Gibson's Tough Situation

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Hard-nosed assessments of Mel Gibson's compromised reputation by (a) Endeavor agent Ari Emanuel, (b) L.A. Times guys Robert Welkos and John Horn, (c) Variety's Gabriel Snyder, and (d) the Hollywood Reporter's Anne Thompson. Plus two stories about this -- the list is getting longer by the minute -- by USA Today's Anthony Breznican.

The judgment is basically that Gibson's Apocalypto (Disney, 12.8) is over as an Oscar contender -- when Gibson campaigns he'll be asked over and over about the anti-Semitic remarks and not the film, etc. -- and that he has major career-repair work in front of him, to say the least. There's even some rumbling about Disney possibly wanting to bail on its Apocalypto distribution deal. Seems doubtful. Who wouldn't want to see it now? Out of major curiosity if nothing else?

I get all this and the people who are saying Apocalypto is toast as an awards contender probably aren't wrong, but one question: what if turns out to be an exceptionally good and profound film? There are indications it may not be. (MCN's David Poland, who has long criticized journos and columnists for making negative assumptions about movies that haven't been seen and/or have had their release dates delayed, told Breznican "It could be bad enough that the movie has to be pushed [to a different date].") But what if the indications are wrong and it turns out to be something out-of-the-park special? No matter, apparently. Gibson's name is mud and that's pretty much it. For now.

comment #1

MAGGA says ...

Only read the first two articles and got furious. Yes, Gibson behaved like an idiot, the statements are horrid, and as a celebrity he has to accept our hunger for high-school gossip porn, but the stories show symptoms of something much scarier than one mans opinions. Disney has already dropped a project before due to its having an actual opinion (Farenheit) and now they may do so again due to events that are hopefully not evident in the film itself. And people are discussing whether or not Disney will let Gibson complete the editing of the film. Insane! If the films content is deemed racist or offensive on its own term, then these questions are relevant, but until then we can chalk this up as another symptom of corporations being the new police.

comment #2

says ...

In Gibsons tirade replace every instance of "jew" with muslim. Why is that more socially acceptable?

comment #3

ButterPecan says ...

So, which race is trendy to slur right now?

Muslim terrorists? British bad guys with "superior" accents? Cuban drug lords? White trash, southern good-ol-boy Nascar drivers? Fabulous, gay fashion designers?

What other stereotypes have been recently greenlighted by "Hollywood Power Jews"?

comment #4

gh says ...

Ari Emanuel calling for a boycott is laughable. If they are gonna stop working with people based on questionable ethics and values the whole town would shut down.

Attacking Gibson for a drunken slur is political correctness at it's most absurd. All these assholes should get off their high horses and let it go.

comment #5

Steven Spielberg says ...

I will not cast Mel in "Munich 2: Revenge of the Jew."

comment #6

Christian Milk says ...

Do you know what gets me? Is that no one cared that he was a homophobe.But when it comes to anti-semitic comments,a firestorm is created.Sorry,but this really gets to me.

comment #7

Mike Gebert says ...

What gets me is that, let's face it, all of this is about as big a surprise as the shocking news that Tom Cruise is a domineering control freak toward his timid girly wife. No, really? Mr. You're not allowed to look at me on the set Scientologist wants to call all the shots at home, too? Mr. Dad's a Holocaust denier very old school Catholic Jesus movie maker homophobe is an anti-semite, too?

The oldest story in Hollywood, going back to Wallace Reid's morphine addiction in the 20s, is that Hollywood will turn a blind eye to anything which is perfectly obvious and in its face, even facilitate it, until the moment that it becomes impossible to deny publicly. If you didn't like Gibson's anti-semitism, somehow I bet you knew about it before this weekend, but you made Lethal Weapon 3 and What Women Want and The Patriot and every other damn thing because the money was rolling in. Now only the possibility that the money might stop (and frankly I doubt this incident will matter that much if the movie's any good) makes Hollywood decide that it suddenly has ethics and a conscience. Well, if you wait till it's convenient to have ethics, you don't have ethics, so quit pretending.

comment #8

MagillaOrangutang says ...

