Posted on 10/04/2006 12:06:53 PM PDT by SJackson
Sometimes it feels like we're always in a race with time. We're always in a hurry to get things done or racing to get somewhere fast or just trying to meet somebody else's deadline. Being in a hurry is part of our nature. Impatience to fulfill our most basic needs is imbued in our creation. A baby cries forcefully demanding its milk while a fully-grown corporate executive pounds his fist on the table demanding work be done.
We're always racing but we never seem to catch up. Now, superstar Mel Gibson is telling us to relax and enjoy the ride before it all ends in 2012. Whenever this man speaks, somebody makes him apologize. The other day he took his new movie, "Apocalypto," to a film festival to promote it and made some remarks critical of the Iraq war and the decline of our civilization.
Gibson's work in movies like "Braveheart" and "Patriot" demonstrate that he is a "for God and country" type of man. God weighed heavily on his heart when he made "The Passion of the Christ," which infuriated the Jewish institution in America. Then he made his famous anti-Jewish remarks on July 28th when he was arrested for drinking and driving. He cursed at the officers and told them, "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in this world." Obviously, he was disturbed by the Israel-Lebanon war.
The following day he ate his words and groveled in one apology after the other to the Jewish community. They let the storm die down but they never forgave him and he lost some film contracts in the end. Then, he pleaded no contest to the drinking and driving offense on August 18. The judge ordered him to get treatment for alcoholism and to do some public service work. On August 20, the "Los Angeles Times" wrote an editorial calling for disqualifying Mel Gibson from doing public service announcements because he was not a good role model. The paper said, "Gibson should be declared celebrity non-grata, left to wrestle with his own demons in private, as most other bigoted people get to do. Obscurity would be the most fitting punishment for the man."
What do they want from the man besides the whole hearted apology that he made? Maybe he has to check himself into an "Anti-Semitism Rehabilitation Center" to cleanse himself of any critical thoughts of Jews. After completing such a program he will be singing their praises and preaching that they are God's chosen people. Otherwise, he should re-consider his entire existence as a public figure. I am sure that Mel has millions and millions of dollars so he can afford to speak his mind freely. That's why his apology is sincere and Jews must accept it and move on. The Pope made anti-Muslim remarks and then he apologized. No one called for his resignation or told him to cancel his existence as a public figure. We have to foster an atmosphere of dialogue that can accept the honest truths of all points of view.
In the latest remarks, Mel Gibson drew a parallel between the United States and the doomed Mayan civilization; the subject of his latest movie. He said, "The precursors to a civilization that's going under are the same, time and time again." To illustrate his point he asked, "What's human sacrifice if not sending guys off to Iraq for no reason?"
Everyone is critical of the Iraq war but why did such benign remarks draw any attention at all? It is because of the Jewish connection and the implication that Jews are bringing this civilization down. Abraham Foxman, National Director of the Anti-Defamation League, made the linkage for us, stating, "If Jews are responsible for all the world's wars, then by that logic, they are responsible for the war in Iraq." He wants the 50-year old Oscar winning director to "put matters like that to rest. Until he does, it just hangs over him."
Gibson is a devout Christian and his politics are mostly conservative. He may have offered such scathing criticism of the Iraq war to appease the mostly anti-war Hollywood crowd. It seems like he needs to hire a political consultant these days, somebody like Dick Morris who advised Clinton. His anti-war remarks have now probably alienated his core group of conservative supporters and his anti-Jewish remarks alienated the Hollywood crowd and Democrats. Will all this affect his popularity or potential sales at the box office? Probably no. I predict the opposite will happen.
More people will see his movies than ever before. His remarks represent strong undercurrents in the political discourse. The Rapture Theory and the prophecy of the End Times are current topics discussed by most evangelists and media talk shows. Gibson seems to believe in these ideas and predicting the end of this world is a fulfillment of his convictions. He said, "I don't mean to be a doomsday guy, but the Mayan calendar does end in 2012, boys and girls." He seems to be giving us a hint about the end of our world as the United States falls to its doom like the Mayans did.
