I learned something from Steve Irwin's death.

[Ron Green]

Like many people, I saw him as an exploitative clown, someone who moved the "Animal Planet" channel toward a more mindless stream of entertainment. But I don't watch much TV, and I was unaware of his efforts in education and conservation. Only since his death have I heard about the character of his work, and thus changed my dismissive scorn of him to deep respect.

I think the death of any public figure is transformative, because it shows all of us what we're doing and where we're at. Steve Irwin in life was obviously much better than I thought, and in death he's helped me let go of some of my judgmental nature, making me a better person. For that I own him apology, and thanks.

[Cleita]

1. Well, I hardly ever watched him but I thought in the back of

my mind that he took too many chances. It made me nervous for him to put himself in danger.

[Ravenseye]

4. Yeah

My wife found out first and said to me "Guess who died. They weren't old or in bad health, yet you won't be surprised they died."

Sad to hear though.

[MrModerate]

2. On another level, he was an excellent info-tainer . . .

And really fired my kids' interest in the natural world

[NC_Nurse]

3. It's nice of you to admit you were mistaken.

I think he really spoke to kids. That's a really important role and he filled it well.
Thanks for speaking up.

[FARAFIELD]

5. I dont see it that way

I dismiss him, what good did all his conservation work do if it ended up getting him killed? He took too many chances, now his work is gone, not to mention he leaves a wife and two small kids. Sure he was entertaining but in the same way as a car wreck on YOUTUBE is. It may sound callous but IM not sad at all, after that wing-ding with his kid and the crok, i knew it was a matter of time, I know he got killed doing what he loved so Im not heartbroken, I just wonder if he said "crikey!" as he went down. The man had no common sense. Too bad he went before that planned mud wrestling match with the Komodo Dragon.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

6. Wow, your rant displays some issues with Steve Irwin. What sets you off?

His devotion to his family or his passion about his work? MKJ

[FARAFIELD]

9. A rant

That wasnt even close to the definition of the word. I touched all the bases, why his work is caput now and how he leaves his family, but that Im glad he died doing what he believed in. I reserve the rants for right wingers and bush bots. I dont have deep issues with him, in fact I didnt know till i saw his picture that it was him, i get him confused with Jeff Corwin, who, I would have written the same thing about (other than the crok/kid reference). I.E. if I was "ranting" i would say something along this line. "Perhaps you think its being a wonderful father and role model when you hold your one month old child a few feet from a crok and have the arrogrance to say that the child was "safe" for the sake of TV.?" see that was a rant.

[ForrestGump]

30. What set that poster off was

their ignorance.

[LordLovesAWorkingMan]

33. It never ceases to amaze me

what some DUers will choose to break their pick over. It is simply incredible the hatred people can conjure over nothing.

[treestar]

41. I think his "devotion to his family" is in question is some all

encompassing philosophical way - he may have been "devoted" emotionally, but actions are more important. He left those kids fatherless. Period. Doing what he loved. What he loved, not what was best for his kids, which would have involved taking fewer chances.

[cornermouse]

7. In the end we all die.

Does that make the life that we lived meaningless or devalue those correct things that we did while alive? I don't think so.

[cboy4]

12. You might want to think about anger management classes, sensitivity

classes, logic classes and frankly, running to your very nearest mental health facility immediately.....even on a holiday.

Call 9-1-1 if you need to because you're in very critical condition.

You do realize you sound disturbed?

Writing that you wonder if he said "crikey" as he "went down," (among other comments) while his poor wife and two children are weeping his death today makes you appear to be a psychopath.

You're extremely scary.

[FARAFIELD]

16. Thank DOC

Thanks for your diagnosis based on your simply viewing comments on a thrill seeker who has been offered a state funeral. I know the tabs are going to have a field day with this, espeically since the John Karr thing went caput, Obviously you dont like an opinion that doesnt match your own. I havent felt this shunned since I told everyone here (the first time I was on DU) that downloading something on Napster was stealing! Ill take your advice though and check into a mental health clinic and see if its ok to have my own opinion on things.

[Mythsaje]

20. I will fight to the death to defend your right to be a jerk...

Hope it suits you.

[Change has come]

35. :applause: :applause:

:yourock:

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

21. So, your contribution to threads is insulting the other posters?

If so, vive le difference. MKJ

[cboy4]

22. Just make sure you bring a few months worth of clothing when you check

in.....Best of luck while you're away.

[ForrestGump]

32. Kinda wondering how you'll feel when Ed Hillary dies

and is given a state funeral. After all, he scaled Everest, crossed the Antarctic, jetboated down the Ganges, etc, etc, etc. But he also did tremendous works in Nepal -- altruistic, humanitarian efforts -- and is unquestionably one of the greatest (and humble in that) people to ever tread this Earth.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

23. cboyr4, just so you know, I work with and am related to people who say

things that make that above "rant" sound like joyous gospel music.

