Posted on 08/18/2006 9:59:50 AM PDT by Hal1950
LIFE STYLE EXTRA (UK) - Mel Gibson has escaped jail after pleading guilty to drunk driving.
The 'Mad Max' star agreed a plea bargain with prosecutors on Thursday (17.08.06) and in return was given three years probation, ordered to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and told to enrol in an alcohol abuse programme for three months.
Mel - who was also fined $1,300 and had his driving license restricted for 90 days - was arrested on July 28 after being pulled over on Pacific Coast Highway, in Maui, for speeding.
He then launched into an anti-Semitic tirade, during which he allegedly said: "Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world."
Afterwards, the 50-year-old actor profusely apologised for his comments.
Mel said: "I acted like a persson completely out of control when I was arrested, and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable.
"I am deeply ashamed of everything I said, and I apologise to anyone who I have offended."
Mel - who signed the plea agreement and waived his right to a jury trial on Monday (14.08.06) - did not appear in court for the hearing. His lawyer Blair Berk entered the plea on his behalf.
Malibu's deputy district attorney Gina Satriano said in a statement: "This was an appropriate outcome which addresses all the public safety concerns of drinking and driving."
I'll see "Apocalypto" and I'll always refer to "The Passion" as a great film...but that's as far as I'll go.
Mel is toast. But there's always tomorrow.
G-d probably does not like cheap forgiveness and insincere people. Mel is probably angry that he got caught and taped. I doubt that that "statement" was written by him.
You are right. Anti-Semitism is a disease and Mel and his family have been infected by it. The "fans" want to pretend it isn't so, but the facts speak for themselves.
First off only God can see into Mel Gibson's heart-not you to know if he is sincere. Did his statement or apology sound one bit angry? No, actually it was the most self-loathing statements I have ever heard. It isn't up to you to know or to see what is in his heart. Of course you wouldn't want to believe his statements and apology were written by him. That way you can more easily dismiss it.
Supposing in the first offense scenario, the judge sentences the alcohol related offender to 10 days incarceration. Are they going to have a job when they get out of jail?
I've heard that judges are imposing additional services and sanctions on a discretionary basis, such as outright seizure of plates, vehicle, or installation of vehicle ignition interlock system.
Even so, the recidivism rates for alcohol related traffic offenses is in excess of 70%.
That being said, I was told I was wrong by stating that the only sure way to avoid another alcohol related ticket and/or jail time was "Don't drink & drive." The only certain guaranteed way to not get an alcohol related traffic offense: don't drink alcohol.
A first alcohol related traffic offense is a symptom screaming loud and bloody for help. Anybody that indulges in mood/mind altering substances whatsoever is strongly exhorted to view the movie at the above link. Anybody that isn't in denial - "doesn't know I am lying" - should have some serious questions in need of answers after seeing that movie. I don't care what anybody believes about their ability to handle whatever it is they're consuming (recreationally or otherwise), whenever somebody gets their first alcohol related traffic offense (or any other drug/intoxication) charge, they're simultaneously being given a wake up call with respect to their life in general.
The movie is black & white, and it is quite dated, and the parts played by the various actors is admirable, albeit not Oscar nomination worthy, but what absolutely and totally stunned me what how relevant that movie was today, and this very moment. It doesn't matter what you're doing, subsitute alcohol with __________ and you'd be absolutely shocked at how relevant the movie is. In fact I'd suggest most people would be embarassed to see themselves on the screen. I'm certain a lot of people would be quite squeemish viewing while wrestling with their thoughts.
You're spreading propaganda.
This is not helpful.
I'm unclear precisely what your point is.
I'm understanding that you believe my postings on this thread to be "propaganda", in that that somehow I'm doing something contrary to Jim Rob, et ali, principles.
I'll be helpful when you quit sucking up the propaganda from your friends. When's the last time your friends have helped you?
My point is that you are regurgitating MADD's and NHTSA's propaganda, and that it is not helpful.
