Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to The New Coffee Room. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 7
Mel Gibson apologizes directly to Jews; ...asks for more than forgiveness.
Topic Started: Aug 1 2006, 07:27 AM (2,157 Views)
The 89th Key
Member Avatar

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.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Nobody's Sock
Member Avatar
Fulla-Carp
August 2nd?

Is he going on some Jewish calendar or something?


:blink:
"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ny1911
Member Avatar
Senior Carp
I believe this to be damage control.
So live your life and live it well.
There's not much left of me to tell.
I just got back up each time I fell.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
The 89th Key
Member Avatar

I hold nothing, absolutely nothing against the guy. He has completely earned back any respect I may have lost for him.

If any one of my friends went into a negative and offensive drunken tirade about something one night, and then sooner after apologized repeatedly and worked to reconcile the source or problems that may have been related to it - will ALWAYS earn my respect back. (Unless of course such an offense is later repeated again and again.)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
John D'Oh
Member Avatar
MAMIL
ny1911
Aug 1 2006, 11:30 AM
I believe this to be damage control.

It might be, but maybe he should be given the benefit of the doubt?
What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Mikhailoh
Member Avatar
If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Well sure it is. Not bad, either.

He is publicly taking full responsibility. There is no waffling there whatsoever.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
DivaDeb
HOLY CARP!!!
Of course it's damage control. It's also exactly the correct action to take. Bottom line, *no* words, *no* apology in this life has any inherent meaning, no matter how heartfelt or well-chosen the words may be. The only proof of contrition is in personal change demonstrated by future attitudes and actions. Because Gibson is famous, we'll almost certainly be witnesses to those attitudes and actions.



Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Mikhailoh
Member Avatar
If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Of course I didn't respect him all that much before this either.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
John Jacob Jingoism Smith
Member Avatar
Middle Aged Carp
I think there's no doubt there are publicists involved and at a certain level it is indeed 'damage control'. But I also think there is a lot of potential for Gibson to change his heart and a lot of ultimate good to come out of this.
Jingoism

You can safely assume that you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.
Anne Lamott
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Nina
Senior Carp
Let's hope that Gibson can inspire others to a more tolerant and less bigoted view. Also perhaps inspire others to sobriety.

I have no complaints about this apology, personally. Let's give him a shot at being true to his words here.

As for August 2nd, maybe he's using the Australian calendar? ;)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Nobody's Sock
Member Avatar
Fulla-Carp
Let's face it though, the man said what he meant.

He's a bigshot actor/director/producer who has to deal with the Hollywood "barge", which is Jewish.

I'm sure on more than one occasion, they've pulled the rug out from under him and thus the animosity.

To hell with freeing Palestine, Free Hollywood!! :silly:
"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ny1911
Member Avatar
Senior Carp
Let's not forget that he blew a 0.12, not a 0.24. That isn't typically a level that I would associate with a "drunken tirade". I'm sure the alcohol added to some some of his attitude, and I am willing to give him the opportunity to regain some credibility.

I'm sure he regrets the situation and believes it is in contrast to his true beliefs. But explaining to the public his intentions is to heal is meant to preserve his public image.
So live your life and live it well.
There's not much left of me to tell.
I just got back up each time I fell.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Rick Zimmer
Member Avatar
Fulla-Carp
Wow!

He got to step 9 of the 12 steps REALLY fast!
[size=4]Violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul -- Benedict XVI[/size]
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dave Spelvin
Member Avatar
Fulla-Carp
Quote:
 
He's a bigshot actor/director/producer who has to deal with the Hollywood "barge", which is Jewish.


Again with the conspiracy theories. You believe that he has suffered unduly in Hollywood because it's "controlled" by Jews? Hasn't made enough money? Hasn't had sufficient career opportunities? Ridiculous. Any trouble he may have had along the way is in the nature of the business, which is attributable to millions of creative and not-so-creative people desperate for a break and once they get a break to sustain a career. Why doesn't he blame homosexuals instead, who make up a significant portion of the creative community. Oh, I guess he blames them as well, doesn't he. A real class act.
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
justme
Member Avatar
HOLY CARP!!!
John Jacob Jingoism Smith
Aug 1 2006, 11:38 AM
I think there's no doubt there are publicists involved and at a certain level it is indeed 'damage control'. But I also think there is a lot of potential for Gibson to change his heart and a lot of ultimate good to come out of this.

well said. I agree.

It's not easy to shrug off views that were instilled in one as a child. I still have some of my prejudices no matter how hard I try to change.
"Men sway more towards hussies." G-D3
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dewey
Member Avatar
HOLY CARP!!!
I can't imagine anyone expecting any more of him than what he's said, and what actions he's proposed, in this statement. People should graciously accept his apology and look to his follow up actions. Any one of us could find himself in the same boat, if not over anti-Semitism, then over some other deeply embedded bigotry, so I'll grant him the same forgiveness that I'd hope for if it were me in the hotseat. While I'm sure there were PR people involved in the statement's crafting, it was still the right, and classy thing to do, to accept the guilt, apologize, and ask for reconciliation.
"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685.

"Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous

"Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011

I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ivorythumper
Member Avatar
I am so adjective that I verb nouns!
No one here has the god's eye view into Gibson's heart to know if this statement was done for damage control or out of true remorse.

Your respective responses seem to say more about your own character than Gibson's.
The dogma lives loudly within me.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dewey
Member Avatar
HOLY CARP!!!
A Universal Truth:


"Your respective responses seem to say more about your own character than (fill in the blank). "


^_^
"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685.

"Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous

"Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011

I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Mikhailoh
Member Avatar
If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
The apology is everything an apology should be.. direct and unwavering in who is blamed for the mistake - the one apologizing.

How many times has someone apologized to you and then went about telling you how it was really your fault anyway? Plenty. There is none of that here.

Is it damage control? Sure it is. But what else could you ask of the man? He should be taken at his word but observed to see if he follows through with the actions. It is no less than any of us would deserve.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Aqua Letifer
Member Avatar
ZOOOOOM!
Quote:
 
Any one of us could find himself in the same boat, if not over anti-Semitism, then over some other deeply embedded bigotry, so I'll grant him the same forgiveness that I'd hope for if it were me in the hotseat.


That's quite true. I've been pretty good with not bringing up my hatred and bigotry for zombies in here, but crap if I just can't stand the whole lot of them. My dad hates werewolves, so maybe there's a connection there.

In all seriousness, I'm not too incredibly concerned with what he said. He seems like a fair enough guy. Besides, if one really wanted to follow this story, his future actions will speak for his sincerity, even if his words are questionable.
I cite irreconcilable differences.
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ny1911
Member Avatar
Senior Carp
ivorythumper
Aug 1 2006, 09:01 AM
No one here has the god's eye view into Gibson's heart to know if this statement was done for damage control or out of true remorse.

Your respective responses seem to say more about your own character than Gibson's.

I don't think that is an entirely fair. Are you suggesting that one's opining that Gibson's apology might be motivated at least in part by a desire to preserve his reputation is of lower character than making those statements in the first place?

Damage control and true remorse are not mutually exclusive.
So live your life and live it well.
There's not much left of me to tell.
I just got back up each time I fell.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
John D'Oh
Member Avatar
MAMIL
Dewey
Aug 1 2006, 01:04 PM
A Universal Truth:


"Your respective responses seem to say more about your own character than (fill in the blank). "


^_^

How unfair! My response didn't contain a single reference to women's breasts.
What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ivorythumper
Member Avatar
I am so adjective that I verb nouns!
ny1911
Aug 1 2006, 10:13 AM
ivorythumper
Aug 1 2006, 09:01 AM
No one here has the god's eye view into Gibson's heart to know if this statement was done for damage control or out of true remorse. 

Your respective responses seem to say more about your own character than Gibson's.

I don't think that is an entirely fair. Are you suggesting that one's opining that Gibson's apology might be motivated at least in part by a desire to preserve his reputation is of lower character than making those statements in the first place?

Damage control and true remorse are not mutually exclusive.

The point is that neither you nor I know the heart of another -- heck, we often don't know our own hearts. He stepped up and apologized in clear and reasonable terms. We should extend the same courtesy to him that we would want for ourself.
The dogma lives loudly within me.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dave Spelvin
Member Avatar
Fulla-Carp
Quote:
 
I can't imagine anyone expecting any more of him than what he's said...

I agree with you, but what he says now (after consultation with his priest, press agent and conscience) is less important to me than what he said before. Can someone be forgiven? Of course. But he can't unring the bell so easily, in my opinion. Which is the true Mel: the guy who made outrageous statements after a couple of drinks, or the guy who assures us he isn't an antisemite/bigot? Either way, I'm grateful that his idiocy came to light and that the media reported it, even if the police department tried to cover it up (as seems to be the case).
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ny1911
Member Avatar
Senior Carp
After stewing a bit...I believe that his statements are an artifact of what he was exposed to and how he was raised. I see this in a lot of people. They battle with what they know is right and what is often spoken off-hand or without control. I also believe that he feels terrible about what he has said and has taken it as a wake-up that he needs to get is arms around these embedded feelings.

I didn't mean to suggest that his motivation was anything other than to demonstrate his remorse and acceptance of his actions. In some sense, his actions can have a profound effect on others involved with his films. His upcoming film I understand is comprised of unknown actors. Damage control need not be selfish in nature, though it might have carried a more negative tone than I intended.
:leaving:
So live your life and live it well.
There's not much left of me to tell.
I just got back up each time I fell.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Enjoy forums? Start your own community for free.
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · The New Coffee Room · Next Topic »
Add Reply
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 7