The Ben Siegel Contest Tragedy

This is a tragic story all the way around. I believe that no one has the right to point fingers or blame anyone else. The contestants signed waivers prior to the contest and Ben was promoting his business in a fun respectful manner. It is to my understanding that Eddie ate both worms and roaches. Im many countries, these two insects are part of the local peoples staple diet. I feel sorry for everyone involved, most especially his two daughter that were left behind. Id be curious to see the autopsy results on this one. :(

This is a tragedy and that is all that can really be said. Until everyone knows all of the details (media included) this should not get blown out of proportion. I feel horrible for his family and friends. I can only imagine how his friend whom he was trying (and succeeded) to win the Ivory ball for feels now. But as far as pointing blame, there really is none. There was no ill intent by Ben Siegel, the proper waivers were signed and the "creepy crawlies" that the media wants to scare the general public with are very much edible. We've all seen survivalists eat roaches, as well as other bugs on TV. We've watched shows like fear factor where participants ate bugs (not to mention throw live snakes to the floor) and I don't recall any kind of media reaction about that. What this is and will ever be is a tragic moment in time that will be used to stain the exotic reptile industry by those who appose it.

It's very sad that a young father lost his life. I'm certain that he signed all the waivers just like any eating contest. If he had died after a hotdog eating contest, I'm certain we would see the same horrible comments posted about him and about eating contests. There will always be small-minded trolls on the internet who couldn't care less about a person who died.

That said, there's been times that people posted about someone dying in a silly or stupid manner on this site, and people made fun of it or derided the person who died for doing 'stupid' things that led to their death. This is no different, except it affects OUR community. So keep it in mind when you see any story that relates a person's death. That person has family and friends, just like this young man.

I'll be sending a donation tonight. I had a decent week at work, and I can think of no better way to spend it than to give some to the family.