Mel culpa: Gibson sorry after tirade [including "anti-Semitic remarks"]

The Age (AU) ^ | 31JUL06 | Gerard Wright

[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.

[Plymouth Sentinel]

"...but like any artist, he was simply doing what he did..."

Actually, these filmic just don't require the sort of intellectual stamina demanded of us by the greats.

Homer, Dante, Shakespeare, Milton, Keats, Eliot were intellectually colossal. Understanding them (crucial to enjoying them -in my judgment) requires enormous mental discipline and years of careful study.

As you might gather, I'm not keep on these filmic (thought admittedly young) arts and media. I'm patient, but skeptical.

Second, with collaborative dramatic arts, are you listening to writer or director or actor? In my judgment (again) this makes them second rate. I will never, ever view Gibson's film the way I view the last 5 lines of Paradise Lost, the best 5 lines in all artwork and in all Christendom.

[Shermy]

"I think he was upset because of the wars in Lebanon/Iraq."

Maybe the LEO was wearing a badge like this:

[Hacksaw]

So his anti-semitism is understandable, right? Why not blame Jews for starting all wars, right?

You have a bad habit of trying to put your own words into other people's mouths. You've been doing it all over the Gibson threads. Try being a bit more honest and less of a drip.

[Panerai]

"I don't know exactly what Gibson said but I have not seen these quotes before from any other sources." - Hint, why don't you just do a search on FR for any other stories regarding Mel.

[HereInTheHeartland]

"I think his statements while drunk were more of him being self destructive than anti-semitic. I mean what is the worst possible thing he could say to destroy his career?"

Exactly my thoughts.

[SJackson]

I don't know exactly what Gibson said but I have not seen these quotes before from any other sources. That's the problem with posting from a source like the Age, they're a tabloid and untrustworthy in my opinion.

A quick google will find you several hundred source with the same quotes. The police report is available on the web, links on some of the other threads. I don't think there's much doubt as to his actions. He doesn't appear to be denying any of the very specific accusations, and he's had two days to do that.

[what's up]

partially released on the entertainment news website TMZ.com, and confirmed by an industry reporter and The Washington Post

Are we all to believe these excellent sources? LOL.

Mel was drunk and said some stuff. We don't know what. Yet FR will continue to debate the topic ad nauseum. Ick.

[Integrityrocks]

For people who are not alcoholics or have not studied the disease in depth, let me make one FACT perfectly clear.

Alcohol is NOT a truth serum. Quite the opposite. Alcohol is a LIAR serum. It is an insidious poisen on the nervous system that creats hallucinations and all sorts of fantasies.

I don't believe for a second that he was "speaking his real thoughts" while at a .12 bac.

[Salem]

"It seems to be that Mel has sucummbed to the fabled disease known as Celebrititis. Symptoms of the disease include believing oneself to be above the law, and superior to mere peons."

That's my take on the incident. In light of that, his cracks about Jews are par for the course.

[Panerai]

"Mel was drunk and said some stuff. We don't know what." WOW, amazing how some people chose to bury their head in the sand sometimes.

[jackv]

I wouldn't doubt Mel Gibson has a bit of a chip on his shoulder regarding Jews after their treatment towards him and his movie. I'm sure he regrets the incident. Poor example to be sure but I still admire him alot.
BTW--I believe hitlery made this same charge against Jews and it was conveniently overlooked as not a big deal when she said it.
I suppose the double standard once again applies tho.

[Shermy]

This appears to be the current (correct me if I'm wrong) shield worn by Los Angeles County California deputy sheriffs.

A Star of David, and "yellow" like the Nazis forced Jews to wear.

Could it be the reason brought up Jews, and asked the LEO "Are you a Jew?" was the shield?

That would be funny. Six pointed LE shields are not uncommon, seven pointed ones much more IIRC>

[what's up]

You just go right ahead and keep reading intelligent publications like TMZ and The Age.

Oh, and you should probably pick up The National Enquirer over the next couple of weeks. They will certainly be on top of it as well.

[Holicheese]

This just does not sound like a something a drunk would say.
I think this is embellished. Is there a Police car video?

[Shermy]

Another LA County Shield.

Heck, maybe Mel ran because he thought he was caught by the Jewish police! I think that would scare him. LOL.

[AmishDude]

The thing is: Why should he be resentful? He made hundreds of millions. He showed everyone. Why should he be the least bit resentful. This is the disease of anti-Semitism. You can get some feeling as to why losers would be drawn to it.

And the most bizarre and disturbing thing is the context. It wasn't like the cop wanted his opinion on the goings-on in Lebanon. This was clearly at the top of his mind.

[CindyDawg]

There was a lot posted that he said that I found offensive. He supposedly insulted half the country. What I meant though by juicy are the over and over "did you hear what Mel Gibson said?" "No. What he did he say?" "Oh he didn't"? "Yes he did" chatter. I don't need him to go in to detail or keep saying he is sorry. If you hurt someone, you apologize and seek forgiveness and repent and go on. It's up to the other person to accept or not. That's about all you can do.

