Drudge report risks coalition trops lives in Afganistan

The fact that Prince Harry has been serving with the UK’s armed forces in Helmand Province has been blown by the Drudge Report.

The fact is that he - and the troops he leads can only function effectively, at normal risk levels if he remains anonymous. Without that, the risk escalates astronomically.

So what is the difference between an enemy spy and Matt Drudge?

I am not sure what else you could call it - making sensitive military information available to enemy forces via the internet.

Information that affects the security of operations and could cost lives. It’s not as if there is even an overriding moral factor that might justify it. He knew it was going to be widely known once it was safe to release the information, but it was time sensitive.

He knew that, but apparently disregarded it, just to get a grubby scoop. But this isn’t really politics, or scandal, this is brave, mostly ordinary, people with integrity just trying to do a difficult and dangerous job.

At the very least it is dangerously irresponsible and done with little concern as to the possible ramifications, or the welfare of others.

So - The difference? Well Drudge makes a profit out of it, rather than doing it for merely ideological reasons.

He is reputed to be doing very nicely out of it, owning a luxurious Mediterranean-style home on Rivo Alto Island in Florida's Biscayne Bay, a condo at the Four Seasons in Miami and reportedly drives around in a black Mustang.

It is the way of the world that he will probably continue to enjoy them - and is unlikely to suffer any doubts, or be bothered by the consequences to others, such as troops who are just trying to do their jobs in difficult circumstances.

Fayed’s much heralded Inquest ‘evidence’, all bluster, no substance

Well many of us may have been waiting for some sort startling evidence backed revelations from Mohammed Fayed yesterday, especially those with a penchant for tinfoil lined hats.

If so we were all doomed to disappointment. He had not a shred of it. Zip. Nil, Nought.

One begins to suspect the only conspiracy was on the part of Mr Fayed. That it may all have been some sort of elaborate wind up on Fayed’s part, at the taxpayers expense, designed to allow him to bad mouth as many people as possible under the immunity provided by the court. It strikes one more as a sort of elaborate fingering the nose at the British State, perhaps in revenge for imagined, or even real, slights – But done with your and my money.

His claims are so convoluted and complicated, involving so many people and such random impossible chances and coincidences, that it is difficult to imagine that even he gives them any real credence.

It would simply not be possible for such a vast conspiracy to have hung together for ten weeks, let alone all these years, without concrete evidence, in large amounts leaking big time. If it were there to be had it would have been by now. Also some of the supposed bedfellows are beyond belief – The French and British security services for instance ;-) who would believe that?

Mr Fayed’s research/evidence seems to have led him to believe Prince Philip was German. His views on the subject as expressed in court are not what might necessarily be interpreted as politically correct racially speaking. Whilst prince Philip probably has some German blood from Prince Albert, his grandfather was King George I of Greece and he was born Prince of Greece, so presumably he is more Greek than German and should not be condemned for being either. Prince Philip saw active service for this country throughout WWII.

Mr Fayed has had his expensive joke. His performance and claims have been so risible one wonders, as a lay person, if he may even have laid himself open to contempt.

The proceedings should now be brought to as speedy conclusion as possible, with as little further waste of hard earned taxpayers money as possible.

Media Hot air over Diana Thanksgiving Service

Why is the attendance, or non attendance, of Camilla at the thanksgiving service for Diana, Princess of Wales worthy of so much news space?

It was organised by Princes William and Harry in memory of their Mother. It seems after thinking about it Camilla has decided, probably with advice from press officers, not to attend.

She said "I'm grateful to my husband, William and Harry for supporting my decision."

So it seems it’s ok by them. So what’s the problem?

This is a family thing and if it were only that she would probably have attended, but there is a public element.

The hypocritical media love to whinge and moan like maiden aunts about anything to do with Diana. Her 'Evitafication' proceeds apace. How long before they start thinking about beatification as well?

Camilla is probably not attending because, on balance, the political fallout from the media trying to make up and sell news will be marginally less detrimental if she does not, than if she does.

So she is probably trying to protect her family by not attending.

Maybe the media ghouls can look at something more newsworthy now…