"asperity" - excellent word Gurney!

After watching the news the general impression I get is that soldiers families are pissed off their sons and husbands are sent to be shot at whilst Harry is deemed too valuable. The soldiers themselves however, recognise everyone around Harry will draw fire from every insurgent for miles, and they think that's unfair on the men.

Personally, I think this has more to do with PR than whether the boy should actually fight or not. If he was caught or killed the propaganda value to the insurgents would be immeasurable. - nothing the west could do could counter it.