While the media is coming down hard on Gibson, the public doesn't seem bothered. Another CNN.com poll shows that the overwhelming majority of people still plan on seeing Gibson's movies. This shows that, while people may not always agree with what a celebrity does and says, they may be willing to put those feelings aside for the sake of entertainment. This is especially visible in American sports, which have been riddled with drug and steroid scandals in the past few years.
Both people in this case have a lot on the line. If Gibson loses Disney as a film distributor, he would have a hard time finding another major entity to take on the relatively obscure (and now controversial) project. Romney may have even more reason to hold his tongue as he makes an expected bid for President in 2008.
Article comments
1 - Jason
Well no doubt Romney is no rascist. To imply otherwise is dishonest so good job to this article for covering this item fairly.
I wonder why no one complained last week when Worcester Magazine used this same adjective to describe the Big Dig? Here is the link: worcestermag.com
Read the second paragraph. I kind of wonder how much of this is people grasping at any straw they can find to hang Romney with. In the end they come off as over sensitive and desparate.
JASON
2 - G A Anderson
What about the DJ who called Gov Romney a "blue blood" and an "empty suit". Offensive langauage has less to do with words than the intent involved. As far as the comment made by a black Republican that Cal Colledge would not have used that word. I think he avoided all slang which is a good idea. This is especially true for those in the public eye.
As far as Mel Gibson I think his anti semeticism is no secret. While I could never vote for him for public office, I think that his work should be judged separately from his personal beliefs.
3 - John Guilfoil
Clearly both people involved in this issue have a lot of people around them, trying to deal with any issues like this that may come up.
4 - Brady Alder
"This article shows obvious bias against Mitt Romney. It admits that "a CNN.com poll shows that two-thirds of responders don't even consider the phrase [tar baby] to be a racial slur.", showing that most people aren't aware of the negative use of this term. Yet, it uses devices to insinuate guilt on Mitt Romney's part. It alludes that Mitt should have used "better judgment" and says that Gibson was "not nearly as lucky as Romney". As if Romney got away with something. Also, bringing out that he is Mormon in an article that has nothing to do with his religion is particularly disturbing. I mean if you want to make a point that even the smallest mistake in picking your words is bad when it comes to prejudice; then don’t allude to possibly having a religious prejudice against him.
The fact is that within context the term Mitt Romney used is obviously not caring a racial meaning. Most Americans have never heard of this being a racial slur and since Mitt came from a good moral family and went to top schools; I'm sure he never heard of it growing up either. I'm against racial prejudice but let's pick our battles. Instead of getting all hot and bothered over stupid stuff, we should focus on REAL issues.