Croc Hunter beats M. Jackson Baby balcony incident

[Wilma]

f he wasn't a celebraty his kids would be in foster care right now until they swore to get rid of all pet reptiles or have them housed away from the family home and not to allow under age children into any exhibt pens or habitats.

[Dragons & Balls]

Wilma,that is not true!I being a foster parent with 40 Reptiles should know.Luckily the government has some standards and they save homes like mine for kids who are actually put in danger.I have had a 10 foot boa wrapped around 1 of my foster kids necks,does that make me a bad foster parent?

[Mustangrde1]

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/larry.king.live/

Tonight on Larry King

[Yness]

Well...I have to say that if it was Joe Schmoe getting into a croc enclosure with an infant there would be a problem...but as has already been said Steve Irwin has experience, and not just 5 years or 10 years...he has a LIFETIME of experience.

I can't negatively comment on the validity of teaching children how to act around crocadilians or even venomous snakes cause here in friendly Manitoba we have none. If I lived in an area where they existed in the wild and my child could encounter them at any time then I would for sure be exposing them at a young age.

Like it or not, Steve Irwin knew what he was doing and likely had more safety precautions than are visible in the frame of the camera.

For all you child safety pundits out there I hope your kids wear bike helmets (more importantly PROPERLY) because I have seen so many people freak out about child safety and then let their kids ride around without or with an improperly worn bicycle helmet...just an example of hypocracy.

My humble two cents

[MedusaAthene]

I'm intrigued at how people today are so very interested in how others raise their children and are sure their way is better. I agree with all those who are pointing out that this is how Steve was raised, and it must seem very natural to him.

Most children today are *over* protected and bored. When I was a kid, I was lucky enough to have woods and lakes to play in and around, exploring and seeing animals and scaping knees and so on. Actually playing instead of staring at the TV all day.

Dangerous? Probably. But I'm still alive, aren't I? Today there aren't many wild areas left to play in, and children are out trying to become teenagers too fast and follow the latest fads instead of exploring and learning about their world.

Frankly, I think Bindi-Sue and Bob are incredibly lucky kids. Talk about rich experiences growing up. Every time I've seen Steve and Terri on any program, theres this overwhelming sense of sincerity about them, and enthusiasm. Those kids have a head start if you ask me.

How many people ranting about endangering children have alchohol and cigarettes around the house? How many people use these poisons around their kids? Unsafe cars, letting kids play in the street, fireplaces, unfenced pools, public school... The world is full of dangers.

Steve grew up in a different world than we have, one full of risk and experience. His kids will do the same. More power to them. I don't think this is at all comparable to Jacko.

Snap judgements and witch hunts are a sad fact of human nature. Too bad more people aren't willing to take a look at things through different points of view.

I know a number of folks had already made these points, but I thought I'd rant a bit too

[Mustangrde1]

Gino first to your question... It is not hard to use a hook or tongs and im sure he knows how to very well just loves the shock and ratings to much to use safety protocals....

I can careless about what he does in private. The problem with him is he doesnt do it in private he does it in the publics eye which can and will cause public outcry just look at all the forums
and how many this subject is on.

I am steeling a friends words here but i think it said volumes

If people can't see the difference between the minimal risk of driving in a car or climbing a tree and the increased risks of taking a kid and dragging it into close proximity with an animal not only capable but INCLINED to do it harm, then there's a massive problem here.

All these analogies to everyday risks are absurd and everytime someone makes one comparing these actions to other behaviors with *reasonable* risk, it makes me question the intelligence of the poster.

What was done was NOT like driving in a car or allowing a kid to play baseball... It was like driving a car with no brakes or blindfolding a child and setting them in front of a fastball pitching machine.

Reasonable risks are just that... reasonable. Massive risks with nothing to gain are simply idiotic.

[MedusaAthene]

Why then, Mustangrde, is no one attacking Steve's father's behavior? He did the same things, and I doubt Steve considered what he was doing a massive risk. He loves his kids and his animals, if he'd thought what he was doing was very dangerous to his son, he wouldn't have done it. He figured (as Terri must have) that he knew what he was doing. If it was or not, regardless of his perception, we can't really say because nothing happened.

Yes what was done was more dangerous then playing baseball, but I think your comparisons are on the opposite side of the extreme. I think we're all having trouble finding a realistic middle ground. I wouldn't compare a professional doing what he's done all his life with his son to blindfolding a kid and setting them infront of a pitching machine.

It is a shame that it's a public issue, and I think if Steve had realized how people would react he may not have done it with an audience.

*However*, if Terri says something about it thats a whole nother issue. Has anyone heard anything about what she thought and if she had a say? If she didn't, then I'm going to have to do some serious rethinking. She often keeps Steve in check when he gets overenthusiastic, and can tend to be on the more grounded side.

[Mustangrde1]

Medusa yes terri did have something to say .. I will post it at the end of this responce'

Steve's dad di not get in trouble because it was 30 years ago and laws were not made to enforce the actions. If they had been i am certain he would have had a visit. As to why he faces no charges. Would you cut off your cash cow? I dont think so He generates way to much money for Queensland. It will take a very major act for them to not turn the blind eye they are.

The Sunday Telegraph also reported that after the crocodile feeding, Irwin and his American wife, Terri, told their five-year-old daughter, Bindi, to splash around in a pool near a crocodile pen to encourage the reptiles to swim out. "Now flail around and look helpless, that's the girl, good girl," Terri Irwin was quoted as saying. "That's my girl, Bindi Irwin, the other white meat."

Source http://www3.cjad.com/content/cjad_ne...sp?id=e010421A
Irwin's American wife, Terri, had handed the baby over to Irwin in the enclosure and giggled at the spectacle.

"It was a wonderful sensory experience for him (the baby). He dug it," she said.

Source http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/com...%5E661,00.html

[tHeGiNo]

Ok now THAT is taking it a little too far...Your saying you actually believe they use their children for bait now! Come on now thats just being ridiculous...

[Mustangrde1]

THAT WAS THIER WORDS NOT MINE

[Dozer]

I love corndogs

[tHeGiNo]

All I can say is wow...if that is really true, then I would definitely see that as a problem.

[Dozer]

You know what the problem is Dave...

[Dozer]

...actually, nevermind, there is no problem... but I better see you at Afterlife Saturday night

Mike

[a/RoCk..]

geez just give it a rest its his farken kid so let him do what he wants. hes wife didnt mind so nun of use should consdering its not of any1,s buisness.
i respect him 4 what he does he loves his animals.