Crikey! Steve Erwin was killed

[Samurai]

Despite the light-hearted thread title, it's a shame... he seemed like a really nice guy, and a real nature lover.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14663786/

[Iangould]

It was a bizarre freak accident - a stingray stung him on the chest and the barb penetrated his heart.

[Spike-X]

Holy shit.

That's just a damn shame. He seemed like a top bloke.

I don't know what else to say right now.

[Ghost]

Hats off, everyone. A mighty one has fallen. :(

[The Dog]

Damn, it's a real shame.

I always figured Steve Irwin would never die. He wrangled cobras, wrestled crocs, and stared sharks right in the eye for so long without dying, I guessed that Luck and Fate were backing the guy and always would.

Looks like I was wrong.

But serious, Rest In Peace Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Whoa.....thats.....well sad. Life is short. I never imgained he would bite the big one. Whoa.

[Donald M.]

I never imgained he would bite the big one.

Well, it does happen to everyone eventually.

This is a sad thing to happen and my thoughts and well wishes go out to his wife and two young children.

[kmeyers]

File this under the, " that's unfortunate, but when you fuck with big mean animals constantly...ticking timebomb."

[SUPERECWFAN1]

File this under the, " that's unfortunate, but when you fuck with big mean animals constantly...ticking timebomb."


Remember that sketch on TV where they used to have where Irwin and his wife got mauled and everything with fucking with animals ? I never really pictured it happening though.

The man opened a sharks head and stuck his head inside. That takes more balls than I'll ever have.

[Motormouse]

Damn! He was a character. The world's a poorer place:(

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Well, it does happen to everyone eventually.

This is a sad thing to happen and my thoughts and well wishes go out to his wife and two young children.

Yeah.....damn thats horrible. I forgot his had kids.

[Rachel Grey]

Yeah, I'm also in the "I never thought it'd happen to him" camp.

My thoughts go out to his family.

[Punchy]

This is some pretty shocking news.

It always seemed to me that he had a real honest love for animals, his family, and his friends. That's a hell of a lot more then you can say for most television personalities.

[Stony]

What a way to go, amazing
And watching the clips of all the places he'd been, the animals he'd seen and things he'd done... take more balls than I'll ever have

Here's to you, mate

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Holy shit.

That's just a damn shame. He seemed like a top bloke.

I think you left out the 'for a big John Howard supporter' at the end of that sentence.


I don't know what else to say right now.

A lady on my bus said it made her feel so sad that she was ill, just like she felt when Diana died.
I felt the same sense of not really caring.

[Royal]

I think you left out the 'for a big John Howard supporter' at the end of that sentence.



A lady on my bus said it made her feel so sad that she was ill, just like she felt when Diana died.
I felt the same sense of not really caring.

Now hush you. What if I did that when say...Paul Hogan died. How would you feel then? HUH!






















[/sarcem]

[Spike-X]

I think you left out the 'for a big John Howard supporter' at the end of that sentence.

I didn't know that.

No matter, this isn't the time or place.

A lady on my bus said it made her feel so sad that she was ill, just like she felt when Diana died.

I just don't get people like this. How do they react when people they actually know die?

[Stony]

I just don't get people like this. How do they react when people they actually know die?
I think they think showing how cynical they are is all cool and shit... try-hards, in other words.

[Royal]

I just don't get people like this. How do they react when people they actually know die?

"Dumbass still owes me $300. He could've held out a bit longer to pay me. Goddamn thief."

[Spike-X]

I think they think showing how cynical they are is all cool and shit... try-hards, in other words.
No, I meant the people who act all devastated when celebrities die. What's up with that shit (asks the guy who probably won't leave the house for a week when Springsteen eventually dies, but that's different, dammit!)?

[Stony]

No, I meant the people who act all devastated when celebrities die. What's up with that shit (asks the guy who probably won't leave the house for a week when Springsteen eventually dies, but that's different, dammit!)?
Oh that! Don't ask me, I ain't objective. I was inconsolable with Peter O'Toole died.












... wait, that was Richard Harris...
*phew*

[Patient Boy]

He's one of those guys who'd done so much crazy stuff in his day job that I'd always imagined he would die of natural causes.

[Wesley Dodds]

I do find it ironic that he wasn't killed by a croc.

[thehod]

It was a bizarre freak accident - a stingray stung him on the chest.

He was killed by Stingray??!!

http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/stingray1.jpg



Ahhh, I'm going to hell anyway, I might as well make the most of it.

[Spike-X]

He's one of those guys who'd done so much crazy stuff in his day job that I'd always imagined he would die of natural causes.
You can't get more natural than getting speared by a stingray!

[Alex]

Grizzely bear guy got eating by grizzly bears, and now wacky australian animal guy got taken out by a stingray.
If this teaches me one thing, it's that animals are not to be trusted, and we must stop them.

[thehod]

Grizzely bear guy got eating by grizzly bears, and now wacky australian animal guy got taken out by a stingray.
If this teaches me one thing, it's that animals are not to be trusted, and we must stop them.

Expect Frank Miller's Batman vs Nature anyday now.

[OrochiNaga]

RIP

I have a Pakistani friend who looks just like him.

If not for this freak accident, he had a perfect record with animals.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

I just don't get people like this. How do they react when people they actually know die?

They probably turn on the tv for comfort.


(I had no idea about Irwin until I got to work - I spent the whole bus/train trip, after I heard the lady say that, in anticipation of who had died).

[jaguarshark]

They had a guy on one of the so-called 'current affairs' shows here from a marine theme parky thingy in Sydney. This guy's an expert in stingrays, and he was saying he and his mates/co-workers have been spending the day trying to find all the people killed by stingrays in Australia's history. He found two. Ever. Steve's joined some exclusive company, there.

[Valmore]

This is some pretty shocking news.

Shocking. Ha. Poor guy got killed by a stingray causing a heart attack, of all things. Still sucks, though.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Shocking. Ha. Poor guy got killed by a stingray causing a heart attack, of all things. Still sucks, though.

At least he died doing what he loves.

Sticking his thumb up an animals arse, to really piss it off.

[darkkeeperjr]

Shocking. Ha. Poor guy got killed by a stingray causing a heart attack, of all things. Still sucks, though.

Heart attack? Didn't the barb go into his heart?

[Davideaux]

So Long Steve, You were a gift to the planet.

[Boldido]

Grizzely bear guy got eating by grizzly bears, and now wacky australian animal guy got taken out by a stingray.
If this teaches me one thing, it's that animals are not to be trusted, and we must stop them.

I know you are just making a joke Alex, but please do not compare Timothy Treadwell with Steve Erwin.

Treadwell was an untrained, mentally ill, idiotic publicity whore who was destined to be eaten by a bear.

Erwin did so much more for animals than Treadwell and died from a freak accident. I'm really bummed by this.

