Posted on 09/04/2006 10:44:52 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
CROCODILE Hunter Steve Irwin died in "quintessentially Australian circumstances," Prime Minister John Howard told parliament today.
Irwin, 44, died when his chest was pierced by a stingray barb while swimming off the Queensland Coast yesterday.
"Steve Irwin's death yesterday in bizarre, tragic, and in some respects quintessentially Australian circumstances has not only shocked and horrified the people of Australia but it has brought forth an outpouring of grief and an outpouring of emotional expressions of regard for this remarkable man around the world," Mr Howard said.
Quoting actor Russell Crowe, Mr Howard said "the Crocodile man Steve Irwin was the Australian many of us aspire to be".
The Prime Minister described Irwin as a talented showman who used his skills for good. He praised his involvement in a highly successful Customs campaign.
"His willingness to front the high profile program Quarantine Matters was a great contribution to the quarantine cause and the clean, green protected image that this country wants to continue and represent to the rest of the world," Mr Howard said.
Mr Howard said Irwin also made an important contribution to the Australian tourism industry.
"He did epitomise to many so people around the world what they saw to be uniquely Australian characteristics and for that we should be simultaneously proud and grateful," Mr Howard said.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
Discovery Channel Plans Irwin Tributes
Irwin, Irwin, Oi Oi... R.I.P.
Thanks for that. I hope they do a good job!
That must be a very bizarre and rare tragedy. I grew up around stingray and the like. Most injuries caused by them, it seemed, were on hands or feet of fisherman and not fatal (although very painful and sometimes requiring minor surgeries to remove the stinger). As a boy, I recall once stepping on a stingray while looking to gig flounder (and wasn't punctured).
Many Americans are sad too! He really did a lot to help wildlife, in many ways.
I feel awful for his family.
More from the story:
" ... In the NSW parliament, MPs paused in silence as a mark of respect.
NSW lower house MPs today briefly suspended their deliberations after party leaders expressed their sadness at Mr Irwin's death.
Premier Morris Iemma said Australia would seem like a smaller place without Irwin.
"He represented the best of Australia - sunny, bold, optimistic, and carefree - and with the odd touch of mayhem," Mr Iemma told parliament. ..."
If he is the best then I hate to see the worst. Do all Aussies have a death wish?
Crickey! what a knob you are.
Australians have been one of the few true allies we have in today's world, and Irwin lavished praise on Prime Minister Howard. How about cutting them - and him - some slack at this tragic time?
So true, so true. How much better it would have been if he not been raised with the love of animals that he had. Or, if having seen that something needed to be done about the conservation of wildlife, he had simply turned his back and walked away.
Yes, he was a showman - but being a showman got the public's attention. Imagine if teachers had his kind of enthusiasm about the subjects they taught - or if the conservative movement had his kind of enthusiasm.
It's always the same thing. I work with a guy whose goal is to live in a back of a pickup truck. Whatever...but when his kids get pnemonia and die as a result it is irresponsible and borderline criminal. I am not saying this guy was a bad person, I am saying he put his values over the interest of his childs'
Everyone is going on over how sad this all is. It is not sad. It is the logical conclusion to behaviour that is pathological. The behaviour that drives people to endanger themselves is what is sad. Where was his consideration for his child growing up fatherless?
I happened across the APL tribute while channel surfing. I gained a lot of respect for the man, his knowledge of animals and preservation, and his strong family commitment. He and his wife Terri (sp?) were struck by love at first sight, and have two beautiful young children.
They have my deepest sympathy and prayers
So...to love nature you have to endanger yourself and your family? WTF over? Would you swing your kid out in front of an alligator because you like the alligator, or because you have a death wish and think others should have one too!
He was quite a unique man. I am very sad to learn of his passing.
So I am a wanker because I think needlessly endangering yourself and other people is irresponsible? Who thinks that way...?
"Stupid people" like our soldiers in Iraq, the FDNY firemen and NYPD policemen in the WTC on 9/11, right?
Our soldiers and Marines do this...does that make them stupid?
In your opinion.
"It is not sad"
In your opinion.
"...behaviour that is pathological"
In your opinion.
So who crawls out from under a cyber rock and spouts his/her opinion (for all the world to see) about how Steve Irwin was a pathological father with a death wish who showed little consideration for his kids?
"Who thinks that way...?"
Wankers.
Idiots also cannot differentiate (5 syllables) between duty and voyeurism.
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