Spirit and life

To be in the public eye is to get into trouble. Just ask Steve Irwin, television's well-known “Crocodile Hunter.”

Irwin is accustomed to being in the news. Frankly, people who hang out with big-toothed reptiles and poisonous critters can expect to wind up in the National Enquirer if not National Geographic.

But Irwin drew criticism by taking his baby son into a crocodile-feeding pen. This happened in front of a large crowd at Irwin's zoo in Australia. So lots of pictures showed up with Irwin feeding a chicken to the croc with one hand while holding the baby in his other.

This brought cries of “foul” from various do-gooders. Child-welfare folks were outraged, although they couldn't figure out a law he had violated (nothing on the books about croc feeding while in possession of a baby). Some politicians expressed their concern, probably because they thought some voters were concerned. Some people cried “child endangerment — what sort of father would take his baby into a pen with a ravenous crocodile?”

In response, Irwin said his only mistake was having the video camera on while he was feeding the croc accompanied by his tyke. Thinking about the incident this feast of St. Joseph, I'm inclined to agree.

No, I'm not suggesting that having a baby in a crocodile-feeding pen is the wisest thing to do. I certainly wouldn't do it. But, of course, you wouldn't get me into the pen, with or without a baby.

But I figure Irwin probably knows what he is doing. He has been handling nasty animals his entire life. And I figure parents do lots of other things that put their children in danger: Putting children on any sort of recreational vehicle — motorcycle, ATV, personal watercraft, surf-board, ski, skateboard or bicycle — without proper instruction or a helmet. Failing to supervise children who ride a horse, pet a dog or play with a cat. (Horses kick, dogs bite and cats scratch.) Sending children to public schools that squash every semblance of faith or religion. Not teaching children how to swim. Not teaching children how to read and write. Teaching children to read and write and then allowing them to read the many popular series of children's books that celebrate witchcraft, alternative lifestyles or moral relativism. Allowing children to watch all but a very few of the programs appearing on television. Pushing children to participate in sports they hate. Feeding children a steady diet of junk food. Allowing children unfiltered access to the Internet.

In other words, I expect the Irwin baby is safer with his father in the croc pen than lots of suburban kids are in their own homes.

Irwin has the experience and knowledge to protect his son from those big teeth; lots of American parents fail to protect their children from every manner of spiritual, mental and physical assault.

To be honest, I rather admire Steve Irwin. He makes television programs the whole family can watch, he runs a zoo and he made a campy movie that is good clean fun. He travels the world, meets interesting people and entertains huge crowds. He likes animals and promotes the great outdoors. And he hunts crocs and diapers babies with his wife, Terri, from Eugene, Ore. She founded a rehab center for injured wild animals before marrying Irwin more than a decade ago.

The Irwins appear to be an animal-adoring match made in heaven — and not such a bad example of family.

Jim Fair writes from Chicago.