I wasn't aware of any of Steve's political leanings. Was this part of an interview somewhere? Just curious - would love to read more.
BTW, many prayers for the Irwin family.
When Prime Minister John Howard dropped in on Irwin's Australia Zoo on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, the naturally ebullient Irwin introduced him to the crowd as "the greatest leader Australia has ever had" and the "greatest leader in the entire world".
Being Steve Irwin
Actually, that could just as well read "hating Steve Irwin", which appears to be the latest fad among Labor, the cultural Lefties, and the Arts chatterati. Miranda Devine has an article on the fallout from Irwin's declaration that John Howard was the "greatest leader ever" and the "greatest leader in the entire world". Of course, you can't say that if you're an actor or on television, so the usual suspects are now doing their best to ruin Irwin.
Suddenly Irwin the likeable, outback ocker became Irwin the greedy "millionaire" Howard-lover. For some people, this was unforgivable.
The letters pages of newspapers exploded with venom and journalists sharpened their poison quills.
"After his public comment to the effect that John Howard is the greatest prime minister this country has ever had, I no longer take him seriously as an apolitical or intelligent wildlife advocate," A. Bass of Sutherland wrote to The Daily Telegraph yesterday.
A reporter from The Age in Melbourne questioned why Irwin had turned down an invitation to Bill Clinton's presidential farewell dinner. "Does it tell us more about Steve Irwin than he might want us to know?" he wrote. Irwin had "thick skin", the article went on to say. "There's no getting through to the heart or the soul. And let's not make the mistake of going for the head."
There were snide stories about Irwin's invitation to the Lodge for a fancy "partisan barbecue" Howard hosted for visiting US President George Bush, complete with snaky references to the $25,000 cost.
There were stories attacking Irwin's character. "For crocodile hunter Steve Irwin charity really does begin at home, with the millionaire 'donating' $175,000 to himself," began one story in The Courier-Mail in Brisbane. This $364 a minute of taxpayers' money was supposedly for "one day's work" shooting a quarantine awareness TV ad. The Federal Opposition and ABC Radio tried to whip up a crocodile-cash-for-comment scandal, linking the payment to Irwin's praise of the Prime Minister.
Finally, last week, Irwin was forced to defend himself, issuing a statement explaining the money was for a whole year's work on the quarantine campaign, not one day, and that he had given every cent to a new koala hospital at his Queensland zoo...
http://www.mediaman.com.au/articles/crocodile_hunter.html
Steve Irwin was a strong supporter of Prime Minister Howard and was an honoured guest when the PM held a BBQ for President Bush on his last visit.
Yes, it was mentioned on another link that I read through here. When you look at his background ... his family wasn't wealthy and lived in a trailer and all he accomplished ... HARD WORK and guts ... it also typically goes with that of a conservative.
#51 highlights his admiration for the U.S. fighting the war with Japan. I'll look around for the link for you.
"Prime Minister John Howard, who hand-picked Irwin to attend a gala barbecue to honor President Bush when he visited in 2003, said he was "shocked and distressed at Steve Irwin's sudden, untimely and freakish death."
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2006/09/04/irwin_hum.html