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Sep. 7th, 2006 04:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
krazykitkatI'm hoping this will be the last I say on this issue (though I now want to smack Beattie around the head). Mum called ACA this morning, and I just emailed them this (and I know I'm not eloquent):
It may surprise you to know that there are many people who generally agree with what Germaine Greer had to say. The media circus has been hyping him up as an animal lover, but I've spoken to a number of people who, like us, believe that he exploited and deliberately annoyed wild animals in the name of entertainment. With all the hyperbole and complete lack of objectivity over the last few days, why are you surprised that someone has spoken up to disagree?
We're not saying that we're glad he died, or that he deserved to die. No one should die so young and in such horrible circumstances, and no child should have to grow up without a parent. But we aren't whitewashing what we believe were very negative aspects of what he did. We thought he was a twit and cringed whenever we saw him, and we'd never allow children in our care to watch his shows. We aren't going to be hypocritical now and act like he was the second coming.
Just because we are not following "public opinion", does not make our opinions any less valid. Your interview last night with Germaine Greer was one of the worst examples of tabloid journalism we've ever seen. You didn't try to counter her central claim, but resorted to the list of overused and meaningless insults, of which unAustralian is at the very top.
As said in a very good blog entry on the role of the media (including the way that the media attacked Steve after the incident with his son) (http://blogs.smh.com.au/thedailytruth/archives/2006/09/crocodile_tears.html):
"During these times, anyone who dares speak his or her mind, giving an honest opinion unbothered by the forced public ceremony of misery, is howled down as a creep and a heretic by the very people who are being the fakes."
It was then the height of hypocrisy to have a story and phone poll on whether the film of his death should be shown. Why do you think that's even a valid question? It is the ultimate in sick voyeurism to even suggest that a person's death should be broadcast for public consumption.
Now that the Irwin family have decided to have a private funeral, I hope the media will leave them alone to mourn in peace. And please, stop referring to Bindi as the next Crocodile Hunter. She's a little kid who's going through the worst thing imaginable in her world. Stop trying to typecast her.
The ****** Family
ETA:
Was just looking at some polls on SMH:
Croc Hunter's tragic end : Do you think the video footage of Irwin's death should be shown?
Yes - 40%
No - 60%
Total Votes: 24140
Germaine Greer on Steve Irwin
Rate Greer's comments
Excellent - 8%
Has a point - 11%
Deliberately provocative - 38%
Plain wrong - 43%
And yet Germaine and my family are the sick ones cursing his memory?
It may surprise you to know that there are many people who generally agree with what Germaine Greer had to say. The media circus has been hyping him up as an animal lover, but I've spoken to a number of people who, like us, believe that he exploited and deliberately annoyed wild animals in the name of entertainment. With all the hyperbole and complete lack of objectivity over the last few days, why are you surprised that someone has spoken up to disagree?
We're not saying that we're glad he died, or that he deserved to die. No one should die so young and in such horrible circumstances, and no child should have to grow up without a parent. But we aren't whitewashing what we believe were very negative aspects of what he did. We thought he was a twit and cringed whenever we saw him, and we'd never allow children in our care to watch his shows. We aren't going to be hypocritical now and act like he was the second coming.
Just because we are not following "public opinion", does not make our opinions any less valid. Your interview last night with Germaine Greer was one of the worst examples of tabloid journalism we've ever seen. You didn't try to counter her central claim, but resorted to the list of overused and meaningless insults, of which unAustralian is at the very top.
As said in a very good blog entry on the role of the media (including the way that the media attacked Steve after the incident with his son) (http://blogs.smh.com.au/thedailytruth/archives/2006/09/crocodile_tears.html):
"During these times, anyone who dares speak his or her mind, giving an honest opinion unbothered by the forced public ceremony of misery, is howled down as a creep and a heretic by the very people who are being the fakes."
It was then the height of hypocrisy to have a story and phone poll on whether the film of his death should be shown. Why do you think that's even a valid question? It is the ultimate in sick voyeurism to even suggest that a person's death should be broadcast for public consumption.
Now that the Irwin family have decided to have a private funeral, I hope the media will leave them alone to mourn in peace. And please, stop referring to Bindi as the next Crocodile Hunter. She's a little kid who's going through the worst thing imaginable in her world. Stop trying to typecast her.
The ****** Family
ETA:
Was just looking at some polls on SMH:
Croc Hunter's tragic end : Do you think the video footage of Irwin's death should be shown?
Yes - 40%
No - 60%
Total Votes: 24140
Germaine Greer on Steve Irwin
Rate Greer's comments
Excellent - 8%
Has a point - 11%
Deliberately provocative - 38%
Plain wrong - 43%
And yet Germaine and my family are the sick ones cursing his memory?
