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."
Let's talk turkey here. Mel Gibson stuck a thumb in the eye of Hollywood with his wildly successful film that none of them would touch. It's gotten the only F preview rating I've ever seen in the Houston Chronicle for a serious release.
And no one can deny that there a lot of powerful Jews in the Hollywood industry. They may not be pro-Israeli, but they are Jews and they don't like someone like Mel Gibson who went outside the traditional venues and made a successful film.
So hell, yeah, when he spouts off in a drunken tirade how bad the Jews are, they are going to pounce on it. They hated him beforehand. Now they think they have a PR club to pound on him that works. And it does, because most Americans aren't anti-semites. And Gibson is. You don't suddenly acquire a new prejudice with a 1.2 BAC.
But it ain't illegal to be an anti-semite. It's good information to know, but the illegal thing is driving drunk.
If this knocks Gibson off the false pedestal that many folks put him up on for making a religious film, good. I don't think his next Aztec film was going to improve on that false perception.
There is way too much glee in piling on to him at this forum, just as there was too much adulation of him in the first place.
Making a religious film does NOT make you a conservative, nor does it mean you don't have other faults, all of which have become apparent recently.
They also assumed that we are all of the same opinion. This isn't a high point in journalism. They looked and found what they wanted...and left.
You are ruining a perfectly good blood dance. Stop it.
That's a good post, DG. Thanks.
It's good of you and your cousin to identify yourselves as Christian conservatives from FR (we need more of that here on FR!), but in fairness to Variety, I hope you disclosed that neither of you were ever fans of Mr. Gibson's in any real sense.
That's an excellent post.
Indeed, it would do no good, the resentment runs so deep. Nothing will placate, the mau-mauing must wear itself out.
But it is instructive to a conservative Christian to watch and learn. I mean, who would have known what hostility exists here without Mel and the Bottle?
SOP for the media.
Hildy defended Gibson of these very charges for months.
And you may not have noticed, but Variety didn't call anyone; they came to FR and picked a quote they liked and ran with it.
Since we're a conservative forum, they just made the assumption that we're all Christians here. You know, the far right.
You know, you can tell a lot about people by posting histories - what makes them tick (hot buttons), what they find interesting, where they stand, etc... I personally find when someone's main concern is all things celebrities and delighting in someone else's misfortunes - and ugly little snide comments - I hope they aren't considered representative of this site - whether they are really moderators or just little snitches that tattle when they don't get their way. (and of course I'm talking in generalities not specifics, or I'd ping who I was talking about :) )
I find it incredibly humorous to see how certain posters stick to the rules, get mad at duplicate threads, bully other people, ping JR when they don't like what someone else is doing, but have no problem telling people to go to hell which is against both the "no profanity, and no personal attacks" rules.
I'm a huge fan of Mel Gibson(and his back side :) ) - the only movie of his I didn't like was payback (and that was the first time I saw it, I loved it when I saw it last year on a re-run). But to hold him up as anyone other than an entertainer is wrong. I loved the Passion, I felt it was incomplete in not offering more of the resurrection. But I certainly don't look at Gibson as anything more than a fun (or intense) couple of hours away from my real world.
I despise what he said, I'd sure like to hear all of it in context though (not that I'd despise it less) but I think we're getting half the story.
Or they were told in advance where to find it. Or were linked to it via email.
Peach, I never saw the movie. Several people have said that although Mel might be anti-Semitic, the movie is not. IOW, one must seperate the artist from the art.
I never saw the movie either, but I know that Hildy and some of the freepers most disappointed defended Mel against these very charges at the time. Anyway, that was a good point you made in your post upthread.
Hildy made a few post mentioning that she was jewish
Variety choose not to mention those posts
As to the doctoring, there are several threads, essentially the accusation is that the local police "requested" the arresting officer "rewrite" his report, so that the antisemitic statements weren't part of the public record. Some sources say they were to be included in a separate report to the states attorney, but it found it's way to the media, so that's that.
I've no respect for the man, but I wish him the best. He's got years of life left to deal with these issues.
Unfortunately in the past he's refused to disassociate himself from his dad's views. Unfortunately given his recent statements, it's reasonable to assume he shares them. Many references, you might read this one, it's text and it's accurate, I listened to the interview with his dad .
Did she make mention of that on the thread that Variety was quoting from?
Wow. The key words are really something else!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-backroom/1674359/posts?page=32#32
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-backroom/1674359/posts?page=56#56
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