In spite of my best efforts, however, in spite of my sincere beliefs, in spite of my godly upbringing and the influence of my non-swearing wife, out comes the word — usually just uttered once — not too loudly — but loudly enough for me to feel ashamed.
The apology that Mel Gibson has offered seems sincere and genuine enough to me. I have heard such apologies from alcoholics before. They are always sincere. The fundamental problem is not with what they say and do when they are drunk — the problem is with being drunk in the first place.
I, also, have sincerely apologized for uttering a word which I would never have chosen to speak if I had been in full control of myself.
I am still working on my problem (it only erupts once or twice each year) and I hope and pray that those who know me will know that I am neither a hypocrite nor a blasphemer. I am simply a sinner in need of encouragement, love, and support to move me further in the direction of godly character that I have chosen for myself.
I believe the same about Mel Gibson for he, too, is a sinner.
I suppose that those "who are without sin" might be excused from having cast stones at him but as for the rest, I fear that, in a spiritual sense, they are only throwing stones at themselves.
In this regard I give Captain Ed a C+, Powerline's Scott Johnson a small stone with which to bang himself on the head and Abraham Foxman, the director of the Jewish Anti-Defamation League, a big button to wear on his lapel that reads, "I Hate People Who Hate People!"
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Michael J. West
There's an old French proverb that goes, "A man never says anything while drunk that he hasn't thought while sober." I don't know how much stock you want to put in that, but there it is.
2 - Joan Bias
Sorry if you feel I'm not in my right mind, but clearly:
* Mel Gibson is an advocate of Mel Gibson expressing anger in public places; that
* Mel Gibson believes that it is good and right for Mel Gibson to resist arrest; that
* Mel Gibson feels that it is okay for Mel Gibson to drive while intoxicated; that
* Mel Gibson, deep, deep down, approves of Mel Gibson resisting police officers.
This is self-evident.
As is the anti-Semitism of someone who says "Jews are the cause of all the wars in the world" or whatever old "Sugar Tits" Gibson said.
3 - Bryan
In this regard I give Captain Ed a C+, Powerline's Scott Johnson a small stone with which to bang himself on the head and Abraham Foxman, the director of the Jewish Anti-Defamation League, a big button to wear on his lapel that reads, "I Hate People Who Hate People!"
So like a good forgiving Christian, you suggest Scott Johnson smash his head in with a rock and Abraham Foxman publically humiliate himself?
But seriously, you're really going to suggest that Mel Gibson didn't mean what he said? It's one thing to curse or utter a slur, but to say so specifically that "Jews are reponsible for all the wars in the world" takes a little bit more thought. Not to mentiont the incident had very little to do with Jews and war and all that...
Considering the man made the highest-grossing anti-Semitic snuff film of all time, I certainly wouldn't put this one past him.
4 - David Swander
The only people I see defending his actions are similar to the author of this blog...christian activists. Alcohol does not make one say things they do not believe. It inhibits our ability to censure ourselves. I am sure Mel knows it is wrong to be anti-semitic, but once inebriated, his hatred has no barrier and spills forth. There is a certain air of righteousness held by christian conservatives...add this to Mel's sense of power in hollywood, and I don't doubt he feels like he "owns Malibu" or doesn't have to listen to the police. His being drunk simply showed us all his true character (or lack thereof).
5 - navypapercut
I don't even know where to begin. This article is ridiculous. What you're basically saying is that hateful remarks are acceptable as long as they're coming out of the mouth of a drunk. Even if that were a plausible argument, you're forgetting that Mel wasn't all that drunk to begin with. He blew a 0.12, which may be above the legal limit of 0.08 but is NOTHING for an alcoholic. Please forgive me if I don't accept his apologies as sincere.
