Posted on 07/31/2006 12:29:38 PM PDT by veronica
Edited on 07/31/2006 1:43:28 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
I was just in the middle of writing a long and tedious essay, about how to tell a real anti-Semite from a person who too-loudly rejects the charge of anti-Semitism, when a near-perfect real-life example came to hand. That bad actor and worse director Mel Gibson, pulled over for the alleged offense of speeding and the further alleged offense of speeding under the influence, decided that he needed to demand of the arresting officer whether he was or was not Jewish and that he furthermore needed to impart the information that all the world's wars are begun by those of Semitic extraction.
Call me thin-skinned if you must, but I think that this qualifies. I also think that the difference between the blood-alcohol levels—and indeed the speed limits—that occasioned the booking are insufficient to explain the expletives (as Gibson has since claimed in a typically self-pitying and verbose statement put out by his publicist). One does not abruptly decide, between the first and second vodka, or the ticks of the indicator of velocity, that the Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion are valid after all.
There's a lot to dislike about Gibson. He is given to furious tirades against homosexuals of the sort that make one wonder if he has some kind of subliminal or "unaddressed" problem. His vulgar and nasty movies, which also feature this prejudice, are additionally replete with the cheapest caricatures of the English.
Yes, he is an idiot and has a drinking problem but to call him a bad actor and worse director is, in my opinion, incorrect.
I believe that we now know Mel's true colors, but this piece is a prime example of really awful writing.
There was more than only antiSemitism that Gibson did badly.
While I've often wondered about Hitchens' obvious hatred of Israel (which might explain his rush to attack someone else for this reason--"No, no, there's a REAL anti-Semite!")...he happens to be right. You don't just get drunk and turn into a Jew-hater. Something you're holding in emerges.
I think you are correct. If I got all stupid drunk and started spewing trash talk it wouldn't be about the Jews...It would probably be about the Boston Red Sox, liberals or IslamoNazis...
In Mel's defense, he said nothing that Hillary Clinton or the New York Times haven't already said.
Pat Buchanan is a Jew-hater, but since he hates Bush just as much, all is good.
"Bad actor and worse director"?? Hitchens needs to get real. Whatever else Gibson might be, these do not apply.
I hear some whining from somewhere off to the left, I wonder what it is.....
...and Hillary(!) was sober.
We think she was...
Oh, please. I am going to need more evidence than a single drunken tirade to reach that conclusion.
Hitch probably still PO'ed at the success of "The Passion."
But please, Mel... get help... and realize that that guy you made a movie about was and still is a Jew.
Shut up Hitchens. Mel is an a$$hole but so are you. You dislike anyone that believes in God. That's your real beef. The biggest problem with Mel isn't that he expressed some anti-semitic views. His biggest problem is that he is a selfish drunk. Maybe Hitchens doesn't want to focus on that problem because it hits a little too close to home. BTW, I enjoy both Gibson and Hitchens, but they are both a$$holes.
I think Christopher Hitchens' ad hominem against Mel Gibson damages his own credibility. He comes off as a hate-filled fanatic with a personal ax to grind. There's plenty to criticize about Gibson without resorting to this kind of attack.
In the movies in question the English were the villains. It is quite traditional in movies to make the villains as bad as possible. I believe it is something to do with dramatic effect.
Although the herding of civilians into a church and then burning it down in The Patriot was a tad over the top.
Tarleton was not averse to the odd atrocity, but nothing like that is recorded, which it would have been.
When will Slate accuse Cindy McKinney of being sick with Jew hatred?
Well, my South Park Collector's Edition of Passion of the Jew is probably worth even more now.
>>Premiering just one month after The Passion of the Christ was released in theaters, this typically outrageous episode tore into Mel Gibson's film with characteristic glee, ruthlessly condemning Gibson's courtship of controversy and depicting Gibson as a raving, greedy, egotistical lunatic (recalling the classic first season episode "Mecha-Streisand") while promoting a fair-minded appreciation of Christ's teachings over the relentless violence of Gibson's film. Perfectly playing off established character conflicts, the episode pits Mel-worshipping Cartman (who embraces Gibson's alleged anti-Semitism to justify his own homespun Nazi revival) against Kyle, who is traumatized by Gibson's film into feeling guilty about his own Jewish heritage. Never ones to flinch from taboo topics or political correctness, series creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone outdid themselves with this amazingly rapid response to Gibson's film, and it's destined to rank as an all-time South Park classic. <<
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002ERX22/sr=8-1/qid=1154374774/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-9843718-5979904?ie=UTF8
You are exactly correct. It is as if the MSM think that Gibson's antics somehow besmirch his contribution of the "Passion". I see a pattern here. Remember Rush and his painkillers? The MSM was salivating over it. How about the old "addiction is a disease"? I guess it only works is you are a washed up hollywood star or a Kennedy.
