Mel Gibson And The Passion Of The Free Speech
We’ve run a couple of pointer posts here about the spectacle of actor Mel Gibson apparently issuing forth a series of antisemitic comments when he was arrested on a DUI in that wild town of Malibu. (Oh. Reports say Gibson told the officer he “owns” it.)
Readers say, well, what do you think about it? Ed Morrissey says some of it better than we can say:
Mel Gibson made an ass out of himself this weekend, first by driving while drunk, and then by reportedly spewing antisemitic slurs while police officers took him into custody. As he said in his apology, Gibson’s remarks were despicable, and regardless of his state of sobriety, he richly deserves his embarrassment for those actions and remarks.Some have said that his controversial film, The Passion of the Christ, should be reevaluated in light of Gibson’s alleged latent antisemitism. Of course, people are free to do so, although people didn’t appear to be shy in reviewing the film on those terms during its release over two years ago…. Gibson invited those reconsidered evaluations with his remarks, as well as speculation on the motivation behind his upcoming work on the Holocaust.
But now, Morrissey notes, the Gibson controvesy is shifting into a new area.
There still IS Freedom Of Speech and that oft-exercised freedom not outlined in our constitution — Freedom Of Stupidity. (Without the latter, there would be no political conventions selecting candidates in either party.)
Morrissey points to THIS STORY that indicates Abraham Foxman, the national director of the US Jewish Anti-Defamation League, is calling for a criminal probe into whether Gibson committed a hate crime.
HUH?? Morrissey again:
What crime does Foxman claim Gibson violated with these remarks? Americans have the right to say some pretty stupid things. Hell, the blogosphere proves that almost every day!
Correct (and some readers will say this post gives additional proof).
So here are some additional thoughts on the Mel Gibson controversy:
- You can already see polarization in the reaction. Some of Gibson’s defenders insist it didn’t matter what he said, it wasn’t really all that hateful, and they seem to be slipping into the role of defense lawyer. If he wasn’t Mel Gibson the guy who made a movie that many say was a life changing experience but Ed Smith down the street who had been arrested for DUI and was reportedly quoted in a police report saying those things they wouldn’t defend him. This is indicative of the breakdown in adhering to political values with consistency, a troubling trend in the 21st century — a century where the highest value seems to be placed on political expediency.
- Gibson isn’t guilty of a hate crime. He’s guilty of a crime of professional stupidity. Even if he makes zillions of dollars on his next projects he will make a certain amount LESS because there are people who will not pay one cent to benefit his bank account.
- Unless he asserts that the comments were made up by the police and makes the case, his stature within the news media will never be quite the same and the studio heads who look at the bottom line will likely continue to do so but since many of their names aren’t Lebanese they now know what he’s really thinking. His upcoming Holocaust TV project may face big problems. His status may change in Hollywood.
- His defenders who say he was only drunk when he reportedly made the antisemitic comments forget the old saying that “the ego is soluble in alcohol.” People say things they wish they didn’t say because drinking removes inhibitions.
- It’s no crime to open your mouth and reportedly show that you’re a bigot, that you generalize about a whole group of people, that you blame them for starting all the world’s wars.
- Gibson is handling it partially right: acknowledge the big screw up, say it was wrong, then try to move on. But he can’t move on (in media and political cultural terms) until he shows more contrition.
Perhaps the silliest comment of the year came from Matt Drudge on his radio show last night. He said he won’t believe this report at all until a video or audio tape is produced.
Really? People are tried and convicted, or even have their lives altered without a trial, by negative information contained in police reports. And there isn’t always a video or audio tape that backs up or duplicates the police report.
Why should the whole way the law works be changed just because some people who like a film Gibson made and feel grateful that he made it because it speaks to them religiously and perhaps politically want to lessen the consequences of his actions?
If confirmation exists that the police report does indeed say Gibson said what reports contend he says, then no audio or video tapes would be needed. It would be confirmation enough for most Americans.