[Len Ikari145]

It always the celebrities that you actually look up to that go before the poseurs.:(

*bows head in respect and prays*

[JolietJake]

Heart attack? Didn't the barb go into his heart?


The news reports that I've seen are calling it cardiac arrest. What's more, it also seems that stingrays are normally docile creatures.

[Dennis K]

My thoughts and prayers go out to Irwin's friends and family, especially his eight and three year old children.

[Jayna]

My thoughts and prayers are with his family right now. His love of animals and his family were enormous, & I'm sure he will be sorely missed.

[Forefinger]

I'm sad. I'll miss seeing him on TV and yelling "Look at this crazy MF, that croc/snake/whatever could kill him with one bite!" It's a shame indeed.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Erwin did so much more for animals than Treadwell and died from a freak accident. I'm really bummed by this.

It's Irwin people, Irwin.

And I can honestly say I saw him back before he was famous, making people kiss baby crocodiles at an animal park.

I know I've been glib thus far, but he was a good bloke, not for his shows, but because he used the money he made to buy up huge chunks of marshland, where native animals lived, to make sure that they were protected from development.

[Motormouse]

I know I've been glib thus far, but he was a good bloke, not for his shows, but because he used the money he made to buy up huge chunks of marshland, where native animals lived, to make sure that they were protected from development.

OK my respect for the man just went up even more. Which makes the day even sadder!

http://rfleming.rmplc.co.uk/diarypics/Crikeysteve.jpg

[Dennis K]

How about those of us who feel sad about what has happened share a favorite "Croc Hunter" moment. While there were any number of really interesting segments of his TV show, the first thing that comes to my mind is the commercial he did for ESPN where he jumped on the Florida mascot after it got off the elevator. Every time I saw it, it put a smile on my face. R.I.P. Steve.

[Graham Vingoe]

I heard this news this morning, and along with my wife was totally shocked. Steve Irwin helped get my 5 year old son almost completely obsessed with reptiles, and as a result has contributed greatly to his education. For that, and his extremely.... unique style of wildlife presenting, I'll always be grateful to him. RIP cobber
__________________

[Eternal Torment]

Goodbye, Steve. You shall not be forgotten. I still can't believe he got done in by a stingray.

[spoon_jenkins]

I know you are just making a joke Alex, but please do not compare Timothy Treadwell with Steve Erwin.

Treadwell was an untrained, mentally ill, idiotic publicity whore who was destined to be eaten by a bear.

Erwin did so much more for animals than Treadwell and died from a freak accident. I'm really bummed by this.
Amen. Despite his over the top personality, Irwin was a legit conservationist and apparently knowledgeable guy. Treadwell, on the other hand . . .

[i_mmmchocolate]

Truly sad news.

[Subotai]

The guy was nuts, but he did a lot of good work where it was needed. More like him are needed, and he inspired many kids.

[Boldido]

Amen. Despite his over the top personality, Irwin was a legit conservationist and apparently knowledgeable guy. Treadwell, on the other hand . . .apparently tasted like chicken.

[Flying_Postman]

I read about this incident this morning, he was awesome on animal planet
but what I liked most about him was that you could sense that he had a genuine love for animals.

But what I find supprising is the "shocked" reactions of this happening, I always thought that something like this would occur sooner or later.

He was quite a character, he will truly be missed. :(

[Boldido]

I read about this incident this morning, he was awesome on animal planet
but what I liked most about him was that you could sense that he had a genuine love for animals.

But what I find supprising is the "shocked" reactions of this happening, I always thought that something like this would occur sooner or later.

He was quite a character, he will truly be missed. :(
I think people are shocked because he was killed by a stingray. If the news was that a crocodile bit him and severed an artery I doubt people would be as shocked, but stingray deaths are almost unheard of.

[moebius]

File me under "that sucks", "too young", "feel bad for his family" and "not necessarily surprised".

[hoffmandu]

Geez, I didn't even know stingrays could do........that. Just another reason to fear the ocean; a toxin filled barbed spine to the heart.

[BoosterBronze]

This is making me sadder than it has any business to do.

[king mob]

Sunday afternoon telly will never be the same.

http://i4.tinypic.com/282nhab.jpg

Joking aside, although i could easily turn his shows off, he made his points about conservation and he put his money where his mouth was. He seemed like a decent bloke who just had fun doing what he did.

[Paul McEnery]

Yeah, Irwin became a celebrity in order to promote his cause. This is too damn bad.

[howyadoin]

File this under the, " that's unfortunate, but when you fuck with big mean animals constantly...ticking timebomb."My sentiments exactly. I certainly wasn't surprised to see this happen.

[Sparda]

Oh crap he was one of my child hood hero's. He dealt with all sorts of animals, even a Komodo dragon. My thoughts to the great Irwin :(

He dealt with animals, eduacated us all, and has even helped animals in need.

Why can't they have taken tom cruise instead of Irwin

[Cleric of Hell's Brigade]

Rest in peace, Steve, rest in peace.:(

[Paul Newell]

OK my respect for the man just went up even more. Which makes the day even sadder!
And what makes it even better was that he didn't just do this in Australia, but other countries as well, including the US. He didn't just care about Australian animals, but all animals.

[Deskad]

In a strange way, this is one of the most ironic and comedic deaths ever.

I'll miss watching that guy on TV, it's a sad day for the world. He was an interesting character.

[Cam63]

I'll raise my glass for him.

[Stony]

Saw this elsewhere... thought it was cute:

JOB 40:24
and God said to Job
"can anyone capture him by the eyes or trap him and pierce his nose?
Can you pull the Leviathan (possibly crocodile) with a fish hook? or tie down his tongue with a rope? Can you put a cord through his nose or pierce his jaw with a hook?"
Job replied.....
"No Sir.




But Steve Irwin can"

[Wesley Dodds]

I didn't really like him.

But, that was before I found out he'd done so much for animals. So, I now have a mixed opinion of the guy.

[Jack Sparrow]

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2004-01/05/xinsrc_7b194e3995bf436b895ffd5bfb3b4a58_05crocodil e.jpg

:(

[Buried Alien]

I liked the guy. One of very few entertainers whose real personality was very likely the same as the one on TV, and whose entertainment relied on fascination with the wonders of nature rather than the tawdry, sensationalistic, superficial, and crass.

I hope his family and those who worked with him will carry on his legacy, although it's unlikely that he can ever be replaced.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[LtMarvel]

I just got back from spending time with my extended family. I really feel for his two kids and his wife.

Here's hoping you are in a whole new world of discovery...

[pennywisdom]

This is definitely NOT surprising, but it is pretty sad.

Although we kind of expected it, it's still very disappointing and no laughing matter. He had kids, after all. Plus, he was nearly the only celebrity who was so upbeat and cool that no-one ever had a bad thing to say about him. He was full of positive energy and supported a lot of good causes. People like him die at age 44 and dictators stay in power well into their 80s... it sucks.

Condolences to friends and family. RIP.

