Mel Gibson
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Mel Gibson's Meltdown
He is sick to his empty core with Jew-hatred.
By Christopher Hitchens
Posted Monday, July 31, 2006, at 2:09 PM ET
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. Braveheart and The Patriot are two of the most laughable historical films ever made. (Englishmen don't form picket lines outside movie theaters when "stereotyped," but still.) He has told interviewers that his wife, the mother of his children, is going to hell because she subscribes to the wrong Christian sect (a view that he justifies as "a pronouncement from the chair"). And it has been obvious for some time to the most meager intelligence that he is sick to his empty core with Jew-hatred.
This is not just proved by his twistedly homoerotic spank-movie The Passion of the Christ, even though that ghastly production did focus obsessively on the one passage in the one of the four Gospels that tries to convict the Jewish people en masse of the hysterical charge of Christ-killing or "deicide." It is validated by his fealty to his earthly father, a crackpot who belongs to a Catholic splinter group of which our Mel is a member. This group more or less lives off the stench of medieval anti-Semitism. Allow me (as one who has Mel's father's books to hand) to give you an example. In an attempt a few years ago to heal the breach between the Vatican and the Jews, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger did his best to make nice. Jews did not accept Jesus as savior and redeemer, said the man who is now the pope, but they did originate monotheism. Therefore, Judaism could perhaps be regarded in some ways as an "elder brother" of Christianity. The response of Gibson senior was to say that Abel also had an elder brother. … You know what? I think that this qualifies as anti-Semitism, too.
I do not believe for an instant that the sins of the fathers should descend to later generations. But when asked about his old man's many effusions on this subject, from the cheery view that the Jewish population of Europe actually increasedin Hitler's day to the no less upbeat opinion that persons unknown brought down the World Trade Center, the younger Gibson stonewalled consistently by saying that "my father has never told me a lie." At the time he said this, I was impressed despite myself. He was being invited to disown a raging Jew-baiter at the same time that he was trying to cash in with a Hollywood epic. And he wouldn't do it! All credit for true and staunch conviction. (But don't run away with the sentimental idea that he had to stick by his father. Scott McClellan had been on White House spokesman detail for only a few days when his male parent produced a book arguing that LBJ had murdered JFK. Even in this tussle over two dead ********s, McClellan had enough dignity to say that he loved his father, even though the old boy had some wacky ideas. Try and get Gibson to say that.)
At the time when The Passion of the Christ was being released, many nervous evangelical Christians tried to get the more horrifying bits of anti-Semitic incitement toned down. (The crazy scene where the rabbis demand the blood of Jesus on their own heads was taken out of subtitles, for example, but left as it was in Aramaic.) Many conservative Jews, from David Horowitz to Rabbi Daniel Lapin, stuck up for Gibson as a man who defended family values against secular nihilism. And the Muslim world allowed the movie to be screened widely, though from Ben-Hur to King of Kings it had prohibited the physical representation of any "prophet" mentioned, as Jesus is, in the Quran. (Don't ask yourself why this was, unless you want to feel stupid.) It was even proudly announced that Gibson's next big project would be about the Holocaust.
Whether Gibson tries this last catch-penny profanity or not, it is time to lower the boom on him. Those who endorsed his previous obscene blockbuster are obliged to say something now or be ignored ever after. But this should not be yet another spectacle of the "offensive" and the "inappropriate," swiftly succeeded by rehab and repentance and perhaps—who knows?—a joint press conference with Elie Wiesel. Gibson did not "misspeak"; indeed according to many trustworthy reports, he nearly copped the customary celebrity "get out of jail free" card and had his remarks stricken from the record. (When will the sheriffs decide to release the evidence?) No, he spoke his "mind," and in case anyone wants to burble about political correctness, it should be added that he spoke this way because of his religion, not just his warped personality. Let him keep the fortune he made from a pogrom movie, and let him by all means continue to sponsor his Latin Mass sectarian church in Malibu, where sinners are thick on the ground. But there was another touch of in vino veritas when he tearfully told the cops that "my life is f---ed," and this inadvertent truth ought to be remembered in all charity as the last words we ever want to hear from him.
