[Phalanx]

IA75...I'll attempt to explain my point of view on this one because I think you misunderstand the concern some people might have over this matter.
It was a dangerous proffession, he knew it, and he absolutely let everyone who watched know it. His antics may have seemed a little over the top, his "persona" a little hmm...crazy...but as I said before, I believe that this was for the kids...what better way to pass on a message to early learners than to more or less turn yourself into something akin to a cartoon character.
He was a passionate, excitable guy...true, but if that's the only depth you saw in him, then I trust you've never seen anything outside of his shows, such as speaking on wildlife and animal conservation, the environment, poaching, overgrazing, and over-salinity, endangered species,among many other things. The guy knew what he was talking about. To call him an "idiot" based solely on what you've seen in front of a camera is a little judgemental - He wasn't just some jackass running around fucking with animals. He was hugely environmentalist and passionate about conservation in not only his own country, but others as well.
His accomplishments off-camera, I think you'll find (if you care to) far exceed his "celebrity" status...the amount of charity work for the causes he believed in was huge.
How many celebrities actually change the world for the better, and give us, the animals, and the planet something more than mere entertainment? Like I said, to me it's not at all about him being a celebrity.
Of course, his popularity is what bought these events to our attention more, that I cannot deny.
I didn't know him, I knew only of his deeds...and that's what I'm going on, not that I'm some crazy fanboy, I'm anything but. You'll notice I've not "feigned sympathy" in any of my posts...I know his family is definately well taken care of, and I for one couldn't give half a shit if I ever see one of his shows again...although have to say I think that's a huge loss for kids. Personally I'm a little insulted that you seem to be insinuating that anyone who acknowledges what a huge loss this is (again, to more than just entertainment value) is an idiot just because you yourself don't share their point of view.

I think the main point here is it's kind of uncool to bring up negativity at this time...a little like rocking up to someones funeral you knew very little about and laughing, saying "who gives a shit, he was just a fuckwit anyway"...I guess in short, mind your manners, son.

Anyway, that's my point...not really going to bother with anything further on this thread, I'd like to avoid any involvement of myself in this thread (hopefully not) turning into a joke.