and Point Break
Posted on 08/07/2006 6:26:32 AM PDT by Pokey78
Dirty Dancing star Patrick Swayze has defended actor Mel Gibson following his recent drink-drive arrest, during which he made derogatory remarks about Jews.
"I feel really bad for Mel," said the 50-year-old, who insisted the Mad Max star was "not anti-Semitic".
"People say stupid things when they happen to have a few," he told GMTV.
"Hands deserved to be slapped if you do something stupid, but don't take it too far." Swayze is currently performing in Guys and Dolls in London's West End.
The actor, who appears alongside former Brookside regular Claire Sweeney in the musical, was forced to postpone his opening night after losing his voice.
'Pitbull'
Speaking to GMTV's Kate Garraway in a pre-recorded interview screened on Monday, Swayze said "a man [as] talented" as Gibson would bounce back from his current ignominy.
"You don't put somebody down like that," he said. "When you are a pitbull and you love what you do, that talent will find its way out."
Swayze, who was reportedly considered for Gibson's role in the first Lethal Weapon film, said they had "been in each other's lives for a long time".
Gibson, he added, was "a wonderful human being" who should be "allowed to have a stupid moment".
Actress Jodie Foster has also backed the Braveheart director, telling the Los Angeles Times he was "honest, loyal [and] kind".
In a statement released last week, Gibson admitted making anti-Semitic remarks during his arrest on 28 July but insisted they did not reflect his true feelings.
He is expected to appear in court on drink-driving related charges on 28 September.
Star of the greatest movie of all time: Road House.
At least you didn't say Dirty Dancing . . .
"Nobody puts Melly in a corner!"
lol
Well, now Mr. Gibson is going to find out who his real friends are.
The deomocratic elitist don't like Mel Gibson simply because he buck their thinking. It is very evident with all of hte hoopla over his drucken mutterings. They would like to crucify Mel. My hat is off to Patrick and Jodie and the few others that have stood up for him.
Why izzit such a crime to say "anti-semitic" crap, when the left hates Israel so vehemently? ............just a question......
His personal Hell is on-going, and God disciplined him. Now I hope he is on the road to recovery.
If I were God, I would look to see how people forgive him, and what their own sins are.
Red Dawn!
"Wolverines!"
Rush said this last week - first he played a clip of John Dingell saying he's not against Hezbellah:
"This guy (John Dingell) is the senior Democrat in the House of Representatives and would be a commerce committee chairman if these clowns win back the House of Representatives. Mel Gibson is a Hollywood actor. He made some despicable comments, he's now apologized. He's even asked the Jewish community in his latest statement for help in overcoming his alcoholism. Fine and dandy."
"Dingell is an elected senior member of the Democratic Party. I'm not excusing Mel Gibson here, but where is all the criticism? Howard Dean himself has defined anti-Semites ( as someone who refuses to support Israel or condemn Hezbellah) and John Dingell is one according to the Democrat National Committee chairman's own definition. I just wanted to mention this because nobody else is talking about it."
Well, he and Jodie Foster have gone up in my estimation.
Glad Gibson has friends like this.
Can't believe that hunk-a-hunk is 50. Ugh, that means I'm no spring chicken either.
For sure, Mel is finding out who his friends are.
Also, he's finding out who has the courage to stand up and speak out for what is right. Not an easy task in America in 2006.
Anyone who speaks out for Mel at this time might easily be accused as being anti-Semitic himself, even though Mr. Anyone is in the right. Being in the right is not always enough....especially where Mr. Passion of Christ is concerned.
Did Foster speak up for him? I hadn't heard.
and Point Break
Um...actually Swayze is 54. Nice fact checking there, BBC.
Silence of the Lambs star, Jodie Foster, has come to the defence of her troubled Maverick co-star and friend Mel Gibson saying that he is no anti-Semite."Absolutely not, Mel is honest, loyal, kind, but alcoholism has been a lifelong struggle for him and his family," Eonline! quoted Foster as telling Los Angeles Times.
"I do not have personal experience with addiction, but I have seen it take many paths in people I know," Foster added./blockquote>
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