Steve Irwin Death Footage: Should the Video Have Been Released?

I was a big fan of Steve Irwin. No I didn't wear khaki uniforms and go wrestle crocodiles, but I was still a big fan of his. His devotion to conservation was something to be admired. Sure many of his stunts were foolish, i.e., playing with his son Bob just feet away from a resting crocodile, but he was still fun to watch. When he died in September of 2006, I, like many others, was shocked, saddened and dismayed. How could someone who seemingly got younger with each passing year suddenly be gone in an instant?

Then word got out that there was footage of his passing. His close friend discribed it along the lines of horrific. I myself have never wanted to see the death footage. I can't understand how anyone at all could be interested in seeing a man die. I am keeping the footage of Steve Irwin's death a buried, horrible secret.

It seems that wish has come true. In news from Austrailia, it has been said that the only surviving copy of the tape of Steve Irwin's death has been put into the custody of his widow. All other copies are said to have been destroyed. I am hoping that this is an honest account and that some sleaze doesn't see fit within another six months to release a copy that may have been pilferred before the rest were destroyed. I hope that Terri Irwin sees fit herself to destroy the video and I hope in my heart of hearts that she herself has never viewed the video.

A question is raised though: seeing as how people in the world today are inundated with images of death on their television screens, would it be better to just release the tape and satisfy some peoples' morbid curiosity? We recently had the video of Saddam Hussein's death released. Of course one cannot dare put Steve Irwin and Saddam Hussein in the same category.

I myself would never want to see the video, but there are those who would go to great lengths to see it. Perhaps there should have been a special where the video was able to be viewed, of course it would have to have been severely rated and restricted.

Like I said, I'm happy the only surviving copy of the video was turned over to Steve Irwin's family. I'm not advocating watching the death of a man, but I'm saying there are those who are interested. Still I hope Terri Irwin destroys the final copy and his death is kept private.