Im sure his homophobia doesnt win him any friends in Hollywood either. Man, he's really in hot water with gay jews!

comment #9

Thung says ...

Mike, the point is Mel fought for and got a pass. At best, you say that even a bigot can fool himself sometime:

"You could write off the anti-Semitism in 'Passion of the Christ' by virtue of Gibson's religious fervor," film critic John Anderson said. "But this is more about hate speech than something rooted in religious belief. Any benefit of the doubt people gave him on 'Passion of the Christ' has been negated. How many people when they are drunk and angry start lashing out at the Jews?"

From Anne Thompson's column
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/brief_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002914852

I know some poster on this site is going to say, "me and all my friends do that even when we're not drunk."

comment #10

Ironic, huh? says ...

Whose reputation is worse now? Mel Gibson's or Israel's?

comment #11

Duck of Death says ...

So they same people who would not vote for or even watch Brokeback Mountain because the hate gay people, will now not vote for or even watch Apocalypto because Gibson hates jews? Priceless.

comment #12

nola says ...

I think Ari calling for the town to shun Mel is hilarious. It shows again how out of touch we are in this town. a convicted child molester is given a sympathetic article in the press and studios are still hiring him. A hard core porn director can go on to direct music video and features. Let's not forget Hollywood forgiving a man who raped a 14 year then fled the country instead of taking responsiblity for his actions. Or the studio head who was forging checks but the actor he stole from was the one who blacklisted. But we are supposed to shun Mel over a comment?

This is about the Passion. the powers in Hollywood were already shunning mel over that movie anyway. plus it made a ton of money so it pissed them off even more.

The idea the most racist, sexist, ageist industry I have ever worked in is going to shun Mel is a joke. pot calling kettle. if mel was 15 years younger and still had his full head of hair they would still be paying him millions for Lethal weapon 20.

What Ari needs to do is talk to his congressman brother about what is going on in Lebanon. What is going on there is more damaging than any rants of a drunk at 2:30 in the morning.

comment #13

Mike Gebert says ...

Nola, how would a congressman from Illinois get Hezbollah to disarm according to the UN resolution? I agree that their constant rocket attacks on Israel and use of civilians as shields are terribly damaging, I just don't get why you think a congressman can do anything about it that the Israeli military isn't already doing.

comment #14

Nicol D says ...

"It could be bad enough that the movie has to be pushed [to a different date].")

I think what Poland was referring to here with the "It" was that the behavior is bad enough that the movie might have to be moved to another date.

I do not think he was trying to comment on the quality of the movie.

I always thought the move of Apocalypto to the awards season was a sign of confidence although I never thought that awards were in the cards.

What Gibson did was horrible, no doubt about it but two things bother me:

1. The notion that he should never be forgiven (ie. Ari Emmanuel). What? Spielberg can forgive the Munich terrorists but Mel should be boycotted forever and ever amen.

2. The notion that Hollywood has no problem forgiving everything else from Roman Poalanski's statuatory rape of a minor to Lee Tamohori's prostitution to Woody Allen's pecadillo's.

Ironically, and I am going out on a limb here, many film critics tend to like their top director's a bit eccentric or 'edgy'. Now that Apocalypto is definitely out of Awards contention, I wonder (assuming it is good) if it will become hip to kind of like it in critics circles.

A symbol of daring perhaps. Just a thought.

Mel no longer is seen as pious. Now he is back to being Mad Mel...out there...way out there.

Again, that does not excuse his behaviour, but after the next 6 months of everyone saying what a letch he is, come December, if the flick is good...it might be kinda hip to like what you know will never get nominated.

comment #15

Steve C. says ...

As Anderson so precisely put it:
"How many people when they are drunk and angry start lashing out at the Jews?"

Gibson tried to spin it that all the anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial was his papa's cup of tea, that the apple did not fall close to the tree back when he was pushing PASSION/CHRIST. All of which is starting to look like the usual mound of bullshit. I'm a firm believer in the adage "in vino veritas" - there is truth in wine.

