Mel Gibson's Apology for Anti-Semitic Remarks Sincere & Heartfelt

Dave Hahn · 08-02-2006, 11:18 AM

I was relieved and truly gladdened to read Mel Gisbson’s statement this morning. I firmly believe that this is not “Damage Control” or some kind of “Spin” by his publicist to save his career. After reading the statement a couple of times, I became convinced that Mr. Gibson has come to understand that he holds personal beliefs that are unacceptable both to society and to the tenets of his own religion. To follow a thought from my first post, I believe that Mr. Gibson has begun to “realize and expunge the hatred in his heart.”

I wish Mel Gibson the very best in his recovery and fight against alcoholism; and in his endeavor to be a better person.

As reported by CNN at: http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Movi...ent/index.html

(CNN) -- 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.

Chuck Mayer · 08-02-2006, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Hahn

I believe that Mr. Bison has begun to “realize and expunge the hatred in his heart.”

M. Bison??

shou ryu ken shou!!!!!!!!

Holadem · 08-02-2006, 11:49 AM

--
H

Rich Malloy · 08-02-2006, 12:43 PM

Oh yes, I agree! Unlike those other times, this time it really feels heartfelt and sincere. And anyway, what's the big deal?

I mean, c'mon, people. I've been pulled over by cops before. And, like you and Mel and all the other highly moral and intelligent people, I also felt myself to be the victim of a Jewish conspiracy. Who among us hasn't? Of course, when I said "Fucking Jews!" and inquired of that hook-nosed cop whether in fact he was a Jew (and you know he was), I got a frickin' baton smack to my head. If I hadn't been so drunk, it really would've hurt.

But that's before I understood the relationship between alcoholism and anti-semiticism. They even sorta sound alike! In fact, after a few drinks it sorta sounds like alco-homitism.. alco... uh... alcosemitism anyway, don't drink and drive while reading the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Or listening to dear pater (Heil, Hutton!).

Oh, I'm so fucked. My career is so fucked... Hey, watchoo looking at, sugartits?!?

Whoops! Sorry! Sorry about that! It was just the alcohomosemiticsmah....

Beau · 08-02-2006, 01:12 PM

Anyone expecting his apology speech to go something more like this:

"The whole world now knows... I, Mel Gibson, was pulled over by police, and spewed anti-semetic crap at the cops, three days ago. This is a recent photograph of my father. Dad, if you're watching, I love you, and I hope I've made you proud. And this... well, this is what waits for the jew who I insulted. This is your apology. Two pages with un-hateful words, just like you wanted. But this is as close as you'll ever get to it. You'll never hear one paragraph of this apology, because no apology will ever be paid for my insane behavior. Not one sentence, not one word. Instead, I'm offering this apology as a reward on your heads. Dead or alive, it doesn't matter. So congratulations, you've just become a two page apology lottery ticket... except the odds are much, much better. Do you know anyone that wouldn't turn you in for a two page apology? I don't think you do. I doubt it. So wherever you go and whatever you do, this apology will be tracking you down for all time. And to ensure that it does, to keep interest alive, I'm running a full-page ad in every major newspaper every Sunday... for as long as it takes. But... and this is your last chance... you return my integrity in Hollywood, alive, uninjured, I'll withdraw the bounty. With any luck you can simply disappear. Understand... you will never see this apology. Not one sentence. So you still have a chance to do the right thing. If you don't, well, then, God be with you, because nobody else on this Earth will be."

hehe! I think I did good with the first half, but seems a little weird as it goes on. Maybe I should've changed it up a little more to better fit the context of the recent events. Anyone else want to take a crack at it?

**HTF Ads**

Todd_N · 08-02-2006, 01:25 PM

While what Mel said was horrible I am just as disgusted with the treatment he is getting after the fact. He is in a no win situation essentially. People already have their mind made up regardless of what he does. They say they want him to apologize and then when he does they piss on it.

If people are honest with themselves I am sure some of them that are condemning him think similar things about Islamic Fundamentalists.

PatW · 08-02-2006, 01:26 PM

Just out of curiousity what does this have to do with the discussion of movies.

Tino · 08-02-2006, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatW

Just out of curiousity what does this have to do with the discussion of movies.

I agree. This should be in the After Hours forum.

From the statement:

Quote:

This is not about a film.

Dave Hahn · 08-02-2006, 01:46 PM

The "official HTF" definition of this forum:

Movies
Ultimately, we are all here because of our love of cinema--from the timeless classics of yesteryear to the blockbusters and independent productions of today. Post all cinema-related comments here, along with film reviews and discussions about awards shows. Here, too, is where you can talk about your favorite directors, cinematographers, and writers. If it's about film, it can be found in this forum. Once again, if you include links in your posts, please explain their relevance. Thank you. underline mine

Simon Massey · 08-02-2006, 01:46 PM

Presumably these same people boycott Polanski's films and Victor Salva's films (Jeepers Creepers) who in my mind committed far greater crimes than Gibson did here.

TravisR · 08-02-2006, 01:48 PM

Beyond that this has nothing to do with movies, isn't this more or less the same thread that got closed before? Obviously the same thing is going to happen to this one too.