Christopher Hitchens is a columnist for Vanity Fair.
Mel Gibson's Meltdown
He is sick to his empty core with Jew-hatred.
By Christopher Hitchens
Posted Monday, July 31, 2006, at 2:09 PM ET
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. Braveheart and The Patriot are two of the most laughable historical films ever made. (Englishmen don't form picket lines outside movie theaters when "stereotyped," but still.) He has told interviewers that his wife, the mother of his children, is going to hell because she subscribes to the wrong Christian sect (a view that he justifies as "a pronouncement from the chair"). And it has been obvious for some time to the most meager intelligence that he is sick to his empty core with Jew-hatred.
This is not just proved by his twistedly homoerotic spank-movie The Passion of the Christ, even though that ghastly production did focus obsessively on the one passage in the one of the four Gospels that tries to convict the Jewish people en masse of the hysterical charge of Christ-killing or "deicide." It is validated by his fealty to his earthly father, a crackpot who belongs to a Catholic splinter group of which our Mel is a member. This group more or less lives off the stench of medieval anti-Semitism. Allow me (as one who has Mel's father's books to hand) to give you an example. In an attempt a few years ago to heal the breach between the Vatican and the Jews, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger did his best to make nice. Jews did not accept Jesus as savior and redeemer, said the man who is now the pope, but they did originate monotheism. Therefore, Judaism could perhaps be regarded in some ways as an "elder brother" of Christianity. The response of Gibson senior was to say that Abel also had an elder brother. … You know what? I think that this qualifies as anti-Semitism, too.
I do not believe for an instant that the sins of the fathers should descend to later generations. But when asked about his old man's many effusions on this subject, from the cheery view that the Jewish population of Europe actually increasedin Hitler's day to the no less upbeat opinion that persons unknown brought down the World Trade Center, the younger Gibson stonewalled consistently by saying that "my father has never told me a lie." At the time he said this, I was impressed despite myself. He was being invited to disown a raging Jew-baiter at the same time that he was trying to cash in with a Hollywood epic. And he wouldn't do it! All credit for true and staunch conviction. (But don't run away with the sentimental idea that he had to stick by his father. Scott McClellan had been on White House spokesman detail for only a few days when his male parent produced a book arguing that LBJ had murdered JFK. Even in this tussle over two dead ********s, McClellan had enough dignity to say that he loved his father, even though the old boy had some wacky ideas. Try and get Gibson to say that.)
At the time when The Passion of the Christ was being released, many nervous evangelical Christians tried to get the more horrifying bits of anti-Semitic incitement toned down. (The crazy scene where the rabbis demand the blood of Jesus on their own heads was taken out of subtitles, for example, but left as it was in Aramaic.) Many conservative Jews, from David Horowitz to Rabbi Daniel Lapin, stuck up for Gibson as a man who defended family values against secular nihilism. And the Muslim world allowed the movie to be screened widely, though from Ben-Hur to King of Kings it had prohibited the physical representation of any "prophet" mentioned, as Jesus is, in the Quran. (Don't ask yourself why this was, unless you want to feel stupid.) It was even proudly announced that Gibson's next big project would be about the Holocaust.
Whether Gibson tries this last catch-penny profanity or not, it is time to lower the boom on him. Those who endorsed his previous obscene blockbuster are obliged to say something now or be ignored ever after. But this should not be yet another spectacle of the "offensive" and the "inappropriate," swiftly succeeded by rehab and repentance and perhaps—who knows?—a joint press conference with Elie Wiesel. Gibson did not "misspeak"; indeed according to many trustworthy reports, he nearly copped the customary celebrity "get out of jail free" card and had his remarks stricken from the record. (When will the sheriffs decide to release the evidence?) No, he spoke his "mind," and in case anyone wants to burble about political correctness, it should be added that he spoke this way because of his religion, not just his warped personality. Let him keep the fortune he made from a pogrom movie, and let him by all means continue to sponsor his Latin Mass sectarian church in Malibu, where sinners are thick on the ground. But there was another touch of in vino veritas when he tearfully told the cops that "my life is f---ed," and this inadvertent truth ought to be remembered in all charity as the last words we ever want to hear from him.
