Posted on 09/05/2006 9:05:46 PM PDT by Kitten Festival
R.I.P: Steve Irwin's body isn't yet cold and already the Pecksniffs are out, tut-tutting the late crocodile hunter's risky encounters with wild beasts. They miss the point: Irwin's life was about enriching humans.
Irwin, who died over the weekend after a freak attack by a stingray, did not live a riskless life. In fact, for those who've watched his Animal Planet shows, some wonder why a fatal encounter hadn't happened earlier. But it's indisputable that he mastered nature with a rare talent — a talent that took him to the edge of possibility. For the sake of the rest of us, he shared his gift.
Exclaiming "crikey!" Irwin wrassled gators, handled snakes and got close to creatures with sharp teeth, riveting us all with his sunny confidence reminiscent of the pith-helmet British empire era.
He seemed to defy the barrier of television. "When I talk to the camera, mate, it's not like I'm talking to the camera, I'm talking to you because I want to whip you around and plunk you right there with me," he once said.
Maybe that's why the scolds came crawling out of their cubicles, all but saying Irwin had it coming. Irwin's success seemed to have made them sick to the green gills. Now they stand on his grave and claim to have the last word.
Two classes of critics have shown up in Irwin's case, galled by his distinctly Australian enthusiasm and his brawny persona.
Some are safety-firsters who say no one should touch nature because it's just too risky. Others are cognoscente of sorts who say no one should go near nature because all human contact will spoil it.
On Internet sites like Daily Kos, for instance, the local consensus was to condemn Irwin for taking chances, something almost as "bad" as soldiers
(Excerpt) Read more at investors.com ...
Bravo! Thanks for your post!
I would add one thing. I've thought a lot about Irwin's death, and some others I've seen. In one, a guy pulled out of a supermarket parking lot and got t-boned. He died instantly. When my crew arrived on scene, I was checking the car, and found his grocery receipt. It was time stamped. Approximately eight minutes earlier, he had been talking to a checkout clerk, and had no idea that was the last person he would ever talk to. In another accident, some friends of mine were driving down the Interstate, when a bus in the oncoming traffic lane lost control. It crossed the median and hit them head on. My friend, who was in the back seat survived. He said they didn't even have time to gasp.
When Irwin was killed, he wasn't doing a crazy stunt. He was doing a relatively safe dive, and was hit by a normally docile creature in probably the only place it could possibly have been fatal.
The point I take from his death is this: The day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. We have no idea what will be our last moment on earth. Some of us may die in our beds, old and full of years, some from disease, and some pulling out of the parking lot at the supermarket. If Irwin were to have any regrets, it would probably be that he won't give his daughter away in marriage, or teach his son how to wrestle a crocodile. How many of us could say that our only regrets were that we weren't here a little longer? Why don't we live our lives in the way we see fit? Why do so many of us make enemies we don't have to make? When Christ calls us, we're going home. No man knows the day or the hour.
Very beautiful post, full of insight.
Now that his life has ended; much too soon for my liking, the naysayers stand around clicking their tongues saying stupid things like "I knew it, I just knew it" and other equally obnoxious stuff. He did what he did because he had such a passion for life. All life. He lived his life to the fullest and I must say I don't personally know anyone who even comes close to doing that.
The green eyed monster seems to be out in force. But you know what? They can in no way diminish his accomplishments which are many.
Good bye young friend. I will always appreciate everything you taught me and the hundreds of times you amazed and entertained me. Oh, and Agro says he didn't really mean he hated you. He just enjoyed the joust.
Peace and love....
"Now back to Steve Irwin. Whatever anyone may think of him he lived with great passion. Instead of just piddling away life he really seized the day. If we could all go forth and live that way. We may die one physical death. But to die a thousand deaths spiritually while wondering "what if" would be more painful. Better to really live than to merely exist. "
Beautiful posts, both!
This thread seems to be attracting the most elegant thinkers on FR, one after another, eloquent, all.
I know. My children and young people all over the world are mourning his death.
Excellent tag line!! I think I'll quote you, and toast Steve with anything but Miller beer.
Steve Irwin: You had to have lived a pretty good life to have this many children mourning your death)
Although I'm an atheist, I have been thinking about this kind of thing a lot lately, though I'm not sure why. There hasn't been a death in the family, though a young person I work with attempted (and failed) suicide. That wasn't the trigger; not sure what was.
Anyway, this has come out in a lot of my behavior lately. For example, I have many books, and many--hundreds, literally--I have bought but haven't read. I have started plowing through the unread ones, and though I feel guilty for tossing aside a book I paid good money for, I keep thinking 'Do you want this to be the last book you ever read? Do you want to spend this last afternoon reading THIS book?'
I know that seems trite to some, but I'm not talking about life-defining moments, just...moments. And if I am thinking that way about book reading, I am starting to think that way about everything I do, gradually.
If we live mindful of the end, I think that all of our imperfect days will include SOMEthing we were glad we were doing in the end.
Perfect.
Think I'll make that my new tagline.
They remind me of the old Thomas Naste cartoon of the live jackass kicking a dead lion.
Similar thoughts have been passing through my mind for the last year or so as well. I struggle with my spiritual beliefs. I don't know if there is an afterlife or if all our dreams are heaven are just manifestations of how difficult it is to let go of this life. If there is nothing else, then what I do counts now, not in some life beyond, and I need to make the most of it.
Agreed. You watched Steve and it inspired you to live life to the fullest more.
Steve really doesn't need defending. He only would have if he had tried to please everyone.
Dittos to that. I regret that his wife and children lost him so early in life...and I regret that my own children will only know Steve's dedication and enthusiasm from long-ago DVDs. I was thinking a few weeks before Steve's passing about how much fun it would be watching the Croc hunter's show on the Discovery Channel with my kids.
Not really, I just was pulling for the crocs. Reminds me of the bear man in Alaska
Steve became a big target for the liberals and MSM because he was a staunch supporter of Howard and liked Bush.
Doesn't shock me at all that the libs and MSM are trying to ruin his legacy.
No - 8-yo Bindi was off trekking in Tasmania with her mom and brother Bob-Bob.
I'm sorry they were apart on Australia's Father's Day on Sunday (even moreso now), but I'm betting that every day was Father's Day for Daddy's little girl.
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