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July 19, 2008 2:07:03 AM CDT

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Prince Harry Should Have Stayed

Posted Mar 12, 08 9:11 AM CDT in World 

(Newser) – When Matt Drudge revealed to the world Prince Harry was in Afghanistan, there he should have stayed, writes Christopher Hitchens for Slate. It's "piffle" to think that his royal highness was a "bullet magnet" in Helmand province, already one of the most dangerous places on Earth for any Western soldier. Even if the jihadists wanted to, Hitchens reasons, they couldn't "bring extra firepower to bear."

Hitchens chalks up Harry's heroic stint as a public ploy to part ways with his youthful partying lifestyle. That his harried exit may come off as a retreat and bolster the opposition "seems to have occurred to nobody," Hitchens adds. "Are we certain that our obsession with 'security' is not in fact making us insecure?"

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In this photo made available Sunday March 2, 2008, Britain's Prince Harry sitting in his Spartan armoured vehicle in the desert in Helmand province whilst on active duty in Southern Afghanistan on Feb....   (Associated Press)
Britain's Prince Harry is seen playing rugby with fellow soldiers during a break in their duties in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Feb. 20, 2008. Prince Harry's secret tour of duty, due to last...   (Associated Press)
Britain's Prince Harry exits a military transport aircraft shortly after landing, upon his return from active duty in Afghanistan, at the Royal Air Force Brize Norton air base in Oxfordshire, southern...   (Associated Press)
In this image made available in London, Thursday Feb. 28, 2008, Britain's Prince Harry patrols through the deserted town of Garmisir, Afghanistan, close to Forward Operating Base Delhi, on Wednesday...   (Associated Press)
Britain's Prince Harry on patrol through the deserted town of Garmisir Jan. 2, 2008, in Helmand province Southern Afghanistan. Prince Harry returned to Britain Saturday March 1, after news reports revealed...   (Associated Press)
In this photo made available Sunday, March 2, 2008, Britain's Prince Harry, right, and Major Mark Milford, center, are seen sitting in an observation post near Forward Operating Base Delhi in Helmand...   (Associated Press)
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Tags

Afghanistan  • War on Terror  • war  • Prince Harry  • British troops  • Drudge Report  • Helmand province  • Matt Drudge  • British Army  • Buckingham Palace


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