Prince Andrew(UK) criticizes US policy on Iraq

[Afro-European]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/06/world/europe/06andrew.html?_r=1&ref=world&oref=slogin

[oldsoak]

He's just said what we feel - and what some Americans feel as well. Iraq was not a Nazi Germany scenario where you shared cultural norms and had half the worlds troops sitting on street corners ready to pounce if someone sneezed. we were in a foreign culture and had a comparitive lack of manpower. To promptly fill the streets with unpaid pissed off men with access to weapons didnt seem wise.

[Afro-European]

Yeah he made some valid points but Kings,Queens,Princes,Princesses aren't suppose to mix themselves in political debats right?


He's just said what we feel - and what some Americans feel as well. Iraq was not a Nazi Germany scenario where you shared cultural norms and had half the worlds troops sitting on street corners ready to pounce if someone sneezed. we were in a foreign culture and had a comparitive lack of manpower. To promptly fill the streets with unpaid pissed off men with access to weapons didnt seem wise.

[2Sheds_Jackson]

What exactly is a "prince"? Isn't that something from fairy tale books? Like a wizard, a dragon, or a queen?

[dangerclose]

What exactly is a "prince"? Isn't that something from fairy tale books? Like a wizard, a dragon, or a queen?


I think in the UK's case it has something to do with inbreeding.

[tonyant9999]

I think in the UK's case it has something to do with inbreeding.

Please don't insult the Royal Family, that didn't have to be said really did it.

On topic a prince is a male member of a royal family other than the monarch, especially a son of the monarch.

[oldsoak]

Yeah he made some valid points but Kings,Queens,Princes,Princesses aren't suppose to mix themselves in political debats right?


- theres the rub - IMHO, he's no different from you, me or the ROW when it comes to having an opinion and voicing it. He can be as clever or as dumb as the rest of us. Prince he might be, but that doesnt mean he walks on water. I dont beleive he was having a pop at America - he makes the point that we didnt get it right everytime and it would have been good for the US to avoid our mistakes.
One of the reasons for the spread of Empire was that we used the hierachy and the troops of those we defeated to keep the peace and enforce the new rule. Its my belief that a similar approach could have solved a few problems for all of us in Iraq.

[Lazy Lob]

These German overlords could keep schtum and clock up their airmiles before they get squeezed for a few pennies.

[Winger]

Is he aware that some of the intelligence they provided us which we banked on was completely false? I know he is mostly criticizing the "how" and not the "why" but it would of done him well to make mention.

[oldsoak]

These German overlords could keep schtum and clock up their airmiles before they get squeezed for a few pennies.

- bring back Harold Goodwinson !

[ar15]

How do the british feel about about the monarchy? Like/dislike

- just curious

[TheStorm]

Not exactly a smart idea to beat this dead horse five years after the fact if he's trying to improve relations between the US and UK. We get it. Mistakes were made.

But the past can't be changed. At least we're trying a new strategy now that is meeting with success.

[Lazy Lob]

Is he aware that some of the intelligence they provided us which we banked on was completely false? I know he is mostly criticizing the "how" and not the "why" but it would of done him well to make mention.

That's what makes it so pathetic.


@Oldsoak.................. why not? The Celts or the Wikings must be better than this. p-)

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

- bring back Harold Goodwinson !

Hey he was a Viking. Man the last time England had a English King was way before good old Harold.

[oldsoak]

- Eh ? Harold was an Anglo Saxon strongman, who didnt want Edward the Confessor selling out the English to those foreign johnnies. Even the Normans admitted he was a good bloke - he jumped into quicksands to pull two companions to safety while everyone else panicked.

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

ay my mistake. His mother was a viking though, his brother faught against him at Stamford Bridge.........

:)

[GazB]

Sad it seems that instead of taking the advice given for what it was the standard response is as always... shoot the messenger. :rolleyes:

[budgie]

Sad it seems that instead of taking the advice given for what it was the standard response is as always... shoot the messenger. :rolleyes:

I agree. However he's also weighing in a little late and the gist of his complaint is that the occupation hasn't been run properly, with regard to the mistakes America should have learned from Britain's colonial days. But the real lesson is that the invasion shouldn't have happened in the first place and since the British government was complicit in this, Prince Andrew might have had some influence had he spoken up then.

[Euroamerican]

Doesn't mean we have to agree, but we should be able to take our friends advice and think it over. If the royals don't normally comment on such subjects, then perhaps it is even more important to listen to them.

On the other hand, a lot of the reason for the American Revolutionary War was supposedly for independence from the monarchy. There is still a good deal of anti-royalist feeling built into our historical perspective. So, some people will immediately rebuff a friendly criticism from that same lineage.

[CMNot]

How do the british feel about about the monarchy? Like/dislike

- just curious

It's a solid tourist attraction, pulls in a lot of punters.

The monarch merely serves in this age of liberal democracy as an institution, if you will - tradition and heritage.



There is still a good deal of anti-royalist feeling built into our historical perspective.

And to balance this, still quite a lot of well intentioned anti-imperialism.

[a_very_ex_STAB]

ay my mistake. His mother was a viking though, his brother faught against him at Stamford Bridge.........

:)

Harold's mother was a Dane (but Danes were pretty much part of the English scene by the time of the Norman Conquest)

[Lazy Lob]

Harold's mother was a Dane (but Danes were pretty much part of the English scene by the time of the Norman Conquest)

Hello Stab. Long time no see. Nice to have you back.

[a_very_ex_STAB]

Hello Stab. Long time no see. Nice to have you back.

Hi LL. I've served my time on the 'naughty step' :):)

[knowitall]

his timing wasn't the best but it needed to be said,

disbanding the Iraqui army was a bloody stupid idea, anyone on the ground at the time could have told you that

"Is he aware that some of the intelligence they provided us which we banked on was completely false?"

your intel wasn't much good either, but neither was anyone elses

[WKD]

It's a solid tourist attraction, pulls in a lot of punters.

The monarch merely serves in this age of liberal democracy as an institution, if you will - tradition and heritage.




And to balance this, still quite a lot of well intentioned anti-imperialism.

It's either them or someone like Tony Blair for president. Or Helen Clark, etc.

I for one welcome our german overlords.

[MichaelF]

I'd (US/UK Dual Citizen) rather have Elizabeth II than Hillary I.

Charles III, though......."All creatures shall learn Morris Dancing and Organic Farming, upon Pain of Death".....

[Havoc345]

his timing wasn't the best but it needed to be said,

disbanding the Iraqui army was a bloody stupid idea, anyone on the ground at the time could have told you that

"Is he aware that some of the intelligence they provided us which we banked on was completely false?"

your intel wasn't much good either, but neither was anyone elses

I think your username says it all.

[Winger]

his timing wasn't the best but it needed to be said,

disbanding the Iraqui army was a bloody stupid idea, anyone on the ground at the time could have told you that

"Is he aware that some of the intelligence they provided us which we banked on was completely false?"

your intel wasn't much good either, but neither was anyone elses

Everyone's a backseat driver nowadays including myself. :)