The concept of the End Times has been in the subconscious of man since the beginning of time, when he invented the idea that he was created in an instant by a Supreme Being we call God. Any race that has a starting point must also reach a finish line. If God created Adam about 10,000 years ago and started this human race, then at some point we are going to get tired of running in this marathon. There will be an end to this race.
We will inevitably reach our doom because of the deeds of our own hands. That doesn't mean the end of human existence. It is simply the end of the rat race that we have created with our own hands, where we turned ourselves into mere robots in a huge industrial machine.
It may also be the end of our racist thinking when we begin to see all humans as equals regardless of their "race, color, religion, or ethnicity." There is always a silver lining in every cloud and the end of our current way of life might also be the starting point of the God-given promise of a spiritual way of life. Mel Gibson might be right after all when he said, "I don't mean to be a doomsday guy."
It's not. If Mel feels the Jews have caused all the worlds wars, he should have the courage of his convictions and say it. He's not alone in that opinion, today or in recent history. An apology in that circumstance would be completely inappropriate, an act of cowardice.
I should note that he denies those are his opinions, which is why he apologized.
Mel Gibson has jumped onto the wrong side of everything. He needs to repent.
Mel's MoonBat genes are starting to take over.
2012 is either the end of the 4th Age or the end of the 5th age, depending on who you ask. Anyway, it's supposed to end in fire, just like the previous cycle ended in a great flood (3000bc?)
But I don't see how it can be considered and "end" since the Mayan calendar is a bunch of wheels....they keep rotating through a set of combinations in a long sequence. So it starts over in 2012. Big deal. We could have nuke calamity in 2011 or 1961. The world may have ended on 6/6/06! Maybe we just don't know it.
In any case, the Mayan calendar didn't do them much good. Their civilization ended hundreds of years ago. Long before their calendar did.
"I'd expect he'd give some thought to the impact a toss away comment comparing GWB and the US to Mayan idolaters would have."
Why would you expect that? He hasn't shown any sign of thought lately about anything he's said. That's my point. He's a good filmmaker. That qualifies him to make movies, not to do anything else. His comments should have no impact whatever.
Why would Mel "Olde Catholic" Gibson care what a bunch of pagan Mayans think?
You're right, I guess I'd like to presume some level of prudence with that level of success on the business end. But it's not surprising.
Impact, they shouldn't, but comments from popular, respected celebrities do have an impact.
Billy Zane was in the movie with him. Both had starring roles at one point in their career.
Gary Busey played the main villain in the first Lethal Weapon film (1987) with Mel Gibson.
He still has a viable career even if not as a lead actor.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000997/
John Travolta had peaks and valleys in his career too:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000237/
"Impact, they shouldn't, but comments from popular, respected celebrities do have an impact."
That's what I find so strange. And even here on Free Republic, celebrity comments get way more attention than they deserve. Who cares what some celebrity thinks about politics or world affairs?
Actually, 2012 would have been the date the Mayans' adjustable rate mortgage was going to reset.
I'm with you Mel...
To illustrate his point he asked, "What's human sacrifice if not sending guys off to Iraq for no reason?"
But that looks like a pathetic attempt to ingratiate yourself to the liberals. How about a reference to abortion? Even the if the President personally carved out the heart of every single serviceman at the Lincoln memorial, the numbers would still pale in comparison to what we slaughter with abortion. If Iraqi Freedom is a lie, it's because of Islam, not because of malfeasance on President Bush's part.
Looking forward to Apocolypto, praying for Mel Gibson.
It's a common reaction, perceived good judgment, talent or intelligence in one sphere carrying over into another. Probably least relevant when it comes to the entertainment industry, but politicians or businessmen can destroy their careers through remarks or actions unrelated to their field of expertise as well.
Hey Mel,
Mad Max was a movie, not a vision of the future. Get over it
Uh read the post again. It said "Catholic drunks".
ping
This isn't nearly as detailed as your title promised. I'm disappointed. The one-liner at that OK screening keeps getting batted around without any substantive commentary.
I don't know. Never had the same conversation with one of them.
I have been called worse.
I didn't have time to start poring over SamuelZJackson's posting history.
My commentary's based on this thread only. If I'm wrong, well, I'll apologize.
I note that he has remained silent and his home page is blank.
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