Mel Gibson: Perspectives from a Jewish Fan

I think this is an adequate review of the events that occurred, from a non-bias perspective (AKA I'm not Jewish).

Gibson is a bigot- the truth comes out when you're drunk, and everyone knows it.

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Why is everyone acting as if this is some sort of surprise? Mel Gibson has shown through both word and action in the past that he is both an anti-semite and a homophobe.

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"And what can Gibson do now to repair his seriously damaged image?"

Make "Mad Max 4"? That'd be the only thing that would get me to pay for a Mel Gibson movie again.

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Being neither Jewish nor apt to go on drunken joyrides, this may not hit home as much for me as for others. Certainly he has made these statements at a really stupid time, coming relatively close on the heels of Passion. However, I've got to say, I think his apology was heartfelt ... if any of us had to have our drunken rages exposed to media attention, they might be just as unflattering and wrong; and he's not only taken responsibility for it, but is also trying his best to make amends. Is some of it PR? Of course. But what would you do in his shoes? You've just gotten drunk and said something incredibly stupid and offensive, and you're totally sorry about it. There's no way that you can prove that you didn't mean it. I think that if his true feelings were anti-Semitic, it would have come out in the film, anyway. Etc.

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This is nothing new for Mel Gibson. He has also voiced his distate for feminists and homosexuals in no uncertain terms. As always it seems to be the right wing religious zelots who are the first and loudest when it comes to spewing bigoted bile and Mr. Gibson is no exception. I put him and his films on the shelf several years ago because of this.

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Regardless of how offensive, unethical, immoral or wide of the mark Mel Gibson’s tirade may have been, one must remember that this type of behavior and/or verbal communication has sustained for centuries and will relent for centuries more. Why? Because every generation, in their native or inherited tongue, continues the measure of racism, bigotry, and intolerance. Think of how many times you have subtly or daringly thought a prejudice thought. Think of how many times you have spoken a prejudice word. Think of how many times you have tolerated the prejudice thoughts or actions of another? Chances are you can recall a few situations from each category. And so, the problem continues, because we either, provoke prejudice, practice prejudice or put up with prejudice. The problem begins with you and me. Prejudice will live for as long as we allow it to. Specifically dealing with Mel Gibson’s situation, there is only one reason as to why this minor occurrence has transformed into a massive media crisis and collective persecution: he’s famous. Ethnic groups and religious affiliates jump the gun and form harsh opinions and defenses to gain publicity; to draw attention to their own cause while the cameras catch them standing in the spot light. Jesus, a Jew, once spoke of throwing a stone only if you are one who has not or does not deserve a stone thrown at you for one incident that holds you under the third degree light. Mel Gibson is a good man, a family man, and if you have never thought, spoke or acted out a prejudice or racist idea, then step up to the stand and take your shots. If not, start persecuting yourself.

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Great observation Mr Weinberg...Right now I think Mel should just concentrate on dealing with his disease of alcoholism...then explore his haterd, never mind his career. As a Christian I am embarrassed that a so called man of God can be filled with such venom and hatred.

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As an alcoholic, Mel Gibson is already battling a disease which has self deception as one of its key components. While he may have bigoted tendences within his being, he says he is reaching out to discover why he feels this way and to heal. That is a big deal. He is obviously doing the AA thing... making amends and admitting the problem. That is the first step towards changing.

And let's face it, if the guy had no hidden bigotry, that would be a shock. Why? Well... his dad is loopy. His dad has been spewing out Jew hatred to him since he was a little kid... and he loves his dad... so who wants to believe their dad's wrong? No son does. They want to believe their dad is good.

Even if Mel ultimately sees that his dad's views are wrong, it would not be surprising to see him have to struggle to get that poison out of his system. It's called indoctrination.

If a parent grills something in your head all your life, even if you don't like it, you will struggle to get free of it later on. That's what's happening here. Does Mel have some personal battles to deal with? Yep. Can it be dealt with? Yep. He is reaching out to the Jewish community and they are responding... this could be a momentous thing. The healing of a man who was raised to be a bigot and, ultimately, setting an example for others to follow... proving that bigotry can be overcome.

