This morning the news was rife with eulogies for Steve Irwin who died after being struck by a stingray's barb in the chest. Friends and colleagues praised the way he brought attention to environmental and ecological problems. I just remember him as that frickin' insane guy who used to do the nature shows where he would get too close to crocodiles and other dangerous predators, wait until the moment they lunged, and then jump out of the way last second... like Jackass in the Outback. And who can forget the time he pulled a Michael and Blanket, standing with his newborn mere meters in front of a feeding crocodile? And then walked the infant like a puppet next to the croc?
I never once got any sort of message about treating animals or the environment with any respect. In fact, when I was nine and used to do something similar with my dog, holding a biscuit for him just out of reach and yanking it away when he jumped, my dad would get on me for teasing the dog. Still, I just feel horrible for the guy's family. It sounds like a wretched way to go.
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