Gibsonpalooza
posted at 11:55 am on August 1, 2006 by Bryan
OTB has the video round-up. I agree, Kimmel’s got the best bits. The photoshops put him over the top.
For the record, I just want to say a big sarcastic thanks to Mel Gibson. You showed some courage in making The Passion of the Christ, but you’ve thrown all of that away for the sake of the bottle and whatever nonsense and hatred swims around in the darker places of your mind. You’ve given Christian haters a new reason to slam us all as a bunch of anti-Semites, even while we’re among the most vocal supporters of Israel’s fight for existence. You’re probably finished in Hollywood, and you’ve managed to smear the church and the believers that supported you and your film. So thanks, big guy. Thanks a lot.
Update: I overlooked one crucial fact in composing this post. Mel Gibson has spent the past couple of years burnishing his moonbat credentials. Here he is, calling President Bush a “fear-mongerer.” Here’s an approving citation at Daily Kos for that remark. Here’s a three-year-old report that he’s teaming up with Michael Moore.
So taken all together, Gibson’s no nuttier than Reps. Cynthia McKinney or Jim Moran or several other far lefties who haven’t gone into such extended profanity in public, but have put the blame for the world’s problems and wars on the Jews. At least Gibson can blame his remarks to some extent on being drunk. Neither Moran nor McKinney have that excuse.
The road back: Play up the moonbat ideas, claim mental illness for the drunken rant, do a few indy, edgy films that have no chance of success outside an arthouse theater. Back a Democrat in ’08.
Blowback
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Ditto. Really though Bryan — it does just go to show that God can use anyone who is willing at the time.
wytammic on August 1, 2006 at 12:14 PM
As much as I liked Mel Gibson, it’s nice to know that there is at least something so horrible as to sink one’s career in Hollywood.
Isn’t there a director out there still working who was convicted for pedophilia? I think he’s the one who directed Jeepers Creepers. I thought if that wasn’t enough, nothing was…
frankj on August 1, 2006 at 12:28 PM
There’s a new statement out.
frankj, there was Roman Polanski.
Pablo on August 1, 2006 at 12:39 PM
Gibson may be stupid. He may be an anti-semite. But finished in Hollywood?
This is a guy that can make $100 million dollars for any studio who wants to use him. His politics or personal views won’t matter as long as that is true.
The only color or religion recognized in Hollywood is green.
rick moran on August 1, 2006 at 12:39 PM
After watching Roman Polanski receive an in-absentia standing ovation at the Academy Awards while he was in another country hiding from statutory rape charges, I’m not hopeful that the Hollywood community will ostracize Gibson for his actions. But they sure as hell should.
World B. Free on August 1, 2006 at 12:41 PM
Good points Bryan. It is a good thing that he is exposed for the Jew-hater that he is. While he has made some good movies, it is hardly an excuse to participate in this type of behavior. Of course, this is what you get with a nut-case for a father; a nut-case for a son. But even that is not an excuse; Mel made his own choices, the choice to be a rascist. I’ll never understand what drives a person to hate an entire race of peace-loving people.
I have to admit I was a big fan of Mel’s for a long time. I will never watch another Mel Gibson movie, free or otherwise.
FrankJ is right, Mel is not the only sicko in Hollywood; he is just the latest one that was caught.
Cary on August 1, 2006 at 12:47 PM
No, I was thinking of who I was thinking of. Victor Salva is a convicted child molester, and he’s still making movies.
frankj on August 1, 2006 at 12:50 PM
It is amazing you can get so much out of a few words uttered by a man intoxicated, and take them as the Bible.
You sling charges or racism, or whatever other ism you were singing about in your excellent vent (now I presume halfhearted), almost as easily as the moonbats.
I prefer a little more substance.
MarkB on August 1, 2006 at 12:55 PM
This is how little I regard Hollywood: Its leading lights can marry their step-daughter and retain their career. They can become apologists for Communists, for terrorists, for Saddam Hussein, whoever happens to be against us at the momennt. But Hollywood has real trouble bankrolling anything patriotic and won’t tolerate Mel Gibson’s drunken anti-Semitic rant. So what I wrote above is a slam on Gibson that he deserves, but it’s also a slam on Hollywood.
Bryan on August 1, 2006 at 12:56 PM
I couldn’t disagree with all of you more. What Mel Gibson said was despicable, racist, and there is nothing he can do or say to take it back. However, the last time I checked, he serves a forgiving G-d. From what I’ve seen so far, he has been contrite. He has apologized to the Jewish community specifically and asked for their help in recovery/redemption. At times like this we should all remember our most despicable deeds and thank G-d that he had more forgiveness for us than we seem to have for Mel Gibson now.
Matticus Finch on August 1, 2006 at 1:02 PM
I’m not arguing that God won’t forgive Mel. I’m arguing that Hollywood won’t. He has one out, which is to claim mental illness, but I don’t think even that will save him.
I am also arguing that Mel let his Christian allies and supporters down, big time. Anyone here care to take an opposite point of view?
