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."
I'm taking a wild guess that you didn't see the movie.
I saw it the first day it premiered. I bought my tickets online a month before. I was at the 10am showing and I brought four of my friends and family.
The news about Cuba is great, even though it is a bit weird. Supposedly he has bleeding in his intestines, from "stress" and too much travel. That makes NO sense whatsoever!
Variety must have come to this site and picked up my quote, as publications sometimes do.
IMO .. it's cancer
The whole world is in turmoil and Mel Gibson is the issue. I just don't get it. He's a non issue. He's an actor. They are all unimportant. What am I missing here?
At the same time his old man is supposed to be nearly senile. One does wonder how much brain damage Mel has suffered with runaway alcoholism.
For discussions of the morality of letting folks with brain injury off the hook for what they do and say, see the Andrea Yates threads!
Then again, Mel's brain might well be in perfect condition although his rant against George Bush and the takeover of Iraq suggests his level of damage is at least as severe as that of virtually any Democrat.
I waited for it to come out on DVD, and I have seen it 4 times since.
Never having seen that movie, I had NO idea that it began as a "snuff" film. Now, that I do, count me in with your wife.
Show business connections?
I know that that isn't a nice thing to say, but, oh well.....
The Passion is entirely consistent with the Bible.
Yea, all us Jews stick together..that's what you really meant, isn't it?
I don't see anything wrong with wishing Castro reaps what he's sown in others lives, misery.
The fact that someone, anyone, wouldn't talk to MSNBC is not terribly meaningful, nor does it suggest "guilt".
I wouldn't talk to MSNBC either.
BTW, I read the "apology". Although it has a touch of Clintonian evasion in it, he seems to be apologizing for cursing out the officer.
We need better evidence than mere inference in this matter.
I can't believe all the back and forth on this thread just because Variety quoted you in a Mel Gibson thread on FR. BTW, I happen to agree with your posts about the issue.
When I watched the Passion, I did not think "Oh, the Jews killed Jesus." No. With every lash and every strike of the hammer on the nails, I knew that my sin put Him there. I knew that His love kept Him there.
That drunk should have just blurted "Nuke Riyadh!" and he'd be a hero here.
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