6 - virtuous
I really appreciate this article. Raised in an alcoholic home as a child, I agree with the basic premise. I have also heard and seen behavior of others that would never have happened had alcohol not been involved. No one has a totally pure heart, and I believe anyone is capable of the most heinous acts, when all inhibitions are removed. Your article reminds me of the sad death of a friend's mother from cancer. She had metastasis to the brain, and this very elegant, godly, gentle woman would occasionally burst out in profanity that she would never have uttered, had not tumors been pressing on certain areas. It was so hard for her family to see this from her, when she had never done it before. In the case of alcohol, the drunken speeches can inflict life-long damage on the hearers. Words truly can minister either life or death. I am praying for Mel and his family.
7 - virtuous
I really appreciate this article. Raised in an alcoholic home as a child, I agree with the basic premise. I have also heard and seen behavior of others that would never have happened had alcohol not been involved. No one has a totally pure heart, and I believe anyone is capable of the most heinous acts, when all inhibitions are removed. Your article reminds me of the sad death of a friend's mother from cancer. She had metastasis to the brain, and this very elegant, godly, gentle woman would occasionally burst out in profanity that she would never have uttered, had not tumors been pressing on certain areas. It was so hard for her family to see this from her, when she had never done it before. In the case of alcohol, the drunken speeches can inflict life-long damage on the hearers. Words truly can minister either life or death. I am praying for Mel and his family.
8 - Tamara J Lawson
What needs to happen is people let go of the past and stop being so quick to judge, condemn, and crucify. Mel Gibson is an alcoholic. It is a disease. He's admitted to his problem and is taking immediate steps to wrestle it under control. We the People, the ones who spend our money to see their films, are SO quick to judge and castigate our celebrities - yes, yes, the very same ones we elevate to the status of a demigod. When did Paris Hilton every apologise for her behaviour?! When did the Dixie Chicks ever apologise for their remarks?! Mel's comments may be offensive, and I'm sure he's remorseful. If he weren't, he wouldn't be in treatment this very minute... would he?! Actors and musicians have repeatedly made what are treasonous and seditious remarks about our President and his administration, about our country - and they're applauded while Mel Gibson, who spent his own money to make a movie about inarguably the world's most important Jewish man ever - he's heinous and evil and an anti-Semite?! If as one commentor said, a man never says anything drunk he hasn't thougt sober, then why aren't there more rapes?! Why aren't there more marriages and manifestations of eternal devotion and undying love?! Men say so many things drunk they would never imagine saying sober, let alone admit to. Mel's admitted to saying the things - whether he actively remembers them or not (blackouts are dangerous for alcoholics). He's owned up to his mistakes. People are SO quick to hurl blame and demand punishment. Are people so free of demons they can upbraid those who aren't?! Mel's sorry for what he did and he's taking steps to amend not only his behaviour, but his addiction. Let's see Lindsay Lohan do that...
9 - Douglas Mays
Bird, thank you for your opening statement about anti-semite vs. drunk. Up here in Seattle we just had some guy go into the Jewish Foundation offices and start shooting. It is said to be a hate crime. People of the Jewish faith being hounded upon by the news and all that garb that goes with it.
Anyway, it is merely a crazy crime. The dude has a long history of mental illness. It is a clinical thing to lash out at a profile of whoever for whatever has disconnected in the brain.
Be it Mel or this crazy guy, if you go to their houses I don't think you would find anything that would qualify as premeditated evidence of hate. Well, maybe the crazy guy, if he was capable of it. That is more like a case of acting on impulse since he is in a mind wired to pretty much not be able to know what next week is going to bring in life.
Anyway, drunk or crazy, I really don't think that it is anything but reactive statemnt that are actually directed at anyone but the Jewish faith. For example, with Mel, it is probably his rage at himself for getting caught and having to face his alcholism with the Jewish faith (or blacks or Pollacks or something...) emblematic of the personal situation.
Mel, a drunken asshole. He needs help. Did not hurt anyone. Was caught before he ran anyone down. Crazy guy? One dead, 5 seriously wounded. Pay for your crimes. Hitler? A troubled person? Too bad, the crime was committed. The sickest person in the modern world.
OK, anyway, leave Mel alone. He loves everyone (except his self troubles) just fine.