[fieldmarshaldj]

If his dad is any indication of how he's going to be down the line, his future looks bleak.

[Rte66]

...cunning, baffling and powerful, as well ...

FWIW, 12 years, if he really was sober that length of time, is somewhat of a testing point. I knew a fine lady who was sober 12 years in AA, then "went back out" for 12 years. At the time I met her, she had just gotten her 2nd 12 year coin, 36 years after she first went in.

She was one of the lucky ones.

[jocon307]

Oy, I really wish Mel hadn't done this.

[SE Mom]

Is this the entire article? Where, specifically does Gibson apologize for his antisemitic remarks?

[funkywbr]

As a Jew I saw his movie on Christ's Death and thought it was pretty good.

I though his portrayal of my people was a little over the top but always said to myself, "That's Hollywood".

WRONG!!!!!!!!

[kenavi]

The New Testament is a classic too.

To me, a filmic representation converts it into idolatry, as the focus becomes the physical appearance of the actor.

[livius]

No, I don't think Gibson is in that league. The Passion is a very beautiful film with some truly striking images, however. Many of these images were actually taken from classic works of religious art - there are certain tableaux or even individual figures that are directly from Velazquez, Caravaggio, etc.

I guess I just don't see the point of being that impressed by Gibson as a person. He's not a saint, just a very fine artist in his medium.

[Shermy]

Be afraid, Mel. Very afraid.

[familyop]

JeanS wrote:
"Come one, The Age?
I can't believe you posted this as news."

what's up wrote:
"Are we all to believe these excellent sources? LOL."

How many news sources do you want? The story is published by newspapers around our planet. I posted it in Extended News (for the sidebar) but knew that it would be taken out of that, and it was.

Hollywood split over Mel Gibson's future
Seattle Post Intelligencer
By SANDY COHEN. LOS ANGELES -- "A stunned Hollywood debated the future of one of its biggest stars Sunday as a sheriff's watchdog ..."

Jewish groups call for hate-crime probe on Mel Gibson
Scotsman
CRAIG HOWIE IN LOS ANGELES
31JUL06
"JEWISH groups have demanded Mel Gibson be investigated for hate crimes after the Hollywood star allegedly made anti-Semitic comments to US police officers when ..."

Mel Gibson Sorry for Drunk Driving, Not for Hating Jews
LAist, CA

Mel Gibson's anti-Semitic outburst was 'covered up'
Times Online
31JUL06
By Chris Ayres in Los Angeles. "ALLEGATIONS that police in Malibu tried to cover up an anti-Semitic outburst by Mel Gibson are to ..."

...also here.

Gibson outburst 'was covered up' [Police coverup of antisemitic comments.]
The Times ^ | 31JUL06 | Chris Ayres
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1674846/posts

[FreeRep]

I just hope this is not like the "Dixie Chicks" fake apology.

[AmishDude]

This is PR Stage I: Acknowledge mistakes but be vague enough to not pin yourself down to any specific actions or words.

PR Stage II acknowledges as little as possible, but involves addressing the mistakes in general terms (he won't admit to specific remarks, just "unfortunate, anti-Jewish remarks"). He issues specific apologies and hopes it's enough. It probably will be because time will have passed.

Don't expect to see him as an actor again, though.

[SJackson]

Possible,Another LA County Shield....Heck, maybe Mel ran because he thought he was caught by the Jewish police! I think that would scare him. LOL. .

Possible, more likely that with his inhibitions gone, he simply said what was on his mind.

[lumber1]

...will be 21 years in october....

[SJackson]

This is PR Stage I... PR Stage II

No one was better at getting out ahead of these things that the Clintons. Put it all out there, on a Friday. And intimidate the heck out of anyone who dares challenge you.

The Kennedys are pretty good too.

[familyop]

With all respect, moreh (or morah) Orthodox Jewish people (as I am not one...yet) don't use the _C_-word. It is regarded as a paganism.

[SE Mom]

PR..they live by it, don't they? As public apologies go- it was eloquent- right up to the point where he DIDN'T include Jews.

What's that quote...Who you are speaks so loudly I can't hear what you say?

That's about where I see him- what he did NOT say speaks volumes about him.

[familyop]

"In the past I made the mistake of defending him from association with his despicable Jew hating, America hating father. I'm sorry to say it's a mistake, as Mel noted he learned his 'faith', at his papas knee, apparently to his discredit."

Well, here's what finally prompted me to post the piece above (and the one about the police coverup of the same): Gibson's fans posting propaganda for Hezbollah in another thread (bleeding about a Maronite church being bombed in Lebanon).

