So what's the deal with Harry?

Prince Harry's been taking a lot of stick lately from the media about these 'homophobic' and 'racist' comments (see here and here.) Now, he's clearly(?) not a stupid lad, and by now he should know that he's in the public eye whether he likes it or not, so it was stupid of him to assume he could say such controversial words and get away with it, but come on england, get a grip!

Its the army for gods-sake! anyone with even a slight glance can see the army has its own set of social norms, those unspoken society rules you simply must follow, social hierarchy is made and friendship groups are formed, and within those groups nicknames develop. Why I can pick a few cases from the top of my head were people have been given (or given themselves) a nickname that would outwardly be considered derogatory, like ginger nut (for a red head), squint (for a person with glasses), Cleatus (for a person with an overbite) and so on, so a person who looks like they come from an eastern country to be called 'paki' (or 'paki friend', which to me sounds friendly if slightly warped) sounds perfectly reasonable in a machismo setting.

Give the lad a break, as Tatchell said...

"It wasn't said with hate, aggression or malice....

"Later in his video diary the prince mouths to another soldier 'I love you' before kissing him on the cheek and licking his face. Kissing another bloke in front of his mates and putting it on film doesn't seem very homophobic to me."

He seems like a decent sort even if he has made a few mistakes (lord knows I've made my fair share and I recon he's a bit younger than me at this point, or at least the same age,) we are going to be a lucky people I think when/if that guy gets to be kind, even if the royal family don't do much politically, they still do wonders for general economy, rallying and lifting our spirits!

Quick edit: holy crap he's 24! that guys looking good for his age, must be all those men he's surrounded by, maybe I can get that on prescription.