I've come here to mourn Steve Irwin

[CatWoman]

not to ridicule him or his craft.

And to express my deepest sympathies to his widow and children.

I've been on several blogs today, and can't believe some of the jackass comments, hence this thread.

Steve - rest in peace. Watching you gave me such a healthy respect for wildlife.

[Betsy Ross]

1. Oddly enough

Hearing the news made me think "Oh, no. This can't be true." Some of us just weren't ready for him to leave us.

Sympathies to his family and friends.

[TayTay]

2. I always liked the man

my sympathies to his family. I thought he did a good job in teaching some respect for animals and I used to watch his program with my kids. He will be missed.

[karlrschneider]

3. I suppose you've noticed how many Irwin haters are posting.

And no, I can't explain it.

[bananarepublican]

62. I can explain it... they're F-wits!!! n/t

[SidDithers]

78. Are Irwin haters like Leopold haters?...

or anti-semites?
or Clinton-bashers?
or Chavez-haters?
or OCT government shills?
or 9/11 conspiraloons?

It's getting really hard to for me to distinguish the trolls/disruptors/freepers/haters from the people who just have an opinion that's different from mine.

Sid

[NC_Nurse]

4. My family will miss him.

We watched many an episode and he was so passionate about his work.
I had no idea that he was controversial in the least. People are so judgmental these days.
May he rest in peace.

[Booster]

5. I wasn't a huge fan, but I did respect the man for what he did with

his life, and he always made me laugh. If only all of us could have such passion for what we do; he loved it and it showed. Rest in Peace, Steve.

[WindRavenX]

6. RIP

I hope someone picks up your tourch.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[BlueJazz]

8. He was of those people that makes Life and the World a little better.

[Gold Metal Flake]

9. Look at the disruptive posts regarding Steve Irwin, and consider...

...how many disruptors infect other threads.

[derby378]

15. Me, I still can't understand it

He was an environmentalist and animal lover who stood up for crocodiles even when nobody else would. These animals are contemporaries of the dinosaurs, and they need more advocates to step up now that Steve has fallen.

Australia's ecosystem is a most unusual and delicate remnant of ancient Gondwanaland. Steve understood this all too well, and for his efforts, we should honor his memory, not trash it.

[hlthe2b]

10. I'm with you CatWoman...

Steve lived life to its fullest, with purpose, excitement, and zeal--for that we can be happy for him. The sadness then is left for those who will deeply miss what he offered, a very close-up view of the wild world around us, that few of us will ever experience firsthand.

[serryjw]

36. Let's celebrate his life

not mourn his death. We should all be so blessed to live a life of purpose and passion. Yes, he left too early but life is not about quantity but rather quality.He loved & repected the animals and he taught many too do the same. RIP Steve, you did good!
Namaste

[wicket]

11. Amen

Thanks for this thread Catwoman, I've read some pretty horrible things today :(

Thoughts and prayers for Mr. Irwin's family in this difficult time.

[Skittles]

12. I really liked him

when I watched his show I would freak..."IT'S GONNA BOITE YOU STEVE!!!" I'd holler at the TV....I was fascinated, repelled and educated simultaneously. Many people say he took unnecessary risks; I say the world would be a very, very boring place without people like Mr. Irwin. I'm a fan of his wife too - she was the perfect foil for him....I wish her and her children the best.

[Hoosier Dem]

13. I thought Irwin was kinda goofy...

but the man had passion for wildlife. My son and I used to watch his show a lot when my boy was younger. I always wondered just how much caffeine old Steve took before a show.

I remember as a kid watching "Wild Kingdom" with Marlon Perkins. If you remember, Marlon pretty much stuck to the studio while his trusty sidekick Jim went out into danger. (If I were Jim, I think I'd have said "A COBRA?? Are you nuts! Why don't you get your ass out of that studio and come help me!!)


Irwin always plunged head-long into it. This afternoon, as I saw some of the coverage on CNN, it came to me: Irwin was like Jacques Cousteau for the MTV generation: hyper-kinetic, frenzied, kinda ADD, but passionate about what he believed in.


My heart goes out to his wife and children, and also to the animals he cared so much for. :-(

[Skittles]

23. OMG Hoosier

Marlon would be saying "WE" and I'd yell at the TV what's this WE stuff - Jim is getting mauled right behind you!! ALONE!!! :o

[sandnsea]

14. Passion is a wonderful thing

I think it's a sign of the times that passion is ridiculed instead of admired. In the spirit of your thread, I'll leave it at that and say that I thought he was terrific and am still shocked by his death. Blessings to his family.

