Did You See Bill Maher's Disgusting Croc Hunter Halloween Costume?

[Narnian_Princess]

Just the idea of this is lower than low; to make fun of ANY dead person is despicable IMO. But Steve Irwin died so short a time ago that it's just way too soon for such a horrible thing. I can't even bring myself to look at the picture.

This isn't the first thing regarding Steve I've seen; the cover of one of the "grocery store tabloids" had nearly 1/4 a cover devoted to "rare pictures of Steve Irwin's death". Now, if the media doesn't even have access to such pictures how could a stinkin' tabloid? They were faked, and that makes them all the worse. I nearly started crying in the grocery store and I couldn't look at the magazine racks at all after that. Anything making fun of a dead person is completely tasteless.

 

[robinb]

Assuming it's him (even though it looks like a bad photophop job - must be a bad angle or the lens if it's him) it's obvious the reactions are colored by peoples feelings for his politics.

I think it primarily has to do with the beatification of Steve Irwin here on the DIS. Of course, Bill's politics just adds fuel to the fire for some people.

 

[poohandwendy]

I don't think making fun of peoples suffering is at all funny or amusing. Hoping that the picture is photoshopped, to be honest. I would hope that BM would show more respect than that.

This is a line that I do not think should be crossed, no matter who is doing it. I hope the Irwin family was not exposed to this.

 

[N.Bailey]

People who are offended certainly have a right to be. Everyone is entitled to their own feelings. Obviously, I don't feel the same way.

I'm sure that I could find a few adult costumes that I would find offensive. For instance, trashy women's costumes make me go at about the same level as this Steve Irwin costume. Back in the day (when I was child free) my DH and I would go to the annual State Street Halloween Party just to people watch. I have to tell you that a lot of the costumes were both offensive and funny ... like the 4-pack of giant walking condoms.

I really don't see the difference between this costume and other similar costumes like the Unibomber or Roy (of Siegfried & Roy) with a white Tiger ripping out his throat. I remember many adults and older teens with these costumes. Were they in bad taste? You bet they were! Is this one in bad taste? Yup.

I will count the sting rays tonight and get back to you tomorrow.

You have a beautiful little girl there. Let's imagine that she somehow lost her life to some type of tragedy. I pray to God you're never faced with such a situation (I pray that none of us are, though unfortunately, we know this has happened to a fellow diser) as I don't think there would be anything more difficult in life than facing that as your reality. BTW, I'm even feeling a bit offended that I"m typing this out, so others will definitely be insulted by my post. So be it to make a point.

How would you feel if a bunch of kids showed up at your home the following Halloween, imitating the way your child died? Can you, in all honesty now, say you wouldn't be offended? Can you say that it wouldn't cut to the core of your soul?

I know if that was my reality, I would be devastated to have my child's death mocked in such a way.

Maybe you just don't see the point, I don't know, but some things should just be off limits. Can you imagine what this would have done to Steve's family and his closest friends?

BTW, I was only trying to turn the situation around a bit because when it does hit home, it does effect our opinions. I would never wish the hypothetical situation on anyone. Not even my worst enemy.

 

[Principessa Alba]

People who are offended certainly have a right to be. Everyone is entitled to their own feelings. Obviously, I don't feel the same way.

I'm sure that I could find a few adult costumes that I would find offensive. For instance, trashy women's costumes make me go at about the same level as this Steve Irwin costume. Back in the day (when I was child free) my DH and I would go to the annual State Street Halloween Party just to people watch. I have to tell you that a lot of the costumes were both offensive and funny ... like the 4-pack of giant walking condoms.

I really don't see the difference between this costume and other similar costumes like the Unibomber or Roy (of Siegfried & Roy) with a white Tiger ripping out his throat. I remember many adults and older teens with these costumes. Were they in bad taste? You bet they were! Is this one in bad taste? Yup.

I will count the sting rays tonight and get back to you tomorrow.

I think I agree with you - let's see if you agree with me.

There is so much that is in bad taste that people every day even on this board defend, that it just seems a little weird when people get so offended by any one thing, and then get all freaked out when everyone doesn't agree.

This is offensive? Sure, but so are Hooter's restaurant, Rush Limbaugh, lies from the Bush administration, several dozen politcal scandals I could mention - all of which people defend with everything they have. This is offensive, sure, but I wish people had as much moral indignation for a few other offensive things.

 

[robinb]

You have a beautiful little girl there. Let's imagine that she somehow lost her life to some type of tragedy. I pray to God you're never faced with such a situation (I pray that none of us are, though unfortunately, we know this has happened to a fellow diser) as I don't think there would be anything more difficult in life than facing that as your reality. BTW, I'm even feeling a bit offended that I"m typing this out, so others will definitely be insulted by my post. So be it to make a point.

This has got to be one of the most heartless things I have ever read on the DIS. You have completely overstepped the bounds of propriety even suggesting that I think about my child dying and to bring up the death of another child on the DIS. You should be ashamed of yourself. I am certainly ashamed of you.

 

[N.Bailey]

This has got to be one of the most heartless things I have ever read on the DIS. You have completely overstepped the bounds of propriety even suggesting that I think about my child dying and to bring up the death of another child on the DIS. You should be ashamed of yourself. I am certainly ashamed of you.

I agree with you, but you are offended and that's the point entirely. It was out of bounds, but so was this costume. This is the Irwin families' reality. It's only a hypothetical for you or me.

IMO, you too should be ashamed to have said that the costume wasn't offensive, yet, it's obvious that you're not willing to see it from the families point of view.