And to those who feel it isn’t confirmation enough, then why don’t you to this:
If ever your son, daughter, spouse or parent is killed by a drunken driver, make sure you go into court and demand that all information in the police report be eliminated from the trial unless it’s backed up by audio or video tape confirmation or documentation.
PS: I have to run now. I have four more wars to start by midnight.
23 Responses to “Mel Gibson And The Passion Of The Free Speech”
I am SOOOOOO sick of so called Christians elevating themselves above all others…Thank you Mel Gibson…thanks to a few drinks…you’ve shown your true colors and the true colors of Christianity (you fucking bigot)…you make me sick. You are the poster child of what is wrong with Christianity and religion in general!!!!Please more, more….encore, encore….
Mr. Buddah,
With your own self-righteousness and inclination toward schadenfreude, you seem to be setting yourself up for your own dramatic fall from f***ing grace: just wait, you’re coming down.
Does hating those who simply hate do anything other than entrench and perpetuate hate?
The fallout of this incident will be that Gibson’s unresonable fear of Jews will now be converted into a reasonable fear of Jews oppressing him.
I just don’t see how the finger pointing and scarlet lettering is going to solve anything.
People making such comments are better left ignored. Any attention given is a reward. The most painful experience is to shout out one’s stupidity whilst being ignored en masse.
I KNEW that man was crazy. Funny thing is though…his acting is top notch IMO. *smh*
What Abe Foxman actually said in the ADL press release:
It appears Foxman hasn’t accused Gibson of a hate crime, but he did say (in the linked article) “We believe there should be consequences to bigots and bigotry.” I don’t have a problem with that statement from Foxman.
Unnamed “Jewish groups” are said to be pursuing the hate crime angle. Foxman is said to be “calling for a criminal investigation into the Oscar-winning actor and director’s remarks.” From the remarks quoted by Holly, that appears not to be case.
I think Morrissey has dragged a red herring across the scene.
Excuse me? The linked article says Foxman is calling for a criminal probe. So how is Captain Ed dragging anything across the scene?
That’s funny because without either a video or audio tape backing him up Drudge set in motion the undoing of an American president. I guess you need more proof when you sit on the same side of the aisle.
This is getting out of control. You are making a mountain out of a mole hill. I realize “forgiving” is not a tenement of the Jewish faith but good grief man, sticks and stones huh?!
Look at Holly up there. She is just reveling in this crap. Then you wonder why people learn to hate your sacrosanct arses.
I can think of no two hollower words than “I’m sorry.” All it ever really means is that they are sorry they got caught!
Actually, forgiving is not a “tenement” of any faith.
Holly in Cincinnati
Speaking of a sacrosanct arse. Holly is here spreading her Zionist brand of hate rhetoric as usual. Gee, don’t you just want to go hug Jew after reading Holly day after day?
Don’t tell me what my religion is Holly.
“Captain Ed” links to an article; it claims Foxman is calling for a criminal probe. The article lacks a quote from Foxman to this effect. Holly provided the entirety of Foxman’s press release and there’s nothing in it calling for a criminal probe.
The linked article leads with
Note the use of “allegedly” here; whoever these Jewish groups are, they probably don’t even know that he even made these comments and here they are, whoever they are, demanding that good ole Mel Gibson be “investigated” for hate crimes!
Per Joe’s post, the demand for hate crime investigation is inflammatory. But where’s a statement from anybody making this demand? If you can’t tell us who the Jewish groups are, you could at least tell us what they said. And why drag Foxman into it if he hasn’t made the demand?
So why does “Captain Ed” link to this trashy article? Seems like a way to change the conversation, which would be okay except that apparently nobody worth noting made this demand. There’s nothing there really to talk about, but he linked to it anyway.
Classic example of a sort of distraction commonly referred to as a red herring.
Grossly uncalled for.
