Looking at this in an entirely different light let us consider following points. First and foremost, Prince Charles has had a tough time of it in press. He struggles to keep marriage low key amidst claims that Queen and other members of Royal Family are not happy about marriage. How might you feel? Finally, Prince Charles gets away from it all to spend some time with his sons on a skiing holiday. Even on holiday he and his family are not left alone. Whilst being an organised photocall, is it really any wonder that Prince Charles said things he did?

These outspoken comments by Prince might have actually done him no harm at all. Many people have been highly amused by comments and banter between Prince and his sons. Finally, here it is, human side of Prince Charles. In face of mindless paparazzi and media gannets a pissed off Prince finally gets to speak his mind. Bravo Sir. Whatever anyone thinks of Royal Family or their general views on Monarchy there will be many people who will remember this event fondly. The press deserve all they get. Do I have any sympathy for reporters on receiving end of this Royal outburst? Not at all.

Put yourself in Prince Charles position for just a moment. You are wealthy with two wonderful sons. For years you have put up with your private life being invaded and you have braved torrents of abuse and whims of press over years. A big event in your life is literally days away when you will marry women you love and some dickhead asks you how you are feeling at prospect of marriage? What possible answer is there other than that you are feeling very happy about that prospect? What a stupid question. What other inane questions would Prince have to answer?

No, I think that had I been blessed with trappings of Royalty I would not hanker after day I might become king. My sense of duty to nation would have waned with each tirade of criticism over years. I think I might sit back, count my lucky stars and quite blatantly tell them all to f**k off and go home. Thats what I would do.

www.birminghamuk.com

It has been imperiled before: in sacking of Washington, internal convulsions of Civil War, formalized institution of slavery, destruction of Native American cultures, seizure of Panama, machinations of McCarthyism, dropping of atomic bomb. Somehow, lady liberty was able to dust herself off and recapture inspiration and vision she represents to world.

Now she faces her biggest challenge yet: surviving intact in a prevailing climate of fear. There have been wars before where too many young men died before their time. This time, disturbed sleep of watchful, wary soldier in his bivouac has moved into bedroom of suburbia. We no longer feel safe, agonizing over vulnerability of our children and loved ones. We watch danger alerts turn different colors and know that sometime, somewhere, another strike will come.

The long heritage of openness, personal liberties, restraint, innocence until guilt is proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, and willingness to defend those rights to death, has dissolved into murk of security above freedom, life above ideals, and apathy above involvement. We invade each other's privacy as a mechanism of defense. We abuse and humiliate our prisoners in name of preventing their future abuse and humiliation of us. We expand our "no fly" lists to close that traditionally-open golden door. We shut down our borders lest a terrorist lurks among tired, poor masses.

A post-911-world will never be as innocent as before, no more than permanent changes wrought by assassination of President Kennedy or bombing of Pearl Harbor could be avoided. Reaction to tragic, horrifying events is inevitable, both personally and politically. It is when that reaction becomes basis for major decisions and colors how laws are interpreted, ethics are enforced, and relationships are developed that we must step back and look at our deep-rooted principles and identify where they have become warped and withered.

It is when we look at world through eyes of those who hate and threaten us that we see true power of terrorism: not to destroy us but to assimilate us. That is when terrorists will know that they have truly won.