10 - Shari
I really think you are off base here, Gibson's father is a known anti-semite and it has been rumored for years that he feels this way.
he was just smart enought o keep his personal opinions to himself.
Alcohol always takes away your inhibitions, and it clearly did that with Gibson this time. Meanwhile he has apologized for his actions and driving under the influence-how about apologizing to Jewish people and acknowledging that he said those awful things.
11 - Jewels
I've never heard of any type alcohol that morphs the drinker into a racist. Racism erupts from the bone and marrow of the contaminated being. It is an ingrained irrational thought process - it is not concieved from having shots of Jaegermeister or one too many margaritas.
This is not Gibson's first time to be stopped while driving under the influence. He has been stopped in the past and released. The original police report in the case of Gibson's arrest were altered and the officers attempting to rewrite the scenario should come under charges.
Mel Gibson's outbursts with blowing a .12 on the "drunk-o-meter" aren't in line with his level of intoxication.
12 - Douglas Mays
One problem though, in the world of reaction, some faiths and races are used in a more hateful manner, jewish, nigger, etc. when reacting to being, say short changed "fucking Jewed me out of 79 cents" or "damn nigger at McDonalds held me up for $2 for a Big Mac". Then you have cultures emblematic of other behaviour. "the Pollack super glued his dick to his underwear".
What I have programmed myself to do is to use non-rascist terminology. During the 90s when poser gangs were popular in urban cultures, sometimes you run into conflict on the street. Once when confronted by a group of young black males (for no reason except for them being bored and conflicting anyone) I react and call the guy a 'fucker'. That broke the ice and sent them away. Another time I call an aggressive black male a 'Pollack' for the hell of it. that was a mystifying statement to him.
Anyway, it all is one of the mysteries of the social process of the world that must be figured out. For the most part in mundane day to day life, there is not as much hate as one might want to think. but now, everyone thinks Mel Gibson is Hitler. Just like how Mel's reactive drunk statement is saying that every Jewish faithed person controls the media from their garage....
OK, let me go get some coffee and wake up. Peace and love, OK?
13 - chitowngirl
Why is it that Christian activists especially pastors believe it to be ok to condemn those who express ideas different from theirs.
Not only condemn but strong statements like they should be stoned? or in the case of some murdered.
I thought that Christ preached the golden rule and also that no man is without sin.
Thus the rationale would be that Christian activists are really the sinners and anti Christ.
14 - Les Slater
Why is anyone defending Mel Gibson here?
It really does cast suspicion on the defender.
15 - kanrei
We have not forgotten he was drunk. If he wasn't drunk, he would have remembered not to say what he thinks. The drunk factor only explains why he said it, it does not excuse him saying it.
I have been drunk...many times. I have never once said something I did not think. I have said things I regret saying, but I still thought those things, I only regretted SAYING them.
16 - Douglas Mays
Les, goddammit. Mel is being defended because he is now being accussed of being Hitler, when the reality is just off the cuff drunken stuff.
Les, as much as I could shatter the personal attack policy of Blogcritics, I won't. "It really does cast suspicion on the defender" I would just rip your head off for. What the hell kind of thinking is that? Actually it is paranoid political correctness become Nazi-ism.
It is a case of your judgement of the facts of the situation (or anyones) are based on some personal problem. Your statement is far worse than anything Mel said as far as cultural oppression goes.
17 - Diane Ensey
While it is true alcohol numbs the internal censor and some inner truths about a person can be revealed - what counts are actions. When sober does Mel exhibit anti-Semitism? Does he use the same language as when drunk?
We are given a brain and critical thinking skills for a reason, people. Yes, you may, as the result of your upbringing, hold unreasonable prejudices, but your critical, reasoning mind processes those emotional knee-jerk responses. At least it does in sane people.
If we are going to start prosecuting people on what we think might be going on in their heads, there are deeper societal problems at work.
18 - Bryan
As someone who claimed he has to "program" himself to not use racist language, your credibility in this argument is quickly diminishing.
