cborgman said:

I admit I have taken it badly... Steve Irwin was a hero of mine for many years and it really really pisses me off to see him disrespected so badly. Especially as an Aussie, too. I asked Justin privately by orgnote to stop and he said he would.

Natisse said:

i think everyone just needs to take a deep breath and step back a little bit. everyone has a right to an opinion on the man, everyone has the right to voice that opinion, love or hate him. but people are kind of taking it way far with making it personal.

everyone just agree to disagree before the mods come up in here and start busting heads.
[Edited 9/14/06 7:10am]

Natisse said:

I did stop posting on the thread concerning Steve Irwin's death.

As far as I'm concerned, this thread was about the story of possible revenge attacks on stingrays, in light of his death.

I haven't called any other forum member an "idiot", inciteful", "cold" or inferred that they are a troll. I really don't know why people are getting at me.

Justin1972UK said:

sometimes people get a little upset and start acting like they were posting in p&r.

onenitealone said:

Yes, they are like caterpillars, only kinda hairy looking. It's cute because when you pick them up or touch them, they get scared and roll themselves into a tight little ball to protect themselves.

psychodelicide said:

[Edited 9/14/06 16:07pm]

Fury said:

Fury said:

psychodelicide said:

don't ask me why i thought of tom selleck

Fury said:

Well, Tom is pretty hairy, maybe that's why.

Hey, I wonder if Tom rolls up into a ball if anybody touches him, like a caterpillar?

psychodelicide said:

well he DID kiss kevin kline in "in and out"

Fury said:

Really?

onenitealone said:

You sound like me with giant cockroaches/waterbugs. I'm ok with spiders....it's just roaches (mainly those huge ones) that terrify me. God forbid one to crawl on me in public. People would think I'm a fool for panicking the way I do. I remember a few years ago, and I was at home when one fell out of the trashcan and on to my bare foot. You know at first I assumed it was a a piece of trash or paper because the trash can was starting to overflow. When I looked down I saw a huge one take off under the refrigerator. I screamed so loud that my mom came running downstairs....she thought someone had broken into the house and was after me. I felt so bad for waking her up over a roach.

Ocean said:

AnckSuNamun said:

are you as bad as this guy:

gay weather man vs. roach
http://www.youtube.com/wa...cYcphpD3kM

minneapolisgenius said:

True. As if the strength of your convictions and freedom of speech gives you carte blanche to write something you know is going to upset some people and wind them up quite significantly and still allow you to feel you've done nothing wrong. Wait, we are afforded that on this site, but what about discretion?

At some point a choice is made, I guess, and some clearly feel so passionately about what they believe that they'll merrily go about upsetting people they're oftentimes on pretty good terms with, without a second thought.

It has nothing to do with the validity of someone's opinion, be it pro-Steve Irwin, the extreme opposite, or somewhere in the middle, and everything to do with what kind of person you are.

In my HO.

Fauxie said:

What does your prostitute have to do with this?

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Are you referring to the semi-joke that was fully executed by the mere act of reading the sentence without the need to expound upon it?

Fauxie said:

Oh fauxie, at the end of the day we will always have the babysitting story and your porno ways

Fauxie said:

Um.

Fauxie said:

So, in your opinion, when can people start talking about him? A month from now? 6 months? A year? Never? I'm just curious.

And I don't think anything I said upset anyone...I don't think.

Maybe I did, but that certainly was not my intention.

JustErin said:

Anybody who might be upset by anything you said is taking things the wrong way

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I'll never forget that dream of yours.



I mean, I'll never forget it!!!



Actually, on further reflection, I'll never, ever forget it.

Fauxie said:

REFLECT AWAY!!!!

I sure do!




.
[Edited 9/14/06 19:22pm]

JustErin said:

I wasn't directing my comments squarely at you, but rather looking at where this thread ended up in general. I'm not sure whether you upset anybody. Perhaps you showed more tact than others and tempered your comments somewhat. Me giving a specific date for when someone could start talking about Steve Irwin (and clearly we're referring to the negative stuff here) would, of course, be absurd. Individuals use their own discretion. What it comes down to is priorities, respect, thoughtfulness and empathy for others, in the context of a situation that you know is sensitive and one in which you are fully aware that certain comments will upset people significantly. The rebuttal or reposte to this is an obvious one, but in my opinion not one that would do any generally decent and well-meaning person any credit.

I need to get away from this thread and have some fun.