Christopher Hitchens is a columnist for Vanity Fair.
1. I don't think we should pass any judgement on anybody in the first place. We were not there in the scene of the crime. We don't know Mel personally and what kind of person he is, except from reading media reports. And we know how realiable the media is. I hope u realised that they like to cook up a storm for publicity.chigirl said:
2. "Not only has he admitted to drinking and driving in teh past, but there is no excuse, no matter how addicted you are to putting other people's lives in harms way like that!"
Alcohol will lower inhibitions. When the mind is disturbed, a person can do a lot of things. I have many many patients who shoplifted when they were drunk/intoxicated with drugs. I know for sure the court takes that into consideration.
I know an alcoholic who slept under a car when he was drunk after a quarrel with his wife who kicked him out. He lost his life the next morning when the car ran over him. I hope u gals had a chance to attend his wake cos u said
"I am not condeming him because he has an addiction. I'm calling him a loser because he made a personal choice to drive in that condition."
So u are calling my patient a loser because he made a "personal choice" to sleep under the car when he was drunk? Or a loser to shoplift since they made a "personal choice" when they were intoxicated to shoplift? I think soundness of mind when intoxicated is extremely debatable.
3. Like I said before, eating addiction - socially acceptable. People can accept that.
Leah 411 contested that "Somewhat off-topic...but being fat is actually much less socially acceptable than being an alcoholic."
Is that true?? To an anorexic patient maybe.
Cos
a. Kat said: "Being overweight does not harm anybody."
b. Pseud said: " "Plus fat people aren't endangering others when they get behind the wheel..."
4. On the other hand, alcohol addiction is very unacceptable. Many people think people use their addiction as an excuse for their behavior.
"There have been addicts in my family. They, too, have tried to use the addiction as an excuse for their behaviour. A free pass to do anything they want."
"And what makes me even sicker, is using his drunkeness as an excuse for spewing his hatred."
I hope u realize that like a fat person who has little control over his eating habits, an alcoholic has no control either.
No one chose to become an alcohol addict; just like no one wants to be a cocaine addict, or food addict, or sex addict, or internet addict.
Being an addict is not a weakness of character. Being an addict is not about having low will power.
Addiction is a disease just like cancer or heart disease.
Of course I do admit that many addicts can be manipulative too, but all smart people are manipulative esp when their lives is overturned and they are in doldrums. If u were caught stealing, would u want to go to jail or would u want to try and mitigate and minimise the damage?
I only hope that people can open their mind and try and be less prejudiced towards addicts.
You know what, there is no excuse for that biggotry- alcohol, addiction or not. Those are merely excuses and there comes a time when everyone needs to be accountable for the things they say- and the actions they take. The fact that he has an addiction does not mitigate that he is a anti-semite.
maguses said:
I know he made those comments about Jewish people. I don't need to know much else about him to make the determination that he is anti-semitic. Yes, alcoholism is a disease, but anti-semitism, bigotry and the like are not. They are choices one makes.
You completely misunderstood my points if you think that I am at all prejudiced towards addicts. What I am is disgusted with his horrible comments and his CHOICE to drive drunk.maguses said:
By the way, the information is derived from a police report, not merely the news media.
maguses said:
I don't think that's what she meant. By driving, you are endangering your own life in addition to others. What you do with yourself is your own business, but who are you to affect other innocent lives?! I don't think that analogy is adequate since making a personal choice to sleep under a car is very different from driving under the influence. Again the emphasis is on the danger to other people.
