Steve Irwin's stupid baby trick

[Faithless]

First Michael J., now the croc hunter himself:

Steve Irwin Angers Viewers with Baby Stunt (http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=AA6B3E15-3929-4A3F-93E92228EC220D64)
Australian celebrity Steve Irwin, known as "the Crocodile Hunter," is in trouble for carrying his one-month-old son with him while feeding a snapping crocodile at his zoo.
In a show for the public and reporters Friday, Mr. Irwin held his son, Bob, with one arm while he dangled chicken in front of the lunging, four-meter-long reptile. He then helped the infant walk near to where the crocodile was lurking.

Outraged television viewers swamped networks with complaints, and family and child groups said Irwin's antics amounted to child abuse.

The Queensland, Australia Department of Families is reviewing tapes of the show. But local officials have indicated they are unlikely to take action against the animal tamer.

While apologizing for the concern his actions raised, Mr. Irwin said Saturday he was in full control of the situation. Mr. Irwin also said he would be a bad father if he did not expose his children to "crocodile awareness," given the proximity of their home to the reptiles.

His actions were compared to a display staged in November 2002 in Berlin, where American pop star Michael Jackson dangled his infant son over the railing of a hotel balcony.
Wonder if Irwin will live this down.

[mr. x]

that was just plain stupid. i mean its not like it was really in harm's way but its not like its old enough to learn anything from it so i dont see the point other than he was trying to impress people

[Fireblade]

I'd be pretty pissed too, if I was the alligator. I mean, geez, dangling dead meat and live meat. Only to have a buffoon jump out of the way and drop the dead meat in your mouth. That's like a slap in the face!

I say he feeds his kid to the alligator.

[FrankieY18]

that guy is mad funny

[Faithless]

Small statement from Animal Planet channel:

Near bottom of article... (http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8319946%255E1702,00.html)
Animal Planet issued a statement saying:: "Animal Planet does not support any activity that intentionally places a child in harm's way. Based on the footage we have seen, we believe a mistake was made.

"That said, we know from the many years we have worked with Steve, that his family is the most important thing in his life and he takes his role as a father very seriously."
Ah, yeah. :rolleyes:

[Blue dice]

Oh Crikey!

[mr. x]

i hear theres comparisons to MJ's baby-dangling.

[kitty]

i don't see what the big deal is... if he wants to sacrifice his genetic offspring, then whatever. i really hate backseat parenting from groups who think they know how everything. i mean, yes, it was endangering the kid's life, but i hate all this subsequent moral superiority bs.

[Rogmok]

i don't see what the big deal is... if he wants to sacrifice his genetic offspring, then whatever. i really hate backseat parenting from groups who think they know how everything. i mean, yes, it was endangering the kid's life, but i hate all this subsequent moral superiority bs.

yeah.. i kinda agree w/ kitty. MJ and the croc dude... they aren't bad parents. I don't know why people get all jacked up over it, i mean there parents out there starving their kids,beating them, sexually molesting them... I mean, i don't think either of the children were in any "real" danger.

*edit.. well, ok.. maybe they were in some danger.

[Faithless]

i don't see what the big deal is... if he wants to sacrifice his genetic offspring, then whatever. i really hate backseat parenting from groups who think they know how everything. i mean, yes, it was endangering the kid's life, but i hate all this subsequent moral superiority bs.

You'll see a lot more zoology experts ask, "what the hell was he thinking".

Saw an interview with Jack Hanna on Good Morning America, and he didn't think it was wise of Stevie.

Stevie has also put his young daughter in the water with the crocs. And allowed monkies to handle his baby.

(Why does Tarzan come to mind?) :confused:

[kitty]

You'll see a lot more zoology experts ask, "what the hell was he thinking".

Saw an interview with Jack Hanna on Good Morning America, and he didn't think it was wise of Stevie.

Stevie has also put his young daughter in the water with the crocs. And allowed monkies to handle his baby.

(Why does Tarzan come to mind?) :confused:

it probably wasn't a very smart thing to do, but i don't think it's really that much more dangerous than, say, swinging your baby around at top speed playing 'airplane'.

[Faithless]

it probably wasn't a very smart thing to do, but i don't think it's really that much more dangerous than, say, swinging your baby around at top speed playing 'airplane'.

Yeah, maybe.

Although, if Stevie were to do that with that infant, I'd think just the worse of him.

I also think this idea that he was really in control of the situation is hooey.

[Hiroshi2]

Well this does seem a bit retarded at first glance, until you realize that Steve Irwin is a professional. It's not like your average idiot on the street hung his kid over a crocidile's mouth. And Steve does seem to be a family man, one who really does treasure his family. I just can't see him as the type who would put his child in harm's way intentionally, as crazy as he is (I don't watch his show on Animal Planet but I have seen his movie, it's pretty funny).

[>:^|]

This is one of those things where you might say it's his "right"
But you'd change your mind quickly if that croc took a bite
And if he were my friend
I'd have to apprehend
Because his common sense seems to have gone into flight.

None of the fuckers watching said anything?

[>:^|]

By the way ...

I have a friend who was attacked by a croc
And had to be rushed to the doc.
His arm nearly got torn off
So I wouldn't scoff
He went into serious shock.

[mr. x]

i think people are making a bigger fuss out of the fact that he displayed his kid for all to see in this whole stunt not so much teh danger factor (though a lil)

[bluemonq]

even though steve is a professional, things have a way of happening, such as steve accidentally dropping the baby

[Chester]

yeah.. i kinda agree w/ kitty. MJ and the croc dude... they aren't bad parents. I don't know why people get all jacked up over it, i mean there parents out there starving their kids,beating them, sexually molesting them... I mean, i don't think either of the children were in any "real" danger.

*edit.. well, ok.. maybe they were in some danger.
I'd imagine so, but...I find myself not giving a shit when I think of all the parents who willfully endanger/mistreat their children. Not that vile morons should serve as an excuse to be a semi-moron, but...yeah, I didn't care about Steve Irwin's childless antics and don't give a crap now that he involves his kid.

[Faithless]

Some see Steve Irwins stunt as taking Reality TV a bit far.