Ok, I can't take it. I am totally heartbroken.

[Lost-in-FL]

I can't believe Steve "Crocodile Hunter" is gone. :cry:

It makes my heart feel heavy.

I know, it is not something someone would post here at DU but I think I needed to vent. He was one of a few good things left in this world.

[WindRavenX]

1. same here

He inspired me to teach biology and share my passion of science with others. I will miss his passion :cry:

[n2doc]

2. Me too

My Kids loved his shows. What's worse is we will be left with the idiot copycats who just try to see how "crazy" they could get...

[Bluebear]

3. I am so so sorry for you.

:hugs:

I understand perfectly. I have felt the same way over many 'celebrity' deaths.

You will settle into pleasant memories of Steve and the agony will fade, I promise.

[muntrv]

4. He was an environmentalist. DU's a good place for this post.

[WindRavenX]

5. apparently not

I am disgusted at some of the posts directed towards him; he was a great environmentalist and there are some people here that think he did a disservice for the conservation movement.

[Lost-in-FL]

9. I know what you mean

Must be the likes of those who think fishing is murder. :sarcasm:

[Jamastiene]

45. I am disgusted by the hateful coldhearted posts against him too.

Saying those hateful things to those of us who cared about his conservation efforts would be like someone who comes on DU and beats us down when a much admired Democrat dies. It's uncalled for and downright rude of them.

I'd like for them to give one reason why they think he did a disservice to the conservation movement and point out what they have done for Mother Earth lately. I'd bet they wouldn't be able to say one word.

[B Calm]

6. Stingray attack...

[Exultant Democracy]

7. I have hours of footage of my little brother pretending to be him

my heart goes out to his family and all the people in the world who will miss him.

[guinivere]

8. I don't care what anybody says. I think he was a decent guy,

loved his family, and he inspired people. I enjoyed his show. I bought a huge amount of animal books for my sons because of him.


He will be missed.



Here's a hug, Lost. :hug:

[swimmernsecretsea]

10. Hey, thanks for posting this.

I share with you. It hurts, really, because he was one of the good guys. We need each one of them.

I was just in total shock last night. I messaged my brother, who loves Steve Irwin. He said he couldn't tell his daughters because he wanted them to have a good night's sleep. He's bought videos and books for them. Maya, (named after Maya Angelou--see what a good guy he is?) his youngest daughter wanted to become a vet in Australia, she loves Steve so much.

[The_Casual_Observer]

11. He was a brave adventurous person. I am surprised he lasted this long.

[Subdivisions]

12. We are heartbroken too. Steve was one of those guilty

pleasures who was able to fill an otherwise uneventful hour of my life with wonder and light as he taught me about wildlife and the importance of preserving our planet's creatures.

No matter how frightening an animal was, it was always "Isn't she lovely!" or "Isn't he gorgeous!".

He was one of the proudest dads this planet has ever known. I feel especially sad for Terri, Bindi and Bob. They are strong. He made them that way and they will carry on his crusade to teach the world about wildlife and conservation with pride in, and in honor of, their husband and father.

The world has lost a good man, but we will never forget the legend that is The Crocodile Hunter, may he rest in eternal peace.

[Lisa]

13. there was a time, not so long ago, when people would kill snakes

Any snakes they saw, whether they were poisonous or not. I once had the horrifying experience of watching a man and his sons beating a harmless garter snake to death. I tried to stop them, but they laughed at me, saying I was being a "silly girl", and should be grateful that they were "protecting" people like me. I would like to think that, thanks in part to Steve Irwin, that would not be acceptable today.

Aussie and Kiwi friends told me that there was a widespread attitude in their countries that the wildlife could be "improved" upon, by exterminating native ecosystems and replacing them with more "useful" (read: European) varieties. Whether or not one thinks that Steve Irwin was hassling animals, he was arguably presenting a much more positive view than previous generations. To see people Down Under going about wearing T-shirts with crocodiles and wedge-tailed eagles on them, being proud of their native species as part of their identity -- that's quite important, because it means that there has been a real shift in consciousness.