My question to those who say that no matter what vile thing comes out of someone's mouth, that their art must be given its due. Is there a limit on this? One of the counter arguments is that by supporting the art, you are supporting the artist. What if the artist is quietly giving money to groups that push this agenda and probably worse?

Does this also carry over to actions you might find offensive? What if your ticket purchases are paying for junkets where the artist in question flies off to Southeast Asia for sex vacations with underaged prostitutes?

comment #16

Jennifer Borenstein says ...

There are more people who share Gibson's ideology than don't. If anything, this will boost his cred with all the Right-Wing Middle Class Rednecks.

And anyone who works in Hollywood should really take a moment and think about what they're saying when they categorically condemn Gibson. The people who work in Hollywood are just as racist as your average Mississippi Klansman. They wouldn't come within spitting distance of any black person who wasn't either an employee or a servant or a nanny.

My sister worked at William Morris as an assistant to Ames Cushing. The young male agents who worked there were during her stint in the early 90's indulged in behavior that would put anyone else in prison. Sexist, violent and sociopathic.

Notorious degenerate Don Simpson was not an anomaly. He was a role model. What Gibson said was ignorant and typical. But no one in Hollywood has the right to attack him until they clean up their own crap.

comment #17

says ...

"Notorious degenerate Don Simpson was not an anomaly. He was a role model."

Um, no.

comment #18

brouhaha says ...

Jennifer is right.

A lot of the people in Hollywood who like to defecate on Gibson or Hugh Grant or Marlon Brando ("the jews rule hollywood") or anyone involved in any un pc behaviour are themselves guilty of bigotry, sexism, profanity etc.

Ask people in the business about studio executives and agents and they'll tell you they talk in offensive terms, always using deragotary terms about women, jews, hispanics, etc

If you aint a left wing liberal Jew in Hollywood you are fucked career wise from the beginning even if you are a model of decorum and professionalism

comment #19

Aladdin Sane says ...

Gotta agree with Jennifer's last sentiment - while it doesn't excuse Gibson's sentiments, the whole high horse mentality doesn't really fly when it comes to the rest of Hollywood. Especially since many outside of the industry, for better or worse, thinks those Hollywood types are all about debauchery as it is.

comment #20

Dixon Steele says ...

Brouhaha,

Being a left wing liberal Jew has nothing to do with having a successful career in Hollywood. Ask Bruce Willis.

One more time, it's all about MAKING MONEY. Race & Religion have very little to do with it, folks, trust me. The only color Hollywood cares about is green.

How many Jewish-themed movies get made? Think hard...not a lot, in other words. But since so many Jews are in upper-level positions (which is true), why is this so?

Simple. There aren't enough ticket-buyers to support it. There's some, at an art-house level. But not a lot. If there were...

And that's the bottom line. It always is.

So it'll be very interesting to see how Mel Gibson's career plays out now. He seems to have transitioned already from sexy leading man to mogul/director.

Now let's see what happens next with Mad Mel.

comment #21

Nicol D says ...

Jennifer's post nailed it better than any I have seen.

It is one thing to condemn Mel, but when people start getting too high on the horse, backlash kicks in.

What happened to all of those people who thought Crash was so insightful? That's why I always thought the support of that movie was bullshit.

This is where Hollywood might actually burn itself.

Everyone knows the debauchery that is Hollywood. Yes, Don Simpson was worshipped.

If they hit out against Gibson too hard (and they will), the public will begin to have sympathy for him. Again, most people have some latent prejudice and bigotry of some demographic.

What Gibson said was horrible...but isn't Avi Emmanuel the basis for Ari Gold?

The stench of hypocrisy is starting to pile up high here.

comment #22

Jesse says ...

I don't know about anyone else, but I've said some pretty nasty shit when I've been drunk. I don't think we should excuse his comments by any means, but let's wait and see how he handles himself in the next couple of weeks.

comment #23

Daniel Zelter says ...

I doubt a movie about the Mayan civilization crashing and burning would have won an Oscar, anyway, regardless of whether or not Mel was drunk and verbally abusive, because: 1)The Academy doesn't care about colored people and 2) They already gave out awards for Braveheart. Anyway, I'm sure it could be good, but I don't really care, either way. It's not exactly my idea of a holiday film, and neither was New World.

