I'm sorry for the light blogging today -- we're crashing on deadline here at the paper, and I'm working late, and I have a sick kid at home, and I'm not at the Toronto Film Festival watching the Borat movie, and, and...
But look, I have to say something.
I'm awfully sorry that the Crocodile Hunter dude died. But come on, why are we shocked? The guy made his living going around poking a stick at jaguar goolies, just to see if he could get a rise out of them! I've had it with the people who talk about how meaningful it was that Steve Irwin introduced us to the wonderful world of animals. Please! People watched Steve Irwin because he ran around pissing off toothsome and venomous creatures while barking Aussie "shrimp on the barbie" minstrelsy. He was hugely entertaining, no doubt about it, and crazy-brave. But people watched him for the same reason they watch any daredevil: to see what happens when and if his luck runs out.
And so it did. If they ever show the "Death of the Crocodile Hunter" video on global pay-per-view, his family will be set for generations.
This needs saying.
Thursday September 7, 2006
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Rod Dreher is an editorial columnist for the Dallas Morning News, and author of "Crunchy Cons" (Crown Forum), a nonfiction book about conservatives, most of them religious, whose faith and political convictions sometimes put them at odds with mainstream conservatives. The views expressed in this blog are his own.
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Hi Rod, As I an Australian I am sorry I have to say that I basically agree with you, although it was a fluke accident and it goes without saying how I feelfor his family>
Hey, Anne-Marie, doncha go dissing Princess Diana! I still pray for her soul. :)
As for the insinuation that men who pursue dangerous occupations must perforce care little for their families: Well, so much for the nation's police officers, firemen, and members of the Armed Forces. [insert rolleyes here]>
I'm clearly late to this particular dance, but let me share my 2 cents regardless. If he died while flying from America to Australia, or while driving to pick up a gallon of milk or while crossing the street to get his mail your reaction would be ... what exactly? The same heartless pablum you wrote here?>
Don't be a playa hata.>
Yes, it's true what you say--he took risks and bad things do happen. But of course his death is a loss to his family, and we (you?) need to be careful posting these sorts of comments so close to the event. His work was meaningful to his family and father, at least, even if it wasn't to you. You have a right to your opinion, but you could exercise a more thoughtful, Christ-like approach in expressing it.>
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