What is more important?

[RedFlag32]

Steve Irwin, nicknamed “The Crocodile Hunter,” was fatally stung by a
stingray while snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of
Australia, on September 4. The mainstream capitalist media – especially of
the 24-hour cable news variety – haven’t stopped talking about it since.

Report after report, covering all aspects of the story, have come out in
newspapers and on TV. Old interviews of Irwin were dug up and re-aired.
Several stations ran tributes and highlights of his televisions show.

Prompted by this extension coverage, people flooded Australian news
websites, causing so much traffic that they went offline. Australian
politicians have delivered statements and speeches in honor of Irwin.
Thousands have visited the Australian Zoo, to “pay tribute” to the fallen
Australian by bringing flowers, candles, stuffed animals and messages of
support. On the extreme end, there are reports of dozens of stingrays
showing up dead and mutilated on the beaches of Australia since Irwin’s
death.

But one question begs to be asked. Why? Why does one man – whether or not
he was a great entertainer or conservationist (and that is certainly
debatable) – deserve such extensive media coverage, while much more
important news, such as 31,000 children dying needlessly everyday is never
reported?

Why do talking heads on morning talk shows in the U.S. burst into tears
while praising the recently deceased “Crock Hunter,” when they’ve never
even mentioned the 1.2 billion people who suffer in extreme poverty –
lacking even access to clean water – on a daily basis?

A few voices of reason did make into the mainstream press on the topic,
but they were few and far between. Clive Hamilton, the executive director
of the Australia Institute, for instance, wrote in The Sydney Morning
Herald, that while “Irwin was generous in using the wealth he accumulated
for private conservation purposes,” he presented nature in a crude
fashion. He also questioned the authenticity of many mourners, pointing
out that “we canonize anybody who makes it in the U.S. or Britain, no
matter how lowbrow the performer.”

Less than two dozen deaths due to stingray attacks have ever been
recorded. On the other hand, 790 million people are starving to death
right now, because they live in a system in which food, medicine and clean
water are controlled by a profit-driven gang of parasites, who won’t give
them access because they don’t have, and can’t get, enough money.

What is more important? The death of a well-off entertainer, or the
immense suffering of more than half of humanity? We know what the
capitalists think.

www.freepeoplesmovement.org/fpm/page.php?14