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July 29, 2006
Gibson in trouble?
As you might know, Mel Gibson was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving yesterday. A website claims today that Gibson, upon his arrest went into a profane, belligerent tirade laced with slurs about Jews. The site reproduces what is purported to be pages from a supressed police report. Set up? Made up? Messed up? Who knows...
A bit more from the NYDaily News, in which various reps will neither confirm or deny things.
Gibson has issued a statement:
“After drinking alcohol on Thursday night, I did a number of things that were very wrong and for which I am ashamed. I drove a car when I should not have, and was stopped by the LA County Sheriffs. The arresting officer was just doing his job and I feel fortunate that I was apprehended before I caused injury to any other person. I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested, and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable. I am deeply ashamed of everything I said. Also, I take this opportunity to apologize to the deputies involved for my belligerent behavior. They have always been there for me in my community and indeed probably saved me from myself. I disgraced myself and my family with my behavior and for that I am truly sorry. I have battled with the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse. I apologize for any behavior unbecoming of me in my inebriated state and have already taken necessary steps to ensure my return to health.”
Gibson became agitated after he was stopped on Pacific Coast Highway and told he was to be detained for drunk driving Friday morning in Malibu. The actor began swearing uncontrollably. Gibson repeatedly said, "My life is f****d." Law enforcement sources say the deputy, worried that Gibson might become violent, told the actor that he was supposed to cuff him but would not, as long as Gibson cooperated. As the two stood next to the hood of the patrol car, the deputy asked Gibson to get inside. Deputy Mee then walked over to the passenger door and opened it. The report says Gibson then said, "I'm not going to get in your car," and bolted to his car. The deputy quickly subdued Gibson, cuffed him and put him inside the patrol car.
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?"
Posted by Amy Welborn | Permalink
Comments
I read that a few minutes ago... I seriously doubt that he did something like that.. Im sure it's fabricated.. At least I hope it is..
It would be pretty out of character for him. Althought Pat Buchanan has been at it lately and considering that Gibson is a Rad Trad.. it scares me to think its possible..
OY VEY>>
Posted by: yvonne at Jul 29, 2006 9:05:09 AM
Out of character? I'm not saying Mel is obviously anti-Semitic, but the rage? Every time I see him in an interview he seems barely controlled, with eyes that are about to jump out of his head, manic...
Posted by: Matt at Jul 29, 2006 9:14:23 AM
Think I'll wait for confirmation on this one.
Posted by: Richard at Jul 29, 2006 9:23:35 AM
This is odd for you, Amy, to post unconfirmed and highly implausible allegations that only serve to damage someone and are transparently malicious.
It is preposterous that, without any provocation or cause, he would suddenly launch into the sorts of remarks the ADL could never find in a year of searching. Preposterous. And very nasty of you to publicize.
By the way, someone sitting near you in an airport recently says you were saying the same things and praising "the Protocols of the Elders of Zion" to the 2 men from a neo-Nazi group you were travelling with. Oh, you say it isn't so? Well, isn't an unnamed source a sufficiently legitimate basis to get a nasty rumor going?
Posted by: Disappointed at Jul 29, 2006 9:59:02 AM
If it's true I'm deeply saddened. I debated with many liberals insisting that Mel was not anti-Semitic even though his eccentric dad was for certain. Fortunately, this will give a black eye to radtradism and sedevacantism, but I'm certain that the average guy or gal in the street thinks he's a "Catholic", not understanding how schism deprives one of membership in the Church.
If this isn't true, it's certainly one of the most scurilous lies in many a moon - but I fear it is true.
Despite all this, the film needs to be evaluated as a work of art regardless of the character (or psychiatric issues?) of the director. I continue to believe that it's a moving icon that deserves recognition as a great work of art. But it's time to insist more than ever that private "revelations" of pious nuns (really personal meditations), whether unapproved (like the POEM OF THE GOD MAN) or approved (like Anne Catherine Emmerich's) must be acknowledged to have problematic features (like survivals of old-fashioned Christian anti-Semitism) as well as potential for nuturing piety.
We need to pray here for damage control AND for Mel, personally.
Score one for the progressive theologians who now will be doing the "I told you so" dance.
Posted by: Tom Haessler at Jul 29, 2006 10:05:13 AM
Althought Pat Buchanan has been at it lately
Support? Criticism of Israel's actions or advocacy that the U.S. not entangle itself are not anti-semitism.
Posted by: T. Chan at Jul 29, 2006 10:05:31 AM
I must agree with Matt. For some time his mental state has seemed like an overinflated balloon about to burst. Remember his interview with Diane Sawyer just before TPOTC came out? Lots of Christians of all stripes, Catholics included, cheered him for getting the Gospel out there on primetime TV. Me, I couldn't help but think: "He looks crazed."