[NotGivingUp]

16. i liked steve and was saddened to hear about his death. my heart goes

out to his family. he was too young to die, though he did live dangerously.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

17. Peace Be With Him And His Family. May The Lord Look Over Them Kindly.

Rest in peace Steve, you were truly a beautiful soul that inspired millions.

[DeepModem Mom]

18. Thanks for your kindness, CatWoman. nt

[Teaser]

19. I won't mourn him

because I didn't know him. But it is too bad he died.

[Beausoir]

20. Honestly, it will be interesting to see how many trolls have the balls to

show up and crap on Catwoman's thread.

I'm betting none.

I don't mean this to ruin your thread, CatWoman. But I am just sick and tired of the hateful pigs who shit all over this site on a daily basis.

My family really enjoyed Steve Irwin. We learned alot from his show and I feel sad that he is gone.

I feel terrible for his wife and his kids.

In our house..he will be missed.

[OzarkDem]

24. I'm a little tired of the mods sitting on their hands

and not doing anything. Maybe there aren't any there?

[tnlefty]

21. Aack! Something terrible has happened to 'The Crocodile Hunter'?

First, I'm assuming it was something bad because it appears from this thread that he is dead. What happened, and yes, I will go off to find what I can about this.

I can't believe that folks are saying nasty things about him. He wasn't Ronald Reagan afterall, and he actually tried to save crocodiles and had a great respect for nature and all of her creatures.

[CatWoman]

25. he was killed in a freak accident

:cry:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060904/ap_on_en_tv/obit_irwin

[tnlefty]

26. Thanks, I asked the spousal unit and he told me it was an accident

involving a sting ray. Odd that he regularly worked with animals much larger and much more dangerous...Jeeeze.

RIP Steve.

[aikoaiko]

22. I raised my beer to Steve tonight, cheers mate.

:toast:

[OwnedByFerrets]

27. I mourn with you, his family and with the world for

a great, wonderful person who was full of life and shared some of his life with us.

[NYCGirl]

28. Anyone who loved animals that much (and even the most "unloveable" of

them) is a great human being.

:cry:

[SaveElmer]

29. Ditto...

This tendency to stomp on people after they are dead is really a dark side of DU I do not like to see...

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[cboy4]

47. Can you explain to me why if you're so broken up about Steve's

death, you've posted that disgusting animation of a sting ray chasing him?

It's not a joke. He's dead.

What's wrong with you?

[Jamastiene]

31. RIP Steve-O.

My condolences to Terri, Bindi, Bob, Wes, and the kind folks at Australia Zoo.

[AspenRose]

32. Hear, hear

Whatever happened to respect for the dead....? My gosh.

[populistdriven]

35. I agree but not everyone gets a free pass after death tho, ie *

[AspenRose]

41. I'm not going to stand in that seat of judgment of the 'after-death...'

I don't think I'd like being struck by lightening ;-)

I don't have to like the person but *respect* and/or *decorum* is in order....

and when * passes on I doubt I'll do any gloating at all....says more about me than him, that's for sure

no tears, but no gloating....

[Lisa]

33. hear hear, CatWoman ... some ways to salute his memory ...

Steve Irwin tried to popularize creatures like snakes and turtles, which are often viewed as being ugly, useless, and even dangerous. While this attitude is starting to change, these kinds of species (and also amphibians, insects, and plants) are still underprotected. One doesn't have to be a fan of his show, to support these efforts. Ordinary citizens can play a vital role in lobbying governments to extend protection, and encourage less-damaging types of development. For example, many municipalities have laws which require people to have trimmed weed-free lawns, which are not good habitat for wildlife -- it's only recently that there has been public pressure to allow "natural" landscaping on public and private lands.

Here are some interesting sites, to do with biological diversity in general.
The US Endangered Species Act:
http://www.fws.gov/Endangered/esa.html
The Red List (worldwide list of threatened species):
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
The Biodiversity Convention (unfortunately, not yet ratified by the US):
http://www.biodiv.org/default.shtml

The US has ratified the CITES treaty (aimed at stopping the illegal trade in rare species), and the Fish and Wildlife Service enforces it:
http://www.cites.org/
http://www.fws.gov/international/cites/cites.html