[J Dog]

In a literal sense:

He got PWNED by a stingray.

Even so, I'm going to miss his style of education and humor. He was a very nice guy, as well.

[Cam63]

Woody Allen can stick a dagger in your heart so that you're dead before you hit the floor.

[LtMarvel]

This an extremely rare method of death. I'd argue that this is very surprising.

[Cam63]

It happens.

That's enough.

[Typo Lad]

So a lot of people are saying 'I'd have expected a Croc to kill him". Not me. The guy was awesome at reading crocadilian behavior. I think it would have been very unlikely.

May his family be comforted amung the mourners of Oz.

[thehod]

So a lot of people are saying 'I'd have expected a Croc to kill him". Not me. The guy was awesome at reading crocadilian behavior. I think it would have been very unlikely.

Not according to the font of all knowledge that is John Byrne.

According to him, Steve Erwin was an asshole who courted death at every opportunity and who has now left his wife a widow and his kids without a father.

What happened to him wasn't a tragic situation that no-one could possibly forsee, it was reckless behaviour.




Cock.

[fly on the wall]

My wife cried when she heard about his death. It's so sad that someone that projected this light and energetic mood gets cut down. What a great guy he was. You really feel the loss.

I hate all stingrays now. I hope the Chinese decide stingrays are good to eat.

[Typo Lad]

Darling hod, the day I worry about what Mr. Bryne thinks is the day after I win a grammy for best R&B album.

The dude courted danger alright. he delt with dangerous animals 24-7. To help others learn about them.

And sting rays are, ironically, normally docile critters.

[thehod]

Darling hod, the day I worry about what Mr. Bryne thinks is the day after I win a grammy for best R&B album.

You mean I'm gonna have to wait even longer for your debut Rolling with the Typo's album?

[Typo Lad]

You mean I'm gonna have to wait even longer for your debut Rolling with the Typo's album?
No doubt!

Gotta finish the Burt Bacharach-penned album first.

[Lubichev]

This really shook me. I ache for his little kids and for Terri. I'm going to watch his movie again. I thought it was a great flick.

So very sad. Nature conservation has lost one of its champions.

[Punchy]

There's a videotape of his death, I hope it's never released. Also, for more details on what happened with the stingray:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060905/ap_en_tv/obit_irwin_43

[JeffreyWKramer]

Once again, Byrne can fuck off.

Yes, it isn't entirely surprising that Irwin died in some manner involving an animal, but that's not a sign the guy was reckless, but rather a sign how involved he was with animals. Racecar drivers sometimes die in crashes, cops sometimes die in the line of duty and Irwin died while in the process of producing a show about the wonder - and danger - of the natural world. In other words, he died on the job. It's not entirely surprising, but it's still tragic.

It is rather surprising he died by stingray, simply because stingrays cause relatively few deaths. Wild animals are unpredictable, though, and according to a statement one of his associates made, Irwin had predicted he might die in some sort of seagoing incident like this, simply because he was more experienced with land animals and the sea is more inherently dangerous when something goes wrong.

RIP, Mr. Irwin.

[tricksterpup]

I do not think it will be aired on tv. But I am sure it will be used in the study of Sting rays and just to see what happened that caused Steve to get jabbed. It was a freakish incident and I am sure that tape will be studied.

As for Steve passing, I am saddened by this. Steve Irwin helped make the discovery channel and Animal Planet. He helped us to become more fancinated with Reptiles and Crocs. If it wasn't for steve, I wouldnt be into the reptiles i have right now.

[king mob]

There's a videotape of his death, I hope it's never released. Also, for more details on what happened with the stingray:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060905/ap_en_tv/obit_irwin_43


I expect it to pop up online at some point.

[J Dog]

You know, I wasn't expecting Irwin to be killed by a stingray, something that I never even thought of. If I thought an animal would do him in, it'd be the crocodiles that made him famous or a giant snake.

Netherless, we can take into consolation that he died doing what he loved to do. And that pretty much matters.

May he rest eternally in peace and have his spirit handle the animals in the Kingdom of Heaven.

[Jack Sparrow]

There's a videotape of his death, I hope it's never released. [/url]

As a matter of fact, its now been reported that the family is *considering*(and I stress the word) releasing the video, but only because it was Steve's wishes that it be done. In a past interview where he was asked about the danger of what he did, he said that he knew it was dangerous, and realized that he might actualy die filming some of the things he does. He then went on to say that if that were to happen, he wanted it to be shown, as a testimate to nature. Or something along those lines. Anyway, the point is, you cant really say you respect him if your not willing to respect his wishes.

[howyadoin]

Once again, Byrne can fuck off.If you think that was bad, you should see the shit Germaine Greer slung at him.

[mcgaffer]

I've been trying to think of some adequate words to say how sorry i am for his family and for his unfortunate death, but they've all already been said so all i can do is let them know that i am sorry and saddened by his departure, the guy did'nt just entertain me he got me interested in nature again and warned us all of the respect we must constantly show because even the best experts can unfortunately pay the price.

[Donald M.]

Not according to the font of all knowledge that is John Byrne.

According to him, Steve Erwin was an asshole who courted death at every opportunity and who has now left his wife a widow and his kids without a father.

What happened to him wasn't a tragic situation that no-one could possibly forsee, it was reckless behaviour.




Cock.

John Byrne only posts that shit so people will pay attention to and discuss him.

The effort it took me to post this is more than the increasingly irrelevant Mr. Byrne deserves.

[JeffreyWKramer]

If you think that was bad, you should see the shit Germaine Greer slung at him.
Linky-link??

[Violently Apathetic]

Linky-link??

Taken from Wiki (I know, I know, I'll post a link to the actual article):

Amid the outpouring of public grief, Germaine Greer launched an attack on her compatriot, declaring "the animal world has finally taken its revenge". She wrote in her column in The Guardian newspaper that the wildlife warrior displayed (in the baby incident) the "sort of self-delusion it takes to be a real Aussie larrikin". [1] The Australian media reacted with distaste to this solitary attack amid the praise heaped on Irwin.

Nice attitude, I do hope someone punches her in the eye.

Here we are (http://www.guardian.co.uk/australia/story/0,,1865124,00.html)

[JeffreyWKramer]

Taken from Wiki (I know, I know, I'll post a link to the actual article):

Amid the outpouring of public grief, Germaine Greer launched an attack on her compatriot, declaring "the animal world has finally taken its revenge". She wrote in her column in The Guardian newspaper that the wildlife warrior displayed (in the baby incident) the "sort of self-delusion it takes to be a real Aussie larrikin". [1] The Australian media reacted with distaste to this solitary attack amid the praise heaped on Irwin.

Nice attitude, I do hope someone punches her in the eye.

Here we are (http://www.guardian.co.uk/australia/story/0,,1865124,00.html)

Ugh.

There's legitimate criticism, and there's "right idea, wrong time", and then there's... this.