He likely knew that people would laugh at the sight of him scampering around, exclaiming "Crikey, isn't she a beauty!" -- but he didn't care. After circling around the creature, he would often let it go slithering off (unlike the "Wild Kingdom" show, it usually wasn't about capturing animals for zoos and profit).

[knowbody0]

14. Let's all say "KRIKEY" in his honor!

I loved his enthusiasm. The kids loved him. He will live on and on through his chosen medium.

Anyone who actually bashes him today has deep problems. Ignore them, pray for their enlightenment.

[durrrty libby]

15. It is good to vent and many here share your grief

His enthusiasm and passion were contagious

I feel so sorry for his family. Bindi really tugs at my
heart strings because she showed her love for her daddy

with such joy

Steve Irwin was truly one of a kind.


:grouphug: :hug: :loveya: :pals: :cry:

[earth mom]

16. I feel the same way...

there's a void now where there used to be a bit of sunlight and some hope for this world. Why do the good die young and the evil ones live forever?! :cry:

[shadowknows69]

17. I hope his death serves to educate as much as his life did

It is also important to know that in some realms man is NOT the dominant species. Along with wonder we must have fear and respect for mother nature as she is as brutal as she is beautiful.

[EFerrari]

18. So sorry. I never watched him very much but we really liked

his energy and how knowledgeable he was about the environment.

He was so young. :(

[deutsey]

19. He seemed like a genuinely good and decent man

So full of life and love for what he was doing, for animals, the environment, and other people.

My kids really liked him, too, and I felt he was one of the few celebraties I didn't mind them watching.

RIP Steve. :evilfrown:

[lisby]

20. You could either like, or not his hyper style, but he was..

a committed naturalist and environmentalist and he did a lot of good for a lot of animals and opened a lot of people's eye to the nature they would otherwise never see.

He will be missed.

Lisby

[MoonRiver]

21. I liked watching his shows.

He was an activist for animals, and he will be missed. Prayers to his family. RIP Crocodile Hunter.

[boolean]

22. Some of you are taking his death way too seriously

Unless he was a relative/friend of yours, you guys really gotta relax.

Do we have a "OMG I'M SO SAD!!!!" thread every time a soldier dies in Iraq? Because their deaths are far more serious than a guy who died in a fucking ACCIDENT.

[rockymountaindem]

24. Why don't you but out and let people talk about what they want to?

Is this any of your business, to tell people who and how to mourn?

I hope that when someone you admire dies, those around you will have the class not to ask you "what's to be sad about?"

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

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

[Flying Dream Blues]

36. Grief is grief. It varies in intensity, but all grief is valid.

And I would venture to guess that all of us grieve for our fallen soldiers. The difference is that we didn't "know" them as we do Steve Irwin, because of his television shows.

[Jamastiene]

39. Just because you are a hearless sob, doesn't mean the

rest of us have to be. You don't exactly sound like an upbeat happy go lucky person, so why you gotta bust balls? I'd rather not have your negativity around me at all. It's people like you that I personally hate, cold hearted callous and hateful. :middlefingerstillup:

[rockymountaindem]

44. If anybody is pretending like they have superiority, it's you.

My reaction was much like yours. I'm not all that upset about it, but I'm not going into threads with people who are upset for one reason or another and calling them out like I'm better than them. That's your thing, and it sucks. Let people have some space and hit the hide thread button if you need to. Don't add insult to injury.

Edit: I'm glad to see people are piling on you here. You deserve it and hopefully it will make you see that nobody appreciates what you're doing.

