[Wyoming Cowboy]

What he said about jews under the influence is not very different from what Pat Buchanan would say on any given night after a drink of water.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Gimme a frickin' break. I'd cut a guy a break for this when he's 20 as long he doesn't do it again. Mel is 50 years old. The magic word that could've prevented this whole stupid thing is: TAXI.

[BurbankKarl]

Pretty hateful words if that Sheriff's report is accurate....bet the lady Freepers who were fawning over him still would take him...

[KellyAdmirer]

The guy's just an actor/producer. He makes films. That's all. His opinions don't matter to me. Like him or hate him, maybe he's a bigot and maybe he's not, but he's not somebody I'm going to spend my day arguing about or wasting my time over.

[rwfromkansas]

Well, my view of the man just jumped from pretty high to almost nothing.

I still like him in The Patriot.

[dfwgator]

Hey Mel, "Big Smiiile!"

[Luke21]

I am an alcoholic myself. It excuses nothing that he just did.

This summer has been a tough one for people I know going back to the bottle. Get some help Mel.

[Sam Cree]

RE the comments on the thread that none of us are perfect, that's true. I'm willing to think that Mel is an OK guy, perhaps, but the worry is that his comments indicate a side of him that is not too attractive. While I may forgive him for being drunk, but if the guy is an antisemite, that's not really forgivable IMO.

[M. Dodge Thomas]

Being a practical sort of guy, the thing that I don't quite get is that here is someone who has a reputation to protect, knew he was at risk of a relapse, and being easily able to afford other options (call a cab - hire a limo - he could *buy* a limo company every day for the rest of his life and it would be a rounding error in his net worth) still chooses to drive to an event where he would be at risk of drinking, and them attempts drive home drunk.

[stevem]

It sounds like Gibson has a demon to conquer. It also sounds like he is blaming no one but himself. That seems like the rsponsible thing to do. Since I have watched alcoholism consume people near and dear to me, I hope Gibson can conquer it.

[HereInTheHeartland]

Sad.
But some good things.
He admitted he was wrong immediately, didn't try to deny it happened.
He took personal responsibility for his stupidity, no excuses.
He apologized to the law enforcement people that he said stupid things to.

Drunk driving is a really irresponsible thing to do. If someone wants to drink and say stupid things, I guess they can do that.
But when they get behind the wheel of vehicle, they instantly start getting others involved in their stupidity.
I hope Mel and others like him can tame their beast.

[Richard Kimball]

I quit drinking around ten or fifteen years ago, don't really remember when. The biggest reason I quit was because I didn't want my children to see me drunk. During my drinking days, I did a LOT of things that I shouldn't have. Fortunately, I was living in New Orleans, so nobody else noticed. Remember the opening of Heartbreak Ridge, when Gunny Highway is in jail for urinating on a police car? The only differences were I urinated in the driver's side window, not on the hood, and nobody caught me.

That was many moons ago (beyond the statute of limitations, BTW). I've been drunk. I've been stupid. I've been drunk and stupid. Gibson made a full apology and took responsibility. Nobody was hurt or killed. He didn't use that stupid third person apology "It was terrible that these things happened," like he was a bystander and talking about something someone else did.

I've probably needed more Grace than most people on FR. I'm not going to claim high ground on Gibson because I CAN'T claim high ground on him.

BTW, bet his mug shot wasn't as good as Nolte's or Glen Campbell's.

[SamAdams76]

BS. When you are drunk is when your true feelings come out.

[glorgau]

After drinking alcohol on Thursday night, I did a number of things that were very wrong and for which I am ashamed.

I could have written this on many Friday mornings ;-)

[WhiteGuy]

It appears that Mel is just a man after all.

Hopefully things will turn out for the best.

[Caramelgal]

I’m not giving Mel a free pass on this nor am I offering an excuse for his bad and inexcusable behavior, but relapse is a very real hazard and not all that unusual for the recovering alcoholic. I know this from personal experience.

He needs to deal with the consequences of his actions, take responsibility, make appropriate amends and get back, quickly and earnestly to his personal program of recovery.

It’s very sad to see his relapse made so public. I hope his failing now can eventually become his greatest strength to himself and others.

As far as his supposed ratings at his arrest – understand that alcohol is a drug and as a mind-altering drug it does, when taken in excess, warp one’s perceptions of one’s thoughts and perceptions of that of the world around you. What you think perfectly rational while drunk is often abhorrent and irrational to you when sober.

I hope for his sake and the sake of his family and friends, he gets back on track.

I would wish this for anyone, regardless of political point of view.

[Calpernia]

Holy moly.

I will never cease to be amazed at the wrongly obtained societal status people are given for making a living at 'let's pretend'.

[stands2reason]

I do not know you.

[stands2reason]

I guess it wasn't made up.

I never want to see this _____'s face again.