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Mel culpa: Gibson sorry after tirade [including "anti-Semitic remarks"]
The Age (AU) ^ | 31JUL06 | Gerard Wright

Posted on 07/30/2006 5:13:24 PM PDT by familyop

MEL Gibson was speeding, drunk and absolutely certain of how this episode would end when he was pulled over and arrested by a police officer in Malibu.

Gibson, 50, told Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy James Mee he "owned" Malibu as he was driven, handcuffed, to the Los Hills sheriff's station early on Friday morning, and he would "get even" with him.

"I'm going to f--- you," Gibson reportedly said.

"You're going to regret you ever did this to me."

What followed will cast a shadow over the remainder of the American-born, Australian-raised Gibson's career as one of Hollywood's most admired and bankable actors, directors and producers.

Mee's official arrest report, partially released on the entertainment news website TMZ.com, and confirmed by an industry reporter and The Washington Post, described Gibson as "blurting out a barrage of anti-Semitic remarks".

These included references to "f------ Jews" and "The Jews are responsible for all the war in the world", before asking the deputy: "Are you a Jew?"

According to the TMZ site, the deputy made an audio recording of the incident from the time Gibson's 2006 Lexus was pulled over for driving at 139 km/h in a 70 km/h zone on the Pacific Coast Highway in the affluent Los Angeles beachside suburb at 2.36am.

The gravity of his situation quickly struck Gibson, according to Deputy Mee. "My life is f-----," he said, after being told he was being arrested.

Gibson subsequently returned a blood alcohol reading of .12. The legal limit in California is .08.

"I have battled with the disease of alcoholism for all my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse," Gibson said yesterday.

In his statement of apology, Gibson said he regretted saying "things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable". However, the actor did not directly address the anti-Semitic remarks he was heard to have uttered.

Reaction to Gibson's arrest has been muted. The story did not break until Friday afternoon. TMZ posted its copy of the deputy's report on its website later that evening.

At risk is Gibson's ambivalent relationship with the Jewish lobby, quietly powerful in the film and television industry and in American politics.

Many in the Jewish community were outraged at the anti-Semitic message they claimed was implicit in Gibson's 2004 bloody blockbuster The Passion of the Christ, which he directed and funded with $US25 million from his personal fortune.

At a time the star's father, Hutton Gibson, denied the Holocaust in a radio interview, describing it as "maybe not all fiction, but most of it is".

The success of the film, with its international return of $US611 million, marked Gibson, a conservative Catholic, as a powerful political and cultural force.

In Australia, the executive director of the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council, Colin Rubenstein, said Gibson had a history of anti-Semitic behaviour, citing as an example the The Passion of the Christ. "The episode, regrettably, is not a surprise," Dr Rubenstein said.

Gibson's success and influence hid what the actor yesterday acknowledged had become a losing battle with alcoholism. He had previously been arrested for driving under the influence while filming in Canada in 1984. At that point he returned to his farm near Yackandandah, in north-eastern Victoria, for two years to dry out, before resuming his film career in the US.

Deputy Mee said he found in the Lexus a bottle of Cazardores tequila in a brown paper bag "within easy reach" of Gibson while he had been driving. It was three-quarters full.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: antisemitic; catholic; driving; drunk; duplicate; gibson; mel; passion; play; search; seenit; speeding
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To: Reddy
Are you a chronic alcoholic?

A consciously rejected belief system when sober may in fact percolate itself into an angry paranoid screed from a relapsing long time drunk.

Mr. Gibson was raised by an angry anti-semitic ranter and has also suffered at the hands of the ADL, etc. because they objected to "The Passion".

People consciously inhibit themselves from saying or doing what they know or believe to be wrong. Alcohol depresses inhibitions and people regret mightily their drunken actions. It's not an excuse, he shouldn't have taken the first drink, knowing his history of being an ugly drunk.

He's got big time amends to make. But I'm not going to pile on and play God about whether the sober Mel believes what the drunk Mel says.

Especially when Jewish "spokespersons" claim this just proves his Passion movie was anti-semitic after all. That's just crap from the professionally aggrieved.
161 posted on 07/31/2006 2:57:57 PM PDT by Valpal1 (Big Media is like Barney Fife with a gun.)
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To: Valpal1; sinkspur

Dear sinkspur,

What Valpal1 said (better than me) in post #161.


sitetest


162 posted on 07/31/2006 2:59:08 PM PDT by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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To: sitetest; sinkspur
My comment to sinkspur related to the general nature of a sincere apology, in terms of the secular damage done, not the religious transgression.