[Pól Rua]

I hate all stingrays now. I hope the Chinese decide stingrays are good to eat.

Quite the opposite of what he would have wanted, apparently.
One of the colleagues that was with him said something to the effect that he'd have hated going like that... if only because it'd great some sort of anti-stingray mythology in the same way that Jaws did for sharks and King Kong did for gorillas.
A shame. The man was an entertainer who put his money where his mouth was.

[Pól Rua]

John Byrne only posts that shit so people will pay attention to and discuss him.

The effort it took me to post this is more that the increasingly irrelevant Mr. Byrne deserves.

Remember when Byrne could get attention by being a good writer and artist?
Maybe he should concentrate more on his craft and less on being an ignorant dickhead, and he wouldn't have to resort to this type of cheap bullshit.

[Dan Apodaca]

Quite the opposite of what he would have wanted, apparently.
One of the colleagues that was with him said something to the effect that he'd have hated going like that... if only because it'd great some sort of anti-stingray mythology in the same way that Jaws did for sharks and King Kong did for gorillas.

Really? I can't see why it's a bad thing for people to fear sharks, gorillas and stingrays. Do we really want people getting comfortable with those animals?

[Donald M.]

Remember when Byrne could get attention by being a good writer and artist?
Maybe he should concentrate more on his craft and less on being an ignorant dickhead, and he wouldn't have to resort to this type of cheap bullshit.

The guy's lost it in more ways than one. Maybe anything that distracts him from laying more turds on the comics-reading audience is a good thing.

Eight years later, I still can't believe I wasted money on the idiotic Spider-Man: Chapter One.

[JeffreyWKramer]

Really? I can't see why it's a bad thing for people to fear sharks, gorillas and stingrays. Do we really want people getting comfortable with those animals?

There's a difference between fear and respect. Some people can argue that Irwin's tactics didn't help with respect, either, and there might be a good argument to be made there, but I think he would have said he was trying to educate people and help them not have irrational fear.

Every year, lots of completely harmless snakes, spiders, bats, etc. are killed because of ignorant fear. Same is true of sharks and other animals.

I don't think we want people getting too comfortable with wild animals - a bit of caution is definitely warranted - but it would be good if that discomfort was based on information and respect for real dangers, not ignorance.

[Dan Apodaca]

Every year, lots of completely harmless snakes, spiders, bats, etc. are killed because of ignorant fear. Same is true of sharks and other animals.

Can you back that up? I find it hard to believe that people are going out there and picking fights with sharks, much less winning them.

[Pól Rua]

Really? I can't see why it's a bad thing for people to fear sharks, gorillas and stingrays. Do we really want people getting comfortable with those animals?

There's degrees.
The sort of fear that comes from education leads to people reacting with appropriate levels of caution is fine.
The sort of fear that arises from ignorance and leads to panic and stupid behaviour is a different thing altogether.

[JeffreyWKramer]

Can you back that up? I find it hard to believe that people are going out there and picking fights with sharks, much less winning them.

It's not a matter of "picking fights. Sharks have been over-hunted/fished in many areas in attempt to make wates more tourist-friendly, or in futile hopes of reducing predation of commercial fish species. Some ignorant boaters take out rifles and take pot-shots whenever they see sharks, apparently thinking they're at risk on their boats due to having mistaken JAWS for reality. Such behavior is based on ignorance, either the simple, fear-based sort, or a complete disregard for how aquatic ecosystems function and the role sharks play in such ecosystems.

[Dan Apodaca]

Such behavior is based on ignorance, either the simple, fear-based sort, or a complete disregard for how aquatic ecosystems function and the role sharks play in such ecosystems.

I think the latter is a lot more likely. The only effect I've seen from JAWS is girls who are afraid of the ocean.

[Pól Rua]

I think the latter is a lot more likely. The only effect I've seen from JAWS is girls who are afraid of the ocean.

It was a lot more pronounced when the film was initially released.

[Dan Apodaca]

It was a lot more pronounced when the film was initially released.

Okay, that I'm willing to believe, but that was, what, 30 years ago?

[JeffreyWKramer]

Okay, that I'm willing to believe, but that was, what, 30 years ago?

You'd be surprised how many people carry on stupid behavior on the basis of something they heard or saw or experienced decades earlier. This is as true in regard to people being stupid about sharks and other animals as it is in any other area of life.

[Pól Rua]

Okay, that I'm willing to believe, but that was, what, 30 years ago?

'Bout then. People went fucking nuts.
And the same thing happened with King Kong in the 30's.
It'd just be a shame if someone who'd dedicated his life to educating people about animals ended up indirectly creating a bunch of hooey with his death.

[Suzanne]

It's a damn shame, especially since he had a wife and kids, but I wasn't too shocked since he routinely courted danger.

[king mob]

Taken from Wiki (I know, I know, I'll post a link to the actual article):

Amid the outpouring of public grief, Germaine Greer launched an attack on her compatriot, declaring "the animal world has finally taken its revenge". She wrote in her column in The Guardian newspaper that the wildlife warrior displayed (in the baby incident) the "sort of self-delusion it takes to be a real Aussie larrikin". [1] The Australian media reacted with distaste to this solitary attack amid the praise heaped on Irwin.

Nice attitude, I do hope someone punches her in the eye.

Here we are (http://www.guardian.co.uk/australia/story/0,,1865124,00.html)

This is from the woman on did Big Brother and realised she'd make a complete arse of herself and then tried to pass it off as a journalistic experiment. I like Greer, she's a great commentator but she has become a parody of herself.

[Fish Sauce]

I saw that Germaine Greer article too. She never ceases to amaze.

[Rachel Grey]

Charming. Piggybacking on Steve's death to get her name out there...

Pathetic.

[Spike-X]

If you think that was bad, you should see the shit Germaine Greer slung at him.

Fuck her and the horse she rode in on. She's been irrelevant for the past twenty years or so, and she bloody well knows it. Like Byrne, the only way she can get attention these days is by criticising somebody who never did a damn thing to hurt anyone.

[howyadoin]

Fuck her and the horse she rode in on. She's been irrelevant for the past twenty years or so, and she bloody well knows it. Like Byrne, the only way she can get attention these days is by criticising somebody who never did a damn thing to hurt anyone.Pretty much sums up my feelings. I'm not an Irwin fan or anything, but the bullshit those two have been spewing seems more than a little ghoulish.

[Spike-X]

They could at least wait until he's in the ground, for fuck's sake.

[thehod]

They could at least wait until he's in the ground, for fuck's sake.

Ahh, but they are commentators on society, and they just don't have to wait for social niceties or any form of sense of decency.

That's what they'd like to think anyway. It helps them forget they are a washed up comic book writer and artist whose last good work was over 15 years ago, and an out of date feminist who burnt her bra years ago and now has found herself with nothing else to do than bitch about anything that crosses her visual path.

Isn't is amazing how bitter people become when they are no longer relevant?

