Posted on 08/02/2006 7:37:23 AM PDT by Zionist Conspirator
By now the whole world knows that the L.A. County Sheriff's Department reports that after being stopped for drunk driving early Friday morning, Mel Gibson, began yelling about the "blanking" Jews who start all the wars in the world.
Within a few hours Gibson publicly admitted that he had "...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."
Immediately thereafter, one of the self-anointed Jewish "leaders" proclaimed with breathtaking chutzpah, that 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," he said. "We would hope that Hollywood now would realize the bigot in their midst and that they will distance themselves from this anti-Semite."
It is all too easy to join the circling hyenas and denounce Gibson while he is down. On the other hand, though he has provided some financial support to Toward Tradition, I don't feel obliged to leap to his defense. That is not the purpose behind my writing this column. The purpose of my writing this account is to respond to the question of how recent events have impacted my views of the man and his work. It is also to place a gentle restraining hand upon the shoulder of those in the Jewish community making yet another mistake.
There really are anti-Semites in this world of ours right now who not only wish to destroy all Jews but are doing all within their powers to bring that about. Does the name Mahmoud Ahmadinejad suggest anything? Does it really make a lot of sense to treat Mel Gibson as a threat to Jews anywhere?
As for the remarks Gibson made while intoxicated, ancient Jewish wisdom informs us that one way we can know what a person is really like is by how he behaves when he is drunk. From this we can safely assume that Mel Gibson doesn't think much of Jews.
However there is another nugget of ancient Jewish wisdom emphasizing that we owe atonement for that which lies in our hearts, only to God. If I have an unworthy thought in my heart about you, I need to make good with God but I don't owe you an apology unless I act upon that thought. We humans are morally obliged to make good to other people only for those things we do, and not for any thoughts we have in our minds.
Let us address his apology. I have no way of knowing what is in Mel Gibson's heart but I do know that he has no need to act obsequiously towards Jews or curry favor with us. If Gibson never makes another film he will still be able to buy gas for his Lexus. He is not a politician trying to win an election after an imprudent remark, like Georgia State Rep. Billy McKinney, who blamed "J-E-W-S" after his daughter, U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney, was defeated in a congressional primary in 2002.
By the way there was virtually no Jewish criticism of that remark for which there was little apology and which was not made while Billy was drunk. More cynical observers than I suggest it might have something to do with the McKinneys being Democrats.
The same explanation could probably be advanced for why Marlon Brando's infamous outburst on Larry King Live, about the "kikes" running Hollywood also received pretty much of a free pass. And Brando was sober.
Film maker and Democratic propagandist, Michael Moore has made the most preposterous statements about Israel for which he has never apologized and for which the Jewish community has never criticized him. For instance he has identified Israel as one of the epicenters of evil in the world, and he has explained how "..Arabs came up with the idea that Americans are supporting Israel in its oppression of the Palestinian people when a Palestinian child looked up in the air and saw an American Apache helicopter firing a missile into his baby sister's bedroom just before she was blown into a hundred bits."
Yet, Gibson publicly apologized and the Jewish response was so beyond ungracious that one must ask what exactly would Gibson have had to do or say in order to win Jewish absolution? Furthermore one would have to ask why would any rampant bigot even bother to do this? I haven't heard any apologies from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The next question is what impact do recent events have on what I wrote about the movie, The Passion, back in February 2004. Let's see what I wrote then in my article entitled "Why Mel Owes One to The Jews" and which appears on the Toward Tradition website.
Weeks before its release, I made four predictions about The Passion. Here they are:
One, Mel Gibson and Icon Productions will make a great deal of money. ( I was right.)
Two, The Passion will become famous as one of the most serious and substantive Biblical movies ever made.( I was right.)
My third prediction was that the faith of millions of Christians would become more fervent as The Passion uplifts and inspires them. (I was right.)
My fourth prediction was that there would be no anti-Semitic incidents perpetrated by those exiting the theater after viewing The Passion. (I was right. In fact every poll revealed an increase in philo-Semitic feeling among viewers of The Passion.)
I also explained that those Jewish organizations that have squandered both time and money futilely protesting The Passion, ostensibly in order to prevent pogroms in Pittsburgh, can hardly be proud of their performance. They failed at everything they attempted. They were hoping to ruin Gibson rather than enrich him. They were hoping to suppress The Passion rather than promote it. Finally, they were hoping to help Jews rather than harm them.
Nothing I wrote then about The Passion has changed.
This incident helps me explain why I am on record as opposing hate crime legislation. It is time for all Americans and particularly American Jews to grow up and recognize that you cannot force anyone to love or even like anyone else. You cannot force people to love Jews, Christians, women, men, blacks, white, handicapped people or people who drive red cars.
We most definitely can and must insist on lawful behavior and we must demand respectful interaction. However we must stop pretending we can police people's thoughts. I know of nobody who would be willing to be hooked up to a machine that would disclose his innermost thoughts to the world.
If Mr. Gibson really does hate Jews as his drunken diatribe might indicate, his behavior towards the many Jews he knows has always been nothing but cordial and respectful. He has never supported (as have too many Jews) Palestinian causes and other organizations that encourage the murder of Jews. Amazingly Mel Gibson has utterly resisted the natural human temptation to snap back at the so called "Jewish Establishment" for its vicious assaults on The Passion.