The number one factor worldwide which is threatening species is the loss of habitat. Urban sprawl, unsustainable forestry and agriculture, and now the increasing threat of global warming, are all contributing to this problem. It might seem like an impossible task, but there are lots of ways in which people can help reverse this trend. Many groups are active in this nonpartisan effort -- and they often are desperately short of funds and volunteers.
--join a group like the Nature Conservancy, which purchases land to preserve important habitat and unique natural features
http://www.nature.org/
--if you own property, see if you can alter your management practices (landscaping, farming, etc.) to provide more wildlife habitat, and decrease your inputs (water and fertilizer use, pesticides)
--support local educational projects which teach kids about nature (naturalists' clubs, museums, nature interpretive centers etc.) -- with funding cutbacks, there is a danger that "outdoor ed" will be completely removed from the curriculum, and kids in the suburbs and inner city may never have a chance to see it for themselves. (In my hometown, there is ONE outdoors facility which has to serve the entire school system, and now the next city over has shut theirs down, so the kids there have to share it as well. My mom and her friends used to take them out on nature hikes, but they're in their 70s and 80s now, and they will have to find replacement volunteers soon.)
--support sustainable agriculture in your local area (e.g. farmers' markets) and buy paper products which are recycled, to encourage more efficient forest practices
--tell your local politicians that you want to see more policies to deal with habitat preservation, global warming and other types of pollution, and "smart" development -- and that THEY WON'T GET YOUR VOTE until they deliver -- show up at council meetings if necessary
http://www.iclei.org/
http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/climate/
--support international development initiatives which are trying to make local communities more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable ("fair trade", etc.) -- a lot of habitat damage is caused by people who are impoverished and desperate, because they just do not have other options
http://www.lasiembra.com/home.htm

[DUgosh]

34. I spent one Thanksgiving morning

Preparing dinner and watching his movie with my niece who was going off to the off Iraq ....it was the movie we ever saw together ;(

[Nikia]

37. I mourn him also

It is unfortunate that he died while he was young. I feel for his family and those who knew him and those who admired him from afar. I hope that his family and others continue with his work.

[Batgirl]

38. R.I.P Steve

What an advocate for educating people to appreciate animal species that are commonly feared, even despised. His exuberance made him a natural for communicating this appreciation to kids. Many people in my family, children and grownups, are saddened by his passing. I am puzzled by those who have responded to this event with self righteous scorn, not to mention the smug implication that they themselves would never be stupid enough to die from a freak stingray encounter. It's the freakin Crocodile Hunter not Ken Lay FFS.

[MuseRider]

39. He died as he lived

doing what he loved. We should all be so lucky. He educated us and made us laugh and care about something other than ourselves. Why anyone would piss on him after his death is more than I can understand. RIP and thank you Steve. I did not watch you a lot but I did enjoy what you did.

[QuestionAll...]

79. He had such glorious zest!

I haven't seen too many of his appearances/shows, either, but that's what I came away with. He loved his job and his responsibilities of educating us about animals, he loved his family, he loved life. He would have been awesome fun to meet with and chit chat.

Wishing strength to his family and friends in this terrible time for them. ;(

[DianaForRussFeingold]

40. Larry King Has Nov.25th.2004 interview. I came to mourn too!

He was typically garbed in khaki shorts and short-sleeve shirts, giving him the appearance of an explorer on safari, and his shaggy blond hair, parted in the middle, gave him a friendly, boyish air.
His signature was an explosion of exclamations in his thick Australian drawl, typically "Crikey!" when in awe, "Gorgeous!" when showing off some reptile's charms or "Danger! Danger! Danger!" when even he knew it was wiser to keep a distance from an aroused animal. :cry:


:cry:

[Hav]

81. .

That's really a great pic that shows how much animals or the nature meant to him.

[madokie]

42. i come to mourn the loss of a great human being who gave me

many hours of enjoyment not to mention the knowledge he bestowed upon me of our land and aquatic friends.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

43. I adored Steve...

in fact, I'd always thought of him as my perfect man. :) I actually have a Steve Irwin doll that says several of his classic sayings -- I stuck a pink, plastic gecko in his khaki pocket -- it made me laugh.

It just breaks my heart to think of someone who had such vitality, enthusiasm, and who was so damned ALIVE every second could be gone from us, just like that. :cry:

I know he was a heck of a Dad, and the thought of his kids losing their Daddy so young is terrible.

Steve did so very much for the causes of wildlife conservation, habitat preservation, as well as helped us understand the importance and beauty of animals that many thought icky or useless.

Thankfully, in the short time he was here he helped raise a generation of kids (and adults) that will look at their reptilian planetmates as creatures that are to be protected and respected.

Godspeed, Steve, you will be missed terribly in my household. :cry: :cry: :cry:

[seabeyond]

44. his love and passion gave a lot to my children. his death sits with

my children today. it has been a big part of our day. death. and what irwin gave my boys. and how life works, along hand of death. a huge lesson for my boys in love, compassion and allowance of our fellow man. to appreciate and value.

a thank to irwin for what he gave in life. and a sadness at his loss to day. from my boys heart

[mcscajun]

45. A conservationist is gone...and a vibrant human being.

He died doing what he loved but he is gone too soon, and leaving behind a young and loving family. :(
Damn, he should have stayed out of the ocean and stuck to crocs.

