Posted on 07/31/2006 4:44:12 PM PDT by gopwinsin04
July 31, 2006 — Mel Gibson has reportedly sought rehab treatment, three days after he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
"He is in a program of recovery at this time," Gibson's spokesman, Alan Neirob, told Star magazine.
The 50-year-old Oscar-winning director and actor was arrested Friday in Los Angeles. Law enforcement officers said they clocked him doing 87 mph in a 45 mph zone. A breath test indicated Gibson's blood-alcohol level was 0.12 percent, sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said. In California a driver is legally intoxicated at 0.08 percent.
While it's not known where Gibson will be treated, Chris Printiss, the co-founder of celebrity treatment center Passages in Malibu, said he's aware of Gibson's plans.
"I understand he has gone to a treatment center," he told the magazine. "The center that I've heard he's checked himself into follows the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program. And I don't believe that will help him."
"He needs individual intense therapy by a team of people who know what they are looking for in causes in alcoholism."
Earlier on Monday, Malibu officials were defending the handling of Gibson's arrest amid allegations the department covered up anti-Semitic remarks Gibson reportedly made while he was in police custody.
The allegations of anti-Semitism stem from a leaked arrest report posted on the Web site TMZ.com quoting Gibson as saying, "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world," and asking a deputy, "Are you a Jew?"
"This case is going to go to the district attorney," Whitmore told reporters. "In that case file will be his statement, will be our report, will be everything pertinent to his blood-alcohol level. We have done our job. We hope we've done it with not only professionalism and intelligence, but held to the highest standard. of legal and moral imperative."
Whitmore said county prosecutors will decide the next step after a review of the case, but that the Sheriff's Department was "convinced because of our investigation and because of his own self-illuminating statement that he will be convicted of driving under the influence."
"This seems to be a trend with the rich and powerful."
And the not so rich and not so powerful.
Addiction does not discriminate.
It's an equal opportunity killer.
Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. I incline to the belief that his father's anti-Semitic comments really influenced Mel, unavoidably, in his younger days, but that Mel has worked to overcome what he imbibed from his father's attitudes, but under the influence, the old tapes played.
Some of the nicest, gentlest people turn into complete ogres when they indulge too much.
OTOH Islam is an abomination and a false religion praying to a false god. For Christians to blame and hate Jews is folly.
Maybe, maybe not. The spiritual awakening needed to live the 12 Steps isn't allied with any religious beliefs. Nor is it antagonstic to any.
Much is based on the book of James and many of St. Paul's teachings, but you probably wouldn't know it.
Performance Enhancing “Substances;” What’s the Problem?
By John E. Carey
Certain alarming and deplorable news stories concerning the way Americans sometimes seek to attain “the edge” over their competitors or just their own weaker selves, remind us that the pharmaceutical, alcohol, and drug “industry” (not us) in America may be out of control.
First, as last weekend kicked off, we were faced with a news story featuring Mel Gibson. Mel, the only Hollywood big shot to recently produce a major motion picture about Jesus, was picked up and charged with Driving Under the Influence (of alcohol) (DUI) in Malibu. If that wasn’t bad enough, Mel, according to the arresting officer and his recorded audio tape of every word, may have gotten a tad vocal during the arrest and booking.
A family newspaper cannot print the exact words Mel used to berate the arresting officer, but let’s just say it was a four letter word that started with an “F” and ended with a “k.”
Mel only used this word about 150 times during his short though wonderful association with the arresting officer.
Mel also imprudently opined that he owned Malibu and would use all his money to get even with the arresting officer and his force.
To make bad into worse, Mel also went into an anti-Semitic tirade. Mel apparently blames Jews for killing Jesus and just about everyone else.
Wherever Mel was before he drove into Hollywood legend last week, we sure hope it was a GREAT party.
We were told that Mel called Nick Nolte to help him make bail.
But Mel’s conduct is hardly bizarre by modern American standards. A few weeks ago, the multi-millionaire heir to the Coors beer fortune was arrested for DUI in his driveway. He had slowly eased through a “stop” sign without coming to a complete halt while going home from a wedding.