He deserves censure for being drunk and for the anti-Semitic remarks. But he already knows that which is why he apologized. A balanced and reasonable view would be that if indeed he really does hate Jews, then he deserves respect for his self control when not drunk.
I would rather be surrounded by people who hate me in their heart but whose conduct toward me and my property is exemplary than by people who love me in their hearts but who kill my cat, kick my kids, and key my car. I would be very happy to switch today's dangerous Moslems Jew-haters for Moslems who hate me only in their hearts but who act toward Jews with nobility and kindness.
My question for Jews, especially the heads of the alphabet organizations is this: "Which is more likely to lead to increased affection and respect for Jews everywhere? Recognizing that human prejudices exist and working respectfully and amicably to change people's minds and hearts, or grabbing headlines by strident accusations full of self righteousness and intolerance?" I believe that most people know the right answer.
I think Mel just needs some rest and rehab. You have to be very thick-skinned to survive the liberal freaks of Hollywierd. I think all the hassle and criticism he received from his "co-workers" in the industry finally got to him. Frankly, I think he did Christianity a great service with the movie. It made alot of people THINK. Something very rare these days.
Get well Mel.
Become a Democrat, apparently. It works for Jimmy Carter, Michael Moore, George McGovern, Ernest Hollings, Robert Byrd, etc. (not to mention the late, unlamented J. William Fulbright).
And for the record, I'm no fan of Gibson. But Foxman is a disgrace (civil authority for the Rabbinate NOW!!!).
ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL ARTICLE. THANKS.
Would love to have dinner with the author. A clearly superior human being.
Great.
Thanks tons.
Of course, you know the new Mel Gibson film Apocalypto, about the Mayan culture, is anti-Aztec.
Excellent point...this is a spot-on article! Well said Rabbi Lapin!
Rabbi Lapin can come and preach at my (Christian) church anytime he wants. And I wish he would.
However there is another nugget of ancient Jewish wisdom emphasizing that we owe atonement for that which lies in our hearts, only to God. If I have an unworthy thought in my heart about you, I need to make good with God but I don't owe you an apology unless I act upon that thought. We humans are morally obliged to make good to other people only for those things we do, and not for any thoughts we have in our minds.
Man, I love Judaism! Full of these great "nuggets". I've always thought this way, but never could put it into words like this. As stupid as it sounds, I think it was in an Arnold movie where it was said "A man is ultimately judged by his actions, not his thoughts", or something like that.
Mr. Gibson is just another Hollywierdo fool and nothing more. Obviously MSM and Hollywierd are playing up Gibson's arrest for all it's worth.
However, when a person threatens a police officer, as Gibson did then he should consider himself lucky that he was not charged with more than DUI.
" ....Gibson's belligerent attitude (unreadable). Gibson (unreadable) out profanities (unreadable), calling me, "You mother (profanity redacted)." Gibson repeatedly threatened me, saying, "I'm going to (profanity redacted) you. You're going to regret you ever did this to me."...
Transcript link:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-gibsontranscript31jul31,0,6920819.story?coll=la-home-entertainment
Not to mention all the women I'd have to apologize to...
Hey! None of that leftwing, commie, liberal, pansy-waist, ecumenical nonsense around here! ;-)
It is good to see some adults still left out there who can weigh drunken comments for what they are worth.
On yesterday's Michael Medved program, a sheriff's deputy called to make an informed comment about the conduct of people arrested while DUI. He said that eventually the person detained becomes belligerant towards the arresting officer and lashes out verbally. The deputy/caller was bald-headed so he receives taunts about that. In this particular instance the arresting officer was Jewish so Gibson made his belligerant comments about that. If the arresting officer had been black, Gibson would have been using racial epithets to "get back" at the officer.
When is Gee. I'm a bit overweight. Perhaps I should start blubbering like a baby every time someone says an overwight joke. It is truly sickening to see adults acting like third graders when something like this happens.
He who is without sin, cast the first stone. I like Mel's movies and consider him a great actor. He put up with a lot of ANTI CHRISTIAN abuse when his movie came out....
"I think he did Christianity a great service with the movie. It made alot of people THINK. Something very rare these days."
***** So this is what you believe?...........me too. I know for a fact it had an incredible "effect" on the viewers especially the male species due to it's graphic realism, and the message was STRONG. I can't say much of his anti-Jewish statements, especially under the influence....or maybe as a result of the film he has anti-jewish feelings due to the choices they made back then....but I do know the movie was a success and the writer of the article is correct...
I remember while in Kosovo, I attended a Halloween party attended by internationals. One Security Officer from South Africa, a caucasion.....of course, came into the party dressed as a Nazi SS Officer. Arm bands, full length leather coat, the works. And, he certainly played the part. Point is....when he walked in, the first words he uttered while entering the house was...."Fire up the furnaces".......and related comments....well, wouldn't you know it, there was a Jewish lady from New York contracted with the UN in attendance and had ears. Man; it's an understatment to say that she didn't take to "kindly" to the protrayal by any stretch of the imagination....:) Whoa........
I guess to say, Judge not lest ye be judged....etc...and etc...I wasn't there when he got arrested so I reserve my opinion or judgment. However, the movie was very very good and he should be commended for making a movie of such impact and effect on people....the effect was very dramatic and needed.
Thank you for the article. We new to uplift each other in this time of trail, including Mel Gibson.
In other words stop the blubbering about all this and grow up.
(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)
Very wise words.
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