Salmenio said :
I realize “forgiving” is not a tenement of the Jewish faith but good grief man, sticks and stones huh?!
( Cue the AFLAK duck )
Salmenio , There is a Tenement Museum in the
lower east side which you might enjoy . It would give you a better perspective of Jewish life in America .
Heck, he’s only knocking a little over 2 percent of the US population.
These “hate crime nazis” drive me up a wall. There is nothing wrong with calling someone a name, nor is there anything wrong with “hating” anyone.
The secular jews in this country that have poluted the TV airwaves are ones that deserve to be disliked.
The religious orthodox Jews should be defended and loved.
I doubt if Mr. Gibson was speaking of the orthodox Jews.
Brainster questioned whether “Captain Ed” dragged a red herring across the scene when he linked to a trashy article alleging demands by Jews for hate crime investigation.
I submit Allen Burns as evidence of seduction by a red herring.
Salmenio, this is the company you end up with flaming about Jews.
The only thing that Mel did wrong is get behind the wheel while drunk.
He broke no other laws.
If you noticed, they didn’t shackle him up for “hate speech”.
What a bunch of whiners.
The guy makes movies. People must like them or he would not be famous. If we boycotted things based on the makers veiws on matters then perhaps you should reconsider many products that you consume. Get a life people instead of feeding off of other people mistakes. This “reality tv” world that is taking over is what the real joke is.
“Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.”
1 Chronicles 21:1
Dear Friend,
Why is there anti-semitism ? Because the old ancient foe is still
inciting people today against Israel and God’s beloved Jewish people.
The above passage shows how Satan caused David to stumble in his walk
with God. But more important we see in the passage the nature of Satan and
his hatred for Israel, and how through his demonic legions will supernaturally
incite people to hate the Jews.
He has demons who are specifically assigned to Nations, to certain demonic religions, to certain susceptible individuals thoughout the world to incite hatred for the Jew and the state of Israel.
Those who hate the Jew in this present world have been raped by demonic forces and have become puppets of the Devil.
This hatred is not normal, it is supernatural. It is inspired by human body’s
inhabited by demons.
WHY DOES SATAN HATE THE JEWS SPECIFICALLY ?
WHY DOES HE HATE ISRAEL SO MUCH ?
“Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied”
Matthew 27:11
“Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
Matthew 27:37
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8
SATAN HATES THE JEWS, BECAUSE THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD
IS JEWISH. SATAN HATES JESUS CHRIST, HIS PEOPLE, AND HIS COUNTRY
SATAN INCITES ANTI-SEMITISM BECAUSE HE IS AT WAR WITH JESUS CHRIST. SATAN HAS AN ARMY OF DEMONS WHO ARE INSPIRING THIS WARFARE ON EARTH.
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Ephesians 6:11-12
WHAT WAS ONE OF HIS “SCHEMES” ?
To possess a man by the name of Hitler, and through him kill 6 million Jews.
What was his scheme in this ? To declare Hitler a “Christian”, and say that
it was done in the name of Jesus Christ or Christianity.
This was a wicked diabolical scheme conceived by the ancient foe.
Satan, a masterful genius of evil plots, plotting daily to deceive humanity.
He executes his intrigue on the earth to charm with lies, deception and trickery to blind humanity from the loving truth of the Savior. A serpent of perversion he is. He seeks to pervert God’s message and the truth concerning Christ.
WE ARE DEALING WITH A DERANGED PSYCHOTIC MASTERMIND,
A MASTER OF DECEPTION, IN WHOM IS MURDERER
“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
John 8:44
WHY SUCH HATRED FOR THE JEWISH PEOPLE AND THE STATE OF ISRAEL?
BECAUSE OF THE BEAUTIFUL PLANS GOD HAS FOR HIS COVENANT PEOPLE WRITTEN ABOUT IN ROMANS CHAPTER 11
” And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.”
Romans 11:26
“Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you.”
