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Gibson hasn't been convicted of anything, but fom his own apology its unquestioned that he said anti-semitic and sexist things to the police officers. Since mental illness is less damaging to one's reputation than being a bigot, you're speculation (which I personally think may be on point) is less damaging to his reputation than what he stands accused of being, in fact if he were diagnosed and treated for mental illness he would likely suffer very little career consequences. After all, when A Beautiful Mind came out, the fact John Forbes Nash (wasn't that his name?) was reported to have made anti-semitic statements wasn't held against him, the man was clearly mentally ill.

Neither of us (or at least I'm not) are psychiatrists, but from the way Gibson talks rapidly with darting eyes during interviews, he does seem manic. He wouldn't be the first artist who's form of madness was part and parcel of his artistic genius. But it could be our speculation is wrong and he isn't mentally ill and he's really just a drunk bigot. As a lawyer, I don't think Gibson is in a position to sue you or anyone for suggesting something that only makes him more sympathetic.

He's not quite libel proof (a heinous character, say a convicted murderer, can't sue for libel because his reputation is already so black nothing slanderous would make him worse than what he's already acknowledged to be) but he's too close to it to ever win a lawsuit on the basis of speculation of his mental health.

On top of that public figures almost never win libel suits because the burden of proof is much higher than it is for ordinary people.

"Since mental illness is less damaging to one's reputation than being a bigot, you're speculation (which I personally think may be on point) is less damaging to his reputation than what he stands accused of being," I agree. Try to explain that to Clara, who is reacting as if this discussion is mean when, if correct, is helpful to Gibson.

"in fact if he were diagnosed and treated for mental illness he would likely suffer very little career consequences." Well, I don't know about that. If he "merely" molested a 14-year-old girl like Roman Polanski did, perhaps he would be forgiven. But I don't know that Hollywood will ever forgive him for something so politically incorrect, even if mental illness is the cause. Society still isn't ready to understand mental illness. Now the fans might forgive him. If online polls are any indication, they already have.

"After all, when A Beautiful Mind came out, the fact John Forbes Nash (wasn't that his name?) was reported to have made anti-semitic statements wasn't held against him, the man was clearly mentally ill." I didn't know that about Nash -- that was apparently purged from the movie.

"As a lawyer, I don't think Gibson is in a position to sue you or anyone for suggesting something that only makes him more sympathetic." Agreed, but when one is manic and doesn't know it (and they are the last ones to know) the mere suggestion is fightin' words. With an average person, that may not mean much. But with a rich and powerful person, it could. As a general rule, you don't want to get on the wrong side of someone in manic mode -- let alone someone with money and power at his disposal. That said, if the moderators don't have a problem with this thread, then I don't.