Croc-o-s**t

[onionhead]

For those of you who dislike Steve Irwin, aka the Crocodie Hunter, dig this:

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20040102071909990001

Personally I agree withn Steve in that he probably had complete control of the situation and little Bobcroc was in no danger.  However, being a celebrity puts you in the public eye continually, and one little slipup will damn you as a fool; whereas the same act, committed by the public, would go unnoticed.  It's interesting that the article failed to note that Steve juggled his babe with hands contaminated by raw chicken, to boot.  Maybe I should pen a follow-up . . . . . .

[Ash]

It kind of reminded me of Michael Jackson dangling his baby over that ledge.

[Susan]

can't read the article - not an aol member

[FearlessFreep]

If I did something of questionable judgement with my kids, the only person who's opinion really would matter would be my wife's.  If they've worked it out or she's ok with it or whatever...who am I to say anything?

[ulthar]

FearlessFreep wrote:

> If I did something of questionable judgement with my kids, the
> only person who's opinion really would matter would be my
> wife's.  If they've worked it out or she's ok with it or
> whatever...who am I to say anything?
>

Wasn't his wife standing right there (smiling, I think) the whole time, implicitly giving her consent?

I suspect we don't know the whole story on this.  Some possibilities: the croc could have been majorly drugged; the croc could have just eaten a goat or something (they really don't eat that often, as we warm blooded creatures do) and therefore was not hungry.  In either of these cases (and others you may offer), the croc would not have really posed a threat of any kind.  That's the thing about limbic creatures, they are fairly predictable.

I want to believe something like a simple explanation, as I cannot imagine someone putting their own child in that position.

[Colt M1991A1]

I've been to Australia Zoo (where Steve Irwin lives), and I know that he knows what he's doing.

As someone else said, it's really no-one else's business besides Steve and Terri Irwin's.

Channel 10 were running stories last night about "worldwide condemnation" of the act etc, and the first thing I thought was "Oh for God's sake, who cares???"

[Cullen]

Try this link

[Ash]

I for one totally think that it's Erwin's business and no one else's.

The guy does know what he's doing.

I agree with Colt....who cares!?

At least Erwin isn't a total wacko like Jacko!

Hehe!

[Pumaman1138]

I don't mind Steve Irwin too much myself .. heres a net cartoon which picked on Steve ....

http://dynamic5.gamespy.com/~extralife/archive.php?date=2003-08-27



Post Edited (01-05-04 10:04)

[Velvet Brotha]

Sorry dude, the guy is a complete dumb ass and I hope they throw the book at him.

[ulthar]

Velvet Brotha wrote:

> Sorry dude, the guy is a complete dumb ass and I hope they
> throw the book at him.

This begs the question, though, do parents really have the right to raise their child as they see fit?  Now that I am a parent, I find it increasing difficult to criticize other's rearing habits as I know some of what I do would make some other people cringe (though I have not, yet anyway, tried to feed a croc with my daughter in my arms...come to think of it, I am not into feeding crocodiles anyway).

This is a very minor example, but it illustrates the point.  My wife and I want our daughter to have some independence and to learn to not always have to rely on others.  She is a toddler and has been walking for a couple of months.  Sometimes she falls down; sometimes she even bonks herself a little (she once gave herself a bruise on the nose that made her look like Rudolf).  Many of the parents with whom we come into contact run to their children and snatch them up and cuddle and comfort when they fall down.  We tend not to (it is a judgement call whether she is really hurt or just upset about falling).

I know I have seen the looks from mothers like "you brute, why are you not comforting your child?  How can you be so heartless."  But we have found that our daughter shakes off relatively small bumps and bruises with a chuckle and goes right back to playing.  She's a tough little cookie.  When she needs comforting, we give it to her, but she does not seek it for every little thing.  We trust our instincts to tell the difference.

It's a personal decision.  But, hey, I could see some overzealous DSS worker (in my state, they can be aggressive if they are trying to make a name for themselves) seeing us do that and think "neglect."  Parental neglect is a very, very serious charge, one that I think is thrown about far too easily.

And yes, my attitudes of parenting have change enormously since having a child.

Anyway, did Irwin cross some line?  I don't know.  I still contend that we are only getting the "gasp-look what he did" part of the story, when there may be more to it.

[AndyC]

I saw pictures in the paper, and it didn't look like the kid was in any danger, relatively speaking.

Besides, I can't imagine Irwin did it without giving it some thought ahead of time. As a father, he is probably more concerned for that kid's welfare than any of his critics, and he's certainly not going to involve the kid in a show on a whim. People need to give him a little credit. He knows his way around crocodiles. I don't doubt for a minute that safety is foremost on his mind, regardless of how reckless he might appear.

Of course, I also thought the fuss over Michael Jackson on the balcony was overblown. The idea of Jackson as a father presents many scarier possibilities.

[Velvet Brotha]

Ulthar,

I agrre with you on your methods used in raising your child. I myself have a daughter that was born on December 15th and I intend to teach her to be independent as well. I feel that sometimes parents can over react by rushing to a child when it falls. Good judgement would determine whether or not the baby is hurt and needs comforting. However, The Crocodile Hunter outta have his nuts chewed off by the croc!

[ulthar]

Velvet Brotha wrote:

> Ulthar,
>
> I agrre with you on your methods used in raising your child. I
> myself have a daughter that was born on December 15th and I
> intend to teach her to be independent as well.

Well, CONGRATS TO YOU, man!!  :)

[Velvet Brotha]

Thank you sir!