Politicians pay tribute to Irwin (Parliament salutes Croc Man)

Herald Sun ^ | 5 September 2006

[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.

[FreedomCalls]

So I am a wanker because I think needlessly endangering yourself and other people is irresponsible?

No, you're a wanker because you have to troll on the Internet to get people to notice you. You're criticizing a world-famous naturalist, beloved by tens of millions of people around the world, who has a family that dearly loves him, is very successful, has donated millions to his dream of wildlife conservation, and died doing what he loves. Who knows you? Will anyone even come to your funeral? You can't have a lot of friends if you are up criticizing the dead even before they are mourned by those who admired them. A decent person would wait.

[GregH]

Try to learn more what the man actually did, rather than ranting like a loony liberal and looking like a total clown.

[ChiefKujo]

gr8eman said:

Anyone who purposely puts himself in harms way is stupid in my opinion. To have a death wish is okay, it's your life, but when you put other people's life in harms way it borders on criminal, especially a young child who knows no better. That alligator could have eaten his arm for a snack and then his baby for dessert.

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?


Kos on his website said:

'I'll never understand parents who put themselves in such positions of danger knowing that a misstep can leave their children without a parent'

Pretty much gives it away, doesn't it?

[gr8eman]

So I am bad because I point out what is the obvious and logical conclusion of a person's behaviour. I never said or think that Irwin was a bad person or unintelligent or any such thing. There is no doubt he was a great person and was a positive influence to the world in many ways. What I am saying is that his flamboyant actions in flirting with death are irresponsible especially by putting his kid into harms way. By putting his own life in danger and getting killed his child or children are deprived of a father. What about them? What great achievement is accomplished by getting yourself killed for fun and profit?

It is a sad statement in society when people cannot grasp the negative consequences of their actions on others. What is more important to you...the good feeling you get from watching a little baby get dangled in front of a croc and possibly becoming lunch as viewed while your reclined in your LA Z Boy, or the importance of having a safe nuclear family come of age together totally unbeknownst to you? You have to make a choice!

I almost died 3 different times when I was young pulling stunts. Eventually I thought about how my parents would feel and the consequences of my actions upon others besides the fact that I would be DEAD!. I chalk it up to stupidity and I changed my behaviour as it was ultimately selfish. The fact that a lot of people do not consider it selfish says a lot more about them than anything else.

[CheyennePress]

""Stupid people" like our soldiers in Iraq, the FDNY firemen and NYPD policemen in the WTC on 9/11, right?"

Or Christopher Columbus, the Pilgrims, the Constitutional Convention, the Wright Brothers, the Christian martyrs, or countless others. Bold men who stood up for what they believed and/or followed their passions and beliefs have always left the deepest footprints.

God bless men like Steve Irwin. Their lives may not always be long, but they have a bredth we can only aspire to.

[panthermom]

We loved the Crocodile Hunter. Everyone I talked to yesterday mentioned Steve Irwin and expressed their shock and sadness.

He and his family are in our prayers.

[mcashman]

There's nowhere untouched by his death in America either. I was in a line waiting to buy ice cream last night, and besides my wife and I, three other families within earshot were discussing what happened.

A true shame. Kudos to him for not letting fear get in the way of living, and sympathy to his family for their loss.

[MaryFromMichigan]

According to this article, he even discovered a new species, a type of snapping turtle that now bears his name, Elseya irwini - Irwin's turtle.
First I had heard of that.
I love turtles, especially snappers. In fact, I have one that I keep in a 300 gallon tank.
Very cool animals.

[sharkhawk]

""Stupid people" like our soldiers in Iraq, the FDNY firemen and NYPD policemen in the WTC on 9/11, right?"

I am sorry for his family and friends, but to compare some guy who plays with snakes and crocs to our heroes who are protecting are lives and freedoms is insane. He was an entertainer and played with fire for our amusement, not a hero.

[libstripper]

That's the saddest thing fo all. Terri is never going to be able to find another like him.

[najida]

Don't look now,
but your total ignorance is showing.

[najida]

Your not only ignorant, but a thread hijacking attention slut.

[Dante3]

I am glad they plan this tribute.

There is widespread sadness in this country also.

[najida]

THEN--
Don't eat snow crab,
wear gold, buy diamonds, or use anything that comes from a coal mine....

Just a few professions where folks are doing something that endangers their lives for a commodity.

To me, Irwin was the best of the best.....the last of the great adventurers in a world full of cowards and girly men.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I love turtles, especially snappers. In fact, I have one that I keep in a 300 gallon tank.

If you start making lots of typos, we'll know what happened. :)

[najida]

I'm saddened to...

But envious also,
Terri had a soul mate,
Bindi and Bob Bob had a great father and
Steve lived more in one day than most folks do in a lifetime.

[Gamecock]

Watching Steve on TV was kind of like watching a car crash. You saw disaster unfolding but just couldn't look away.




I will miss watching him.

[MaryFromMichigan]

If you start making lots of typos, we'll know what happened. :)

So far, so good!
I don't take any chances with him though!

[Xenalyte]

AD, I've felt weird since I saw the first thread . . . I just can't get my brain around the fact that a life force so very vital has just gone out like that.

[Xenalyte]

If the best you can do in the face of death is to take cheap shots, bite me and get the hell off this thread.