The British press is up-in-arms that Prince Harry used the term "Paki" to describe one of his squad mates, and described another as looking like a "rag head." Now he did this to their faces on training maneuvers. He did it as their brother in arms. There is not one example of using any inappropriate term without affection or with malice.
Further, he is said to have joked that he signs off with phone calls to his grandmother by saying "God Save You." Which is hilarious. This article then goes off on attack on his grandfather who is also an apolitically correct old warrior, who had the temerity to say the Russians killed his whole family, which they did. He is from Greek royalty and closely related to the Romanovs as well.
The worst thing in here is some toady making the statement "the modern army" has no place for this language. Is he kidding? How does he think real soldiers talk to and among one another? Does he think the various ethnicities and classes in British ranks don't use slang terms for those things?
I agree with Harry who is easily becoming my favorite Royal. "Alls Well in the Empire." At least if it has men of that kidney in all ranks of the armed forces.
Update: It occured to me the line from Kipling is "plaster saints" so title is changed.
10 comments:
I agree with you 100% on Prince Harry.
Unfortuantely, the young Prince is learning in this world where everything is recorded and instantly available on the www that he has to watch everything he says/does more so then any generation of royal has before him.
Oh to live in a world with no prejudice or hate. But let's get real. He's in the army now -- and much as we'd like to pretend there is no place for such language in the army, if you court-martialled everyone who used offensive or racist language, there would be no armed forces.
So, I cannot believe I am typing this but I am (mostly) with JJV and Tonto, I mean, Powaqqatsi, on this one.
This is not really a big deal; Harry seems to be slipping into the Prince Andrew role with ease.
I'll spot Phillip the anti-Russian remark but the rest are really pretty offensive, especially in the context of remarks from a royal representative. Have some class.
Same as what Dave S. said.
The "God save you" comment is hysterical.
Cheerio!
There is a Yeats poem with a reference to plaster saints as well, but I can think of no circumstances in which JJV would quote Yeats.
I don't know. I could easily use this some time:
The first of all the tribe lay there
And did such pleasure take;
She who had brought great Hector down
And put all Troy to wreck.
I live in Europe and know Pakistanis that call themselves "Pakis".
Plus this was three years ago.
I do agree at this point he should have to recognize and face the facts that with ALL the privileges he has now, he just needs to watch his mouth. It's not that hard. You don't have to LOOK like a spoiled brat.
JJV's a poet
And we didn't know it
But his feet show it
They're Longfellows
Burma-Shave
I think South of the Border still keeps THAT tradition alive.
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