[Typo Lad]

I don't even know who this Greer woman is.

[Fish Sauce]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germaine_Greer

She was, well, is, a high profile feminist. She is also no longer cared about and so spouts out truckloads of crap so that people will notice her again.

Case in point her comments about Steve Irwin.

[Tom]

Some people can argue that Irwin's tactics didn't help with respect, either, and there might be a good argument to be made there,
See, that's my thing. I don't necessarily agree with how and when Greer and Byrne made their points, but the fact of the matter is I partially agree with them. I feel about this the same way I felt when Roy of Siegfried and Roy got his throat ripped out: you can't treat wild animals like a vaudeville act and there were times when Steve Irwin came close to doing just that. It's not that I'm saying he deserved it, but I was never comfortable with his schtick and like many people, I'm not surprised at all that things turned out this way.

[Naldo]

Anyone have a link to the John Byrne spewage?

[Alan Lynch]

Man, Germaine Greer's just become some sort of sad feminist stereotype. I once saw her slam Toy Story 2 for being homophobic on the basis that boys play with boys toys and girls played with Barbies. She's fucking fruit loops. Her and John Byrne would make some damned funny babies.

[Uncle Nobs]

Am I gonna get lynched here for saying I think he was unnecessarily reckless?

A father of two putting his life on the line as a cop, a fireman, or a soldier is one thing. Recklessly (yes, recklessly) taunting animals under the pretenses of showing the public how they should respect the dangers of nature is another.

Am I the only one who sees that distinction?

I know he was an influential conservationist. I respect that side of him.

But it seems like some people in this thread (some, mind you) are forgetting his M.O. You really don't need to grab venomous snakes, antagonize sharks, or purposely tempt crocs to bite you (or your infant son) just in order to film them.

If you think that's a straightforward attempt to spread awareness about animals, you're kidding yourself. The guy had a macho streak that threatened the future of his family, and he exercised that streak (as far as we can tell) nearly every day. Is it really a surprise that in search of stingrays, he swam too close to the ocean floor where he knew they hid buried?

There are lots of wildlife documentarians who don't wrassle the animals, but still manage to capture their raw power on film.

So yes, I think we all have license to feel a little disdain about a man whose reckless actions left his children fatherless. I don't think it's so far out of line to make a joke or two about a guy whose death was foreseen by the entire world years ago, but who wouldn't take the hint.




That said, I think "Stingray Spine to the Heart" is just about the most awesome song title for a faux-'80s hair metal band I've ever heard. Who will record it first? The race is on!

[Typo Lad]

The thing is, he wasn't just randomly wrassling these animlas to show how tough he was. He was a man who professionally handled dangerous animals. Watch the show. He chose to handle the crocadilians he had to relocate, a common job for him, by hand not to show how "macho" he was, but because tranqualizers can damage them.

That said, yes, he knew the risks going in.

[JeffreyWKramer]

The thing is, he wasn't just randomly wrassling these animlas to show how tough he was. He was a man who professionally handled dangerous animals.

Right. As I noted earlier, this was the guy's job, and something he was trained to do. One can question the wisdom of a family man having such a job, and whether we should be surprised when someone with such a job suffers this sort of fate, but let's not pretend this guy was about JACKASS style stunts, and got mauled by a bull while out doing cow-tipping.

[Typo Lad]

One thing that a lot of people don't realize is the guy grew up handling animals. his dad was also in a Zoological field.

He was over the top, yeah, but he was hardly some random bloke feeling up amphibians.

[king mob]

I don't even know who this Greer woman is.

The Wiki article explains all. She was one of the champions of feminism and still is an intelligent cultural commentator. However since her Big Brother antics she's become increasingly rambling. This does not mean she can't criticise Irwin (i do actually think he was reckless in his TV shows), however her timing is shite.

[Dreadstar]

In regards to the shark digression a few posts back:

In my opinion, sharks haven't been over-hunted in the Atlantic waters out of fear or ignorance, either one. Sharks are being over-hunted because they're gourmet food.

[Typo Lad]

Dread - you need to go to one of those beaches where they have Shark netting. They catch scores of them and just give some of the best parts away.

[Typo Lad]

Never said she couldn't criticize, King. Was just curious because you guys all seemed to know who she was and I had no clue.

No-one's perfect. Criticize away. i just think it's nice to let the corpse cool first, you know?

[Dreadstar]

Dread - you need to go to one of those beaches where they have Shark netting. They catch scores of them and just give some of the best parts away.

A really good shark steak on the grill is near the top of my fish meal list.

[tricksterpup]

One thing that a lot of people don't realize is the guy grew up handling animals. his dad was also in a Zoological field.

He was over the top, yeah, but he was hardly some random bloke feeling up amphibians.
You are right on this Morts, The man grew up with reptiles and knew how to handle them. He knew his animals and their tempers. Again, he wasnt some lime lighting person, he was trying to show people not fear the animal world but respect it.

[JeffreyWKramer]

In regards to the shark digression a few posts back:

In my opinion, sharks haven't been over-hunted in the Atlantic waters out of fear or ignorance, either one. Sharks are being over-hunted because they're gourmet food.


In international waters and some national waters, that's definitely true.

[Typo Lad]

A really good shark steak on the grill is near the top of my fish meal list.

I would not know.

In international waters and some national waters, that's definitely true.

Woo-hoo! 3 mile limit!

You are right on this Morts, The man grew up with reptiles and knew how to handle them. He knew his animals and their tempers. Again, he wasnt some lime lighting person, he was trying to show people not fear the animal world but respect it.

Well, I wouldn't say there was ZERO showboating once he got big, but that's usually the case. Still, i think he stayed true to his main goal, which was to educate.

[Dreadstar]

I would not know.

Really? Sharks are just fish, what reason could they be not-kosher?

[Uncle Nobs]

Well, I wouldn't say there was ZERO showboating once he got big, but that's usually the case. Still, i think he stayed true to his main goal, which was to educate.
I guess this is where I disagree. While I saw plenty of animal handling in service to relocation or veterinary needs, I also saw plenty of showboating--to the point that I believe he strayed quite far from his goal to educate.

There were many times on the show where he picked up a dangerous animal only to show it to the camera when the camera could see it perfectly clearly on the ground--not for relocation or any other service.

The most famous example of showboating, of course, was the "dare ya to eat my kid" moment. I don't say this just to single out one publc moment of incredibly bad judgment. From what I saw, this was merely an extreme example of a larger behavior pattern.