Bobby Fischer was the greatest chess player of all time. His recent pontifications over the supposed "scourge of the Jews" takes nothing away from his shess genius. I look at Gibson the same way.
God has used some really terrible people to do great things in the past. Mel Gibson harboring anti-semitic feelings and drinking a lot is bad, but its not like he sent his lover's husband off die in battle or he had anyone who disagrees with his theology killed. Perspective, people, perspective.
Much ado about nothing. Gibson was attacked by a number of Jewish organizations for his Passion of the Christ. Where was the outrage when the anti-semites Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton ran for President? What has Hillary said about the Jews? Selective outrage is only for people like Gibosn who buck the system.
Quite the opposite, they were two of his best films. Remember, Christopher Hitchens is a brit, and it has to be looked upon in that light.
Not as much as his attacks on Mother Teresa. Hard to top that.
Well, he pumps his own gas.
When Bush the First ran the Willie Horton ad, he ran it once. For the next ten years the Democrats kept pointing this ad out as racism, even though their once upon a time almost president ran the same ad against Michael Dukakis. Now who is making the fuss, the actor who says it once or the critics who never shut up. Who is, rather who are the de facto racists.
Alcohol loosens more than just inhibitions. I discount most of what anyone says while drunk.
He does, however, have a self-admitted serious problem with alcohol.
Take it one day at a time, Mel.
Gibson expressed poor taste, bad judgment and worst morals; however, he did not commit a crime. Give some a little power and they are quick to forget a drunken driver but willing to give the maximum possible punishment to someone who expressed biased remarks while drunk.
Someone should remind Hitchens that Lysenko and Trotsky were friends. Hitchens wants a government sanctioned Lysenkoism to finally root out all speech crimes. Maybe not now but just watch.
Just for everyones reminder He was picked up for a DUI wich IMO is the real crime here Lets not lose site of that
His BAC was only 0.12%. He must have been in a bad mood earlier.
Chris Hitchens is another jack-ass that trashes Gibson's talent just because Gibson's personal life, politics, beliefs, and prejudices are screwed up. Patriot and Braveheart were excellent movies.
(Just donned Nomex and Kevlar.)
This Gibson really screwed up, because now every liberal group in existence is going to do everything in their power to completely destroy him for the next 20 zillion years. He completely opened pandoras box. None of them will accept the fact that maybe Mel was in a complete self destructive mood when pulled over, judging by how he first said "My life is f***ed". I mean what is the worst thing he could have said to destroy his career? But it`s too late now. Sorry Mel, but you are not Hillary. Only Hillary gets to go on anti-Jew tirades, not to mention 99% of liberals in Hollywood who have yet to curse out one single solitary terror group instead of Israel. "Jews are the cause of all the wars in the world" Mel says that which is exactly what liberals say every single day.
The piece's righteous rage would have been more convincing were Christopher Hitchens not sick to his empty core with Catholic-hatred.
You shouldn't. Believe me.
I postulate another reason why Mr. Gibson, got caught (wanted to).
It isn't unheard of for celebs to do something outlandish to get noticed for an alterior motive...
I think this is an easier 'sell' (to me anyway) than to believe his hatred for Isreal/Judiasm comes seething out now.
If he truly had so much hatred, wouldn't we have heard about it by now?
Not sure I can agree with that. He was the greatest player of his time. Chess theory, like any intellectual pursuit advances with time. Don't think he is quite upto Kasparov or the likes though he may be brilliant in his own right.
In a statement, Gibson says, "I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable."The arresting officer was just doing his job and I feel fortunate that I was apprehended before I caused injury to any other person.
"I disgraced myself and my family with my behavior and for that I am truly sorry.
"I have battled with the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse."
While Gibson does not elaborate on the "despicable" comments he made, entertainment website TMZ.com have obtained a police incident report, which alleges the Hollywood star made anti-Semitic comments towards arresting officers."
Christopher Hitchens says the statement is verbose and this other writer says he does not elaborate. I guess you can't please everybody.
I wonder what a Hitchens statement of remorse, apology and personal accountability for something awful that he's done would look like.
Cordially,
In vino veritas, as the old saying goes. (At least I think I spelled it right.)
Carolyn
Are you serious? He attacked Mother Teresa? That would be like.....like.....I can't even think of a worthy comparison.
Yes, the writer of "The Missionary Position" shouldn't lecture about religious bigotry.
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