Monday, July 31, 2006
Explaining Mel Gibson
I can't. What the heck was wrong with him? Like father, like son?
In vino veritas. Instead of an excuse, under Roman law, doing something while drunk was an intensifier as the Romans believed (correctly, I think) the central nervous depressant (alcohol) merely allowed one to do what one really wanted to do, which in Mel's case was spew anti-Semitic remarks. Those of us who defended him against charges of anti-Semitism in The Passion of the Christ, feel pretty much the fool now.
I'm still going to see Apocalypto; I'm a sucker for telling the truth about American Indian, pre-Columbian cannibalism.
And you have to admit that this statement is a real apology, not a pretend, Democrat style non-apology (as in I'm sorry you were so stupid as to be offended):
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. (Emphasis added).
As for me, I admire many Jews and like a lot of them. I think, like Sartre, the origin of anti-Semitism is jealousy. The closest I ever got to anti-Semitism is this statement: We don't reject the Jews so much as they reject us.
In vino veritas. Instead of an excuse, under Roman law, doing something while drunk was an intensifier as the Romans believed (correctly, I think) the central nervous depressant (alcohol) merely allowed one to do what one really wanted to do, which in Mel's case was spew anti-Semitic remarks. Those of us who defended him against charges of anti-Semitism in The Passion of the Christ, feel pretty much the fool now.
I'm still going to see Apocalypto; I'm a sucker for telling the truth about American Indian, pre-Columbian cannibalism.
And you have to admit that this statement is a real apology, not a pretend, Democrat style non-apology (as in I'm sorry you were so stupid as to be offended):
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. (Emphasis added).
As for me, I admire many Jews and like a lot of them. I think, like Sartre, the origin of anti-Semitism is jealousy. The closest I ever got to anti-Semitism is this statement: We don't reject the Jews so much as they reject us.
# posted by Roger Fraley @ 9:32 PM 