In Judaism would encompass a specific acknowledgement of the wrongs, directed to those who were harmed, as well as a sincere effort to undo the damage done. I'd be surprised if Christianity views it much differently.

In Mel's context, yes, this would involve addressing the officers involved, by name, the arresting officer and "sugar tits", as well as addressing the Jewish community. No, Mel didn't do that.

As to whether Mel believes what he says, you have to look at that in the context of his past statements. Clearly his father is a confirmed Jew hater. In the past I've defended him on the basis of not blaming the son for his fathers transgressions. Mel has refused to address his father's beliefs as an issue. There's some legitimacy to that position. However Hutton claims to have been involved in the production and marketing of "The Passion". Unfortunately if that's true, as producer he needs to address these issues. Or deny Hutton's involvement. He did neither.

He's stated he learned his faith from his father, who has never lied to him. Central to his father's faith, not Catholicism, is the takeover of the Vatican by the Jews, through the masons. That raises doubts about Mel in the context of the former statement.

When queried specifically about his fathers Holocaust denial, the best Mel could come up with was that 10 million civilians died in WWII (actually far more), and some were Jews. In view of pops position that the Jews weren't killed, they moved to New York, LA and Sydney, that raises questions.

Personally, I think he meant it.

I also think he's a Hollywood personality, likely left wing on balance, as important politically, or as a moral spokesman, as Cindy Sheehan and the Dixie Chicks. But as he's got a platform, so his rants should be addressed

163 posted on 07/31/2006 3:32:31 PM PDT by SJackson (The Pilgrims—Doing the jobs Native Americans wouldn't do!)
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To: Xenalyte
Cartman drinks tequila?

Well...Cartman has, on occasion, done much worst.. :)

164 posted on 07/31/2006 3:42:07 PM PDT by skinkinthegrass (Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you....... :^)
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To: SJackson

Dear SJackson,

"In Judaism would encompass a specific acknowledgement of the wrongs, directed to those who were harmed, as well as a sincere effort to undo the damage done. I'd be surprised if Christianity views it much differently."

Typically speaking, for Catholics, sacramental forgiveness and absolution are obtained through the use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Specificity of sin is only absolutely required in the Confessional. For a verbal insult, an apology to the specific individuals is nice, and may even be required as part of the penance imposed by a priest in the Confessional (although I'm not even sure that that could be required). It would be hard, in my own view, to wring from Catholic moral theology or pastoral practice that Mr. Gibson would have some absolute requirement to apologize generally and publicly to Jews for his anti-semitic statements.

Generally speaking, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the sinner reconciles with God, through the priest acting in the place and with the authority of Jesus Christ, and reconciles also with the community, through the agency of the priest acting as the pastor and leader of the community. Through ordination, the priest is made capable of being a channel of Divine forgiveness, and through the priest's position of authority in the Church hierarchy, the priest may act in the name of the community.

A perfectly acceptable and appropriate penance for a penitent who confesses sins like this may be to say some specific prayers, and make sure he gets to his AA meetings every night.

In that his comments weren't made publicly, but rather to a few individuals trying to arrest him, it seems harder to me to hold him accountable to a more specific public apoolgy. The details of his arrest and his statements were made public was beyond his control, and likely not in accord with his wishes.

As well, I don't know what personal apologies that Mr. Gibson has made in person, directly, to the arresting officers, but at this time, he may be prevented from doing so by legal issues. As it was, I was surprised that his attorneys let him say as much as he did.

As to whether or not Mr. Gibson is anti-semitic because his father is anti-semitic, I have my doubts. Frankly, the fact that when he got drunk this all came out suggests to me that part of what drove him to drink was the discrepancy between his love and admiration for his father and his inability to love and admire some of the bile that pours forth from his father.

Wine doesn't exactly give truth, but may point to repressed conflict. I think that's what we're seeing here.

I've experienced this a little bit in my own life, even if I'm not an alcoholic.


sitetest


165 posted on 07/31/2006 3:55:28 PM PDT by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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To: sitetest

Maybe what Mel Gibson needs is a direct line to God, you know like what it says in the Book of Hebrews, like for healing from his drinking addiction.


