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."
Have you read many of these threads? Clearly you haven't if you even ask such a silly question. We have freepers who are apologizing on behalf of Gibson, denying he said what he clearly said, and more than a few freepers who sound like anti-Semites themselves.
Now if you think some of those disgusting posts would have been more representative of Free Republic, then I'm disappointed in YOU.
I've always suspected that of you! ;op
Peach, you totally missed my point
I never defended Gibson and what he said
It was between a whole LOT of people and the cause for the link to FR to be removed THREE times. The last time, it was finale.
That's who I thought you meant and that freak claims to be a female.
That's what I said
when did we ever label him a conservative Christian
I think they have us confused with someone else
This isn't the first time we've had this conversation.
Of course I'm kidding. But I bet I can find that accusation withing the next few days.
I never use /S tags or Barf alerts, but from here on out I'm going to make an exception for Peach. :>)
You are kidding? I didn't know that. LOL
Good lesson to learn but really horrible that you learned that the hard way.
Astronauts and other assorted evildoers.
But I'm sure that nobody is surprised.
I'd like to know when conservatives started believing in criminal prosecution for hate speech??
And I said, I've read a lot of these threads, most of them, in fact, and I haven't seen one freeper call for criminal prosecution of Gibson for hate speech.
I didn't, you didn't. He's Christian, the conservative thing has always been suspect. And in fairness, irrelevant, he hasn't been a political person, either side.
Not only are people not calling for criminal prosecution, people, like myself, are not even calling for an apology. I don't give a rat's ass if he apologizes. Apologies are empty when they're not heartfelt. If he hates Jews, he hates Jews...He's just sorry he said it out loud. OK, I forgive him for saying it out loud. But I still despise him for being anti-semetic.
I agree....I think Hildy's priorities are misplaced since she has taken it personally...which if I was Jewish I may feel the same.....but the drunk driving like you said is the by far more serious behavior......the over riding message should be to not drink and drive.....you are correct...he is free of his opinions...but not of his actions on the road.....
True
It's funny to me that we hold serious double standards here
I don't know. I go on every single WMD thread. I think it 's an important issue and it interests me, and I'd hate to think that freepers were saying "get it already" and that I shouldn't go on certain threads that are of interest.
It's not so much the Gibson story that interests me, it's freeper response to the story that is fascinating.
That's common FR courtesy. It has nothing to do with Hildy.
Well, I know that you've read probably more threads about this than I have, but I haven't seen anyone calling for criminal prosecution of Gibson either for his speech.
And correctly so, of course.
If I was better at remembering freeper names, I'd remember who is defending Gibson and if they ever mentioned Sen. Sheets Byrd again, I'd remind them that his racism was decades ago and it was time to let it go already.
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