Monday, September 04, 2006

The Tragic Death of Steve Irwin

I was shocked and saddened to hear about Steve Irwin, the Croc Hunter.  Like millions of people the world over I used to love watching his extreme earthiness, exuberance, and enthusiasm for all of nature’s wonders.  I am a devoted and passionate lover of all things natural.  Steve Irwin brought a vitality to nature’s most dangerous creatures which seemed to almost remove their fearsome nature and make them lovable. 

Very few people become world famous and still remain the salt of the earth.  Steve seems to be one of those who succeeded mightily. It was always the work which seemed more important than his ego.  Over the past year I  felt even closer to him, as a result of us being indirect colleagues, as both being hosts of TV shows that are run by Discovery Communications.  He, of course, on ‘The Crocodile Hunter,’ and I being associated with ‘Shalom in the Home.’ 

Many will say that this just proves that shows like Steve Irwin’s, where one risks one’s life regularly with ferocious animals, are a bad idea.  Steve, however, was an explorer, just like astronauts who go to the far reaches of space.  In other words, he was taking us places no man has gone before.  Of course that is going to involve risk and we should never shorten those risks. 

When astronauts died in two horrific accidents, nobody seriously suggested that we should ever end the space program and the same is true now.  Nobody should seriously suggest that we should end the opportunity to discover all the bounty and beauty with which nature surrounds us.  May G-d bless Steve’s widow and two orphaned children.  May their father always be a blessing to them.

Dictated while traveling and unseen prior to being posted on-line.