This is one sad development if it turns out to be true. Enemies of the faith will surely use the anti-Semitic rants to discredit the movie and, with it, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Posted by: Yootikus at Jul 29, 2006 10:55:40 AM
It would be pretty out of character for him. Althought Pat Buchanan has been at it lately and considering that Gibson is a Rad Trad.. it scares me to think its possible...
Dear God, so now any fact-based criticism of the (secular state of) Israel and its actions is tantamount to "anti-semitism?" Has the neocon poison of Fox News and absurd pseudo-conservative publicantions like the Weekly Standard poisoned that many Catholic minds?
That said, the young lady's other point -- that Gibson is a "rad trad" i.e., an schismatic sedevecantist -- begs the issue that very few people in polite, orthodox Catholic circles have asked about his spin on the passion narrative in The Passion of the Christ. Personally, I found the film to be deeply depressing and Jansenistic.
Example: The Gospels tell us that an angel was sent to comfort Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. What do we get in Mel Gibson's version? No angels, and a nasty little blue devil.
Mel's undoubtedly a good guy at heart and a wonderful artist, but let's not be afraid to admit he's got his "issues." There but for the grace of God go I.
Posted by: anonymous at Jul 29, 2006 11:20:06 AM
Gee, thank goodness we have some wonderful "orthodox" "conservatives" on the posts reminding us how evil the "rad trads" are.
Ooooooooh, the RAD TRADS are coming!!!!!!!
What a fresh perspective on things.
Posted by: tim at Jul 29, 2006 11:31:50 AM
thanks for posting this, its too bad if this turns out to be true but I assume that Mel would get some help especially with the DUI. He has always struck as a very angry person.
Posted by: dh at Jul 29, 2006 11:33:59 AM
According to the LA County Sheriff's Department, Gibson was indeed arrested for DUI, at least two reputable newspapers have reported (San Jose Mercury News and Chicago Tribune). Neither report mentions the alleged slurs.
Regarding the slurs, I think it is fair to question whether a single report from a less than respected source merits a link -- I'm honestly not sure. But cheap shot insults from anonymous cowards are easy to assess.
Posted by: Mike Petrik at Jul 29, 2006 11:37:25 AM
It's true that sometimes "in vino veritas" and a person's true views come out when he is a drunken state. But let's wait for more evidence before we believe this.
Posted by: James Kabala at Jul 29, 2006 11:50:12 AM
Keeping it simple: confession and reparation changes everything.
Relient K: "The beauty of grace is that it makes life unfair."
Holy Mother help us all.
Posted by: Lily at Jul 29, 2006 11:54:08 AM
Hope it's not true. Fear that it is.
Some random thoughts...is it standard procedure to record every rant made by a drunk driver picked up on PCH? Surely the Malibu police have heard some real doozies, yet in this case every wild-eyed statement is recorded in detail and leaked to a gossip site. Makes one wonder about the cop who (purportedly heard it and) wrote it all down, and whether he had any opinions about Mel and his reputation beforehand. I'm sure there are plenty of people gunning for Mel who would be more than happy to take advantage of an opportunity to take him down (like this one presents).
Even if it's true that he said these things, someone who is self destructive enough to get drunk and drive might also be self destructive enough to say any manner of personally destructive things. Surely there are all kinds of subconscious motivations for statements uttered in drunken rants. A person has been accused of anti-Semitism, for example, in a self-destructive rage may utter such things...a self-fufilling prophecy?
Regardless, the TPOTC movie's content can and was evaluated on its own merits.
Sad, especially for Mel. He obviously has been fighting many demons (the personal kind) for a long time.
Posted by: corky at Jul 29, 2006 12:26:08 PM
I would think that with a belligerent gazillionaire who has an image to protect and the resources to see that things are taken care of, the arresting officer *absolutely would* write down every word in order to protect himself.
I would.
Posted by: Ted at Jul 29, 2006 12:44:55 PM
My only question is that it's on paper and not on a computer. I know that most police officers have laptop set ups on which they record their reports, even at the scene, now.
Posted by: Ted at Jul 29, 2006 12:45:50 PM
Anonymous,
I agree with you. I also found the Passion to be touched with Jansenism, and overly-influenced by a forsensic notion of vicarious atonement that is typically more associated with evangelicals than catholics (I assume that is why they liked it so much). I ascribed the flaws in the move to flaws in Gibon's theology.
I agree with Tom that there is no evidence that he shares his father's anti-semitism, but I think it's also clear that he is a schismatic-- Cardinal Mahony said clearly that his "church" in Santa Monica (or wherever) was not part of the archdiocese. And, to be honest, Gibson's temperament never really strikes me as Christian-- didn't he threaten to rip some critics body parts off at some point (can't remember the exact details)? I think Gibson derserves our sympathy. He clearly has issues. I pray that he will eventually find solace in the one true church, much as his fellow Australian Nicole Kidman is in the process of doing. But I wish Catholics (like William Donohue) would keep defending him so vigorously. He's not even Catholic!