To the naysayers and snarks, please take note: the TV show was the tip of iceberg where Steve Irwin was concerned; this man did so much more for conservation than can be seen on Animal Planet or in the tabloids. Profits from The Crocodile Hunter went into his conservation efforts, he founded the Internationl Crocodile Rescue effort, the Australia Zoo, and started a conservation organization that originally bore his name, but is now known as the Wildlife Warriors Foundation.

He also used his own funds to set aside large tracts of land as wildlife refuge and established many endangered animal breeding programs, and has spoken out against the market in endangered animal parts as both food and decor.

He will be missed.

[karmaqueen]

46. He loved all life.

His devotion and respect for all living creatures inspired others to learn about nature. He was a good man and had a wonderful family, my heart is with them. If people had just 1% of his passion for creatures and their habitat our planet would not be in the dire condition it is in. Peace to all who loved him.

[Mnemosyne]

48. This is a beautiful thread CatWoman.

Steve was the epitome of love and compassion for the creatures he loved.

I remember seeing him on a show and a small blonde python bit into his neck. He never panicked or hit at the snake, he gently held it until it let go; though it had to hurt like hell.

And to see him jump off an elephant to chase after a cobra was just another time to say, "Man, is he nuts?!". lol He could keep me holding my breath as if it would help him stay safe.

The world was a better place with Steve Irwin in it. He will be missed greatly.

May his family find comfort. :grouphug:

[driver8]

49. I agree with you, Vickiss -- it's nice to read what Steve meant to people.

I loved his show and his enthusiasm and the love and respect he had for animals.


Steve...you will be missed.

[Mnemosyne]

77. He was a truly good human being. Oh, to have

millions more like him on this planet!

:hi:

[Tinksrival]

50. My daughter and I "grew up" with Steve and his family.

She is now 16 years old and is very upset at his passing. He really did touch her life. She is an avid environmentalist and animal lover in part because of him. We have his whole collection of DVDs and his movie. She plans to be a marine biologist. Steve Irwin has been an integral part of who she is. She grew up with him. We are watching an excellent program on Steve's life on Animal Planet right now. I think this might be a generational thing that is happening on DU. For people who didn't follow Steve Irwin and his family he is just a caricature, an exaggeration of who he really was and what he brought to a generation. Or their just shallow and jealous. :shrug:

[Zomby Woof]

51. Amen

:hug:

[SlavesandBulldozers]

52. i miss him already.

i remember hearing him on the radio telling the host that his most feared animal was a parrot, because he had been seriously bitten by one before. He had a great sense of humor about it, when the hosts expressed their amazement at his choice of scariest animal. You could tell that he knew that each animal was to be respected for their own particular ability.

i have great memories watching him with friends. You knew when his show came on there was gonna be some cool stuff going on. He was a vibrant character, as others have said he lived life like we all should.

[gordianot]

53. Steve Irwin loved creatures that scare most humans.

His respect for life showed us what it truly means to be human. I remember the time one of his Crocodiles died and the tears he shed, or the time his dog passed on, Steve Irwin was real. I am not embarrassed to be sentimental regarding Steve Irwin or his family.

[spanone]

54. I With You CatWoman! RIP

When education is fun, it's twice as educational. He had that gift.

[Maiden England]

55. I hope his soul rests in peace at the Rainbow Bridge...

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[banana republican]

56. I liked him...

[tandot]

57. He seemed to have been a devoted husband and father to his children

I feel such sadness for his family, especially his daughter. I've heard that she was daddy's girl. :cry:

He was passionate about conservatism and protecting the environment.

He might have done some things we might consider not too smart...but who are we to judge? He loved what he was doing and died doing it. I always was amazed by the passion and enthusiasm he had about his zoo, the animals, and his family.

[Mz Pip]

58. I have great respect and

envy for people who actually are able to live the life they want to lead. Most of us are stuck making due with whatever cards are dealt us.

He died doing what he loved. We should all be so lucky. But we won't. We'll get sick; we'll get old, we'll get senile.

I haven't read the threads that trashed him. But I cannot imagine why anyone would do that. It's not like he was making bombs or shilling for Bush.

Rest in peace. And my sincere condolences to his family.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[farmboxer]

59. He loved our planet earth

and all it's creatures. He heard the frog's warnings and understood what they meant.

I have been very depressed and will be for a long time. Mother Earth has lost another good friend.

[fortyfeetunder]

60. Just shaking my head.

The bloke's dead (as I'd imagine Irwin saying) so why can't we just mourn the loss and take up where he left off?

