Deal?
Dear sinkspur,
"If we should avoid 'kicking anybody when they're down' (especially alcoholics who knowingly take a drink and then drive), then I'll brook no more trashing of priests who abused minors.
"Deal?"
I think you might be asking the wrong party for a deal. Although I condemn the actions of priests who have abused minors, and am happy to see them removed from ministry, and even punished for their crimes, I don't think I spend too much time trashing them. I've hoped and prayed for their salvation, too.
However, I don't think that driving drunk and child abuse are quite comparable.
As well, regarding Mr. Gibson, I'm just not sure that all your conclusions regarding him are true. I don't think it's at all proven that he's an anti-semite. We know that anti-semitic crap is in his head. But we also know how it got there.
Many of us have heard crap from our fathers over the years. As we mature, we learn to separate the garbage from the good stuff, and we learn not to believe the garbage. But I know that in my weak moments, I've wondered if the garbage my own father has said is true, even though in my stronger moments, it hasn't been a question. I wonder, if I were drunk, might I repeat some of the stupid things my own father has said?
I guess I was a little surprised at your defense last night, and suffered a bit of mental whiplash at your shift today.
For myself, I was reasonably certain last night that it was likely all true (but thought it rash judgment to say so publicly - I still held out the benefit of the doubt). Thus, today, I'm unsurprised at Mr. Gibson's admission.
I condemn Mr. Gibson's anti-semitic remarks, his disrespectful comments toward the police, and most of all, his driving while drunk.
But beyond that, I'll just try to remember to pray for him.
Addiction's a bitch.
sitetest