 

[poohandwendy]

This has got to be one of the most heartless things I have ever read on the DIS. You have completely overstepped the bounds of propriety even suggesting that I think about my child dying and to bring up the death of another child on the DIS. You should be ashamed of yourself. I am certainly ashamed of you.

It's interesting that you think a hypothetical (as gently suggested as possible IMO) is heartless...but the reality that HAS happened (a real tragic death and real fun being made of it) is something you find no big deal.

 

[robinb]

I agree with you, but you are offended and that's the point entirely. It was out of bounds, but so was this costume. This is the Irwin families' reality. It's only a hypothetical for you or me.

Bull. Steve Irwin was a public figure. My daughter is not.

 

[JunieJay]

Ewww. Poor taste. He always struck me as a bit creepy, although at times I like the point he is trying to make. This isn't one of those times.

 

[poohandwendy]

Bull. Steve Irwin was a public figure. My daughter is not.

Public figures are real people, with real families who grieve. Just like you and me and our families. NBailey was merely pointing out the real feelings that may be hurt by such insensitivity.

Some things should be off-limits...celebrity or not, IMHO. That is the only point being made, nothing more.

 

[Principessa Alba]

And yet how about those people on the Dixie Chicks thread pooh-poohing the death threats they get - "they're famous, they should expect them". First of all, , ok then, but the same is at least a tiny bit true in this situation.

How about when someone posts something on this thread hoping for support but instead gets lambasted, and told, you posted on a public BB, and you have to expect all kinds of responses.

Yes, the costume is very offensive. But I'd like to point out that there are very few of us that aren't equally offensive in one way or another. We all stick up for the things that we love and pooh-pooh the things that don't seem important to us.

If you are offended by this, try to remember how you feel next time someone else is offended by something that you think is silly.

 

[robinb]

Public figures are real people, with real families who grieve. Just like you and me and our families. NBailey was merely pointing out the real feelings that may be hurt by such insensitivity.

Some things should be off-limits...celebrity or not, IMHO. That is the only point being made, nothing more.

One of the Cardinal Rules here on the DIS is that we don't attack other people's children and we don't use them to make our point. NBailey suggestion to me that I think about my daughter dying to make her point is just not acceptable. I am surprised that you find it so. Is it now open season on the children of DISers?

 

[cardaway]

If the family ends up seeing that picture that falls on the photographer and people like the OP who felt they needed to show it to others.

 

[N.Bailey]

Bull. Steve Irwin was a public figure. My daughter is not.

Which is why I used the neighborhood kids instead of some recognizable figure. It would hurt the same.

 

[poohandwendy]

One of the Cardinal Rules here on the DIS is that we don't attack other people's children and we don't use them to make our point. NBailey suggestion to me that I think about my daughter dying to make her point is just not acceptable. I am surprised that you find it so. Is it now open season on the children of DISers?

Oh come on, it was a hypothetical...it was not an attack. We use hypotheticals all of the time here. You know the difference.

I would think it was off-limits if she went into specific gory hypothetical detail, but she didn't. She worded it as gently as possible. All she asked is that you put yourself in the position of the people involved for a second. I do not think that is inappropriate at all.

Just think, you got this bothered by words on a message board about a hypothetical. Imagine the horror of actually having a loved one die and then in a short time, seeing people make gruesome light of it on Halloween. That is the point.

 

[Principessa Alba]

I think that Robin is right. And what is needed here is something you don't see very often (at least I haven't seen it) and that's an apology.

OK, I'm sure the intention was not evil, but it really seemed creepy to me when I read, "You have a cute little girl; just imagine if she..."

Not cool.

 

[N.Bailey]

One of the Cardinal Rules here on the DIS is that we don't attack other people's children and we don't use them to make our point. NBailey suggestion to me that I think about my daughter dying to make her point is just not acceptable. I am surprised that you find it so. Is it now open season on the children of DISers?

I didn't attack your daughter. If I were talking about her (I know little) I would only have good things to say as she's absolutely beautiful. I'm sorry to offend you. I thought it would, and I do agree, it's out of bounds, but sometimes, we need to try and put ourselves into a similar situation to see how we'd really react. I in NO way at all wish any ill on any member of your family, or any family on this entire board.

The sad fact is however, you're saying it's okay and not offensive that BL displayed this vulgar costume and tried to pass it off as humor. I'm just amazed that you're not repulsed by that as well.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I'm sure I will tarred and feathered and black balled from the DIS.....but....

It is just a costume, big deal. It is no worse than the Roy Horn costume with the stuffed tiger at the neck IMO. These kind of things just don't offend me.

I just wanted to say to Robinb - you have the most precious daughter, it absolutely makes my day to see her beautiful face when you post.

 

[JunieJay]

Oh come on, it was a hypothetical...it was not an attack. We use hypotheticals all of the time here. You know the difference.

I would think it was off-limits if she went into specific gory hypothetical detail, but she didn't. She worded it as gently as possible. All she asked is that you put yourself in the position of the people involved for a second. I do not think that is inappropriate at all.

Just think, you got this bothered by words on a message board about a hypothetical. Imagine the horror of actually having a loved one die and then in a short time, seeing people make gruesome light of it on Halloween. That is the point.

I see your point, and I agree with you. I do think we consider celebrities fair game, I know I do. Its human nature. But when you consider just what you have said, and putting ourselves in the shoes of the celebrity, you can really consider just how hurtful something like this costume would be if you were a member of the grieving family.