166 posted on 07/31/2006 3:59:50 PM PDT by marajade (Yes, I'm a SW freak!)
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To: SJackson

Dear SJackson,

If it interests here, here is a thread that reports the reaction of at least one Catholic priest:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1675343/posts


sitetest


167 posted on 07/31/2006 4:05:48 PM PDT by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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To: sitetest
Frankly, the fact that when he got drunk this all came out suggests to me that part of what drove him to drink was the discrepancy between his love and admiration for his father and his inability to love and admire some of the bile that pours forth from his father.

He abhors his father's anti-semitism, yet exhibits the same anti-semitism himself? Odd, that.

I simply find it implausible that a person under the influence will, out of the blue, suddenly develop a bigoted streak.

Gibson has and will endure humiliation being the focus of discussion, derision, compassion, etc. He will never be viewed the same again, no matter what he says.

168 posted on 07/31/2006 4:22:31 PM PDT by sinkspur (Today, we settled all family business.)
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To: Valpal1

You seem to know little of the long term effects of chronic alcoholism. Gibson is a 50 year old chronic alcoholic by his own admission.

I laugh at your comment here. I once bartended for 3 years. One of my relatives is an alcoholic. I probably know a heck of a lot more than you do first-hand, by having dealt with alcoholics up front and personal when working years ago. Mel is indeed an alcoholic, and it indeed is a dreadful and ugly chronic problem that tends to ruin the lives of those around them most closely. Most alcoholics don't make anti-semitic outbursts when drunk. Mel did. By his history and upbringing, it appears drunk or sober, he is an anti-semite. That is separate from his alcoholism, and his drinking is no excuse for his anti-Jewish tirade. Try again to find a justification for what he did.


169 posted on 07/31/2006 4:24:03 PM PDT by flaglady47
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To: Screamname

In an article I read today, they strongly implied that being away from his wife for six months on the shoot for his new movie ("Apocalypto") was what drove him to drink. It said that she keeps him on the straight and narrow. Perhaps they had a fight that night and he drove off and got a bit tanked.


170 posted on 07/31/2006 4:32:18 PM PDT by Pharmboy (Democrats lie because they must)
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To: Pharmboy

Except that he's made a lot of movies and he's had a drinking problem for a lot of years.


171 posted on 07/31/2006 4:34:21 PM PDT by marajade (Yes, I'm a SW freak!)
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To: sinkspur

Dear sinkspur,

"He abhors his father's anti-semitism, yet exhibits the same anti-semitism himself? Odd, that."

Not so odd to me. He abhors it when he's rational, but even then, wishes that he could identify more with his father by accepting his father's beliefs. When drunk, his inhibition against identifying with those beliefs is lowered, and he does so, not because he believes his father's garbage, but because he has a felt need to identify with his father.

Listen, having seen his sensitivity to the subject of his father's anti-semitism and other looneyism, I have no doubt in my own mind that this is a deep, sore, painful source of mental conflict and anguish for Mr. Gibson. Having seen a few of his films, I have no doubt that he's got lots and lots of unresolved issues with his father.

That some aspect of those conflicts would arise when he starts drinking makes perfect sense to me.

He's a sick and twisted soul.

"Gibson has and will endure humiliation being the focus of discussion, derision, compassion, etc. He will never be viewed the same again, no matter what he says."

I agree.


sitetest


172 posted on 07/31/2006 4:38:52 PM PDT by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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To: marajade

Oh--don't get me wrong--I was not making excuses for him. I was just reporting on what is out there. Living out in the jungles of South America away from your family certainly can make one a bit daft. His apology did not directly deal with the Jews, though; that was bad.


173 posted on 07/31/2006 4:41:24 PM PDT by Pharmboy (Democrats lie because they must)
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To: sitetest
I wasn't addressing the religious aspect of his transgression, which is his personal responsibility, rather the secular, his responsibility to those he harmed, which has become a public issue. We may disagree on this. His future actions will likely give us a clue. As to the other thread, I'm not that interested in what will likely become a *issing contest between Foxman and Donahue. I'm not that big a fan of either, they're both publicists, not religious figures, and this issue has already achieved a prominence it doesn't deserve.

BTW, this has nothing to do with his films.