Posted by: Morning's Minion at Jul 29, 2006 1:12:51 PM
I too hope it isn't true. Will wait for more information.
Posted by: Lynn at Jul 29, 2006 1:16:21 PM
That should read:
But I wish Catholics (like William Donohue) would NOT keep defending him so vigorously.
Sorry!
Posted by: Morning's Minion at Jul 29, 2006 1:34:43 PM
I hope Mel does get help with his drinking problem if this is true as reported. I remember watching his interview with Diane Sawyer and thinking how great it was that a famous Hollywood star was talking about the Gospel, but also how jumpy he was.
As to Pat Buchanan, I am tired of this Pat Buchanan is a neo Nazi anti Semite stuff. I am not aware of him talking about the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, saying Jews should be killed, Israel should be eliminated. Pat's problem is that way back in 1991, he called it on the unwarranted assumption of many in our media and goverment that the national interests of the US and Israel are joined at the hip and Israel can do no wrong at all. He was pretty prescient about the neocons and their real intentions. No, Pat is a non-interventionist or if you wish, an isolationist who wants to avoid entangling foreign alliances and wants us to mind our own business and stop trying to save the world. His commentary on the recent crisis seems to be critical of Israel's policy and at the same time, concerned that the course Israel has chosen was tried before in Lebanon and cannot work. However, he does not wish for Israel's destruction.
Pat does like the Latin Mass but attends an indult mass and has had nothing to do, AFAIK, with the radtrads or schismatics. This is probably what keeps him from falling into some of their errors, as it cannot be denied that many radtrads and schismatics not only do not approve of Israel's policies vis a vis the Palestinians, but actually hate Jews. I have never found anything that Pat has said or written that would support the idea that he is anti-Semitic. The things he says about Israel's policy can be found everyday on the pages of the Israeli opposition paper Ha'aretz.
Posted by: Marty at Jul 29, 2006 1:38:45 PM
I hope Mel does get help with his drinking problem if this is true as reported. I remember watching his interview with Diane Sawyer and thinking how great it was that a famous Hollywood star was talking about the Gospel, but also how jumpy he was.
As to Pat Buchanan, I am tired of this Pat Buchanan is a neo Nazi anti Semite stuff. I am not aware of him talking about the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, saying Jews should be killed, Israel should be eliminated. Pat's problem is that way back in 1991, he called it on the unwarranted assumption of many in our media and goverment that the national interests of the US and Israel are joined at the hip and Israel can do no wrong at all. He was pretty prescient about the neocons and their real intentions. No, Pat is a non-interventionist or if you wish, an isolationist who wants to avoid entangling foreign alliances and wants us to mind our own business and stop trying to save the world. His commentary on the recent crisis seems to be critical of Israel's policy and at the same time, concerned that the course Israel has chosen was tried before in Lebanon and cannot work. However, he does not wish for Israel's destruction.
Pat does like the Latin Mass but attends an indult mass and has had nothing to do, AFAIK, with the radtrads or schismatics. This is probably what keeps him from falling into some of their errors, as it cannot be denied that many radtrads and schismatics not only do not approve of Israel's policies vis a vis the Palestinians, but actually hate Jews. I have never found anything that Pat has said or written that would support the idea that he is anti-Semitic. The things he says about Israel's policy can be found everyday on the pages of the Israeli opposition paper Ha'aretz.
Posted by: Marty at Jul 29, 2006 1:39:40 PM
Whoops!!! Much apologies for the double post. Fingers got carried away!
Posted by: Marty at Jul 29, 2006 1:40:43 PM
Sad if true. Prayers going up for him and his family.
Posted by: Patricia Gonzalez at Jul 29, 2006 1:46:08 PM
It only takes a few frivolous allegations of anti-semitism to make one suspect it's in the same league as other frivolously-invoked bigotries used to distract and to silence one's opponents.
If this is another frivolous allegation, TMZ will have to answer for a lot. If not, Gibson's committed the unforgivable sin, and the reaction will only confirm him in his feelings of persecution.
Posted by: Kevin Jones at Jul 29, 2006 2:25:30 PM
The worst thing about this is, of course, that Gibson's soul is possibly in the grip of deep sins, but the second worst is that, if the accusations are true, the ADL and others who saw anti-Semitism in TPOTC will claim vindication, defenders of the movie will look like fools, and for the next decade or so at least, accusations of anti-Semitism will be taken more seriously, even if unjustified, because the accuser will be able to say, "We were right about Mel Gibson!"
Posted by: James Kabala at Jul 29, 2006 2:30:34 PM