Don't count Mel out yet. He's got some pretty big personal demons to wrestle with, but this whole event, later on, in retrospect, may be the best thing that ever happened to him. He's a passionate guy when he believes something... so when he comes out of bigotry... how loud will he scream against it after he has been healed?

Take heart, my Jewish friends, whom I respect more than I can say. Anti-semitism is a blight and an evil plague on society. If Mel and the Jewish community truly confer, and Mel responds and receives healing from his bigotry... that will ultimately be positive. I know it looks bad, but I believe this can be turned around to show how racism can be defeated.

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"Let He Who Is Without Sin Cast The First Stone."

So Scott, are you telling me that you've never gotten drunk and said something or done something towards someone or a group of someones that you truly, sincerely regretted and repeatedly apologized for afterwards?

We all do and say stupid things while sober, while drunk, while high, etc, etc. We've all felt stupid, embaressed, and ashamed for doing so and we've apologized for our actions.

Mel apologized for what he said and did. He got drunk, he then got behind the wheel of a car, and he said a couple of stupid things to the officer that pulled him over. He apologized for it a couple of times. Like the good people that we are (let's forgive and forget), let's accept his apology and leave the guy alone.

But Scott, I feel that you and many others are placing yourselves are some moral high horse here. "We should boycott Mel Gibson!!!" seems to be the rallying cry of quite a few (many of whom appear to be Jewish); many of whom appear to be acting like they've never screwed up before in front of anyone and sincerely and repeatedly apologized for their screwup. Many of them act like they're the center of the moral compass and we all need to follow them.

Mel knows he screwed up on a few counts. He checked himself into an AA clinic, and I'm sure he's going to do his best to smooth over relations with both Jewish groups and the LA County Sheriff's Dept. And that's a hell of a lot more than many of us would or could do that get pulled over and do what he did. And even the cops admitted that Mel acted no different then any of the other drunks that they've pulled over and delt with.

I've done and said many a stupid things in my life. I've apologized for them, I've been forgiven, and I've moved on. I've also forgiven those that have wronged me, an apolgy, a handshake and a hug and all is forgiven. We move on.

Apparently, you and many Jewish groups won't do the same for Mel, and that's just sad.

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This type of behaviour is nothing new for Mel Gibson. He has offered similar tirades against feminists and homosexuals in the past. I put him and his career on the shelf a couple of years ago because of his typical bigoted religious right remarks and attitudes. He can rot in his own perverbial hell before I shell out any money for his movies or DVDs.

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The problem is, Mel is different than every other drunk they pull over. He is a mega-star, and ultimately, someone who is in the public-eye, and even a role model. I think Mack's point is the exact reverse of the point that is being made. Mack is saying, forgive and forget, but if Gibson were not a star, would you care, or say the same? Unfortunately, apologies are NOT enough. It is a nice sentiment, but it only goes so far. Well all know, actions speak louder than words. Someone does not reform overnight, so I sincerely doubt Gibson's true feelings are any different today than they were on that druken evening. I have to admit, I've been bombed. Quite often. And never once have I offended any race, creed, color or religion in any of my drunkeness. Why? Because it is not in my heart when I am sober, so it is not there when I am drunk.

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I find it hard to believe how thinned skinned people have turned out to be. So you're a Jew and you feel hurt by his comment? Awww, well, historically speaking he would in many ways be right. His manner of expression leaves much to be desired for. So what! Jews have stirred a few wars in our history. So have Christians. Religion in general has been the source of more atrocities than I care to pause and ponder about at the moment.

Grow up people. Lost a Hollywood childhood hero because of his comments? Gibson clearly has a thing against Jews. If his comments hurt, try turning on South Park and watching Christ run around like some escapee from a mental institution. The whole, "I'm a Jew and will hate Mel forever because of what he said." is just so childish.