But yeah, I agree with the double standards. Mel's no different from any other celebrity drunk driver around here; but knocking down one religious nut will serve to distract the movie-going public from
being aware of the other religious nuts(i.e. Scientologists) who are running the show. Still,
if you're going to lie on tv, you shouldn't get a free pass, just because you're not Clinton.

comment #24

insidah says ...

This is bad. I've often defended Mel Gibson because I thought the attacks on him were based on paranoia. Now I think I'll stop. But Ari Emmanuel is such a fucking jackass. And do you know how many Jews in Hollywood shit on Christians? I'm sure Ari has done the same. Hollywood is so stealthfully anti-Christian, you'd have to be brain dead not to notice. Hypocrisy is rampant in this town.

comment #25

sophocles says ...

Well that tears it.

I guess we can give up on Mel starring in LUCKY JEW.

comment #26

SugarTits McGee says ...

Everybody's acting like a bunch of asshole Republicans about this. If we are truly liberal minded people here in Hollywood, wouldn't we wait to hear this guy out? Don't we want to sit down and listen to Mr. Gibson and then try and change his opinions if they are indeed reflected in these awful comments?

As far as "in vino vertas" crap... so what your saying is that every dumb guy who gets drunk and cheats on his wife should wake up the next morning and get a divorce because he truly doesn't really want to be married? That the only time I can tell if I truly love or hate something is if I declare it drunkenly? Come on.

comment #27

M says ...

Gibson is a rare breed of man. He speaks his mind. Too bad our current society wants to abolish him for it. This isn't about sinning and purging ones soul but something much deeper. It's about character assassination. There a lot of people in Hollywood who want to see Mel Gibson destroyed. What's fascinating is that Hollywood is destroying itself. The new world of media isn't going to consist of Paramount, 20th Century Fox or Warner Bros. It's going to be independent producers like Mel Gibson.

comment #28

Marty Bowen says ...

Don Simpson was a vile human being. He used to pay women so that he could beat them up. If he had not been such a pig and died from over-consumption Hollywood would have handed him the Thalberg Award. Don't say he was an anomaly. There are a dozen Don Simpson's about to go eat lunch at the Grill as I type this. This town is a cesspool filled with human crap. Mel Gibson is a paranoid wino. So what? At least we know what he thinks. And if you heard some of the things educated men with high-powered Hollywood jobs said about African-Americans and Latinos it would make what Mel said seem like a compliment.

And another thing. You know who hates Jewish people more than anyone, including Mel? Other Jewish people. Especially the ones who work in Hollywood. How long have they insisted, through movies and television shows and minstrel-like performaces, that Jews are all loud and nebbishy and weasley.

Guess what? Hollywood is not what you see on Entourage.

comment #29

Doug says ...

The issue is the comments, plus the Passion. If Gibson had made just those comments (and not the movie), he likely could damage control his way out of it. But on the heels of the Passion, he cannot.

Be more concerned about the people nodding their heads at what Gibson said, while also thinking "better you than me."

comment #30

APR says ...

What Gibson reportedly said is comepletely not cool, but I think the real story is "Why?". Why would you go on a anti-semetic rant while getting busted for a DUI? Even if you have those feelings, what causes you to start spewing them at a cop? Did the cop have a Star of David on his uniform or was he wearing a jarmulke? And he wasn't 'that' drunt. Heis BAC was 1.2 and that's not severly drunk. Those feelings must be pretty close to the surface to rise out of him so easily. But, the real offesive thing he said was calling the female officer at the station "Sugar Tits". What a trainwreck...

comment #31

Josh Mooney says ...

Well, there you have it, from "M," a Gibson supporter: "[Mel] speaks his mind." I couldn't agree more. The times I've talked to Gibson, I was quite certain that he believed everything he said. I've rarely, if ever, met a more confident man.

