Irwin family offered state funeral

The Austrailian ^ | 09 05 02

[stm]

STEVE Irwin will get a state funeral if that's what his family wants, Queensland Premier Peter Beattie says. The 44-year-old media personality and environmentalist conservationist died yesterday when a stingray barb punctured his heart while he was filming a nature documentary off the coast of Port Douglas in north Queensland.

[MNJohnnie]

I suspect he was the worlds best know Australian. Rest in Peace Croc man.

[txhurl]

I think congress should declare a Steve Irwin day.

[bobjam]

He's a national hero to the Aussies

[MAD-AS-HELL]

Clinton was quoted as saying he felt the Irwin families pain. He said it was just like the same pain he felt when the right wing conspiracy went after him and set him up with Monica Lewdinsky.

[verum ago]

Ms. Premier seems to be a real class act; I know people will say that he didn't die in military service or anything like that, but what Steve Irwin did for Australia in terms of conservation, awareness, and even just sheer tourist appeal are accomplishments worthy of a state funeral. God rest his soul.

[FormerACLUmember]

Rest in peace, Steve. The Big Guy called you up early, since He needed someone to wrestle with all those demons assailing Heaven these days.

[Yo-Yo]

He wasn't always a National Hero.

But he died while doing the thing he loved most.

[Paradox]

I suspect he is one of the most loved persons in the USA as well. Not only our favorite Australians, but one of our favorite people in the world, period! I wish I could personally convey something to his wife and family, let them know just how much he was loved, and how much he influenced so many of us.

[Cecily]

One of my favorite shows involved Steve trailing after komodo dragons on some island. He was just following them to see what they got up to, and they ignored him completely as they plodded along. RIP, Steve.

[demkicker]

I guess I'm in the minority in thinking that giving him a state funeral isn't appropriate. Don't get me wrong, I really liked Irwin and appreciate his accomplishments, but he was a "celebrity". Because Irwin was a famous conservationist and a well known Aussie, I fear this will start a world wide trend of public outcry, demanding state funerals for the "rich and famous". We put celebrities up high enough on pedestals as it is, IMO.

[Waverunner]

Soon the celeb's will want funeral's for their careers as well.

Steve was a man who enjoyed life. You gotta work at what you like, life's too short.

[SerpentDove]

Not to pile on a dead man, but Irwin's death makes this episode seem even more negligent. You don't always have "control" when there are wild animals involved.

[AbeKrieger]

On the other hand I'd rather see state funerals for someone like him rather than some trumped up royal.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Like for Rosa Parks?

[SerpentDove]

>>I guess I'm in the minority in thinking that giving him a state funeral isn't appropriate.<<

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger. I was one of the doom-and-gloomers who criticized the JFK, Jr. funeral.

But if Australia wants to honor him, what do I care?

[kinghorse]

Agreed. The media already thinks it's the 4th branch. Every manner of half wit gets a voice of "authority" now. Especially in the area of trial in the court of public opinion. Enough.

[Gay State Conservative]

I suspect he was the worlds best know Australian. Rest in Peace Croc man.

What about "that's a guy dressed up like a sheila" or the inventor of Peach Melba,Dame Nelly Melba?

[demkicker]

Like for Rosa Parks?

Yes, exactly. It's a slippery slope and could get worse. Hollywood is full of lefties who are self anointed environmentalists.

[demkicker]

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger. I was one of the doom-and-gloomers who criticized the JFK, Jr. funeral.

But if Australia wants to honor him, what do I care?

Geeze, I forgot about the JFK, Jr. funeral! I see the trend I was fearing has already become common and will only get worse.