The truth of the matter is that despite their own problems Jews have had more than enough occasions to inspire a bit of hatred through out history. Dear Lord, look at David for God's sake. The man was an back stabbing lying wife stealer and hailed as one of the greatest Kings of the OT. (Revered by both Jews and Christians)

My point is it isn't Jew vs Christian vs Muslim. Our ancestors have repeatedly out performed themselves when it comes to out doing one another's heinous crimes. Mel unfortunately seems to be afflicted with an ailment far too common with most of mankind -- he is living in the past. We should all do an about face, look forward, and live with out eyes and hearts set on the future. Let past transgressions lay in the past, learn from them, value them as lessons we needed to learn - not as objects to be reviled - and move forward as a race not a religious sect.

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I can see how so many people are offended but I just don't understand to want to destroy a man's carrer for something he said while drunk. Everyone has a right to ignore movies from people they find odious or talentless or boring but the call for Gibson to be ostracized and blacklisted in Hollywood is beyond anything I've seen.

I can also see how Gibson's esperience could lead him to lash out at people he has come to associate as his tormentors. Allow me to retell my version of his story as best as I know even if I don't know all of the details and knowing that so many others will disagree.

His father raised him with hate for the very same people that have a well known and, in some circles controversial, outsized represenatation in the very industry he has picked as a career. So Gibson pays no mind to his dad's rantings and goes to work. His religious values lead him to finance, produce and direct an old time religious epic. Surprisingly, before the film is even released he is accosted on all sides by very vocal represenatives of the very pepole his father warned him about. These critics were vehement in their desire for Gibson to fail miserably in his artistic and business venture. Some were also personally vicious towards Gibson himself. The stress must have been tremendous. For an alcholic with so many personal crisis he definetely must have come to see jews as his personal tormentors.

If Gibson admits to himself that he is sick and needs help I'm fine with that. However, I know that there are others out there who don't want him to get better and couldn't care less about understanding his problems. They have characterized him as the enemy and someone to be crushed. That, I'm not fine with.

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I think a Supreme Court decision was made that this reflects. If an officer saw something as he went by, he was within rights to search a stopped vehicle on the side of the road. I can't see how a traffic stop can become such fodder without suspecting other motives, besides Gibson's whose father "Won at Jeopardy" packed up the family and moved from my great State of New York to Australia, like my ex-girlfriend who ran off with her HS English teacher on his 2 year TV drama contract in OZ. With the current situation in Mexico and his film about Mexico due from Disney (once AWOL himself in NYC missed the ferry run by Steamboat Willie to Governors Island the story goes, where he did time) I'd be surprised if it hadn't happened!

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People need to stop giving actors a microphone and press outside of movie making. When you get to see what idiots they really are, it kind of ruins the magic of movies. Now when I re-watch Lethal Weapon, Braveheart or The Patriot (all of which are favorites of mine) I hope I can distingish the hero from the drunken bigot.

PS: Most Christians (myself included) attempt to live life throught the teachings provided through our savior and love everyone. EVERYONE. Please don't judge us all by what a few bad eggs might say.

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"Luke, I am your Fatha"

1. He was raised by someone that hated Jews.

2. He was drunk.

3. I can't even remember the crap I've said when drunk.

4. Jews (and Gentiles): Don't crucify him.

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I don't see the overlap between Mel Gibson's art and his personal morality. Those that do, remind me that Ingrid Bergman was shunned in the US because of her personal life. She went to Europe to practice her craft. Our loss, their gain.

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This is nothing new for Mel Gibson. He has also voiced his distate
for feminists and homosexuals in no uncertain terms. As always it
seems to be the right wing religious zelots who are the first and
loudest when it comes to spewing bigoted bile and Mr. Gibson is no
exception. I put him and his films on the shelf several years ago
because of this.

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After reading many of the comments on this board I am amazed at all the piling on. The guy screwed up and everyone knows it. Prejudice is in all of us..... like it or not...whether because someone looks different, speaks different, disagrees with your views, color, race, religion, politics .... and I could go on for ever. It is human and we are all guilty of it....so let's chill. He was wrogn and clearly admitted it......what should the punishment be!

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now does anyone know what he actually say, ive read so far that he made ant-semitic statements. But what were the words that supposidly came out of his mouth?

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