Gibson's new statement
Hollywood Reporter columnist Anne Thompson and RiskyBiz blogger once again runs a Mel Gibson statement ahead of everyone else. Gibson has stopped shot of agreeing to be lashed by rabbis in penance for his anti-Semitic remarks last weekend, as I half-seriously suggested he do yesterday, but he is saying, humbly, that he wants to sit down with Jewish community leaders and get his head straight.
"I'm not just asking for forgiveness," his new statement reads. "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." Earlier in the statement he says, "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 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." In Malibu, he surely means, as well as in northern Israel, southern Lebanon, Iraq and other places of agony in the Middle East.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on August 1, 2006 at 9:31 AM
comment #1
Me says ...
Well, even though it's a little too obviously aimed to downplay what everyone has been saying, it is nice to see a superstar deal with bad publicity in the correct way and not get all hostile and freaky (TomKat, I'm looking in your direction...)
Posted by Me at August 1, 2006 9:52 AM
comment #2
Mike Binder says ...
Good for him. C'mon, man, give the guy a break. He messed up, who hasn't? Hell I'm a big ass jew, I forgive him. I think people need to move on. BTW How happy are Tom Cruise and Lindsay Lohan for having someone else take the heat for awhile? Daniel Baldwin wasn't enough to deflect. All he did was get drunk and pulled over and claim that 'The Baldwins started every war there ever was'.
Posted by Mike Binder at August 1, 2006 9:55 AM
comment #3
Anonymous says ...
If it's good enough for the ADL, it's good enough for me...
ADL Welcomes Mel Gibson's Apology To The Jewish Community
New York, NY, August 1, 2006 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today accepted actor Mel Gibson's apology for anti-Semitic remarks he made during an arrest on suspicion of drunken driving.
Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:
This is the apology we had sought and requested. We are glad that Mel Gibson has finally owned up to the fact that he made anti-Semitic remarks, and his apology sounds sincere. We welcome his efforts to repair the damage he has caused, to reach out to the Jewish community, and to seek help.
Once he completes his rehabilitation for alcohol abuse, we will be ready and willing to help him with his second rehabilitation to combat this disease of prejudice.
Posted by Anonymous at August 1, 2006 10:03 AM
comment #4
lesterg says ...
While I agree with him (particularly about Baldwin self-hatred), Binder is clearly hedging his bet now that he realizes Mel Gibson has become affordable overnight.
Can you take advantage of these fire sale prices and fit him into whatever you're doing after "Reign O'er Me"?
Posted by lesterg at August 1, 2006 10:15 AM
comment #5
mike Binder says ...
Sounds like a plan. (He still won't be cheap though)
Posted by mike Binder at August 1, 2006 10:18 AM
comment #6
Janet Smith says ...
I don't know what to think.Yes,I never liked Mr.Gibson ,mostly because of his raging homophobia.I would love him to use this attitude towards the gay community but because being homophobic is acceptable in our society because of religious beliefs and anti-semitic feelings is not,then it's just sad.
P.S:Mr.Binder,I just want to say that I loved your first feature film "The Sex Monster".It's such n underrated classic.
Posted by Janet Smith at August 1, 2006 10:18 AM
comment #7
Larry David says ...
He'd be cheaper than me.
Posted by Larry David at August 1, 2006 10:19 AM
comment #8
Anonymous says ...
It is interesting to view the reactions of Mel's publicity / management team with the advent of internet sites that basically give the public instant access to information. Would Mel be as apologetic if there was not TMZ.com?
I am not so sure....
Posted by Anonymous at August 1, 2006 10:31 AM
comment #9
Thick Lucious Mane says ...
Good for him. And even better for him, judging by his mugshot, he got some really good plugs as of late.
Posted by Thick Lucious Mane at August 1, 2006 10:36 AM
comment #10
NYCBusybody says ...
"Disease of prejudice"?
Christ/David, I hate politically correct phrases like that.
Posted by NYCBusybody at August 1, 2006 10:46 AM
comment #11
Nicol D says ...
I am glad they accepted.
But...
Gaia the Earth Goddess, I hate politically correct phrase like that also.
Makes it sound like they are going to attach electrodes to him or something.
Nevertheless, that would be preferable to the round of sensitivity/diversity type councillors Mel will have to meet with in the coming months.
By the time they're through with him, he'll probably want to star in a Broadway revival of La Cage aux Folles.
...might win an Oscar for it though.
Posted by Nicol D at August 1, 2006 10:52 AM
comment #12
Phil says ...
Well, of course he wouldn't be as apologetic if such things hadn't been discovered but they were, and when anger is brought upon someone after making a bad mistake or using bad judgement, the understanding of the act and its destructive nature becomes clear and upfront. As a result, his apology is worthy and the ADL for accepting it is as worthy.
Posted by Phil at August 1, 2006 11:19 AM
comment #13
Lisa says ...
Disease of prejudice? I hate that too. It cuts him too much slack, like it wasn't really his responsibilty - it was this disease (of prejudice) that made him do it.
Again, I feel this is only pr. He was forced into saying he had made anti-semitic remarks (in his first apology he apologised for saying despicable things)and now he's got to make some big grand gesture to make it look good. Wonder if he came up with that plan on his own. Doesn't anyone care that he's a homophobe who treats objects like women? To be honest with you all this story is some rich guy mouthing off. It must be silly season.
Posted by Lisa at August 1, 2006 11:43 AM
comment #14
Phil says ...
He apologized, and the apology was accepted by the ADL ... that's good enough for me.
Posted by Phil at August 1, 2006 12:38 PM
comment #15
Osama bin Laden says ...
Please forgive me, but I do not understand what all the fuss is about. Perhaps someone can explain it to me. Who did Mr. Gibson offend? in my part of the world his "ranting" is called teaching. tomato/tomato. oh well...
Posted by Osama bin Laden at August 1, 2006 5:38 PM
comment #16
mike Binder says ...
Posted by mike Binder at August 2, 2006 12:19 PM