[Tom]

Sorry guys, I disagree. When I look at pics like these, I don't see someone teaching respect for these animals; I see someone needlessly frightening and taunting them in the name of show business.
http://graphicslib.viator.com/graphicslib/3988/SIAttractions/Steve-holding-croc.jpg
http://www.maroochypalms.com.au/images/steve_irwin.jpg
http://images.usatoday.com/news/_photos/2004/01/02-croc-inside.jpg
http://www.getlostmagazine.com/features/2000/0011olymp/steve-irwin.jpg

[Jabuka]

Sorry guys, I disagree. When I look at pics like these, I don't see someone teaching respect for these animals; I see someone needlessly frightening and taunting them in the name of show business.
http://graphicslib.viator.com/graphicslib/3988/SIAttractions/Steve-holding-croc.jpg
http://www.maroochypalms.com.au/images/steve_irwin.jpg
http://images.usatoday.com/news/_photos/2004/01/02-croc-inside.jpg
http://www.getlostmagazine.com/features/2000/0011olymp/steve-irwin.jpg
shut up commie! (jk thse are the pictures that almost made me stop watching)but still he was a great guy I still am half and half on his respect for animals but still good guy

[king mob]

Never said she couldn't criticize, King. Was just curious because you guys all seemed to know who she was and I had no clue.

No-one's perfect. Criticize away. i just think it's nice to let the corpse cool first, you know?


I agree, she should have waited and at least it would have made her opinion a wee bit more considered. I'm surprised you've not heard of Greer though, she's had a massive influence on culture and is probaly in the three most famous Aussies along with Irwin and Kylie.

[Donald M.]

I agree, she should have waited and at least it would have made her opinion a wee bit more considered. I'm surprised you've not heard of Greer though, she's had a massive influence on culture and is probaly in the three most famous Aussies along with Irwin and Kylie.

In the three most famous?

Ahead of Hugh Jackman?

Nicole Kidman?

Paul Hogan?

Hell, I remember Jocko from the Energizer commercials, but I've never heard of this Greer person before this thread.

[K'Nort]

I'd heard of Greer but I had no idea she was Australian. I also always confuse her with Gail Sheehy.

[king mob]

In the three most famous?

Ahead of Hugh Jackman?

Nicole Kidman?

Paul Hogan?

Hell, I remember Jocko from the Energizer commercials, but I've never heard of this Greer person before this thread.


It looks like a geographical thing. Perhaps the US needs more feminist Aussie intellectuals on primetime TV.

[kmeyers]

Sorry guys, I disagree. When I look at pics like these, I don't see someone teaching respect for these animals; I see someone needlessly frightening and taunting them in the name of show business.
http://graphicslib.viator.com/graphicslib/3988/SIAttractions/Steve-holding-croc.jpg
http://www.maroochypalms.com.au/images/steve_irwin.jpg
http://images.usatoday.com/news/_photos/2004/01/02-croc-inside.jpg
http://www.getlostmagazine.com/features/2000/0011olymp/steve-irwin.jpg
Uh...I could post similar pictures of angry dogs or cats...So fuckin what?

[Rachel Grey]

I agree, she should have waited and at least it would have made her opinion a wee bit more considered. I'm surprised you've not heard of Greer though, she's had a massive influence on culture and is probably in the three most famous Aussies along with Irwin and Kylie.

Okay, I'm an Aussie, and I had only barely hard of her.

Hell I thought she was American until this s--tstorm happened!

[howyadoin]

Hell I thought she was American until this s--tstorm happened!Me too, actually. Then again, I haven't heard her name mentioned in about ten years, either.

[Pól Rua]

A really good shark steak on the grill is near the top of my fish meal list.

The weird thing is, in Australian fish and chip shops, shark meat or flake is pretty much the cheapest fish.
Basically, if you don't want to spring for Barramundi or Perch, you'll usually get either Cod, or Flake.

[Iangould]

Really? I can't see why it's a bad thing for people to fear sharks, gorillas and stingrays. Do we really want people getting comfortable with those animals?
People's grossly exaggerated fear of sharks iS driving whole species to extinction.

I'd hate for that to happen to stingrays.

[Iangould]

Can you back that up? I find it hard to believe that people are going out there and picking fights with sharks, much less winning them.

No, they're demanding that more and more areas be netted to keep sharks out -which results in innumerable deaths from sharks getting trapped in the nets - and that local governments and surf rescue organisations kill the sharks for them.

[Tages]

People's grossly exaggerated fear of sharks iS driving whole species to extinction.
I remember reading some statistic that every single shark attack death in the Mediterranean for the past 200 years is comparable to the number of people killed in the US alone by dogs every year.

I think the white-finned shark (whatever it's called) is the only shark that will actively hunt humans if given the chance. Almost any other shark may bite out of curiosity but then almost always back off since the taste is unfamiliar.

[Iangould]

i've refrained from giving my thoughts about steve irwin up to this point because I thought it was appropriate to wait at least a few days after his death.

I never met Steve Irwin. However I did work for over a decade in the Queensland Department of Environment [which later turned into the Queensland EPA].

As well as environmental economics [which deals with stuff like the cost of pollution] I was involved in conservation economics [which involved things like setting the price of licences to take native wildlife and assessing development proposals].

As I said, I never met Irwin myself but I met many people who worked for him or who had to deal with him in a professional capacity.

Here's the impression I got of him

- he was a rude nasty man who treated his staff horribly and who was nothing like his tv persona;

- other conservation professionals were appalled by the risks he regularly took with his life, the lives of his employees and with the lives of the animals he was supposedly concerned about

- his capture techniques were crude; led to unecessarily high death rates in the animals targetted and to unacceptably high by-catch. His crews regularly failed to clean up after themselves and did quite serious environmental harm in some instances

- His Australia Zoo was poorly run; had a poor animal welfare record and did far less for actual animal conservation - i.e. via captive breeding programs - than most other private zoos.

- he had repeated battles with the state and local governments over his attempts to expand his zoo into the surrounding environmentally sensitive wetlands. one of his main tactics in those fights was repeated threats to sack his entire workforce and relocate the zoo interstate or overseas.

i'm sorry Steve Irwin's dead and I'm sorry for his family's loss but he was not the saint people seem to think he was.

[Patient Boy]

Thanks for the heads up Ian. I'd wanted to hear from somebody who was familiar with Irwin outside of his television shows. I hadn't known about your work at the Department of Environment. Sounds interesting.

Really? Sharks are just fish, what reason could they be not-kosher?

A quick Google search reveals that fish need to have scales that can easily be removed in order to be considered kosher. Sharks fail the test.

[Violently Apathetic]

i'm sorry Steve Irwin's dead and I'm sorry for his family's loss but he was not the saint people seem to think he was.

I don't think anyone is interested in canonizing him. Anyone who considers themselves a fan of the man, or even just someone who is mildly interested in him as a human being, is aware of most of the charges made against him and have weighed them accordingly. I don't believe he was/is a Saint, I think he was a man with various faults and issues that should be addressed (perhaps at a more appropriate time), but at the same time one should recognize the good he did as well, such as raising awareness of wildlife issues, putting a very human face on Australian environmentalism and even aiding in the search and rescue of missing divers. Only time will tell how history views Steve Irwin, but I really hope it is as a fully rounded human being with all the good and bad that entails rather than as a Saint or someone whose only contribution was making a mockery of environmentalism.