[Jamastiene]

48. Well said.

Different people have different feelings about this news. Your way of saying it is a much better way. I'd much rather have someone like you around who may not be taking his death quite so hard, but has the common courtesy to be civil about it. Thank you for your even-handed input. :hi:

[rockymountaindem]

51. No problem

I don't really get offended about stuff like this anymore on DU, but today it has been really flagrant. When I see people like this, I think of people I knew in high school who would hit people hard like this just so they could be the center of attention. I think that's just bad for everybody. I did then and I still do.

I'm not a fan of nature shows. Odds are you'll find me tuning in to the History Channel or the Travel Channel and not Animal Planet. But, Steve Irwin never did anything to me, and I don't see how bad he could have possibly been if Jack Hanna is singing his praises today. I'm not going to sit and weep for Irwin, but I feel bad for him and for his family and fans who will miss him. I like to think that if I died tomorrow, those people from high school wouldn't come to my funeral and tell my friends that they were wrong for liking me, or that I was an ass or something. I don't want to see that happening here either.

[Beelzebud]

25. People like you just can't help yourselves can you?

If you don't want to read these threads, DON'T READ THEM.

You can even choose to ignore entire threads, that way they don't appear for you.

You can even choose to ignore certain posters, like I'm about to do... To you!

[Jamastiene]

40. Well said.

I guess some people feel the need to be total jerks today. I'm updating my ignore list as well.

[Raine]

42. I'm updating mine too nt

[Lost-in-FL]

27. Actually

I am a veteran and I remember making an oath to honor and defend the constitution. I am well aware of the fact that soldiers are dying everyday because they choose to make that oath even when coorporations are just taking advantages of their generosity. And that is "OMG SO FUCKING SAD".

Now, Steve was someone who made you forget how fucked up and rotten this world is. He made people forget that this world was just full of assholes or those who think that soldiers deaths are far more important than a guy who dies in a fucking accident or even those civilians dying on an illegal war.

[Chuletas]

46. gracias veterana

y lo siento boricua.

sigh, pues, feliz dia de trabajora

[etherealtruth]

29. Please let us know what is appropriate for us to feel ...

People feel what they feel ... why post on a thread where people are commiserating simply to tell them that their feelings are illegitimate?

[Raine]

34. I'll feel the way I feel

and it's not your business to tell me to 'relax' or your decision whose death is more serious. x(

[Crunchy Frog]

35. I think that anybody who goes around telling other people

what they should or should not be sad about, has some serious personal issues of their own. I would hope that person would get some help.

And yes, we do have threads everytime soldiers die in Iraq or Afghanistan. Some people have hearts big enough to encompass more than one kind of tragedy.

[Bluebear]

37. "....their deaths are far more serious "....No they are not.

Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls: it tolls for thee.


Irwin meant something to people. Maybe not to you, but obviously to a lot of people. While they are grieving, let them grieve.

[Jamastiene]

38. Why don't you go to some other thread.

There are plenty of "I hate Steve Irwin" type threads right here on DU for those of you who can't think of one kind thing to say the day after he fucking died. If you don't like how we feel, then tough shit. We don't like your callous attitude either. So it goes both ways. If you don't agree, fine, you said it, now go the fuck away and leave us to talk about something we actually care about, NATURE. :middlefingerup:

[Raine]

41. Some people seem to have a compulsion

to crap on other people when they are feeling bad and make them feel worse with their insensitivity. I wonder how that poster would feel if we did the same to them when it's someone or something they care about. :-(

[Jamastiene]

43. I'm a Leo.

We don't like to be cornered when we are in pain, so that post is on my ignore list now lest I get my own self banned expressing my intense dislike for people like them. I sure hope there is no limit to how many insensitive (translated jerk) posters I can put on ignore on this issue.

It's a sore spot. I don't have room in my life for coldhearted assholes who think my feelings are invalid. Today is not a day to fuck with me. I refuse to punch my monitor because I can't take a swing at those people in person.

You are right about people who feel the need to be downers on a day that is already a downer. Like the Debbie Downer character on SNL. With friends like that who needs enemies? Who needs them? I certainly don't.

