I kind of think it is the dad/family influence and the booze abuse. In a way, that makes me less upset about his statements. Just another reminder about taking celebrity pronouncements too seriously.
Mel Gibson is not the first actor with conservative leanings to be corrupted by Hollywood. Clint Eastwood seemed like a patriotic traditionalist at one time, but is now in the iron grip of political correctness, having produced enough trash to be rewarded with a shelf of Oscars. The message is not lost on others looking for Oscar glitz.