[Tom]

Uh...I could post similar pictures of angry dogs or cats...So fuckin what?


??

__________________

[Michael P]

??

__________________
I was gonna say it sucks that mods are allowed to do that, but then I saw what was in the posting field.

Nice.

[king mob]

Uh...I could post similar pictures of angry dogs or cats...So fuckin what?


A angry dog or cat is not going to bite you in half.

[Ray R.]

I too am sorry for his family at his untimely passing.

The way I look at it, though, he was showboating with dangerous animals that did not have the intellectual capacity to understand that Irwin was putting on a show. These animals were and are driven by instinctual imperatives and having a human wrestle it to the ground and stick a finger up its rectum to me doesn't display a healthy respect for either the animal or the viewing audience.

The way I understand it, the stingray barb incident was a complete and utter aberration, as stingrays are not naturally agressive or violent creatures. Even though the barbs are removed in aquariums, children are allowed to reach into tanks and pet them, so it would be a tragedy if the stingray somehow was considered a "killer" because of this.

As for Irwin, because of the aberrational nature of his death, one might wonder whether his death might have a little karmic payback component for years of inappropriate and exploitative contact with various animals. Build the karmic campfire with enough gasoline and perhaps you'll get burnt when you least expect it.

Again, condolences to the family. Hope they'll have the sense not to air his on-camera death to the general public, in the interests of personal privacy if not good taste.

[Guapo Méndez]

I agree with Ray. Reading Chuck Yeager's autobiography, he mentions quite a bit of airmen (test pilots and war aces) that were killed flying their cessnas on a weekend jaunt.

Sometimes the wrong factors pile up and you get snake eyes.

[howyadoin]

These animals were and are driven by instinctual imperatives and having a human wrestle it to the ground and stick a finger up its rectum...Please tell me that was hyperbole.

[Ray R.]

Please tell me that was hyperbole.

Actually, I was channelling "South Park." Nothing like stealing a good joke....

[Spike-X]

Again, condolences to the family. Hope they'll have the sense not to air his on-camera death to the general public, in the interests of personal privacy if not good taste.

His manager has promised to destroy the tape, once he gets it back from the coroner.

[Markavian]

[QUOTE=Uncle Nobs]Am I gonna get lynched here for saying I think he was unnecessarily reckless?

A father of two putting his life on the line as a cop, a fireman, or a soldier is one thing. Recklessly (yes, recklessly) taunting animals under the pretenses of showing the public how they should respect the dangers of nature is another.

Am I the only one who sees that distinction?

I know he was an influential conservationist. I respect that side of him.

But it seems like some people in this thread (some, mind you) are forgetting his M.O. You really don't need to grab venomous snakes, antagonize sharks, or purposely tempt crocs to bite you (or your infant son) just in order to film them.

If you think that's a straightforward attempt to spread awareness about animals, you're kidding yourself. The guy had a macho streak that threatened the future of his family, and he exercised that streak (as far as we can tell) nearly every day. Is it really a surprise that in search of stingrays, he swam too close to the ocean floor where he knew they hid buried?

There are lots of wildlife documentarians who don't wrassle the animals, but still manage to capture their raw power on film.

So yes, I think we all have license to feel a little disdain about a man whose reckless actions left his children fatherless. I don't think it's so far out of line to make a joke or two about a guy whose death was foreseen by the entire world years ago, but who wouldn't take the hint. [QUOTE=Uncle Nobs]
That said, I think "Stingray Spine to the Heart" is just about the most awesome song title for a faux-'80s hair metal band I've ever heard. Who will record it first? The race is on![QUOTE/]
Sadly I saw this coming in 2004..Anyone who would risk a helpless baby near a 12 foot croc lacks common sense. If it had been a normal person caught on tape doing such would have (And SHOULD have) Been charged with Endangerment. But Irwin was a Star and brought in Money so the Police and Goverment that was charged with public safety winked and looked the other way.:rolleyes: : This is sad and messed up in so many ways.

[Markavian]

Sorry guys, I disagree. When I look at pics like these, I don't see someone teaching respect for these animals; I see someone needlessly frightening and taunting them in the name of show business.
http://graphicslib.viator.com/graphicslib/3988/SIAttractions/Steve-holding-croc.jpg
http://www.maroochypalms.com.au/images/steve_irwin.jpg
http://images.usatoday.com/news/_photos/2004/01/02-croc-inside.jpg
http://www.getlostmagazine.com/features/2000/0011olymp/steve-irwin.jpg
And risked his life for fame. Now he is dead years before his time by boxing in that sting ray::sad sigh:::

[Typo Lad]

Ian - I find your informed information eye opening. Thank you.

[king mob]

There's a pub round the corner from me having a Steve Irwin barbie tomorrow. This does not mean they will cook bits of a recently dead Aussie, but this is a 'wake'.

Hysteria is well gone by now and we're on to something very weird and Diana-esque.

[K'Nort]

Hysteria is well gone by now and we're on to something very weird and Diana-esque.

Now that's one I will never understand. I had (American) friends cry for hours over that. The hell?

[Donald M.]

Now that's one I will never understand. I had (American) friends cry for hours over that. The hell?

My reaction upon learning of Diana's death: "Holy shit!"

My father's reaction after my loud exclamation woke him up and he got out of bed to find out what was going on: "Big fucking deal."

My father was a wise man.

[Michael P]

My reaction upon learning of Diana's death: "Holy shit!"

My father's reaction after my loud exclamation woke him up and he got out of bed to find out what was going on: "Big fucking deal."

My father was a wise man.
My reaction, as I recall, was "They're pre-empting Conan for this shit?"

[Tom]

I was in the best possible place to hear about Diana's death. A gay bar. The audible gasps alone were pure hilarity but when they turned off the music and turned up the sound on the tv, I had to leave because I was laughing so hard at all the tear-stained faces.

Yes, I'm a bitch.

[Iangould]

My initial reaction to hearing Diana's name on the TV was "What's that silly bitch gone and done now?"

Then I heard she was dead, shrugged, said "That's too bad" and changed the channel.

[Spike-X]

I was in the best possible place to hear about Diana's death. A gay bar. The audible gasps alone were pure hilarity but when they turned off the music and turned up the sound on the tv, I had to leave because I was laughing so hard at all the tear-stained faces.

Yes, I'm a bitch.
But Tom, she was the Princess Of Hearts! You were supposed to be upset! The TV and magazines all told us so!

[howyadoin]

Now that's one I will never understand. I had (American) friends cry for hours over that. The hell?No weirder than flamewars over Mr. Rogers.

[king mob]

But Tom, she was the Princess Of Hearts! You were supposed to be upset! The TV and magazines all told us so!


I was in the pub putting 'Girlfriend In A Coma' by The Smiths on the jukebox when her funeral started.

[Typo Lad]

No weirder than flamewars over Mr. Rogers.