[Beausoir]

47. Hey? Fuck You.

I am not longer tolerating snarky scummy posts like this.

You don't like it? Stay the FUCK out of the thread.

Get out. You are not wanted here.

[Jamastiene]

50. That was my original thought too.

It seems that some people have nothing better to do that act like Debbie Downer from SNL. Kicking mud in someone's eye when we are down is no way to make friends with me. It's not funny and right now, especially, it is not appreciated. Vile people like that have no compassion and it shows in their hateful posts towards those of us who cared about his conservation efforts.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

58. That's Not Up To You To Fucking Decide, With All Due Respect.

If someone chooses to feel personally his loss that is their choice and God bless them for it. If you choose not to feel any sense of loss, that is yours. But you have not a shred of right to declare to others that they are overreacting.

[Libby2]

23. Me too!

You're not alone.

[Contrary1]

28. Watch this...

Guaranteed to make you smile. And remember; no one is ever really gone. :pals:

http://www.albertbanks.com/2006/04/03/albert-the-alligator-espn-commercial/

[etherealtruth]

30. I read the story just after 5:00 am

I really had to control myself from waking my children to commiserate. I was glad to get to work just so that I could talk about my sadness associated with his death.

[Raine]

31. Same here

I'm very saddened by his death.

[AlCzervik]

32. i was shocked by it, i haven't seen him on tv in a long time

and my daughter was always a big fan, i remember taking her to see his movie and every kid in the audience had a great time watching him.

[Jamastiene]

33. You are not alone.

My heart has been heavy all day. I feel like we'll never have another one like him. I can't stop dreading tomorrow and the next day. I normally don't really have any emotions when a celebrity dies, but the animals connect us all.

[OzarkDem]

49. Hit the alert button

maybe its time to let the mods know that things have gone a little too far. This kind of stuff gives DU a bad reputation and turns people off.

[Beausoir]

52. The only people who will get tombstoned are people like me...

people who have been faithful contributors and played by the rules...who are finally at the breaking point over what is happening on this forum.

I will be gone, after 4 years, and the trolls will live to see another day.

[Lost-in-FL]

54. I have seen people

with +14,000 being banned. It doen't mean anything.

[Frank Cannon]

53. He was my little nephew's biggest hero in the world

He used to dress like Irwin and, almost from the time he could talk, even imitated Irwin with a perfect Australian accent. "Crikey!" "Easy, now! Easy, now!"

I thought Steve Irwin was a little over-the-top sometimes, but I can't deny that I found his show very entertaining and educational. The kids loved it. He was also a very active conservationist who loved all animals (even the nasty ones) and kept Dick-Cheney-like "crocodile hunts" out of Australia.

I am saddened by his passing and am heartbroken for his family. Fortunately, Mr. Irwin left a lot of great video for us to remember him by.

Oh, and for all the Irwin haters out there who take the time out of your busy, important schedules just to tell the rest of us how much you dislike him: Eat me.

[WindRavenX]

56. I love you

:yourock:

[Hell Hath No Fury]

55. I know exactly how you feel...

As I mentioned in another thread, he was kind of my dream guy. :)

There just doesn't seem to be any sense in a world in which someone as wonderful and beloved as Steve is gone and a shitbag like George W. Bush is still here. It's times like this I shake my fist at The Universe and give a heartfelt "fuck you".

I never met the man, but he came into my home just about every day and I loved him, for all that he brought me.

You are not alone in your sadness. :hug:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

57. Agreed. I've Been Saddened By It All Day As Well. He Truly Was A Beautiful

soul.

May God bless his family and help them through these tragic times.

[Greybnk48]

59. Our family feels the same

this has been a very sad day. He was a good man, and did much to raise awareness of nature, especially non-human animals much in the tradition of Jacques Cousteau. What a loss.

[ellie]

60. Me too.

He was so enthusiastic about animals! I am very sad.

[pitohui]

61. i feel the same way

only the good die young :hug: