those who are inside the womb than those who are outside. Isn’t it strange that people are going to great lengths to stand up for “pro-life” but tend to look away while hundreds and thousands continue to perish.
Intellectuals untiringly discuss famous scene from Hemingway’s novel in which he threw wine on the ants as they were trying to escape death by running out of a burning stick. As a result, they “sizzled” to death. He was accused of playing god.
If one looks around it would be surprising to see how often humans play god. Each time people allow misery and death to go on unchecked they play even greater gods.
Today, if our policy makers have lost respect for life, dignity and peaceful coexistence it could not have been possible without our support.
If Harry would head for Iraq or stay back in all probability it would be a move much similar to the step that the killer took in Orwell’s “shooting an elephant”. Who killed the elephant because so many hungry eyes were watching expectantly not because the poor beast was mad? In short it was a case of “lack of choice”.
Poor Harry is too young to really grasp the dynamics of royalty or politics. In all probability in first place destiny “shuffled” the deck of cards and dropped him into Royalty when it picked Dianna to be the princess.
Now Harry like rest of the world would be waiting to see what is there for him as destiny plays its next move while fate sits on the edge as in Keats “Ode to Death”. In which the writer presents a chilling reality that stalking death is always watching us from a distance.
It’s not all doom and gloom for Harry who knows what British MoD has up its sleeves. May be MoD makes an exception for Blair junior to keep Harry company in Iraq. Or both Harry and Blair junior can pray that Democrats bring an early end to Iraq war.
Finally, world leaders should allow diplomacy to play its role to end Iraq war to save further loss of lives. All those who are dying are human beings and family members. It is time we stop playing gods and start acting like mortals who share the same destiny. If only we realize.
Print
Email