But I gotta ask "M" (by the way, is that your full name? I like to use my full name when speaking because I, too, tend to speak my mind, and would have it that others know whose mind it is that's speaking--chuckle-- That's just my silly way, I guess), don't you think it's a bit too early to conclude that "our current society wants to abolish" Gibson for saying what he really thinks? Okay, a couple of public people have called for a boycott, but a lengthy scan of the media tells me that it's running at least 60/40 in Mel's favor as of this afternoon. So, from my POV, there's hope for Mel. Unless I'm not getting what you mean by "our current society," which, let's face it, is a tad vague. And you say this society wants to "abolish" Gibson. Wow. That's heavy. Does our society really want to "erradicate" and "exterminate" Gibson? I'm not sure I agree with your police work there! But I may be missing something.

Tell me more about how Hollywood is destroying itself, and of the new world of media. You can't just tease us with grand themes and then leave us panting for more! At least direct me to your website. For I'm a man who knows that his education will never truly be over. Not in our current society.

comment #32

NYCBusybody says ...

I think the reason Mel's not getting as roasted as he should be right now is that there's a tremendous amount of latent anti-Semitism in this country, particularly in the left-wing press.

When Ted Danson jokingly put on blackface as a spoof on racist thoughts, even with girlfriend Whoopi Goldberg at his side, the media pilloried him. That was a huge brouhaha. So far, it almost seems like a lot of people in the press and at large are reporting and talking about this, but kinda secretly turning to themselves and going..."fuckin' Jews, eh?"

comment #33

Josh Mooney says ...

"And he wasn't 'that' drunt. Heis BAC was 1.2 and that's not severly drunk."

Hey, APR-- come ON, kid! I know drunk typing when I see it, believe me! Fess up: Yer doin' the Tequila Wobble right now! I'm only wishing you'd typed "thasss" for "that's". (For the record, homes, 1.2 is beyond drunk, it's dead.)

comment #34

AH says ...

It's all BS. I know Ari and I think what he said was stupid. It's just going to help people come around to actually liking Gibson for this which is fine. Ask yourself this though, if his tirade was about blacks or gays or women how loud would the uproar be? Maybe not in Hollywood but the country.

Apocolypto is going to bomb on it's own though. I've seen it. It's like having dental work, that's how entertaining it is. At least Mel has an excuse now. He can blame another bombing on the jews.

comment #35

APR says ...

opps! You got me Josh! .12 haha Yes, 1.2 you would be drowned in that vat of Tequilla. To reiterate (in a correct way) .12 isn't that drunk! And yes, I am round there myself right now!

comment #36

Dave Keller says ...

You realize that, if Mel Gibson were a liberal, everybody would be bending over backwards to save this guy's tail. After all the nonsense Robert Downey Jr. put everyone through, people are more than happy to kiss the guy's bottom.

comment #37

brouhaha says ...

Hollywood is not in a position to get all high and mighty about whats right or wrong - you guys are right - they are a cesspool built on money and self gratification.

They're sitting there right now watching babies and kids being dug out of rubble in Lebanon and saying "Israel has a right to defend itself" while thinking of the next epic war movie they wanna make with josh hartnett and jennifer garner - theyre all full of shit.

What Mel said was wrong and anti semitism is horrid, all bigotry is horrid - let me make that clear - but he probably it in the context of two things:

1. his being persecuted by the hollywood establishment during the 'passion' drama and still feeling bitter about it

2. lebanon, its civilians, infrastructure, aid convoys etc being bombed in the name of 'israel self defence'

im not excusing his behaviour but he was drunk and we all know or knew some drunks who said outrageous things. he apologized and i think his apology was sincere but if hollywood wants to do a witch hunt and boycott the guy then they will witness a backlash

comment #38

kadoogan says ...

Robert Downey, Jr. never blamed a single race of people for every armed conflict in the world. He just got confused as to what mansion he happened to live in.

comment #39

NYCBusybody says ...

Brouhaha,

Hezbollah are terrorists. They kill babies they don't like, because they aren't Muslim. They launch their weapons from within civilian neighborhoods purposefully so that Lebanese babies will be killed, so racists like you will support them.

