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

OK, so there have been enough posts that cover all the Politically Correct responses, which include the usual "R.I.P.", "I can't believe this happened", and the infamous, "At least he died doing what he loved."

Now, here's my take on the matter. First of all, I am in no way shocked that he was killed by an otherwise, "DANGEROUS" creature. In fact, I've been saying that it was only a matter of time until it happened. I just thought it would be a land creature......so that's as far as my "shock" goes. I would actually be more shocked if he was killed doing something mundane, like driving.

Secondly, he didn't die doing what he loved. He died studying what he loved. It was his method that killed him. He died because he felt the need to push the limits of what he could do, and now he has paid the price for that. Because of this, I don't feel sorry for him, or for his wife for that matter. Surley, she could've seen the risks involved in his way of life.

I DO, however, feel sad for his children. Now, because their father was, at one point in his life, ignorant enough to actually hold one of them over a live Croc. to prove HIS point about animals, they have to grow up without a father. At least it was him that was killed, rather than an innocent child who would've had no say in the matter.

I've never been impressed with someone who feels they need to always "push the limits" of extreme for publicity. Say what you will about his love for animals, but his stunts were no less than for publicity, and they are why his death is so "shocking" to the general public. They are also why he was worth millions of dollars.

Yet, I feel the need to mention the works of many other animal entheusiasts, who have ALL changed the way we all see the great animal kingdom. Surley, Steve Irwin was inspired by them, and at the same time, they will all attend and speak at his funeral. There just remains to be one important difference with these people, and Steve. They're still alive, and well past 44. They may not be as well-known, or even as "extreme", but they can still make a difference in the world populated by the animals they love.

Naturally, when dealing with wild animals, there's always the risk of injury, but I don't ever remember watching National Geographic or The Wonderful World of Disney and saw guys climbing in and out of Crocodile mouths, or who would poke sleeping lions with a stick. I saw people who loved animals all the same, and who taught us all the same things, but who were also smart enough to know that the meaning of respect sometimes meant, "don't provoke from a close distance".

Let's hope that the next "Animal Guy/Gal" learns the serious lesson from this tragedy, and maybe they'll be around long enough for MY kids to learn how to keep a safe distance from some of the inhabitants that we share our planet with.