Crocodile Hunter Killed by Stingray

[2020hindsight]

Hek mate no offense to PADI intended. etc.

Stan 101 - You were talking about PADI . I went to PADI website and clicked on "what's to fear" - the reply as follows:-

Q: What are the most common injuries or sicknesses associated with diving?
A: Sun burn and seasickness, both of which are preventable with over the counter preventatives. The most common injuries caused by marine life are scrapes and stings, most of which can be avoided by wearing an exposure suit, staying off the bottom and watching where you put your hands and feet.

Q: What about sharks?
A: When you’re lucky, you get to see a shark. Although incidents with sharks occur, they are very, very rare and with respect to diving, primarily involve spearfishing or feeding sharks, both of which trigger feeding behavior. Most of the time, if you see a shark it’s passing through and a relatively rare sight to enjoy.

I would still maintain that most scuba divers were a) aware that a ray has a barb, but b) not that it is potentially lethal.

 

[noirua]

Steve Irwin Tribute: http://youtube.com/watch?v=kYMzF1BljMo&mode=related&search

 

[noirua]

Steve Irwin, " my reason..." : http://youtube.com/watch?v=DwxQyhIbhAk&search=Steve Irwin

 

[Julia]

Some more letters to Crikey.com.



Leila Ismail writes: Oh dear. The people who were so deeply offended by the Steve Irwin jokes (8 September, comments) had better protect their delicate sensibilities by crawling under a rock like many of the critters Steve harassed no doubt wished they could. Satire about sad events has always been an important medium through which people try to lighten a situation and stimulate conversation on the subject. Many were similarly outraged about the September 11 jokes that began circulating – but with such a talked-about, high profile event, responses were always going to come from every quarter, including the humorous one. Crikey gave air to the full gamut of these responses, serious and not-so-serious. Sir Joh jokes started circulating before he was even lowered into the ground, and I didn't hear many complaints then. Admittedly Steve was much more likeable (and subtle), but the principle is still the same – humour is a valid part of human expression and it shouldn't be suppressed or censored. After all, plenty of jokes were made about Steve while he was still alive! It might even be claimed that Steve deliberately invited parody and humorous responses with his over-the-top Crocodile-Dundee-on-speed persona. And Germaine is right – we do tend to revere dead people without holding them up to any kind of scrutiny. Her comments were bang on – Steve did barge into animals' precious natural habitats, grab them around the throat and shove their terrified critter-faces into the nearest camera while telling the world how "deadly" and "lethal" they were. Of course I feel sad for Bindi, Bob and Terri. They lost a loved one. But let's not go overboard – Steve Irwin was a larger-than-life TV star, who often treated animals in dubious ways for entertainment value. No-one's perfect of course, and he certainly was a character (and quite possibly a good bloke)... but he wasn't a national hero. Let's not go all Beaconsfield on this situation, please. Who knows, Steve himself might have found some of those jokes funny – he certainly wasn't as precious and fragile as some Crikey (ex-) readers seem to be.

Kevin Tyerman writes: I am not quite sure why the quintessential Aussie larrikin sense of humour is deemed inappropriate when it applies to death, even that of quintessential Aussie larrikins. I did not know Steve Irwin, but can't help thinking that he would have fully appreciated the sunscreen joke. Personally, if my death is observed, I would prefer that my wake is full of jokes and laughing at my foibles and the things that I did in my life, rather than people I care about being tearful and sad. At funerals I tend to mourn for those that are left and are adversely affected by the death, rather than the person who died. This may be considered tasteless by some, but I take the view that death is inevitable, and that mourning for a person instead of appreciating who and what they were, will not bring them back and will not change the person that they were. My honest opinion of a person also does not change with their demise, and I have never really understood the attitude that considers that criticism of a person should cease on their death – to me that is hypocrisy rather than respect.

Helen Barnes writes: Please don't be swayed by sentimental idiots cancelling their subscriptions because of the jokes about Steve Irwin. What's really offensive is the absurd overreaction of the media and the saturation of news for days with a sad, but not very important, story.

Michael Jones writes: What a lot of two-year-olds you have reading Crikey, or used to have. All those subscriptions being cancelled over the Irwin thing, you'd think Crikey had put on a burlesque show or something. Sure it was tasteless and disrespectful to the family. The guy is dead, after all. The Daily Telegraph's use of the phrase "grieving nation" was also disrespectful, to the intelligence of just about anyone reading it. Cutting yourself off from every source of comment you might potentially disagree with is not very smart, though.

Rob Lake writes: 42 years have passed, so my memory of the exact quote is almost certainly incorrect, but in 1964 when Lord Beaverbrook died, Private Eye put a very unflattering headline on their front page along the lines of: "Lord Beaverbrook is a dishonest, immoral drunkard". It was over-printed with: "We have learnt of Lord Beaverbrook's recent death. See inside for apology". Inside they apologised for their appalling lapse, saying it should have read "Lord Beaverbrook WAS a dishonest immoral..." We just cannot speak ill of the dead. It seems to me that those wailing about Crikey and what Dr Greer has written are the same lot who would wail about political correctness. How much time must elapse before we are permitted to examine the life and work of Steve Irwin? Good piece in The Spectator on Saturday but not written by an expat female Aussie, so it won't draw any fire.


Julia

 

[noirua]

Should Steve Irwin's death be shown? http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news_detail.html?sku=384

 

[2020hindsight]

Rob Lake writes: 42 years have passed, so my memory of the exact quote is almost certainly incorrect, but in 1964 when Lord Beaverbrook died, Private Eye put a very unflattering headline on their front page along the lines of: "Lord Beaverbrook is a dishonest, immoral drunkard". It was over-printed with: "We have learnt of Lord Beaverbrook's recent death. See inside for apology". Inside they apologised for their appalling lapse, saying it should have read "Lord Beaverbrook WAS a dishonest immoral..."

Lol, Without even considering the conclusions Rob Lake goes on to draw from this, (not sure Id agree) but it's one hilarious story. Heck if they only apologised for the fact that they had the tense wrong, you get the feeling that they didnt like him maybe? lol :bier:
PS speaking of hilarious - so was Steves movie last night -what a comedian. he was. (and ever will be)

 

[cogidubnus]

In all honesty who cares? You live you die. It's possible that he is still living and this is all a beat up, or perhaps he died of natural causes. Too bad people die every day.

 

[Julia]

In all honesty who cares? You live you die. It's possible that he is still living and this is all a beat up, or perhaps he died of natural causes. Too bad people die every day.

This post seems out of character with the sadness you expressed when telling us your wife had recently died.

Julia

 

[noirua]

A further tribute to Steve Irwin: http://www.newbreedvets.com/

 

[2020hindsight]

In all honesty who cares? You live you die. ....

Cog, you seem to be pretty depressed, and Im sorry that you've got your own set of problems. I find other quotes by you on other leads ...

I am old fart and I do not like towns, because kids mug me when I go to the shop. They steal my money. Everyone moves quickly and noone cares about my well being. ... Big cities are for young people who can defend themselves or have lots of friends ...

HOWEVER, Can I just ask you to agree please that that little girl (Bindie Irwin) found a soft spot in that heart of yours with her speech about "her dad" who was "the best dad in the world".
Or maybe Steve's dad who said " please don't grieve for Steve - but grieve instead for the animals - they've lost their best friend".
Mate that hour long show was seriously unique footage with some seriously challenging concepts. In all honesty mate - I think you will find that a big proportion of Australia cares - and a big proprtion of the world shed tears during that show.
Sorry man, I just have to leave this thread on a slightly more positive note than your last post.

 

[barney]

Cog, you seem to be pretty depressed, and Im sorry that you've got your own set of problems. I find other quotes by you on other leads ...

HOWEVER, Can I just ask you to agree please that that little girl (Bindie Irwin) found a soft spot in that heart of yours with her speech about "her dad" who was "the best dad in the world".
Or maybe Steve's dad who said " please don't grieve for Steve - but grieve instead for the animals - they've lost their best friend".
Mate that hour long show was seriously unique footage with some seriously challenging concepts. In all honesty mate - I think you will find that a big proportion of Australia cares - and a big proprtion of the world shed tears during that show.
Sorry man, I just have to leave this thread on a slightly more positive note than your last post.

Hi 20/20 Just amplifying your comments.................Cog, sorry if life is not treating you good, but I could give you some pretty unhappy stuff on my own behalf, but that would serve no purpose.........you HAVE to look for the "positive" to overcome whatever is troubling you.........it is hard, but if you don't, you will suffer even more; It is a actually a conscious choice on your behalf....(if you wish to discuss please PM me).................20/20 I read between the lines you are a V caring human being ............you have my respect, for what that's worth. Cheers, Barney

 

[pacer]

Dude..get a gun or big knife..... still legal to carry a knife on your belt....for fishing...Keep a rod in the car........tossers like that are Bullies...they always back down if you pull out a bit of "balls".........I'd rather die a Man than a coward...which is what they are.....been King Hit twice by cowards...for nothing....and will always fight to the death now......I feel alot better taking it on than waking up in the morning feeling angry....I wake up with a few bruises and go..."at least I put up a fight".... don't let ANYONE TAKE YOUR PRIDE AWAY FROM YOU!

 

[Julia]

Dude..get a gun or big knife..... still legal to carry a knife on your belt....for fishing...Keep a rod in the car........tossers like that are Bullies...they always back down if you pull out a bit of "balls".........I'd rather die a Man than a coward...which is what they are.....been King Hit twice by cowards...for nothing....and will always fight to the death now......I feel alot better taking it on than waking up in the morning feeling angry....I wake up with a few bruises and go..."at least I put up a fight".... don't let ANYONE TAKE YOUR PRIDE AWAY FROM YOU!

Pacer,
Have to say that if Cog feels physically vulnerable, then brandishing any sort of "weapon" will probably just exacerbate his problems. Much as we may dislike the fact, it's usually just asking for trouble to do anything other than ignore and walk away from bullies.

Cog, how is that you put yourself in a position where anyone can steal from you? Where does this happen?

Julia

 

[barney]

Dude..get a gun or big knife..... still legal to carry a knife on your belt....for fishing...Keep a rod in the car........tossers like that are Bullies...they always back down if you pull out a bit of "balls".........I'd rather die a Man than a coward...which is what they are.....been King Hit twice by cowards...for nothing....and will always fight to the death now......I feel alot better taking it on than waking up in the morning feeling angry....I wake up with a few bruises and go..."at least I put up a fight".... don't let ANYONE TAKE YOUR PRIDE AWAY FROM YOU!

Hey Pacer, Can I make the observation............You are either a) an older person (I don't think so!) ..........b) Not of "great" stature (Don't worry.....nor am I) ......c) Live in an area/suburb of "gang" attitude/mentallity.....??..............Mate, good Onya standing up to the ar***oles............ I am lucky I live in a "nice" part of the world now , but when I was younger, and lived where "you had to watch your back" ........it wasn't easy..................PS ...I also like Bourbon.........and Beer........and Scotch........and Wine............(and a lot of stuff not related to alcohol!!), Barney.

 

[Smurf1976]

Pacer,
Have to say that if Cog feels physically vulnerable, then brandishing any sort of "weapon" will probably just exacerbate his problems. Much as we may dislike the fact, it's usually just asking for trouble to do anything other than ignore and walk away from bullies.

The ability to walk away is a sign of maturity as far as I'm concerned.

 

[barney]

The ability to walk away is a sign of maturity as far as I'm concerned.

I agree with you in theory, (cause I've always walked (run sometimes!!) away, but when the assailant can run twice as fast as you , you have to come up with a different "plan"...........We are often not dealing with "sensible" human beings who see "reason" with our objections/opinions ........(I once had a guy who wanted to "fight" me cause I was "looking" at him)............He was obviously drugged out......Life in the "suburbs" can be tough, and being a sensible/reasonable person does not stop you being "abused" .............Sometimes you just have to be "tougher" than the "scumbags" (I still prefer to run, but my legs don't work as well as they used to! )

 

[nelly]

Hi Y'all
been away 4 awhile scusee....
all this mourning...'wearing black' 4 a guy u did not know is touching...
get a perspective...really...how about the kids waking up without ANY kind of family left alive...name a place...I bet u all can answer 1 of 3 places at war right now, off the top of your heads.
I do greive 4 Bindi and Terri and Bob and 4 every other family [not so well known] but I greive 4 every child left motherless, fatherless....family-less every day. And I didn't know them personally at all.
So commerate a great Aussie icon 4 what he stood 4 [really]....a good family man[which I don't know 4 sure is true] Like all the good family men who lost there lives UNDER the spotlight!
I agree with COG...mayb not 'who cares'.... but unless u had a regular beer with him at your local ever Thursday?.......pretensiousness SUCKS!...give me honest and REAL anyday.
Always Cheerful

 

[Bobby]

Hi Y'all
been away 4 awhile scusee....
all this mourning...'wearing black' 4 a guy u did not know is touching...
get a perspective...really...how about the kids waking up without ANY kind of family left alive...name a place...I bet u all can answer 1 of 3 places at war right now, off the top of your heads.
I do greive 4 Bindi and Terri and Bob and 4 every other family [not so well known] but I greive 4 every child left motherless, fatherless....family-less every day. And I didn't know them personally at all.
So commerate a great Aussie icon 4 what he stood 4 [really]....a good family man[which I don't know 4 sure is true] Like all the good family men who lost there lives UNDER the spotlight!
I agree with [sorry forgot your monika].....who cares....REALLY!
Always Cheerful

Nice to see you back Nelly, how goes your trading ?

Cheers Bob.

 

[nelly]

Hey Bob how goes it....my tradin is in slump right now but I c some upward swing in the future...or mayb not...hoo bloody knows?????
How has it been with u?
I hope YOUR not in greivous mourning 4 Irwin.
P.S.
People r going 2 think I'm 'artless.....after these posts...

 

[nelly]

Hellooooo anybody oot there......??????? Bob....Bob.....?????