I'm not a religious man, but I hope there is a special hell for anti-Semitic racists like you.

comment #40

Doug says ...

If Gibson is still bitter over being persecuted by Hollywood over the Passion, a movie he strongly believed in, and whose financial success freed him to make any other movie he wanted to in any way, well then, Mel has a tough time moving on.

I agree with the comment that what's most bizarre is the fact that a police stop brought about this kind of vitriol. As if anti-semitism is how he has to express any anger or frustration.

comment #41

says ...

All sides are wrong in this conflict NYCBusy. Hezbollah are scum firing into Israel and dragging Lebanon into this quagmire and Israel too has acted very violently bombing the shit out of the country and targeting bridges, infrastructure, convoys, etc - you know im right.

According to NYCbusybody anyone who disagrees with Israeli foreign policy is anti semitic - gimme a fucking break.

comment #42

brouhaha says ...

NYCbusybody, read my post carefully, there was no mention of Hezbollah - they are a terrorist group and represent a major threat to the region and the peace process.

Nevertheless, Israel's bombardment of Lebanon is *way* out of line. You might not give a shit watching footage of children being dragged out of the rubble, but the rest of the world is distressed by it.

All violence has to end. It's a vicious fucking circle and civilians end up paying the price.

comment #43

says ...

Why is Israel expected to go easy on countries who harbor terrorists, kidnap their soldiers, bomb them at will, and send suicide bombers into civilian areas on a regular basis. Israel is literally surrounded on all sides by blatantly anti-semitic regimes who have as their stated goal to wipe Israel and their people off the map. If you ask me they've put up with this kind of shit for long enough.

It's unfortunate that Hezbollah has chosen to hide behind civilians, and it's a tragedy that innocent people are dying. But really, how many times must Israel get hit before it is allowed to defend itself, its people and its right to exist?

As for Mel Gibson, until he comes out publicly and explains himself, I won't know what to think. His actions and comments were horrible, not to mention hightly disappointing.

comment #44

Ian says ...

brouhaha wrote:
What Mel said was wrong and anti semitism is horrid, all bigotry is horrid - let me make that clear - but he probably it in the context of two things:

1. his being persecuted by the hollywood establishment during the 'passion' drama and still feeling bitter about it

2. lebanon, its civilians, infrastructure, aid convoys etc being bombed in the name of 'israel self defence'"
***

Yes. That's clearly *exactly* what he was speaking in the context of.

He couldn't possibly just have been speaking in the "context" of being a drunk bigot.

comment #45

Josh Mooney says ...

Hey APR: Thanks for copping to your "sticky fingers" on the keyboard. Your honesty is refreshing. And you're quite right: .12 blood alcohol for a man Gibson's size is hardly "wasted." And yeah, alcohol effects different people differently, but here's a man who was an admitted alcoholic/drug addict for decades, during which he managed to forge a successful career. What's that mean? Obviously, it means he's not the kind of person so allergic to booze that he goes mad after four/five drinks and starts spouting stuff he "doesn't believe," that the Devil made him say. His "mea culpa" was an insult to anyone who knows anything about booze. In fact, Mel's blaming his current situation on being ripped-to-mindlessness on that ol' Demon Rum is so entirely antithetical to just about every aspect of the 12-step programs for overcoming addiction, which he has been exposed to before, that I have to assume he's not even close to recovery.

comment #46

says ...

Question: Was Mel's BAC taken from a breathalyzer or a blood test? If it were just a breathalzer, it wouldn't show what else was in his system. He might have had something else other than booze. Just a thought.

comment #47

Roger S. says ...

I'm not from Hollywood so I can criticize Gibson's statements without being accused of "hypocrisy." Mel was right; they were "despicable." He will be forgiven only when he fully admits to his history of bigotry. To date, he hasn't done that.

comment #48

Jesse says ...

Should every "bigot" in Hollywood do that, or just the ones who've been caught. Furthermore, who isn't a bigot in one way or another, honestly? Is it just the anti semitic bigots? What about the white hating bigots, do they get a free pass?

comment #49

bitchy gay guy says ...