Romans 11:30-31
IS SATAN CURRENTLY IN OUR GENERATION DECEIVING AND INCITING
ENTIRE NATIONS ON THE EARTH?
“He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.”
Revelation 20:3
WHY IS ISRAEL AND THE CITY OF JERUSALEM CONSTANTLY THE VICTIM OF TERRORISTS, AND WHY ARE THE SURROUNDING NATIONS PLOTTING WAR AGAINST ISRAEL ?
For the answer to this question you must read the end time biblical
prophecy’s found in Ezekial 38 and 39. also Zechariah 14.
WHY DO CHRISTIANS SOMETIMES FALL PREY ?
Why was Mel Gibson uttering anti-semitic remarks while under the
influence ?
Friend, if you have had an impact for the kingdom of God;
or if you are disciple who has done damage to kingdom of darkness;
or if you are destined to have great impact for the Kingdom of God;
You will become a priority target of demonic forces, and they will
seek to exploit your weaknesses.
The Devil has a plot against you. He will wait for an opportuntity to capitalize on an indescetion. He has a scheme and a trap set for the diciples of Jesus Christ. His goal is to destroy you or bring shame and disgrace upon you. He wants to make a fool of you and make a public mockery of Christianity.
The Devil even entered Peter in a moment of weakness, and spoke through
him (Matthew 16:23).
King David was incited by Satan in a moment of weakness
(1 Chronicles 21:1)
“The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.”
John 13:2
IN THIS WAR
HOW DO WE STAY FREE OF DEMONIC INFLUENCES ?
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
1 Peter 5:8-9
DID SATAN COME NEAR TO JESUS ?
“As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.”
John 13:27
WHO WILL WIN THIS WAR?
THE MESSIAH OF THE JEWS AND THE GENTILES JESUS CHRIST?
OR WILL SATAN AND ALL OF HIS EVIL FORCES?
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”
Romans 16:20
“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
Colossians 2:15
ANTI-SEMITISM IS THE DEVIL’S WORK
“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.”
1 JOHN 3:8
WHAT IS THE FACT ABOUT SATAN’S FUTURE ?
THE ANCIENT FOE, THE ANCIENT SERPENT OR THE DEVIL
THE MASTER OF EVIL AND DECEPTION
WHAT IS HIS FUTURE?
“And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
Revelation 20:10
ANTI-SEMITISM IS A DEMONIC SCHEME &PLOT
“in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”
2 Corinthians 2:11
HAVE YOU PERSONALLY BEEN RESCUED FROM THE DEVIL’S DOMINION ?
“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Colossians 1:10-14
Dear Friend,
Pray this prayer: Lord Jesus I love you. Come into my heart, fill me
with the fire of your Holy Spirit. Fill my heart with love especialy for your
Jewish people. Give me a heart for Israel. Let me have an impact for your
kingdom. Cause me to be a blessing, endow me with your presence. Reveal
yourself to me through your Word. Protect me from the enemy, lead and guide me. Let your grace prevail upon me. Cause me to crush satan under my foot. Let me bear much fruit for the Fathers glory. Amen.
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”
Romans 1:16
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Revelation 19:11-16
Mel is a drunk bigot!
http://www.melhatesjews.com
PING:
TITLE: Parallels between Mel Gibson’s outburst and what has happened in Lebanon
BLOG NAME: ThoughtsOnline
There’s a saying that alchohol ‘loosens the tongue’. Alchohol doesn’t make someone say things they don’t think or believe in; people who get drunk say things they believe but otherwise prefer to keep bottled up (yes, pun).
PING:
TITLE: Abe Foxman calling for a “hate crime” investigation for Mel Gibson’s anti-Semitic remarks? Probably not.
BLOG NAME: Respectful Insolence
I had seriously considered jumping all over this story when I first saw it early Monday morning. After all, look at the headline: Jewish groups call for hate-crime probe on Mel Gibson A more truly ominous thing to be calling…