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."
But how do you know what "they" really want? I'd say you're guessing at best. Motives are hard to figure out under most circumstances, but in a forum like this we can only speculate what others want.
Exactly
THAT is the undertone
Thank you
You DO know the rule against using past threads/fights on old threads...don't you? And you're asking me to break FR's rules?
You've been hitting all the nails tonight. What bothers me about all of the media attention is that everyone seems to forget that just about now every thing that can go wrong has gone wrong in the ME and Israel and consequently, 'Jews', are on the chopping block. I doubt Gibson is an anti-Semite, though he certainly has some reason to be anti-Zionist when he has had to tolerate Abe Foxman all these years.
Yeah, but the next freeper might not!
Good point!
LOL, you're killing me. You can accuse posters of being trolls but you can't mention their names because their posts were on other threads.
I'm not really big on criminal prosecution of hate speech, so you're right about the judge part.
The police report -- my understanding is that there was no mention of the things he said on the police report, leading some to accuse police of doctoring the report. I heard that this morning... has it changed?
Reinvent himself? That's PR. I'm not interested in him reinventing himself, but I do believe God can recreate us, forgive us, make us new. This requires real repentence, and I'm not sure he's there yet, but I can keep praying.
Pop -- you mean his father? Was that quote from Mel or his father? When was it said?
The sentiments are sadly not new.
I think even if Gibson hadn't done The Passion, he was still a big enough star that this would have made news. Big news.
Look at Charlie Sheen (sp?) - he's basically a nobody and every time he's in trouble, it's all over the news.
No answer.
(Sound of crickets chirping)
Too Funny!!!
I did NOT call anyone, on this thread, a troll. Neither have I called any Patsie a troll.
OTOH, what I posted and what YOU CCPed, happens to be the factual truth and when you claim something else, as you are doing now, ones must wonder as to why that is. I also wonder why you are asking me to do something which YOU must know is against FR's rules.
You'll have to try much harder, to get me to do something that can get me suspended or banned. I'm NOT falling for this ploy!
Wonder if somebody in the entertainment business here on FR knows somebody on the masthead of Variety? A phone call, an email...and suddenly we're the Poster Child of denouncing someone that Hollywood already hated.
I'm not convinced
I agree that when when Hollyweird messes up we all get a good laugh
I'm not laughing over this and things that are being said
The guy is messed up and I disagree with his politics completely
Of course as a Christian I am use to being made fun and or snickered at behind my back and being called a religious fanatic so.....
I hear you.
Are we starting a revolution?
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