Posted on 08/01/2006 9:03:22 AM PDT by ICE-FLYER
What follows is Mel Gibsons reported apology to Jews around the world for words he said during an arrest for DUI in which he lost control of himself.
-- MEL SAYS SORRY TO THE JEWS Tue Aug 01 2006 11:10:45 ET
August 2, 2006 -- There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of Anti-Semitic remark. I want to apologize specifically to everyone in the Jewish community for the vitriolic and harmful words that I said to a law enforcement officer the night I was arrested on a DUI charge.
I am a public person, and when I say something, either articulated and thought out, or blurted out in a moment of insanity, my words carry weight in the public arena. As a result, I must assume personal responsibility for my words and apologize directly to those who have been hurt and offended by those words.
The tenets of what I profess to believe necessitate that I exercise charity and tolerance as a way of life. Every human being is God’s child, and if I wish to honor my God I have to honor his children. But please know from my heart that I am not an anti-Semite. I am not a bigot. Hatred of any kind goes against my faith.
I’m not just asking for forgiveness. I would like to take it one step further, and meet with leaders in the Jewish community, with whom I can have a one on one discussion to discern the appropriate path for healing.
I have begun an ongoing program of recovery and what I am now realizing is that I cannot do it alone. I am in the process of understanding where those vicious words came from during that drunken display, and I am asking the Jewish community, whom I have personally offended, to help me on my journey through recovery. Again, I am reaching out to the Jewish community for its help. I know there will be many in that community who will want nothing to do with me, and that would be understandable. But I pray that that door is not forever closed.
This is not about a film. Nor is it about artistic license. This is about real life and recognizing the consequences hurtful words can have. It’s about existing in harmony in a world that seems to have gone mad. ---
I want politicians to take not of this apology. According to other news Mel has had run-ins before with the police. While I can not ascertain the validity of those incidents they seem credible. He got off scot free a few times before. But unlike others in politicians (and Hollywood) he has this time taken the full responsibility he lacked the times before.
Recently, Randy "Duke" Cunningham got caught in criminal activity. His crime was against us all and himself as well as personally against others whom he took advantage of. He ultimately DID take full responsibility for his actions, helped in the investigation, laid it all out for all to see and stood to face the music. Some would say he did so only because he got caught. I don't agree.
Like Gibsons account here and scant few others in public places, Cunningham would have eventually collapsed under the weight of the things he was doing. His personal character, though flawed like the rest of us, was of a moral fiber strong enough to eventually correct him. I don't think he would have continued long. NOT with what he had done for his country in the military and what gets said and done for a man who does such things.
Gibson was, no less, ready for and headed for correction. His words indeed need to be followed by the actions he says he will take, but judging by his character, what he has done in the past and how he comports himself to the world I am confident he will do exactly what he says he will do and more.
I hope that leaders of all stripes and walks could learn to do this. By doing so they could restore a lost faith in our leaders that they have the ability to be accountable for their actions.
I hope and pray that Mel not only does all that he says but that he emerges stronger than ever thru it.
If Mel is truly sincere, then he deserves all of our support. I'm still skeptical, but I'll give Mel the benefit of the doubt that he truly means what he said. It will take more than words, however.
What will it take?
Umm...let me guess...
From his heart ?
I agree. This is a scripted apology from his manager to avoid a financial backlash against his next movie. I'm sure he really regrets getting his opinion plastered (good term) over the media. Regret often follows getting caught. When people tear open their soul, what is inside is often shocking to everyone, including Mel. If he is truly repentant, he needs to change his attitude over time, not over dinner.
Isn't Hillary a good example of taking responsibility? :)
"I am in the process of understanding where those vicious words came from during that drunken display,"
From learned beliefs. Whether from his father, or a some-how learned conclusion he has come up with but never felt comfortable to express in a public environment. Somehow the liquor shook all of it up.
My question is how, and why, in the world would he make a leap from being pulled over for a DUI, to the Jews are the cause of all the wars in the world, and whether or not Officer "Mee" was a jew? Is this typical behavior of a racist that will always ask parties present whether or not they are the very thing that is hated or derided? Or did something specific trigger him? What would the officer's response be to a question such as this?
Officer: Mr. Gibson, step out of the car.
Gibson: Jews cause all Wars!!!! Are you a jew?
Sounds strange.
ping
How about actions that prove the words?
Seeing how he conducts the rest of his life.
If I recall correctly, his father disliked Jews. So I'm figuring that it came with the up bring...SAD! All in all, the man is sincerely asking for forgiveness and help. The ball is in the Jewish community court now. I doubt if the big honchos in HELLywood will forgive, but he's reaching out to the community folk and not those who already hate him who sit on director's chairs! A contrite heart is healing to the soul.
Couple things.... (1) Drunk people who are arrested rage against their loss of control. (2) Jews, and the actions of Isreal have been in the news a lot lately... Now, we don't know what political position he holds on that action, but it could be that conversations about that, over drinks, had put these feelings very much in the front of his mind.
I have wondered exactly the same thing. I would love to see a video of the encounter. I am baffled as to why he would even start on the whole tirade. Especially since I have not heard that he has made a habit of saying that sort of thing.
susie
Maybe so.
susie
I question the use of the word "truly" in your headline. All this proves is Hollywood people have access to and listen to their crisis managers more so than do headstrong politicians. If you think Mel wrote this and did so because he's truly penitent, I think you are sadly mistaken. What Gibson said doesnt pop out of your mouth when you are drunk unless it was in your heart to begin with.
"but it could be that conversations about that, over drinks, had put these feelings very much in the front of his mind."
Maybe so, but why didn't he step out of the car and rage against the Islamic terrorists set on destroying infidels, where ever they are? Is this a general catholic position, that Israel doesn't have the right to respond to an ever growing problem? Look at the amount of weaponry that had accumulated in southern lebanon. Look at what has been launched. Doesn't look like just an innocent political party to me.
Mel Gibson apologizes to the Jewish people...
That's for the Jewish people to decide. His statement seems sincere. However, he should take this opportunity to take a stand. And instead of referring to a "world gone mad"... ("It’s about existing in harmony in a world that seems to have gone mad",)he should specify who the "mad" are. A hint: the Islamist fascists that are causing all this turmoil in the world.
So Mel, take your frustrations out on the only evil doers. And you are in a position to influence...
What makes you think he's sincere and he is just looking for a pass on his bad behavior. In the long term it probably wont hurt him as long as his book office holds up. Hollywood is usually able to overlook any thing short of murder as long as the dollars are there.
Talk about throwing yourself into a snake pit. I support Isreal, but American jews A.K.A.....Anti-Defamation League, ACLU, Mikey Moore and Babs....who cares ! Mel will find more work.
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