He died as he lived
Steve Irwin is dead. Where is the Princess Diana-esque outpouring of grief? I suppose that if you have to die, it's best to die doing what you love, and that's what happened here.
Labels: Celebrities, Death, Steve Irwin
posted by Greg | 9:12 AM
8 Comments:
I will concur with what Greg said, however; I want to say something a bit off the wall here...
During all the clips I have seen on our beloved "Croc Hunter"'s death, the one that sticks with me is when he is feeding a crocodile with an infant (I am pretty sure it is his own child) in his hands at some sort of outdoor pavillion with an audiance. Jaws snap. Steve jumps back. Crowd goes wild.
Funny. I remember this, but noone ever made a peep about it that echoed as long as, say, Jackson dangling his own child off the balcony of a hotel.
So, does this say something about our society (like, sorry, Steve, but you are not big and powerful enough for us to come after for doing something like this), or does this say something about Steve Irwin himself? Like, "Hell! This man knows his shit and there was never any danger to the child... not like that freak Jackson almost dropping his infant child off of a balcony!"?
Irwin was indeed a great showman taken too soon.
UncleMonster
John - there was an investigation, and whatever board looked at that incident decided that he didn't do anything criminally negligent or even terribly dangerous. Now, perhaps that was because he was such a big star in Australia that no Australian dared take him to task for it, but they did investigate!
Oh, and John, there was an interview with Matt Lauer on the Today Show, where the action, which WAS criticized in some quarters in the US - I seemed to see it repeatedly on the news at the time, whether I wanted to or not - led to a tearful "I NEVER would do anything to hurt my babies" from Irwin.
And, and Greg, there IS that Diana-like outpouring of grief. In Australia. Yesterday, I saw the Prime minister ashen-faced over the news about the loss of one of their more popular exports, who made lots of money for worthy animal causes, I hear.
Well, this drives home the 'don't try this at home' point people in dangerous fields always make.
He thought he was invincible and it turns out that he wasn't.
Roger - but where is it worldwide???? Those Aussies are wacky anyway, so of course they'd be upset!
It's interesting reading the reaction in Australia. He was a true national hero.
I have to say, "What a weird way to go!!!." Talk about being an original, taking a stingray barb in the heart has to be one of the all-time, most unique ways to meet your maker. When I heard how he had died, it was one of those awful moments when I was ashamed of myself for wanting to chuckle. (Wasn't it Mama Cass who choked to death on a ham sandwich?)
As a "wacky aussie" I've got to say Steve was a bigger star in the US than here on OZ.
Lots of people here were always slightly embarrassed by his over-the-topness.
Stiil - sad to see it happen.
His memorial extravaganza is on Wednesday - broadcast in the US I think.
That's interesting, Brett. One of my best friends lives in Melbourne, but she just had a baby so I haven't asked her about Steve Irwin because she has more important things on her mind. I didn't realize that he was bigger here than there.
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