174 posted on 07/31/2006 4:43:47 PM PDT by SJackson (The Pilgrims—Doing the jobs Native Americans wouldn't do!)
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To: Pharmboy
In an article I read today, they strongly implied that being away from his wife for six months on the shoot for his new movie ("Apocalypto") was what drove him to drink. It said that she keeps him on the straight and narrow. Perhaps they had a fight that night and he drove off and got a bit tanked.

Yeah, but it beats the *ell out of being away from your family for a year in Iraq or Afghanistan. It's his personal issue to deal with.

175 posted on 07/31/2006 4:45:27 PM PDT by SJackson (The Pilgrims—Doing the jobs Native Americans wouldn't do!)
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To: SJackson

Dear SJackson,

"I wasn't addressing the religious aspect of his transgression, which is his personal responsibility, rather the secular, his responsibility to those he harmed, which has become a public issue."

Hmm... Okay. I guess I misunderstood what you meant by this:

"In Judaism would encompass a specific acknowledgement of the wrongs, directed to those who were harmed, as well as a sincere effort to undo the damage done. I'd be surprised if Christianity views it much differently."


sitetest


176 posted on 07/31/2006 4:47:48 PM PDT by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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To: sitetest

Consider theft, two issues. A trangression against God by violating a commandment. Also a transgression against the individual, which requires a both a sincere, secular apology and reimbursement. As a condition of addressing the religious issue. I recognize the role of Confession (should I have capitalized that?) for a Catholic, and wasn't addressing the religious component of the equasion, I'm not that interested in addressing the differences, rather the secular responsibility to the victim.


177 posted on 07/31/2006 4:55:02 PM PDT by SJackson (The Pilgrims—Doing the jobs Native Americans wouldn't do!)
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To: South40
"Separated at birth?"

LOL! I linked to your comment with the pictures here. That would be an excellent thread for you to re-post them to.
178 posted on 07/31/2006 5:06:43 PM PDT by familyop ("Either you're with us, or you're with the terrorists." --President Bush)
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To: SJackson
Dear SJackson,

"Consider theft, two issues. A transgression against God by violating a commandment. Also a transgression against the individual, which requires a both a sincere, secular apology and reimbursement."

From a Catholic perspective, if you stole some money, you'd have to return the money to its rightful owner, if you could. However, that's a pretty concrete kind of thing, and what constitutes restitution is pretty obvious. From a Catholic perspective, however, what would constitute "restitution" in this case is not at all clear.

"(should I have capitalized that?)"

I don't find it offensive if folks don't. I tend to capitalize the sacraments when I name them, and I capitalize the word "Mass" when referring to our principal liturgy.

Anyway, the reason why I linked to the other article was not to get into it with either Mr. Foxman or Mr. Donahue, but because the link reported the view of a Catholic priest regarding Mr. Gibson's apology, which seemed to indicate that, from a Catholic perspective, his apology was adequate and acceptable. Here's the money quote:

"I asked Father Tom Euteneuer, president of Human Life International, to respond to Foxman's statement on the Gibson arrest. Father Euteneuer's response is as follows:"

'Mr. Foxman claims that Mel Gibson did not give a "proper apology." Can this man ever be satisfied?

"Gibson said that he disgraced himself and his family by his behavior and apologized for his anti-Semitic remarks which, by his admission, he spoke in an altered state and does not believe to be true. And that's not enough?

"According to Catholic principles Mel exhibited all the elements of a proper reconciliation: contrition with a firm purpose of amendment, confession and (he is in the process of doing) penance.


"The greatest penance is that this all came out in the public forum: Foxman and the ADF should get off his back."


sitetest
179 posted on 07/31/2006 5:14:05 PM PDT by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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To: SJackson; sitetest; sinkspur
"My comment to sinkspur related to the general nature of a sincere apology, in terms of the secular damage done, not the religious transgression.

In Judaism would encompass a specific acknowledgement of the wrongs, directed to those who were harmed, as well as a sincere effort to undo the damage done. I'd be surprised if Christianity views it much differently.
"

Most Christian groups believe that they are only accountable to Jesus (as a deity) and may repent to him in private, without even voicing their prayers. I was one, saw the renewed emphasis among on the deification issue (even among fundamentalist groups over the past three decades or so--see ancient Roman councils on that), emphasis in practice on private, spiritual repentance, and have studied the history for a few years.
180 posted on 07/31/2006 5:18:34 PM PDT by familyop ("Either you're with us, or you're with the terrorists." --President Bush)
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