Frankly, I don't understand why the Jews have a monopoly on power positions in Hollywood. Anytime a minority holds a majority of positions, something is not fair. Obviously, they're keeping it in the family. F*** that. I say more power to guys like Mel Gibson and anyone who can finance their own movies and challenge the bull shit status quo.

comment #50

APR says ...

I agree with the person who posted that there may be something else in his system. If the reported .12 bac is true (again, hardly 'wasted')you would think by the time they got him to the station he would have been slightly sobered up. Just the adrenaline of the incident and the amount of time from the stopping of the car, license inspection, field sobriety tests, insane remarks, placed into the squad car, ect would have sobered anyone up don't you think? Intesting...

comment #51

The King says ...

Jeff, what are these indications about Apocalypto? Pre-summer you were talking it up as a sure thing!

comment #52

LamontCranston says ...

"constant rocket attacks" -- Check the facts Jack. They didn't start up until just recently. Why? Well if we turn to that noted socialist mouth-piece The London Financial Times, Hizbullah has started up in an attempt at solidarity, opening a second front, reliving pressure, etc with the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip who have been facing extreme violence for some time*, certainly a gravely irresponsible [to put it mildly] action on their part since they either failed to consider the repercussions, or didn't care, it would have for the Lebanese population. That is if you think people are responsible for the predictable and anticipated responses to their actions anyway. But do try and consider why this has occurred.
[And don't give me any of that “drive them into the sea�, “finish what Hitler started� and so on BS, all the governments and majority of the groups there have for a long time now endorsed the rather practical and obvious plan of Israel pulling out of East Jerusalem, the Jordan Valley and everything behind the 'Security' Wall, removing the Settlements and so on and returning to the 1967 green-line border, also has wide international support, But with The Boss in Washington holding the veto in the UN the countless resolutions to follow through with this get consistently shot down.]

*The day before Islamic Jihad members in the Gaza Strip kidnapped that Israeli soldier, the IDF kidnapped two Palestinian brothers, this and undoubtedly the hundreds of others already snatched up by the IDF without charge was one of key motivating factors for JI. Again do try to consider why this has occurred, might want to also consider which is worse: kidnapping a solider or kidnapping civilians? [And if he's treated as a POW would that even be kidnapping?]

comment #53

gh says ...

anybody who quotes "in vino veritas" and or calls Gibson his father (acorns, apples and such), is a jackass.

comment #54

gh says ...

M and Marty Bowen -- well said. Both of you.

comment #55

says ...

"Frankly, I don't understand why the Jews have a monopoly on power positions in Hollywood. Anytime a minority holds a majority of positions, something is not fair. Obviously, they're keeping it in the family. F*** that." Posted by: bitchy gay guy at July 31, 2006 02:11 PM"

Hey, "bitchy gay guy" (love the tag, doll; very classy): The only thing your post indicates is that you have absolutely no comprehension of Hollywood history. At all. And by that I mean: Only someone with absolutely NO comprehension of the history of Hollywood AT ALL would ask the question you just asked! There are many, many books that would explain Hollywood to you, including a dozen great ones I could recommend which you could probably get used. But: Do you read, doll?

comment #56

The King says ...

The Acadamy has a history of refusing to recognise based on religious bias. Look at the treatment they have given Martin Scorcese over the years!

comment #57

zoey says ...

Dixon nailed it many posts ago... it's all about the money. ("It's not personal, Sonny. It's just business.") And when it comes to Hollywood, studios will work with despicable, racist, bigoted, and/or perverted people if there is money to be made. If there isn't money to be made... if audiences don't come ... then there's blood in the water and the whole town knows it. Calls aren't taken, in restaurants are booked solid, and agents back off - as close to a public stoning as Hollywood gets. Someone could take out an orphanage with an assault rifle, but if they have the next "Pirates," someone out there will take their calls.

comment #58

Mike Gebert says ...

LamontCranston,

Thanks, I had no idea that the murderous, Iran-backed terror gang Hezbollah was actually just a big fluffy bunny.

Back during the previous world war, Lenin had a phrase for folks like you: "useful idiots."

comment #59

says ...