Performance enhancing, or just plain “fun inducing” substances are a part of American life. Barry Bonds is now the poster child for steroid use and abuse, even though he has been charged with nothing and we have little to go on as evidence: unless you count his remarkable growth, girth and homer record.
Just last night, Justin Gatlin, the world and Olympic 100 meter champion, the “fastest man in the world,” faced a life ban after admitting he had failed a drugs test. WOW! At least this guy can run from the law if necessary.
Cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, the bicycle “wunderkind” that the French love to hate, has also been under a cloud of suspicion for his evil habits. The French say Lance has been shooting steroids forever. Sac le bleu! Lance denies all the French accusations. But his girlfriend was Sheryl Crowe so I’ve decided whatever he is using is O.K. with me!
Lance’s successor in the American Bicycle Hall of Fame was also accused by the French and others of using too much, let us say, “male hormone.” But he says he is naturally packed and I saw his wife on TV smiling BIG time when he won the Tour de France and I suspect that wasn’t all about bicycling.
Finally, Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota was informed last week that his 81 year old Dad was caught naked in a car with a 38 year old woman. She was also naked. The car was parked in “broad” daylight next to Red Savoy's Pizza. Red said he had no idea what was on the pizza but he offered to sell us a “slice.” Norm’s Dad could not be reached for comment but his wife, Norm’s Mom, Beverly, said she was shocked by the entire “affair.” Norm’s Dad is now the poster child for the little blue pill…in old peoples’ homes everywhere.
So next time you find a friend, coworker or family member having just too much fun, remind them that this happens now and again. Blame the pharmaceutical, alcohol, and drug “industry.”
But addiction and drug abuse are serious matters so get help. We intend only to educate and inform here in the Examiner.
And if you have any aspirations about making a film about Jesus we suggest you do that before you end up arrested like Mel Gibson.
John E. Carey writes commentary from Falls Church Virginia. He is completely sober after a bout with alcoholism which he informs us was no fun at all.
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You need a tee shirt. Celebrity schmoozing needs a tee shirt logo . . . ("Hey, Mel, get well soon! And when you get out, come by, I'll buy you a beer!") |
There is a parabolic curve to any addiction cycle, including alcoholism. To the alcoholic, the longer the term of the drinking, after the tolerance level is highest, then less and less is needed for impairment.
To put it in the simplest form - drinking is fun, then it's fun with problems, then it's just problems.
He is closer to end-stage alcoholism than beginnings.
One thing we can be sure of: it won't be the Hyman Goldstein Center for Substance Abuse.
Big deal. A sober Jew-hater is still a Jew-hater. Rot in hell Gibson, you POS.
Many of the ideas came from the Oxford Movement in the early part of the century.
You know, when I see pictures of Cindy Sheehan or any of the Code Pink crowd smiling and laughing while they're being arrested, I'm more disgusted by their demeanor than that of Mel's. I don't believe they really give a hoot about what they claim to care about; it's pure narcissism as I see it.
Gibson, I believe, is basically a good and honorable person. Does anyone seriously think he would gas six million Jews given the chance? Maybe he would, but I certainly don't sense that sort of evil in him. Given his bizarre behaviour upon his arrest, it is obvious he's been wrestling with the demons his father instilled in him, and that night they burst out in all their ugliness.
As has been said, .12 is hardly roaring drunk, and the fact that he was driving twice the speed limit tells me he was dealing with something else that night that had put him in a wreckless state of mind; a fight with his father, maybe...or an exceptionally ugly bit of fan mail. Really, who can say?
Have you ever been repeatedly and unjustly accused of being something you know you're not? Maybe with Mel having the monkey of his father's beliefs on his back, combined with all the anti-semite accusations leveled at him, drove him to believe he really was anti-semite, or drove him to throw it back in everyone's teeth. We all have our breaking point.
Granted, all the above is pure conjecture, but we're all human and wrestle with our own personal demons. Even the most well-adjusted of us have our issues.
Though I come off as a Gibson apologist, I'm not one of the "Passion Crowd". I haven't even seen the movie, to be honest.
ping
I think a visit to Auschwitz would be better for Mad Max.
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