As for Mel, after having long ago read the history of passion plays, Emmerich, other details of "The Passion," "traditionalists" and all, I knew it back then. Such things go back a couple of thousand years. I did a few years of the study of the history of my former religion after some nearly lifelong questions about it. That study was a real eye-opener.

[vox_freedom]

I responded to your statement:
He did not specifically apologize for his statements about Jews.
He did.
But as to your additional suggestion that he should also apologize directly to the Jewish people. I agree. He should.

[Tax Government]

Gibson should to something proactive to right the balance w/r/t Israel. He should make a movie that memorializes the Israel struggle in the modern era.

[wtc911]

As a Jew I saw his movie on Christ's Death and thought it was pretty good.

I though his portrayal of my people was a little over the top but always said to myself, "That's Hollywood".

WRONG!!!!!!!!

-----------------------------------------------------------

As a Catholic what then am I to think of films like Agnes of God (directed by Norman Jewison) or Showtime's openly and proudly anti-Catholic Sister Mary Explains it all, produced and directed by Jewish folks?

[keats5]

I'm disappointed, too. I loved "The Passion" and repeatedly argued that it was not anit-Semitic. I still think it wasn't anti-Semetic. Gibson accurately portrayed the Biblical account, which shows Jews differing amongst themselves over Jesus' identity.

Unfortunately, Gibson's remarks will now be interpreted by many as evidence that Bible believing Christians are anti-Semetic.

[familyop]

"Gibson should to something proactive to right the balance w/r/t Israel. He should make a movie that memorializes the Israel struggle in the modern era."

...agreed, because like it or not, the War on Terror also concerns us Americans (details in the posted news)!

Iran 'should prepare to fight Israel'
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1674831/posts

[funkywbr]

Hey you're talking LIEberal Jews, I thought Mel wasn't an anti-semite but I guess just like everyone else in Hollywood Jews included, they are all phoney pieces of crap looking for another fool to be parted with his/her money.

[Reddy]

"Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34

Especially when you have been drinking.

[durasell]

Norman Jewison isn't Jewish. He's Canadian! But he got the job of directing Fiddler on the Roof because even the movie executives thought he was Jewish. When he announced he wasn't Jewish, he got the job of directing Jesus Christ Superstar!

[Rte66]

That will be me next February, if the crick don't rise.

[lumber1]

Good for you!

[Praxeus]

Well.. here's my take..

I think he loves his dad, but honestly did not believe his father's philosophy re Jews... or at least tried not to. Yet, when the attacks came from Jewish quarters against his dad and his film, it definitely made an impression that he repressed.

The alcohol brought to the surface (publicly - I bet he had expressed the same sentiments privately to his wife and family) those feelings that may or may not have been sorted out. One has a hard time moving completely past a parent's ways, even if one recognizes those ways as errant. This because he would see it as somehow betraying his father.

So I think Mel tried to compartmentalize his Dad's teachings and reach outside himself for what he realized was just and right. The attacks from Jewish quarters (and they were attacks), likely embittered him and caused him to fall back on what he had tried to divest himself of. The alcohol just brought it out publicly.

Attacks or no attacks, Mel alone decided his response, and decided wrongly. Too bad. His dad was wrong, and now he is too. Of course he will never convince Jews (and others) now to the contrary. He opened his yap and has to live with the consequences. His motivations will always be questioned now. He is on record, drunk or not.

This does not give Foxman and crew a pass, nor does it validate their anti-Christian bigotry. Their attacks were vile and just as vicious as Mel's tirade. There was nothing wrong with The Passion, and is it still ridiculous to say it was Antisemitic. It is simply what the NT teaches.

Mel will either tailspin and go completely nuts, or he will man up, take his knocks, make amends as much as possible, and make the best of what's left.

[Roy Tucker]

I agree completely. As a Christian, I was moved by his film, but I now question his motivation for making the film. What a shame.

I hope he takes a long time off to think about things and repent.

[flaglady47]

In addition, I think he probably has some resentment because of the attacks he got from liberal Jewish organizations before the Passion was even released, not because they seriously thought it was anti-semitic (it wasn't at all, IMHO), but because they were under the mistaken impression that Gibson was a conservative and this was a way of getting at him. Put that together with alcohol and whatever else he may have been taking, and you have one really out of control, angry person.

The Jews in Australia, his home country, have said that he has made other anti-semitic comments long before he made "The Passion of Christ". The acorn here, hasn't fallen far from the tree.

[Rte66]

Back atcha!

[familyop]

Where I wrote, "Maronite church being bombed in Lebanon," that was a radio station--not a church. ...apologies for the error.

[familyop]

"Is this the entire article? Where, specifically does Gibson apologize for his antisemitic remarks?"

I was referring to the remarks in his tirade--not to any apology for those remarks. ...sorry about my lack of clarity in the ed. comment with the title.

He hasn't given any apology for his neo-Nazi comments. And many of his fans here are shouting vicimology instead of admitting the problem in their ranks and in their arguments.