Strange Famous

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/3364117.stm

Crocodile and baby stunt sparks fury

Australia's celebrity crocodile hunter appears determined his one-month-old son should one day take over the family business.
At his Queensland zoo Steve Irwin held his baby a metre away from the jaws of a crocodile in front of a gasping audience.

But the act - that recalls Michael Jackson's dangling of his child over a hotel balcony - has sparked outrage across Australia.

The Australian Family Association has called the conduct "child abuse" while the telephone lines of radio and television chat shows have been jammed with people calling to express their disapproval.

The Childhood Foundation has condemned the move as reckless.

"It's neglect... I don't think we should use children as props, and definitely not in situations that are going to put them in such danger," said the foundation's Joe Tucci.

There has even been suggestion that Mr Irwin should have his Australian of the Year award revoked.

But the crocodile expert has defended his act which included his American wife Terri carrying the baby into the crocodile enclosure.

He says the baby was never in danger and in any case, has to grow up to be "croc savvy".


"I guess what I am doing is teaching him to be completely familiar with crocodiles... There is no way known I would ever endanger my child," he told the Herald Sun newspaper.

According the report, Mr Irwin now faces investigation by the authorities.

Mrs Irwin said her baby enjoyed the experience.

"When I put him back in the pram he had big eyes and he was smiling and it was a wonderful sensory experience for him. He dug it," she said.

__________________
"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."

The Gospel of Thomas

Baldrick

Bah! I'm not a Steve Irwin fan by any stretch of the imagination, but he has spent his entire life around crocodiles and probably knows their manners and demeanor as well as anyone alive. Do these idiots really think he'd put his baby in any significant danger? Comparing this to Jackson dangling his baby over a balcony is ridiculous.

Some people have way too much free time on their hands to be looking for something to be angry and righteous about.

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EeOh1

I agree, Baldrick.

I mean, I wouldn't put my baby near a crocodile, but I also haven't spent my entire life playing with them. I wasn't aware he received the Australian of the Year award, nor did I know it existed, but revoking it over once incident? Please.

Even if it was stupid and reckless, revoking award for one questionable mistake? Give me a break.

This view of how the world will end has the Aussies pegged: http://www.ebaumsworld.com/endofworld.html

[No offense to Aussies; I love 'em ]

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Stare At The Sun

Yeah, he knew what he was doin i think too, if he didn't, he would have been dead ages ago. He wouldn't put his own kid in danger!

Hrothgar

It'd be funny if the kid grew up to be an accountant or something and not a "croc" hunter.

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The fortunes of war favored Hrothgar.

Fire

I truly hate that guy- the funniest t.v. I have seen in recent memory was that clip where the komodo dragon took a chunk out of him. personal dislike aside, one has to wonder- sure he knows the animals, but then again what if you are wrong... CHOMP! kind of hard to undo a mistake.

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Mood the more as our might lessens

Mehoni

He knows what he's doing... he's grown up with crocs and reptiles and he's been working with Australia Zoo all his life.

He was being taugth how to catch crocs at the age of nine for pete's sake.

He's very passionate, about both animals and his kids, and I couldn't image him putting the child in any real danger.

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There seem to be countless rituals and cultural beliefs designed to alleviate their fear of a simple biological truth - all organisms eventually perish.

cchris

That sums it up quite well.
He is as crazy as a cut snake but he lives and breathes wildlife.

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There's a fine line between participation and mockery

Mr.Deflok

I am not in the least bit surprised.

Kostya

Firstly let me just say Steve Irwin is one of my least favourite people.

Also, people who keep saying: "It's unfair to compare him to MJ hanging his kid over the balcony, that's ridiculous, Steve Irwin's been around crocodiles his whole life, he knew what he was doing blah blah blah."

Let me just say, I've been around balconies my whole life, and I wouldn't hang an infant over one.

I'm sure Evil Kinevil (probably spelt wrong) did stunts his whole life, but he didn't tuck his kid under his arm during them...

I'm sure Micheal Schumacher has been racing cars his whole life and yet didn't put a 1 month old baby in the car with him...

Because, all these individuals are engaged in an occupation which includes a significant amount of risk, and they ought not expose a 1 month old baby to the same risks. Steve Irwin might can no doubt manage crocodiles, the fact he's alive testifies to that, but frankly, if you're face to face with a 4 metre man eater, jumping over 40 car wrecks or racing in the Grand Prix you need as much concentration as you can muster, and having a hapless infant with you is not going to help. Furthermore, if Steve slips while carrying his baby over to the kitchen, since he is despite some people's attempts to characterise him as otherwise mortal and therefore fallible, then he's ok. Whereas if he trips in a crocodile enclosure, his kid becomes a bite sized snack...

Steve Irwin knows what he's doing, but he's not a God. Mountain climbers,stuntmen, miners and astronauts all know what they're doing, and yet sometimes these people die, because they work in dangeorus conditions, Steve Irwin's wouldn't knowingly endanger his child, but Steve Irwin is:

A. Insane.
B. Braindead.
C .A shameless media whore.
D. All of the above.

BigGov

He isn't taunting the crocodile and holding the baby above his jaws, he's holding the baby in one arm and shielding him with his body.

If for some reason the crocodile would go to attack the baby it would have to go around Steve, jump up, and bite down. That takes a good amount of time.

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One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

high_way

i think, in some ways, steve irwan is maybe a little insane but i dont think his baby was in any sought of danger. as an austrlian he would not be on the top of my list of favourite austrlians, infact sometimes he annoys me and i think he only fuels the typical australian sterotype, but i think the work he has done for native animals, the environment and out tourism market is great.

anyway i think that he was maybe a little idiotic doing what he did with his baby but if you think about it, he wouldnt do anything that would endanger his babys life and i dont think his wife would let him either.

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Impostor of the imposturous

ChrisJericho

Irwin knows what he's doing. HOWEVER it should be considered that the baby is not just a piece of property, but a human being. Last time I checked one- month old babies can't talk and say "Yes daddy I want to in there with the huge reptile which could eat me." Obviously this was a horrible idea, but he shouldn't have his child taken away or charges pressed.

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MexicanOnABike

having him there is not works then putting your kid in your car or teaching him to ride a bike... stupid news ppl always make a big deal of shit like this@!

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Mr.Deflok

What? You do know he was holding a one month old baby in one arm and feeding a giant crocodile with the other right?