Posted on 09/04/2006 7:19:21 PM PDT by Pyro7480
You know, I just looked at the list on Aussie FReepers, and I never realized that there that many on here. It's great to have people from another country so "gung ho" over our politics!
Asked whether he would consider a career in politics, Mr Irwin said: "Crikey mate no way, I'll stick to crocs, they are far safer."
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Fair dinkum!
It was bad luck. A Stingray barb will even pierce aluminum, they said today about the only thing it can't pierce is fiberglass.
Decisions made in Washington often affect us as much as, or more than those made in Canberra. And a lot of us are very glad that the US has a leader who takes America's alliance with Australia seriously - it hasn't always been that way.
When, earlier this year, Australia had to move troops into East Timor in a hurry, reportedly Condoleeza Rice immediately phoned our foreign minister and asked what assistance we needed, if any. If so, that is new - the US has assisted us in the past when we have asked, but that type of proactive approach is different.
OK,
Now I'm really crying. It's so clear how much he loved his family.
I believe in Britain a State Funeral is reserved for royalty; IIRC the Queen made an exception for Winston Churchill. A rough USA equivalent would be lying in state in the Capitol, having the armed services in the cortege, etc.
Hey...He deserves it far more than Princess Diana. He was a good man and a faithful husband.
Not quite - a few non-Royals have been granted this honour - including Sir Winston Churchill, as you mention. Other non-royals who have received them are Admiral Lord Nelson, Field Marshal, the Duke of Wellington, Lord Palmerston, William Gladstone, and Field Marshal Lord Roberts. Benjamin Disraeli was offered a state funeral but declined the honour.
And even most members of the Royal Family don't get a state funeral - they get the very similar Royal Ceremonial Funeral, but there are differences. The Monarch is the only person who can actually expect one.
Diana, Princess of Wales, did not receive a state funeral.
His death has shocked us all and I have been saying prayers for him and his family since hearing about his passing this morning. It's all so very sad.
The Great Barrier Reef is a scary place. The thing I would dread the most there is one of the smallest - the box jellyfish species.
How sad.
While a bit crazy, he seemed like a good person.
I find it ironic that a stingray, which people swim with safely in the Bahamas because they have gotten used to people there, ended up being his killer, not a crocodile.
It is frankly dumb luck that a stingray barb hit his heart...they would not normally be fatal or cause serious injury.
He will be missed, that is for sure.
Teddy Roosevelt would have really liked Steve Irwin.. A good soul, why do they leave us so soon.. Prayers for his family.
Stingrays really aren't that dangerous (frick, people have them as PETS...just do a google search)...this was a freak incident in which the stinger hit his heart.
A sad one, that is for sure.
My husband, who was a professional fisherman and knows ALOT about this kind of thing says the odds are a million to one to be killed like this...just a totally freakish thing to puncture the heart. In fact, when I told hubby it was a stingray, the first thing he said was that it must have punctured his heart, because although a stingray bite would make you WISH you were dead, it won't kill you. RIP, Mr. Irwin.
That pic you posted was of the Irukandji. I saw a Discovery Channel special and an American marine wildlife specialist and an Austrialian counterpart intentionally subjected themselved that species. It was painful just watching them. The Aussie suffered for two weeks. Poor girl
How truly nice.
God decided to take him for whatever reason at this time, though I don't know. Maybe something good will come out of this. People will realize the importance of taking care of our oceans or something.
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