Debating his politics is trivial as compared to sharing the irreplaceable loss of his life to Terri, Bindi and Bob, and the rest of the Irwin family.

But then, when I've seen other celeb deaths discussed on DU, this is no different....

R.I.P.

[chefgirl]

61. I'm not here to mourn him

I didn't really know anything about him except that he was the "Crocodile Hunter"
When I first read the news late last night, my first reaction was, 'What a horrible irony for him to be killed by an animal'.
My next reaction was, 'Thats so sad for his family'

Coming back here tonight, though, and seeing all the threads, none of which I've even opened, except this one, I gather there's some 'dancing on his grave' going on here at DU.

I cannot, for the life of me, imagine what this man who worked with animals, and had a rather enjoyable TV show about them (I only watched it once or twice) could have done to inspire so much blatant ire among DUers.

Jeez, folks...get some perspective.

-chef-

[TahitiNut]

63. .

:boring:

[Mythsaje]

64. You might appreciate this, Catwoman...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2811256&mesg_id=2811256

[Hubert Flottz]

65. I always liked the Croc man's programs.

I grew up watching Marlin Perkins do the same kinds of things as the Croc Man and I never hated him either.



I think these kinds of TV programs call the worlds attention to the grave danger the wild animals are in, the world over, due to mankind's mindless, selfish, encroachment on their habitat. If everyone cared about the animal's the way Steve Irwin and Mr. Perkins cared we might save more endangered animals for the generations of our own offspring to enjoy and to love. I'm glad I had lions and tigers and bears during my days on Earth and I hope my great great great grand children have them too. Every animal that is selfishly wiped off of the face of the Earth forever, puts us one step closer to becoming another lifeless burned out cinder in space.

[donheld]

66. I join you Catwoman

The world has suffered a great loss IMHO, but his family will suffer, in some ways, the rest of their lives. I wish them only love and peace.

[City Lights]

67. RIP, Steve.

My heart goes out to your wife and children.

[n2doc]

68. Some pictures to remember him by...

Irwin poses with a three foot long alligator at the San Francisco Zoo in 2002.
(Justin Sullivan, Getty Images)
Jun 26, 2002




Irwin appears on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and a real live alligator, where Leno lost his grip and falls trying to lift the gator with Irwin.
(Ken Hively / LAT)
Sep 3, 2006

[Corgigal]

69. My family liked the man

You could always tell his passion for wildlife was real. In a world so full of phony PR calls, it was refreshing to see someone who really cared and that was before Animal Planet called.

Such a young family with two small children who won't feel Dads love daily. The reason alone is why I would never post hurtful things right now.

[myrna minx]

70. My condolences to his family. RIP, Steve.

:cry:

[ScreamingMeemie]

71. I think more are with you...

than against you. :hug:

[lonestarnot]

72. It is sad to see such an enthusiastic, committed individual leave.

RIP Steve Irwin.

[panzerfaust]

73. Fair dinkum Ozzie

... and more than half-mad Steve Irwin was.

Dead! Fair suck of the sav!!

And on such a piece of piss as videoing rays. Right, that'd be.

A true blue larrikin, who could always make a good fist.

Missed, he'll be.

[savemefromdumbya]

74. ITA

we'll miss him

[DinahMoeHum]

75. A toast to an "Absent Friend".

He died doing what he loved. Can't say that for many of us.

:toast::toast::toast:

[Martin Eden]

76. I don't cry easily ...

... but tears came to my eyes yesterday when I heard the news. The man was so dedicated, enthusiastic, and entertaining for a tremendously worthy cause ... through his show I got to know him and his family and almost felt part of that family ... it's incredibly sad that Steve Irwin was taken when he still had so much to give and a wife with two young children.

It's incredibly sad, but at the same time I feel like celebrating a life that was truly well lived. Steve, you are an inspiration!

[Blue Gardener]

80. I keep hearing how children loved his show

I don't know how many people, both on DU and in my workplace, have said how much their children loved watching his show. What a wonderful legacy, to know that so many future leaders learned to respect wildlife, and learn about conservation and respecting the environment from one man. He will be greatly missed. :cry:

[Sonnabend]

82. I was on a train

..on my way home when I was told.My firsty reaction was "Not funny" and the man insisted it was true...I remember "But he's my age....44??? It's GOT to be a screwup...this cant be right"...I get off the train and there it is in the paper...damn..x(

The guy was full of life...I've seen his shows a few times and was reminded of David Attenborough a bit (anyone remember the Life on Earth series?)...headed home and the Net was full of news..I still can't get my head around it.

Life's a gift.