In regards to his anti-semitic comments, there is no excuse. In that case, I think the lowering of his inhibitions did cause him to reveal his true opinions.
Anyhow, I think many of the ladies are more angry at his comments than at the fact that he has an addiction. Like some have said, we are not arguing that addiction is not a disease. We are saying that his bigotry and his personal decision to drive while drunk makes him a loser.
this thread isn't about a member's patients, it's about MEL GIBSON.
Someone in my family is an alcoholic and I'm not trying to twist people's words to make it more offensive to me. I won't mention who, but suffice it to say it's a VERY CLOSE family member, not a cousin or something.
I am not anti-semantic, therefore could not even come up w/ half the trash he spewed. . . .
Mel Gibson clearly has these thoughts in his mind, it's a pattern for him.
He was speeding while intoxicated, he could've killed any one of our family members that morning.
He's an adult and should be held accountable for his actions.
Period.
Someone in my family is an alcoholic and I'm not trying to twist people's words to make it more offensive to me. I won't mention who, but suffice it to say it's a VERY CLOSE family member, not a cousin or something.
I am not anti-semantic, therefore could not even come up w/ half the trash he spewed. . . .
Mel Gibson clearly has these thoughts in his mind, it's a pattern for him.
He was speeding while intoxicated, he could've killed any one of our family members that morning.
He's an adult and should be held accountable for his actions.
Period.
Swanky Mama Of Three said:
I couldn't agree more, and to add to my previous comment:
I find these comments very DISGUSTING and he should be ASHAMED. I believe that Mel has been troubled for a long time and is dealing with internal demons, and needs to give his troubles to GOD...I guess not since Jesus was JEW!!!!
Bagasms said:
Huh? Not that I think this is at all the appropriate forum for a discussion on this topic but no, I do not read the Bible, but I have read it in the past. As to what Jesus endured or did not endure, there are varying opinions (which I do not judge as right or wrong - not my place) and what Mel Gibson put in a movie is not evidence of anything to me. Similarly, there are varying opinions as to whether the Jewish people were responsibile for his death (Gibson clearly thinks so). Many others believe that it was the Romans and only the Romans. Just as an FYI, while I respect your beliefs, Jews and others do not necessarily believe that Jesus saved our souls. That is a tenet of Christianity, not of Judaism, Buddhism, Islam and various other religions.
Whether or not anyone believes in Christianity or believes that the Jews were responsible for the death of Jesus really doesn't matter in my opinion.
I could go into a huge debate about Mel's movie "The Passion" but honestly I think it's pointless because everyone is going to have strong feelings one way or the other and nobody is ever going to agree.
Yes Mel was driving drunk and I agree that his judgement was obviously impaired by his addiction but I also think that addiction is not a "get out of jail free" card. Addiction or no he should still be held accountable for his actions (as should we all).
As far as what he said....I agree it wasn't very nice at all and perhaps he does have certain prejudices but honestly....who doesn't? That's not to say that I'm condoning what he said because I completely disagree with what he said BUT I think it's important to recognize that WE ALL have prejudices to a degree (we're just a lot more careful about saying them out loud).
So hate Mel if you want....and I can totally see why some people do....but none of us are without predjudice....just something to think about.
I could go into a huge debate about Mel's movie "The Passion" but honestly I think it's pointless because everyone is going to have strong feelings one way or the other and nobody is ever going to agree.
Yes Mel was driving drunk and I agree that his judgement was obviously impaired by his addiction but I also think that addiction is not a "get out of jail free" card. Addiction or no he should still be held accountable for his actions (as should we all).
As far as what he said....I agree it wasn't very nice at all and perhaps he does have certain prejudices but honestly....who doesn't? That's not to say that I'm condoning what he said because I completely disagree with what he said BUT I think it's important to recognize that WE ALL have prejudices to a degree (we're just a lot more careful about saying them out loud).
So hate Mel if you want....and I can totally see why some people do....but none of us are without predjudice....just something to think about.
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