This author is currently on hiatus for the ignoble cause of mugging. The public is advised to remain calm, as this routine protocol has been shown to have no effect on one's violent tendencies in 96% of cases.
| Monday, September 04, 2006 |
This morning, at 11am Australian time (9 am SG time), things finally came unglued for Steve Irwin as he was shooting a documentary segment on stingrays. Snorkeling on Batt Reef, a stretch of the Great Barrier Reef about 15km from Port Douglas in North Queensland, the 44-year-old happened to swim over a large ray which, startled, whipped its barbed tail upwards into his chest. He died instantly. Yes, a very sudden and shocking news, especially since Steve's THE Crocodile Hunter and most of us have been watching his documentaries, especially the very famous Croc Files series. Perhaps his time had come after having had so many close shaves, working with such dangerous animals for the sake of nature. Nevertheless, let us all pay tribute to him, and his work in helping to protect and converse wildlife. Some sentiments and reactions from around the world: Australia has lost a wonderful and colourful son. - Australin Prime Minister John Howard He died doing what he loved best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. He would have said, 'Crocs Rule!' - John Stainton, Steve's colleague Several Australian news websites went down due to high web traffic and talk-back radio experienced a high volume of callers expressing their grief... - Wikipedia Yep, even crocodilehunter.com was down when i checked it half an hour ago. And here are some reactions from some of my MSN contacts: The better: "Steve...It was nice watching you on tv..." "R.I.P Steve "Croc Hunter" Irwin" "swiftly striking stingray sharpshooter speared steve" And the bad: "dead. - turtle on a stick." "so what the hell does this turtle thing mean" "STEVE IRVIN = WINNER OF TORTOISE (sic). SO PUT A FREAKING (tu) AT THE START OF YOUR NICK. LMFAO~" Does this indifference, perhaps, reflect a lack of concern on the part of Singaporean teens, towards as serious a topic as death, especially that of such a famous naturalist and star, one who has made such a great contribution back to Mother Nature? Even if you haven't watched his documentaries before, or don't know him at all (which i think is quite impossible), you still have no reason to take him death so lightly, and even in some cases, be so insulting towards him. he is still an outstanding fellow human being after all. Perhaps this is due to the excessive influence of games like MapleStory (eew), that us Singaporean teens have lost even our humanity and emotions. Can't even give someone respect at his deathbed. Something for you to ponder about, against the backdrop of a very shocking death. Anyway, do put a tortoise [emoticon code is: (tu)] in front of your MSN nick to express your heartfelt condolences towards Steve Irwin. Do spread this message, i first received it from Ning Yu, who got it from an unknown source. However, don't spam people with it, just put the msg in your nick or PSM, and if other people feel the same, they will naturally follow. BUT, if you feel nothing at all towards Steve and cannot force yourself to do so, then don't do it at all. Don't just do it because "it looks cool" or because of some other stupid and lame reason like that. Don't bring yourself to lie about what you feel. Such a campaign is nothing without your sincerity. It will just take up extra space in your nick. Once again, rest in peace, Steve Irwin. |
'Twas teh winnar at 9:17 pm.
