Hey! FR. Veronica and I were Quoted in VARIETY!!!

VARIETY ^ | July 31, 2006 | Hildy

[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."

[theFIRMbss]

>That "one commentor was me"

You're just angling for
a three a.m. phone call from
a certain actor

all sobbing, shaking
telling you it breaks his heart
he let you down and

begging you to please
let him take you to dinner
to explain in depth . . .

[JennysCool]

Having earned many the curmudgeonly title, yes it is.

[Hildy]

"DEPTH" being the operative word. :)

[Jean S]

Are you proud of this? You are an embarassment to Free Republic. This gloating disgusts me.

[Generalbob]

it takes a big man to admit he's wrong...

Others should practice.

[MarkeyD]

Long story, but it involved Spam (the meat product) and the Lisle, Illinois police.

[Hildy]

S U F F E R!!!!

[wtc911]

the response about the hero falling far was made by my cousin...you know her as VERONICA!!!!

----------------------------------------

Why are we not surprised?

[HBAR223]

For once somebody got it right and called Free Republic a forum and not a blog.

[Hildy]

I knew people in Lisle...Does the name KREIBHEIL ring a bell?

[Dog Gone]

And there were signs that even Gibson's conservative Christian fans were not moved by the response.

I was under the impression that neither you nor Veronica are Christians. Maybe I derived the wrong impression over the years, but I think Variety shouldn't have used either of you as an example of a Christian fan.

[MarkeyD]

No, sorry. It barely Googles :)

[Generalbob]

S-M-U-G

[Hildy]

Nobody came and asked my religion...sorry. But as a Christian fan...ya still think he's the cat's meow?

[Michael Goldsberry]

There's something about the truth hurting

Yeah, like Hildy's false claim of being among the "conservative Christian fans."

Since when is she a Christian?

[A CA Guy]

There was nothing about The Passion that was antisemitic but there was a lot about Mel drunk that was.

Your change of heart because of what Mel said years later while drunk does not reflect on his prior work.

I don't get your logic between the two things.

Maybe that's why they quoted you in Variety, you served them in what they wanted to write against The Passion.

[MarkeyD]

All leftists think everyone here is Christian.

[firebrand]

Let's hope their next headline is "Apocalypto Lays An Egg."

[veronica]

I'm a little disappointed that we didn't make Army Archerd's column...:)

[Hildy]

HELLOOOOOO.....I never said I was Christian...I guess Variety just assumes we're all part of the religious Right...not my fault. They didn't call me and ask....sorry that pisses you off. But frankly, I don't give a damn. Obviously, my being Jewish really ticks you off. I'll give you my stock resonse....S U F F E R