Being drunk doesn't usually lead one to make claims like "the Jews are responsible for all the war in the world" if you don't already believe it at least a little bit. Plus he only a blew a .12 - it's not like he was so obliterated (esp. for an alcholic) that he'd be pulling that kinda stuff out of his ass.
19 - Douglas Mays
The thing is that, yeah, the guy is aware of use of anti-semitism as some sort of slam. Just like my gramma after years of living in the South End of Chicago and being robbed many times can make reference to 'darkies'. But she does not put on a white robe and pointy mask.
The oversensitive, politically correct are the biggest fucking asshole race issue problem causers in society right now. I am so non-racist that I get pretty pissed off when I get hit with sophmoric racist attack (not in this thread actually, but I am just making an issue for the hell of it). I don't care where you come from, you are either an asshole or not.
I will make social observations that could involve race. If you are a stupid white girl crackhead needing crack, approach the black guy always hanging out at the park. Chances are she will score crack. Might have to give a BJ, but...there are things that do fall into racial statistic. So what. If you can't rate every single person on earth as an individual, fuck it.
20 - Les Slater
Douglas Mays #16
"Your statement is far worse than anything Mel said as far as cultural oppression goes"
Mr. Gibson: "Jews are reponsible for all the wars in the world"
From your #9
"leave Mel alone. He loves everyone"
Like I say, it really does cast suspicion on the defender.
21 - Barry
Ten years ago a .12 alcohol level while driving was legal in most states. The threshold limit for DUI has been driven down from .15 to .08. From experience with many drunk drivers, .12 is far from being "out of control;" it is drunk under the law. Being durnk is a weak excuse for anything, but .12 is certainly not an excuse for being "out of control." Sadly, common sense and experience tells us that Mr. Gibson is a bigot who, for financial reaons, wants to hide his beliefs.
22 - kanrei
Gibson Says Sorry of Sorts It is a Drudge report, so there is no confirmation yet....
23 - Douglas Mays
"political correctness is resposible for perpetuating all racism in the world" I just said it. And there is truth to it if you want to debate the subject. Or for that matter, why do you cast suspicion?
So, basically you are suspicious of me being a Jew hater? That is what you are saying.
the problem is that Jewish is a culture/race and religion mixed. That is a hassle in today's judgemental society. The Jewish faith seems sexist, the male makes the money, the women do everything else. This incident in Seattle, all the people shot were women. No men (x-cept shooter) were involved. Yeah, the women do everything else it looks like.
Then you have Mormons, as another religious culture, that is like the IRS. They take all your money and get away with it.
Problem with this thread, it involves religion. I know nothing about any sort of religious practice or concepts and am proud of that and will keep it that way. I mean, Mother Theresa must be going to hell in the eyes of some other religion because she did not practice some other faith. I dunno, religion is no different than Enron to me, just a way to slip and slide your way thru life with a bunch of great excuses. I can't buy any of it.
Sorry Mel, you made that blanket statement that possibly some sort of far off truth can be extrapolated. religion. You guys are just causing your own problems, don't make it mine.
OK, sorry folks, I'm out of this thread. Les, you ass****, quit accusing me of this anti semetic crap in such a passive/aggressive way. I have no idea about anything religious. How can I even use it as a rascist slant? Man, that pisses me off.
24 - Reporter
Last night at the dinner table I mentioned that dozens of children had been killed in Lebanon. My daughter, who has a Jewish boyfriend (who was not present), called me an antisemite - a racist.
Now, there is something wrong when you can't even mention the deaths of children in Lebanon and Gaza without being judged as a racist.
There is something really, really wrong with this picture. If it's going to be considered racist to talk about people who die at the hands of the Israeli military, and many people obviously are confused enough to think that it is, then we are in very, very deep shit.
Other than the United States and Israel, are there any other countries engaged in military operations against civilian populations outside of their borders?
Serious questions, these....
25 - Soulamatic
TODAY MALIBU! TOMORROW THE WORLD!!!