Bryan on August 1, 2006 at 1:14 PM
The Left Coast is chock-a-block with arrogant twits, Mel Gibson among them. Why these idiots insist upon abusing substances and driving, when they all could hire chauffeurs – preferably, legal and fluent in English – is beyond me.
Aunt B on August 1, 2006 at 1:15 PM
Some thoughts:
1 – Gibson’s comments were reprehensible and inexcusable. Not to mention seriously stupid on his part.
2 – Drunk or not, alcoholic or not – those are not valid excuses for making such comments.
3 – Is Gibson truly anti-semetic? None of us can know for sure what goes on in his heart and mind.
4 – Gibson has apologized. That is a first step in atoning for his sins related to this matter, be they just an isolated incident of stupid comments, or the logical result of being anti-semetic.
5 – If Mel doesn’t stop with just an apology, but makes a sincere effort to atone for his sins, then he is deserving of forgiveness as anyone else would be who made similar stupid remarks.
thirteen28 on August 1, 2006 at 1:18 PM
Mel’s Apology to Jews, from The Drudge Report. Hey, at least the guy is trying.
MEL SAYS SORRY TO THE JEWS
Tue Aug 01 2006 11:10:45 ET
August 2, 2006 — There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of Anti-Semitic remark. I want to apologize specifically to everyone in the Jewish community for the vitriolic and harmful words that I said to a law enforcement officer the night I was arrested on a DUI charge.
I am a public person, and when I say something, either articulated and thought out, or blurted out in a moment of insanity, my words carry weight in the public arena. As a result, I must assume personal responsibility for my words and apologize directly to those who have been hurt and offended by those words.
The tenets of what I profess to believe necessitate that I exercise charity and tolerance as a way of life. Every human being is God’s child, and if I wish to honor my God I have to honor his children. But please know from my heart that I am not an anti-Semite. I am not a bigot. Hatred of any kind goes against my faith.
I’m not just asking for forgiveness. I would like to take it one step further, and meet with leaders in the Jewish community, with whom I can have a one on one discussion to discern the appropriate path for healing.
I have begun an ongoing program of recovery and what I am now realizing is that I cannot do it alone. I am in the process of understanding where those vicious words came from during that drunken display, and I am asking the Jewish community, whom I have personally offended, to help me on my journey through recovery. Again, I am reaching out to the Jewish community for its help. I know there will be many in that community who will want nothing to do with me, and that would be understandable. But I pray that that door is not forever closed.
This is not about a film. Nor is it about artistic license. This is about real life and recognizing the consequences hurtful words can have. It’s about existing in harmony in a world that seems to have gone mad.
END
thirteen28 on August 1, 2006 at 1:32 PM
thirteen28-
Well said.
Matticus Finch on August 1, 2006 at 1:33 PM
My bottom line:
Of course I forgive the guy. I wish him well.
But I’ve now concluded he’s fundamentally the proverbial bag ‘o douche. Which means I no longer feel like giving him (or anyone or anything he’s associated with) any of my money.
Ain’t freedom grand?
If enough people reach my conclusion – for themselves – then Gibson will indeed be finished, as Bryan suggests.
If enough people don’t reach that conclusion – for themselves – and he remains able to pull in a hundred million with ease, nothing he does or says will touch him in Hollywood.
Whoever made the observation above that “green is the only color that matters” in Hollywood is exactly right.
He ain’t getting any more of mine.
It remains to be seen whether I’ll be in a small minority or not. Who knows? Somehow, the Dixie Chicks are still selling albums and people still pay to see Jane Fonda. Go figure.
To recap (hat-tip to Gleen Greenjeans): what a weenie Mel is.
Professor Blather on August 1, 2006 at 2:23 PM
If this incident had involved some unknown citizen (as most similar incidents do) the item would have been on page 10 of the local paper next week, rather than on the national news. The headline would read “Local man charged with DUI, disorderly conduct, & resisting arrest” with no mention of any comments made to the arresting officers.
It is a sad state of affairs when the MSM fills the front pages with this type of crap and the things that really affect our nation and the world are pushed to the back pages.
DJ Dubya on August 1, 2006 at 2:51 PM
I never had much of a personality fettish, even less so about anyone in Hollywood. That includes Mr. Gibson. He seems to be a ‘tortured’ soul and I wish him well in the recovery of whatever possesses him.
His troubles might have just begun but this might also be the beginning of ending them. This reality check might be what he needed. He might have needed an ‘abyss’ in order to begin his ‘healing’ process. His father is a nut-case but after 18, or 21, one can’t blame parents or providence, or society, or the devil, or whatever…one has to grow up.
The commenters on this board are also tortured about the subject. Thank you to those who’re able to maintain clarity and perspective. We are, after all, not the Lefties.
Thank you especially to RN, geoergej and Professor Blather. We don’t need to condemn him further but we can’t excuse him either. And we can choose to support him morally, financially, spiritually or not at all.