Someday, someone needs to let me live that down.

How about when JFK Jr died? Some guy in my neighborhood built a shine in the street!

[Valmore]

I was in the best possible place to hear about Diana's death. A gay bar. The audible gasps alone were pure hilarity but when they turned off the music and turned up the sound on the tv, I had to leave because I was laughing so hard at all the tear-stained faces.

Yes, I'm a bitch.

No, I'd say you were the butch and all the guys with tear-stained faces were the bitches. But that's only being based off of one comment in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back so what the hell do I know?

[king mob]

Animal Planet will rename the garden space in front of Discovery's world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA, to the “Steve Irwin Memorial Sensory Garden.”



It's what he would have wanted.

[Typo Lad]

Call me crazy, but I think he would have wanted to not die, all things considered.

[metr0man]

Damn, that sucks he died.

But really, wasn't it kind of expected? I sure expected some animal to snap on him eventually, it's the risk when you're in the "fame for risk" business, which he absolutely was.
It's like if one of those guys from JACKASS dies doing one of their things. Well, it sucks, but if you tempt fate so much fate will eventually take the bait. Or something.

[RedBAT]

sadness he was fun

[Michael P]

Someday, someone needs to let me live that down.
Hey, I'm right there with you. Anyone who disparages the memory of Fred Rogers around me is going to do it through a bloody mouth, spitting out fragments of their own teeth.

[howyadoin]

Hey, I'm right there with you. Anyone who disparages the memory of Fred Rogers around me is going to do it through a bloody mouth, spitting out fragments of their own teeth.Boy, lucky thing nobody's done that, huh?

[i_mmmchocolate]

Now that's one I will never understand. I had (American) friends cry for hours over that. The hell?

Yeah, I actually knew people who cried (or, at least, teared up) when they heard about Princess Di's death.

They basically told me the same thing: she was young and left behind children.

Mother Theresa died that same year, but since she lived a very long and rich life there wasn't the same reaction.

[tricksterpup]

In honour of Steve Irwin. I went to a reptile show this weekend and saw a 8 foot Gopher snake. She was really cool, in Steve's words a beauty. Well I picked her up and held when she made this loud hiss. It was so loud the woman that was walking behind me jumped and screamed. It was pricessless. I fell in love with the snake after that. She is going to be added to my collection some time next month. :D

[king mob]

Germaine Greer discusses the ongoing nonsense over her comments about Irwin.

Few Guardian readers could imagine the furore that greeted news in Australia of the article I wrote for this paper six months ago when Australian eco-warrior and millionaire zoo owner Steve Irwin was foully done to death by a stingray. I had been asked whether I was "surprised" by his death. I answered, "No." "Grief-stricken?" "No." "Was it a great loss to the conservation movement?" Again, "No." "Please explain." I did. It is my judgment that Irwin made a habit of, and a fortune by, intruding upon the steadily diminishing space available to wild creatures, and that his intention was to demonstrate his power over them, in much the same way as lion-tamers used to do before what they did was recognised as cruelty. Crocodiles, apparently, take longer. Daring to suggest that animals will be better off without Irwin is what some newspapers call "savaging" him.

The Guardian published my opinion as a sole dissenting voice amid a chorus of general lamentation and fervid celebration of Irwin's contribution to the understanding of Australian fauna as vicious, aggressive, and dangerous, which they are not, rather than timid, elusive and endangered, which they are.

Though Irwin made many Australians cringe, millions of others were outraged by my lack of respect and bayed for my blood. Matters were not helped by my agreeing to defend my view in a TV interview by satellite, which I thought would be live. It was in fact recorded, went on for ever, and included questions such as, "Do you still consider yourself Australian?" The version that eventually went to air was cut for maximum uproar value. When I flew to Australia a week later, the orchestrated clamour was still deafening. The premier of Queensland weighed in, announcing that he would treble my taxes, if he could, which gave new heart to those who thought I should be fed to the crocodiles. Lately someone has been throwing food at the windows of my house in England, mostly eggs, sometimes jam doughnuts, once corned beef hash and shaved ham, and, this weekend, two dead rabbits.

News that the Australian national portrait gallery has had a rehang, in which a picture of Steve Irwin has appeared and a picture of me has been returned to storage, pumped new life into the carcass of this forlorn controversy. The art world was punishing me; Irwin was revenging himself from the grave. Matters were not helped by the usual failure of the Murdoch press properly to research its story. The gallery owns two photographs of me; one was taken in 1999 by Polly Borland, who chose to photograph me sitting on my bed in my usual night attire, that is, naked. The other was taken in 1988 by Jacqueline Mitelman and acquired by the gallery in 1999. The Times sneered at the wrong one, by Polly Borland, and then mis-described the right one as showing me in academic robes, when I am actually wearing a T-shirt. For once, they trumpeted, I was speechless. Actually, I was filming all day, knew nothing of the matter and couldn't have cared less.

It is of course disgraceful that it has taken the Australian national portrait gallery six months to get round to exhibiting any portrait of Steve Irwin. Indeed, if the photographer Robin Sellick had not given them one free of charge in December, there would still be no likeness of this most famous Australian at the gallery. Sellick's picture was taken at Australia Zoo with a female elephant called Siam; with his right hand Irwin is doing something invisible to the captive animal, who, according to the gallery's statement, was waiting to make her daily appearance before the crowds as part of the entertainment at Australia Zoo. With a bare 15 minutes for the shoot, Sellick, who usually takes a whole day, could only keep snapping, hoping to get the kind of perversely suggestive image for which he is famous. As Siam became more restless, Sellick besought Irwin to show his vulnerable, caring side, which Irwin did by tilting his head and simpering. His left thumb is hooked rather coyly in a pocket; his lime-green shirt is undone to the fourth button, and pulled open to display his bosom in a manner not altogether manly.

Irwin's mantle has now descended on the capable shoulders of his nine-year-old daughter, Bindi, whose speech at her father's memorial service was seen by more than 300 million viewers, and voted the TV moment of the year. So it's not surprising that people who think that the Irwin approach is counterproductive whisper and look nervously behind them when they tell me so, such as the young woman in the duty-free shop who felt she had to follow me out into the concourse before she could safely whisper, "I thought you were right about Steve Irwin, but I didn't dare say so."

What I said has now also been said by naturalists and conservationists writing in the dedicated press but still I'm the one who gets the death threats. As Australia gradually morphs into California, it is losing its respect for honesty and directness. Ballyhoo rules, and it's not OK.




http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2016979,00.html

[warspite1805]

I was in the pub putting 'Girlfriend In A Coma' by The Smiths on the jukebox when her funeral started.

I don't remember where I was when I heard she died as i did not like her whgen she lived and her dying will. not change that, not that I wanted her dead or anything. If they had not been driving so wrecklessly (and piut other road users at risk) she would still be alive. I can understand the feeling experienced after the Twin Towers, the loss of the Hood, ect ect but not her death.