Fauxie said:

http://www.crikey.com.au/...risks.html

Germaine Greer is right, Irwin took silly risks

Date: Thursday, 7 September 2006
Quadrant editor PP McGuinness writes:

Poor old Germaine. She is getting the usual quota of abuse for dissenting about the posthumous praise being heaped on Steve Irwin. But as is usual with Germaine, despite her looniness and contrarianism, there is a nugget of good sense and high intelligence buried in her verbiage.

Of course Irwin took silly risks with the wild animals with which he entertained silly people. Of course wild life is always dangerous, and accidents are inevitable if you get too close to it. Animals in the wild are not cuddly or well-intentioned to human beings - if they are big enough they want to eat us, if not, they don't want to know us. And it is true that Irwin provoked and annoyed animals to provide entertainment for onlookers.

However, the greatest danger in dealing with such beasts is to get too confident and assured that you know what you are doing. The real story of Irwin and the stingray is that he got careless. It is a great pity that he came to grief - he was a harmless entertainer - but, except for his family, hardly a tragedy. He knew (or should have known) the risks, and he took them knowingly. In the process he made a great deal of money - and good luck to him.

The most sensible comment so far has come from John Wamsley, who pointed out once again that the real answer to preserving Australian wildlife and environment is to put a market value on it - like charging the greenies and people like Irwin for their self-indulgence, or charging those who want to collect Australian fauna. If you want to save the wilderness, buy it rather than appointing yourself a high priest with privileged access.

But Germs has a point, and should not be shouted down simply because she is not toeing the conformist line. Personally, I much prefer to Irwin's David Attenborough's docos about the environment and the fauna. But I'd be willing to bet that there is a degree of exploitation there also.

Watch Germaine Greer's interview with Channel Nine's 'A Current Affair', here:

http://ninemsn.video.msn....htm?t=m164

http://www.helpinganimals...rriors.asp

Steve Irwin: Not a True 'Wildlife Warrior'

As habitat preservation and wildlife conservation have become more important worldwide and more popular in the mainstream media, many people have seized the opportunity to make a living by portraying themselves as "ambassadors" for wildlife. Many of these "wildlife warriors," such as Jack Hanna, Jarod Miller, Jim Fowler, and the late Steve Irwin and Marlon Perkins, have based their celebrity status on showcasing wild animals in film, television, magazines, and other forums. Although their supposed message-emphasizing habitat protection and endangered species conservation-is often right on target, their actions are often quite contradictory.

While these warriors claim to educate the world about the plight of wildlife and the importance of protecting animals whom we share the planet with, any positive message is lost when the presenter exploits and harasses the very animals who are meant to be protected. Hauling animals to television studios or ambushing an alligator with ropes, duct tape, and a camera crew compels people to approach wild animals themselves or-even worse-purchase one to keep as a "pet," thereby fueling the cruel exotic-animal trade.

These celebrities' work becomes more about showboating egos and titillating audiences at the expense of animals than about education. Does the public really need to see someone dragging a frightened snake out of a hole and flailing the animal around on a stick in order to realize how important and morally imperative it is to respect and protect that animal?

Wildlife Biologist or Hollywood Star?

Appearances on television talk shows and at conferences and community events subject animals-including babies who should be with their mothers-to completely unnatural and stressful environments. Many celebrity wildlife exhibitors use animal suppliers and assistants with poor records of animal care. Self-professed wildlife warriors make their livings by harassing and mishandling animals who are minding their own business in their natural environments. Animals' homes are invaded, their nests and dens are disrupted, and they are dragged by their tails, netted, roped, and forced to endure physical invasion of their personal space as the exhibitors jump on them and wrestle them to the ground.

True wildlife experts frown upon the idea of hauling exotic animals around in an endless parade of shows and exhibits and disturbing animals in their natural habitats.

PETA commends those true wildlife warriors who work daily to educate the public about wildlife conservation and to protect the habitats of our wild-animal friends, all while giving them the privacy and the space that they need and deserve.

What You Can Do

Don't patronize any display where live animals are showcased, and encourage your friends and family members to do the same.
Contact television networks that feature live-animal displays in their programs and express your opposition.

One of the best tools that we have for educating the public is the letter to the editor. Please submit a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, bringing this issue to the attention of people who might not have given it much thought. Ask people to consider the cruelty involved in capturing and carting wild animals around in tiny cages in the name of conservation.