Posted on 07/31/2006 4:43:47 PM PDT by Hildy
On Saturday, Gibson released a statement apologizing:
"After drinking alcohol on Thursday night, I did a number of things that were very wrong and for which I am ashamed. I drove a car when I should not have, and was stopped by the L.A. County Sheriffs. The arresting officer was just doing his job and I feel fortunate that I was apprehended before I caused injury to any other person. I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested, and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable. I am deeply ashamed of everything I said, and I apologize to anyone who I have offended. Also, I take this opportunity to apologize to the deputies involved for my belligerent behavior. They have always been there for me in my community and indeed probably saved me from myself. I disgraced myself and my family with my behavior and for that I am truly sorry." <> He went on in the statement to say that he has had substance abuse problems in the past. "I have battled with the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse. I apologize for any behavior unbecoming of me in my inebriated state and have already taken necessary steps to ensure my return to health," Gibson said.
The ADL's Foxman, however, was unmoved by the apology. In his own statement, released Sunday, he said, "Mel Gibson's apology is unremorseful and insufficient. It's not a proper apology because it does not go to the essence of his bigotry and his anti-Semitism. His tirade finally reveals his true self and shows that his protestations during the debate over his film 'The Passion of the Christ,' that he is such a tolerant, loving person, were a sham. ... It is unfortunate that it took an excess of booze and an encounter with a traffic cop to reveal what was really in his heart and mind. We would hope that Hollywood now would realize the bigot in their midst and that they will distance themselves from this anti-Semite."
And there were signs that even Gibson's conservative Christian fans were not moved by the response. Reaction in the popular conservative online forum FreeRepublic.com, was also largely negative. In response to the statement, one commenter posted, "Gibson showed his true colors last night during his arrest. I argued with you about 'The Passion of the Christ' and his portrayal of Jews. I stood up for Gibson to you and a number of my Jewish friends. Now, I'm sorry I did."
Another, responding to hopeful comments that Gibson can still change his views, wrote, "Lots of denial going on here. It's difficult when your hero falls so far."
You know, here we are over a day and a half later and we still don't really know what Gibson actually said.
The deputy with the 8 page report is the source, and so far he hasn't been placed under oath.
The cops seem to have changed the past eh!?
Nope, that isn't what HE meant at all and obviously, you and a few others here, need help understanding the scriptures. And cherry-picking them, to use as any kind of refutation, on FR, is worse than useless.
How do you know that? Look at that crazy guy in Seattle. There are crazy people out there, just itching to kill Jews. An international Celebrity blames all the problems in the world on Jews...you don't think that endangers people's lives? You're very naive.
I'll loan you a shotgun the next time you want to fly the flag of Israel.
Or, they think folks here, if not Christian, are soft on Christianity (like it was some sort of crime).
Oh my. I just went and read that freepers little rant. I always knew he was an anti-Semite. I left him a little "note".
Shotguns work better.
Not to be picky or anything, but MSNBC reported that what Gibson said was captured on tape and the reporter tonight talked about some of the things that Gibson said. As well as he could report, given the obscenity laced comments Gibson made.
I've been having a "Dan Rather" moment since the Haditha story ~ and I'm not over it yet.
Did you read what you wrote? Or were you quoting someone else when you posted that? Perhaps you didn't mean to diminish the seriousness of drunk driving, but I personally find it disturbing that big mouths like Foxman are completely ignoring that aspect of the case. I'm not floored by Gibson's comments because it seems par for the course for him. I found it more disturbing that Medved defended Gibson so much in the past.
Hildy and veronica are great. Gibson as an actor is great. As a human, he is an anti-semitic piece of crud.
Gibson has an agent and publicist. It's all over the internet and television about the comments that Gibson made.
If Gibson didn't make them, he'd have his highly paid staffers denying the reports and possibly instituting law suits.
It's taken a lot of hard work to drive them out, and I'm not sure we can yet say "See sp0t run" without a "0" in place of the "o".
I'm not cherry picking here...
I maintain a very simple understanding of the Bible...which says that we should not judge another.
He would have denied the comments in his statement. He acknowledged vague statements so he wants to apologize without addressing the substance.
Exactly.
I'm not such an old-timer. I lurked for a few years, but I don't go back to '96.
This business of a total prohibition on "judging" is an invention by anti-Christians and folks outside the pale of Christian orthodoxy. It's part of the heresy called ANTINOMIANISM. (NOTE: it's also spelled ANTINOMINALISM).
and, therefore, you are prepared to be judged?
Is Hildy?
I am not.
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