[XJarhead]

I was a big Gibson fan until this. Loved the Passion of the Christ, thought he'd gotten a raw deal from Hollywood, etc. I still do, because those criticisms weren't fair based on his conduct to that point.

But this is something different, and there comes a point where you have to put personal prejudices/preferences aside and just look at the facts. And if you do, Gibson comes out of this looking horrible.

You presume to know that Mel Gibson has a "visceral" hatred of Jews. (I'll bet you're one of those who thinks alcohol is "truth serum."

I've been drunk more than once, and I never went off about jews or any other ethnic group. I might have said an unkind word or two about an ex-girlfriend or something, and perhaps said much worse than I actually believed. But there always was a kernel of truth that the booze needs to start the ball rolling.

You don't go off against jews the way Gibson did unless you have some serious issues with them. I can guarantee I've never done that, and never would. Why? Well, because I don't dislike jews, and the thought would never cross my mind.

I used to just think that consumption of alcohol lowered one's inhibitions and caused them to say and do stupid things that they'd never consider in a sane moment.

That's exactly right. It lowers your inhibitions, meaning that the line between thought and action gets very blurred. You do things and say things you only thought before, but good judgement and decorum kept under wraps. Impulses come to the forefront, etc. But the thought or impulse has to be there in the first place. Or do you personally think that, if drunk, you're just as likely to go off on a rant against the jews as was Mel?

[John Lenin]

You don't go off against jews the way Gibson did unless you have some serious issues with them.

Sure he has issues with Jews, think of what he had to go through to make The Passion. What we are seeing here is payback for his father. Is it unfair ? You bet it is.

[AFreeBird]

I've been drunk more than once, and I never went off about jews or any other ethnic group. I might have said an unkind word or two about an ex-girlfriend or something, and perhaps said much worse than I actually believed. But there always was a kernel of truth that the booze needs to start the ball rolling.

Getting drunk now and then, even falling down drunk, is NOT the same as being an alcoholic. Two completely different animals. And by alcholoic I mean someone who starts their day with a morning screwdriver or two, and moves on from there, from lunch to dinner and up til bed time.

And I can tell you from personal experience that vodka does smell. And I can also tell you that the difference between when an alcoholic is sober and when they are not is like night and day - Jekle and Hyde. It is THAT dramatic a difference. Add into that whatever depression the person is feeling.... well ...

It's an ugly picture - damn ugly!

Getting drunk and being a drunk - not the same at all.

[cspackler]

Be caareful, I made the exact same arguments on another thread yestrday and was dogpiled on by those who accused me of being holier-than-thou, etc...

I just don't get the ease at which some just write off these statements as "the booze talking", and not a glimpse into his soul.

You'll probably even get the alcoholic "Jekyl and Hyde" argument. Funny thing is is that the whole point of that story was the concoction was simply briging out the dark side of what is already in us...

[Rosary]

Your funny ,you say Gibson has a hate for the jews...he loves the biggest and best of them JESUS CHRIST! get a life!