Prince Harry Parallels in America

Prince Harry is leaving Afghanistan.

BBC and the New York Times reports agree that the 23-year-old who is third in line for the British throne, requested active duty, was turned down for Iraq by the British military because it was too dangerous, and was sent to Afghanistan under the condition that the British press, which knew of his deployment, would not publicize it.

When The Drudge Report released the information this week, the British military determined that knowledge of the prince's whereabouts might encourage direct attempts on his life by the Taliban, further endangering him and the men and women with whom he serves under already dangerous conditions.

The strong parallel between this story and the ongoing, similar sagas of the children of the American President, Senators and Congressional Representatives is remarkable. I've lost count of how many sons and daughters of the U.S. elected officials who fund the military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq currently serve in those war zones. It's a credit to the Department of Defense, the politicians, and to the American press that no one knows the whereabouts of the progeny of the American ruling class during this fight against terror.

May they continue their willingness to serve, and like Prince Harry, understand that their very presence--should it be widely known--could jeopardize the lives of those less-privileged souls alongside whom they battle the enemy. May they be willing to depart the front lines for their own safety and for the greater good.