Entelechy on August 1, 2006 at 2:53 PM
RD, so sorry, sincerely – I meant to say “thank you especially to RD, goergej and Prof. Blather”.
Entelechy on August 1, 2006 at 3:03 PM
Ahh glad to understand only if you have a certain viewpoint do you have a corner on clarity and perspective, otherwise you are a tortured soul. How enlightening, NOT!
This is not close to a reprehensible action, racism and other labels being bandied about. You need a broader perspective, perhaps planes flying into buildings, terrorist targeting innocents would bring some clarity.
In the end we should be defined by our actions and deed, not a careless word uttered here or there, and certainly not thoughts.
I suppose for those with clarity and perspective, that need to create a mountain out of a molehill, and malign people with their view of political correctness and marginalize dissent, Enjoy.
For myself, I will endeavor to presevere!!
Anyway its a great site and better we agree on most issues, Keep up the good work!
MarkB on August 1, 2006 at 3:42 PM
I am wondering how Hollywood will take Gibson’s outburst. They may see some promise in him after all. Not sure yet. Hating Jews would be a big step in the right direction if it only were really true.
I do not include Gibson on my list of people who have not apologized for their words: Michael Moore, Cynthia McKinney, Cindy Sheehan, Howard Dean, Ted Turner, Gore, Kerry, McCain etc al as well as national leaders in Spain, France, the Vatican, and full fledged Jew hating Hamas supporters, Hezbullah supporters, CAIR etc etc.
Who would I trust with the life of a Jewish infant – a university student supporting Hamas, or Gibson?
This is my Doctrine of Proportionality. My heart says Gibson would cherish the baby.
I don’t consider Gibson a douche bag, but he may need some high colonics to get back on track.
entagor on August 1, 2006 at 4:08 PM
MarkB, like you, I like this site very much, one primary reason being that we don’t always have to agree on everything, even if we generally are of similar political persuasions.
Please note that I said that commenters are ‘tortured’ on this subject/site, and that includes me too. I also posted yesterday that we don’t need to condemn, nor condone, Mr. Gibson any further. I actually wish him well.
Of note, however, to your comments, simply communicating and not fighting with anyone, there are precisely the thoughts and words which eventually lead to those horrendous actions you refer to. The 9/11 terrorists didn’t wake up one morning contemplating to bomb the WTC.
Respectfully and with no malice or sarcasm,
Entelechy on August 1, 2006 at 5:04 PM
I think the primary concept we all ought to keep in mind on this complex issue is:
Sgt. Lance Sugartits
mikeyboss on August 1, 2006 at 5:36 PM
Entelechy
I will let you have the last word.
Regards
MarkB on August 1, 2006 at 6:24 PM
MarkB:
All right … I’ll bite:
Really?
Let’s recap (I’m channeling Greenjeans again). Here’s Mel’s non-racist, non-reprehensible behavior:
Once inside the car, a source directly connected with the case says Gibson began banging himself against the seat. The report says Gibson told the deputy, “You mother f****r. I’m going to f*** you.” The report also says “Gibson almost continually [sic] threatened me saying he ‘owns Malibu’ and will spend all of his money to ‘get even’ with me.”
The report says Gibson then launched into a barrage of anti-Semitic statements: “F*****g Jews… The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world.” Gibson then asked the deputy, “Are you a Jew?”
The deputy became alarmed as Gibson’s tirade escalated, and called ahead for a sergeant to meet them when they arrived at the station. When they arrived, a sergeant began videotaping Gibson, who noticed the camera and then said, “What the f*** do you think you’re doing?”
A law enforcement source says Gibson then noticed another female sergeant and yelled, “What do you think you’re looking at, sugar tits?”
We’re told Gibson took two blood alcohol tests, which were videotaped, and continued saying how “f****d” he was and how he was going to “f***” Deputy Mee.
————————————————-
Okay … so out of idle late afternoon curiosity, if the above is – to quote you – “not close” to being either reprehensible or racist … could you give us an example of what someone might say that WOULD be racist? How about reprehensible?
Just wonderin’. Since, you know, that wasn’t even close!
Professor Blather on August 1, 2006 at 7:03 PM
Religious intolerance? — yes
Sexism? — yes
Wreckless behavior? — yes
Disrespect for legitimate authority? — yes
Carreer killer? — Maybe not…
Gibson doesn’t need the blessing of movie studios… he’s not looking for a paycheck. He’s now at the point where he can finance his own movies, own them, produce them, shoot them cheaply, and then just hand a finished product to someone for distribution. It’s free money to the distributor… they’d be silly to say “no.” As you’ll note, the distributor for Apocalypto has already forgiven him.
Now, for people who were as shocked as I was by this report, what do you think about the possibility about it not being something he believes, but something that existed deep inside him from his childhood? His father is obviously antisemitic (he’s a holocaust denier). Could it just be that he was so immersed in that hateful line of thinking that even though he doesn’t believe it, it is lying in his subconscious, waiting for a few beers to unlock it?
Mark Jaquith on August 1, 2006 at 9:35 PM