Since we're talking about Israel, I'll ask again:

Why is Israel expected to go easy on countries who harbor terrorists, kidnap their soldiers, bomb them at will, and send suicide bombers into civilian areas on a regular basis. Israel is literally surrounded on all sides by blatantly anti-semitic regimes who have as their stated goal to wipe Israel and their people off the map. If you ask me they've put up with this kind of shit for long enough.

It's unfortunate that Hezbollah has chosen to hide behind civilians, and it's a tragedy that innocent people are dying. But really, how many times must Israel get hit before it is allowed to defend itself, its people and its right to exist?

comment #60

Irish says ...

Bitchy Gay Guy,
For decades, Jews couldn't get into any club in L.A. So they created their own. It's called Hollywood. Now it's the most exclusive club in town and everyone bitches about not being able to get in. See the irony. Here's the good news: You can knock on their door and if you're talented they'll let you in. If you're not talented, you don't get in. It's as simple as that. No doubt, you'll still blame the Jews for your lack of success but then, that's the excuse of every talentless fuck in L.A..

comment #61

Dixon Steele says ...

Well put, Irish.

Believe it or not, there was a time when Jews couldn't even get a job on Wall Street. That's how Goldman Sachs came about.

And in LA, Jews couldn't get admitted to a country club. Plenty of clubs in this country still won't admit them or blacks.

Hence the Hillcrest Country Club off Pico in West LA.

comment #62

Jeff B says ...

Hollywood !!!

Hollywood movies are generally meant for white people .... the movie industry was never meant for Latinos & Blacks nor Asians or any mixed race people and the funny thing about this is that the Jews helped support the racism in the film industry!!!

The film industry in Hollywood only sees white people....... until you have more ethnic movie producers.... that is what Hollywood will always be a Racist Haven for White Film and TV producers.

You have a few good Latino and Asian, Black actors in Hollywood. and hundreds that you don't ever see.... but Hollywood has pretty much filled there quota on Latino and Black, Asian actors and actresses ......no matter what they tell you or try to sell you...your eyes don't lie and neither does the camera...but white people do every day in this industry and they don't have to change there racist ways because they have the industry in the palm of there hands just like anything else in this country.

"Hollywood and the Movie and TV Industry belongs to "White People" and was never meant for anyone else....just like the clothes for "Tommy Hilfiger"...where never meant for "Blacks to Wear"

People of all ethnic backgrounds in this country are brain and whitewashed and the actors and actresses are too... they don't see the big picture!!!...the big picture is that the movie and TV Shows were meant to advertise White Men and White Women!!! and to glorify there image all over the world...and this is an inside thing.... something you will not read in a book or find anywhere else ....why do you think that most of all the casting calls are mainly cast by race and ethnicity?

Well .....take a strong look at how all the movies are being created to today when they have beautiful Latino or Black and Asian women in movies and TV and very few at that.. who are they coupled up with?....well lets see?...hum.. Ok "White Men" you will very rarely see it the other way around. The Movie and TV glorify White Men as the bread winners voted the worlds Sexiest and the Wittiest and Romantic Adventuress, Responsible and Caring.

And when they show a Latin and Black guy or Asian guys on TV ....well lets see?...he is Funny, Comical....A bad guy or a thug and just a Karate fighter and also as your Traditional Side Kick!!!.

If you think That ... I am full of crap and negative for stating all this... you just turn on your TV or just go to the movies and you tell me what you see....remember your eye's don't lie neither does the camera !!!

A solution to all this above? quit supporting there ratings and there movies and rental movies and just get regular basic cable and save your money instead of making these people "Become Richer" who don't want to see you on the TV succeed ... and when you hit white people in there pockets then you will see a change ...see Asians and Latinos and African Americans and all other ethnic races of people you have the power ...it is at your finger tips to a remote to your TV set you can make a difference.

If you don’t …it will get worse!!! Don’t Support there Ratings or Films “Hollywood Will Go Broke!!!”

Send this letter to Everybody you know and don’t know!!! Send it all over the world!!!

777

comment #63

outsider says ...

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