We don't need to call 911. We need hope. MKJ

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[spacelady]

34. You DISMISS him? Glad you are not my friend in need. The OP deserves

a better response than this and so does Steve Irwin's family. If I had a loved one diagnosed with lung cancer, would you be the first up to get in their face to say, "I kept telling you smoking was bad, now look where it got you!"

In other words, you are definitely entitled to your opinion, but why bother to publish it when it IS NOT HELPFUL or ENLIGHTENING?

[northzax]

48. ok, let's be realistic here

this wasn't 'taking a chance' this was a freakish incident in the wild. I, too, have swum near Stingrays and Manta rays, I'm hardly a massive risk taker. He wasn't handling a dangerous animal, he wasn't in a situation more dangerous than the million people a year who dive on the Reef are in, he just really, really, really, unlucky. You know how many people have been killed by stingrays in the past 30 years? 17. out of the millions of people who swim in stingray infested waters, 17 have been killed in the past 3 decades. that sound 'risky' to you?

an animal got spooked and reacted in an uncharacteristic manner. it took the ray striking him perfectly in the heart to kill him. let's not talk too much about his risktaking leading to his death, you are much more likely to get killing in a boating accident on labor day than by a stingray.

[lvx35]

8. Yeah, he was a great environmental activist

which I didn't know for awhile, but when I learned that about him my respect increased a lot.

[FARAFIELD]

11. Now that he is in heaven

Maybe he can explain to Regan how trees dont cause pollution

[cboy4]

17. Can't even spell "Reagan" can you?

:eyes:

[ComerPerro]

26. Ray-Gun is probably not in heaven.

[never_get_over_it]

10. Very nice post

I'm one of those folks who don't know too much about this guy - although from what I know of him he seemed to take risks that seemed a bit much for me - especially considering he was married and had children - but some of the comments on DU today has made me wonder are these unnecessarily harsh and nasty post really coming from progressives - many of them have sounded pretty regressive to me - like post number 5 on this very thread.

I appreciate your post and thank you for making it....

For those inclined to write nasty shit about this man - HE'S DEAD - I DOUBT ANYONE IS TERRIBLY SURPRISED - but remember what your Mother taught you if you haven't got anything nice to say.....

[mikelgb]

13. I adored the pop culture icon that was Steve Erwin

[cboy4]

14. Good for you. There have been a disturbing number of people who have

bashed Irwin today, while admitting they really didn't watch him on television or know too much about him.

You, on the other hand, have done some research.

Nice. :)

[EnviroBat]

44. Very,very sad...

But I always knew in the back of my mind that the guy was gonna get killed doing what he did best. I never would have imagined, of all the vicious critters he tangled with, that a Stingray would take him out. Cobra, sure. Alligator, no brain er. But Stingray? Freakish... He will be missed. I really enjoyed his enthusiasm

[LostinVA]

46. And stingrays are far, far from vicious and dangerous n/t

[WindRavenX]

15. good to hear

:hug:

[FloridaPat]

18. I loved watching his shows. I didn't know about the rest and glad

to hear that such a nice guy so interested in animals is doing a lot for conservation.

[Mythsaje]

19. I watched him occasionally...

He made me gasp so many times, and shake my head in wonder at his nerve, but he did what he loved, and loved what he did.

You can't ask much more of life than that.

Maybe, in some strange way, his death will serve to educate even more people about what he was trying to do. Share his love of the natural world.

Then again, there's a whole bunch of jerkoffs out there who will slander him just because they can.

[PresidentWar]

24. I learned the value of not pushing Nature too far.

And no, that is not a Steve bashing comment. My heart goes out to his family. But I believe he was intelligent enough to know what he was doing, and that he came to grips with the very real possibility that one day, Nature might snap back in a lethal way. Sadly, it did.

Steve Irwin taught me that it's a virtue to be inquisitive, and learn about the world around us. He also taught me that inquisitiveness comes with a built in peril.

[ComerPerro]

27. Too bad it took his death for you to realize that

I say that not in an accusatory manner, but with sympathy.

Its hard, seeing a new side of someone only after they died, because you can't appreciate them in life.


But I am sure you can find DVDs of his footage.

I suggest watching some of his past episodes with fresh eyes, I think it will make you smile.



And, BTW, its big of you to admit this...

[omega minimo]

28. Beautiful. K&R

A toast to Mr. Irwin :toast: and wildlife conservation


(Jack Hanna on NBC tonight praised him for his conservation work and said "every penny" he earned went back into conservation work)

[badgerpup]

29. It was his passion, commitment and his joy in life.

He was totally committed to what he was doing and he loved doing it.
His enthusiasm was infectious and there's probably a lot of young people who are more aware of conservation, ecology and the intricate biological web than there would have been without him.
He will be missed sorely.