FReepers and lurkers may misinterpret it as fact.
If the report I read was correct, Mel has to attend about 200 AA meetings over the next year. If so, I believe that is an unusually harsh punishment for a first offense non-accident DUI.
Mel will star in The Days of WHINE and Roses. Out at 2:00 a.m without the wife? Way to go! I believe in forgiveness - and I believe in real contrition - that does not mean issuing an apology because you were "caught", and an apology written by one of your flunkies. I say the same thing about Patrick Kennedy. My sense is that these celebs are "contrite" because they were caught. Their sense of entitlement is bigger than their egos. But, as I have said, I believe in TRUE CONTRITTION AND TRUE FORGIVENESS. Many people say they are sorry when they aren't; and people say they forgive when they are just trying to be "polite". I have been on both sides of this issue. I have asked G-d for forgiveness and hope He has forgiven me. I also believe in making amends.
One thing to take away from this is that stars have very carefully crafted public personas that rarely match the facts of who they truly are (note the lily white persona of Tom Cruise - until he recently fired his longtime publicist.) Mel would not need Alan Nierob (his PR flack) if he wasn't crafting an image.
I don't think there is any doubt that Gibson is an anti-semite, and probably a Holocaust denier too. His father "never lied to him" after all.
That does not excuse the Jewish Hollywood lefties like Spielberg, Streisand, etc., who seem to care not a whit about Israel, but it doesn't make Gibson a saint or worthy of my respect, either.
You once again make statements without knowing the facts. You don't KNOW that Mel Gibson's apology was written by his publicist. As a matter of fact, I know some of the key people involved, and they have told me that Mr. Gibson wrote both of the statements personally.
Also, you can't judge who is truly sorry, only God can. Of course Julie, unless you think you are God. You are awfully judgementally. Perhaps you have never done anything wrong. Mr. Gibson did something terribly wrong, he apologized, he is seeking help. Lets see what he does with the rest of his life.
Again, though I will ask you the question I have asked you three times, you say you are not a Mel Gibson fan. Why is it that you have so many posts about him? If I am not a fan of someone, I certainly wouldn't waste so much time on them. It really makes me wonder about you Julie. Why can't you answer that Julie??
Do you know Veronica that is such a silly thing to say.
("Mel would not need Alan Nierob) if he wasn't crafting an image).
All actors and actresses have publicists. Just because you don't like Mr. Gibson don't make such a ridiculous statement such as that. Alan Nierob is also Denzel Washington's, Michelle Pfieffers, Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez, and Robert Downey Jr's publicist.
Also, you just made an untrue statement about what Mel Gibson said. He said "My father never lied to me about my religion". Veronica, just because you don't care for Mel Gibson's religion, don't be prejudiced out in the open about it.
And I will ask you the same question I asked Julie. If you don't care for Mr. Gibson, why are you posting so much about him. And if you are going to post, at least be accurate.
Do you know Veronica that is such a silly thing to say.
("Mel would not need Alan Nierob) if he wasn't crafting an image).
All actors and actresses have publicists. Just because you don't like Mr. Gibson don't make such a ridiculous statement such as that. Alan Nierob is also Denzel Washington's, Michelle Pfieffers, Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez, and Robert Downey Jr's publicist.
Also, you just made an untrue statement about what Mel Gibson said. He said "My father never lied to me about my religion". Veronica, just because you don't care for Mel Gibson's religion, don't be prejudiced out in the open about it.
And I will ask you the same question I asked Julie. If you don't care for Mr. Gibson, why are you posting so much about him. And if you are going to post, at least be accurate.
Veronica, just because you don't care for Mel Gibson's religion, don't be prejudiced out in the open about it.
You have that wrong. It's Gibson who is prejudiced against my religion.
"My dad taught me my faith, and I believe what he taught me. The man never lied to me in his life." - New York Post, January 30, 2004
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