Jeff Corwin wasn't even in the same school, let alone class...a narcissistic, "look at me, aren't I Mr. HotBody" wannabe, IMHO.

[treestar]

43. I'm over the enthusiasm and passion and love for life mantra

Very 80s. If you risk it too much, it goes beyond that into something else.

I feel sorry for the kids and maybe the wife. But if he were so passionate about the planet, he wouldn't have taken so many chances at leaving it.

[badgerpup]

56. It's more than just a 'mantra'...they're some priceless qualities.

I manage depression and frankly envy those who have all those qualities.
I don't. I wish I did.
I'm not asking for sympathy, don't need or want it.
Just making a statement.

You don't have to be a 'thrillseeker adrenaline junkie' to have or demonstrate those qualities; I'm sure a lot of quiet unsung people here have them as well.

[farmboxer]

36. Steve Irwin, Pro-environment, Pro-earth, loved

our planet's creatures. I could understand Bush & his corporate pals not liking him, perhaps, but anyone who loves our planet and it's creatures? I am extremely surprised there could be hate for such a good human being on this forum.

I will miss Steve Irwin and am so sorry for his wonderful family.

[GeorgeGist]

37. Methinks you've confused his death...

with his life. Unless you really believe that you're life is better because he is dead.

[Cobalt Violet]

38. I've learned that I'm so thankful of the hide thread button.n/t

[ProfessorGAC]

39. I Didn't

People die every day. I cannot learn much from those i've never met unless i find that their celebrity is based upon something that already interests me. To me, this is a personal family tragedy that is none of anybody else's business.
The Professor

[Ron Green]

54. Yes, his celebrity was based upon something that interests me, which is

the debasement of the public dialog in favor of mindless entertainment. I'm very concerned about media issues, and in fact part of the work I do is in critical thinking and media literacy. When I discovered that I had been so wrong about this guy, it became my business to adjust my own thinking and allow myself to be changed in spirit by his death.

[seabeyond]

40. my two boys were reading the posts on this board yesterday about

irwins death. quite a lesson for all of us, irwins death, in many ways. my youngest, 8... came in and told me there was a poster that didnt think much of irwin and he both apologized and thanked irwin in his death. he was effect positively by your post. i didnt understand what he was talking about. now reading your post, i do. thank you for sharing this. this was the beginning of the boys exploration into the death and the reactions from all kinds of people. my little 8 year old really respected what you had to say. a good example for my son.

this is how we all effect each other, without even realizing it. you came into and was a part of my life, my home yesterday, unknown by you. positive or negative. we tend to walk the positive or higher, even in negative

[Ron Green]

55. Thank you for your kind words,

and for your care of your son.

:hug:

[treestar]

42. There are other supporters of the environment who don't do

irresponsible stuff. They'll do a lot more in the long run for the environment. You don't see Al Gore doing this crap, do you? (Though he should stay off small planes.) Yet he has had more effec than Steve Irwin could ever dream of.

[marions ghost]

50. Anyone

out in the environment studying animals is running a risk. Field and wildlife biologists are very "hands on"--they run all kinds of risks, from direct attacks, insects, diseases, weather, accidents and mishaps. It's a dangerous business, not unlike the risks in say...construction, firefighting, industry, logging, etc. etc. etc.

Al Gore gives the lectures and communicates the problems for all to understand. It's a desk job (one which carries some degree of risk). You seem to suggest that one job is "better" than the other, when it's really just different functions. Is the person who shows the film more sensible than the person who makes the film?

If you're going to paint people who take risks as "irresponsible" you've got a whole lotta blaming to do.

[rocktivity]

45. I was well aware of and applauded Irwin's wildlife education efforts

but I also knew that it was only a matter of time before he came across an animal who didn't understand or appreciate them.

:headbang:
rocknation

[HuskerDU]

47. I never watched his shows, but whenever I saw him on tv, he

seemed like the happiest, most enthusiastic person in the world. I always admired him for that.

[Mad_Dem_X]

49. Now if only some others on DU

would get educated and stop hating this man.

[mtnsnake]

51. Nicest post I've read in the last 24 hours. Thank you, Ron.

[cory817]

52. irwin

It's really rare to find someone who honestly cares about the environment and wildlife, and then actually does something to alter it, especially in an active physical way hands on in the environment and educating and inspiring others to do the same, as opposed to the less active roles influincing others making laws etc.

[Bake]

53. I learned that a lot of DUers are assholes.

Assholes who just love to read their own posts and who love to tear others down. Because nobody has the truth but them. Nobody is a progressive as they. Nobody is as proud of their liberalism as they are.

But I guess that's what you get on an anonymous internet forum.

Bake

[L A Woman]

57. I've learned that, too - and that we are NOT the compassionate party.

well, many here are compassionate, but the ones who aren't sure put a bruise on the idea that liberals/dems are the more thoughtful and empathetic of the two major parties.