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Antisemitism

Mel Gibson Drives Drunk, Blames the Jews for 'All the Wars In the World,' Calls Cop 'Sugar Tits'

Jesse Walker | 7.30.2006 11:50 AM

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More details, including the arresting officer's report, are here. Gibson does his Daffy Duck imitation here. I defended The Passion against the charge of anti-Semitism, but not against the charge of all-around mediocrity, here.

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NEXT: The Hard Right vs. John Dean's "Conservatives without Conscience"

Jesse Walker is books editor at Reason and the author of Rebels on the Air and The United States of Paranoia.

AntisemitismMoviesDrunk drivingConspiracy Theories
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  1. Sandy   19 years ago

    In vino veritas, it would seem.

  2. Akira MacKenzie   19 years ago

    Is it just me, or does Mel look like he's auditioning for the role of Saddam Hussein?

    "Spider Hole Days" A one-man play.

  3. Don Coyote   19 years ago

    I agree Sandy.

    He can cure his alcholism (if true), but, according to his apology, he left his Jew remarks standing.

  4. Ken Barber   19 years ago

    My favorite part:

    On Saturday, Gibson released the following statement:

    "After drinking alcohol on Thursday night, I did a number of things that were very wrong and for which I am ashamed.... I have battled with the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse....

    I can't help thinking of Peter Bagge's absolutely brilliant "Acts of Contrition" cartoon (Reason, August/September 2003) right about now....

  5. Mr. X   19 years ago

    I havn't seen the Passion of the Christ, but I've seen tons accusations that it's antisemitic. I have yet to see someone explain specifically why the movie is antisemitic (as opposed to why Mel Gibson is antisemitic).

  6. MainstreamMan   19 years ago

    Mr. X

    go here--
    http://www.religioustolerance.org/chrgibson10.htm

    for a balanced discussion of the issue and the movie.

  7. Herrick and His Balls   19 years ago

    There's some ugly old Jew stereotypes mocking Jesus as he carries his cross in the movie. So yeah, The Passion is definitely anti-semitic.

    Not that there's anything wrong with that.

  8. Jennifer   19 years ago

    Sugar tits?

  9. Herrick and His Balls   19 years ago

    I always find that calling a cop "Sweetcheeks" helps you get out of a ticket.

  10. Jennifer   19 years ago

    Only in San Francisco, Herrick. Don't let your balls tell you otherwise.

  11. mediageek   19 years ago

    I feel like I've just watched the funniest train wreck EVAR!

  12. Russell Hanneken   19 years ago

    From the article:

    Sources say [arresting officer Deputy] Mee was told Gibson's comments would incite a lot of "Jewish hatred," that the situation in Israel was "way too inflammatory." It was mentioned several times that Gibson, who wrote, directed, and produced 2004's "The Passion of the Christ," had incited "anti-Jewish sentiment" and "For a drunk driving arrest, is this really worth all that?"

    As I recall, The Passion of the Christ incited a lot of worrying about anti-Semitism, but I don't know of any evidence that it incited any significant amount of hatred toward Jewish people.

    In any case, it's absurd to suppose that an embarrassing outburst by a drunk celebrity would fan the flames of anti-Semitism, and I have a hard time believing that's the real reason the arrest report was rewritten. I suspect some people in the LA Sheriff's department just felt sorry for Gibson and wanted to give a celebrity a break.

  13. Don Coyote   19 years ago

    Jennifer, just more of Sandy's in vino veritas. I bet the cops eyes popped open.

  14. Jennifer   19 years ago

    I dunno, Don. If the cop were a bosomy woman who had just eaten a powdered donut but hadn't bothered to brush her chest off before making the arrest, then maybe I could see the whole "sugar tits" thing. Otherwise I'm just completely drawing a blank here.

  15. Don Coyote   19 years ago

    Jennifer,

    I read your post. You don't draw blanks;-)

  16. Russell Hanneken   19 years ago

    Don Coyote,

    Actually, Gibson did retract his anti-Semitic comments. At least, that's how I interpret this part of his apology: "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."

  17. Jennifer   19 years ago

    Don, I honestly don't know what that means in this context, but I just spilled some lemon Italian ice on myself which means I have to change my shirt before I go back to work. I don't fully know my place in the tit hierarchy, but I suspect lemon tits are worse than sugar tits. Especially considering all the "puckery" jokes one therefore becomes exposed to.

  18. cliff   19 years ago

    The juxtaposition on H&R of the Mel Gibson drunken anti-semitic tirade and the anti-semitic crazy arab guy is just priceless. There's some comedic gold in this stuff. Where's our resident comedian, Stevo Darkley where are you?

  19. Jennifer   19 years ago

    Gibson did retract his anti-Semitic comments. At least, that's how I interpret this part of his apology: "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."

    I don't buy it. This is barely a step above the passive-voice "mistakes were made" non-apology apology. If he specifically apologized for making inaccurate statements about Jews, that would be different.

  20. phord   19 years ago

    "I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested"

    Not, I was a person completely out of control. Or simply, I was out of control. Note the way Gibson sets up this verbal fiction by which some other Mel Gibson was responsible for raging about the Jews. His behavior was hateful; Mel Gibson was not hateful. This drunk Mel Gibson doppelganger was hateful when he was arrested; the Mel Gibson of right now regrets that other guy's actions. I like that Peter Bagge cartoon: no-one is the problem; everyone has a problem.

  21. Don Coyote   19 years ago

    Russell,

    Time will tell. Unfortunately, he has marked himself.

  22. Jennifer   19 years ago

    Shall I be the first one to mention that alcohol does not change your personality, but merely lowers your inhibitions? A drunk person's not going to rail against the Jews unless he already had such anti-Jewish thoughts somewhere in his mind. It's not like he was tripping on hallucinogens or anything.

  23. joshua corning   19 years ago

    lets see everyone on the planet says i am anti-semetic...i get drunk one night and pissed off at being called anti-semetic i start saying stupid anti-semetic crap in a drunking banter...does that make one anti semetic or just a mean drunk?

    Anyway here are some things I don't think are anti semetic.

    Isreal never should have been created by the UN...dumb idea to take land from other people and give it to someone else...if they are jews or not does not matter.

    The jewish clergy some 2000 years ago probabaly had something to do with killing jesus...that is if jesus even existed and the bible can be trusted.

    There sure are alot of Jews in show buissness.

    The amazing advenures of Cavalier and Clay sucks ass and does not deserve a pulitzer.

    It has never been expalined to me why I, raised as a catholic, was circumsized along with millions of other american male babies circa 1960 - 1990. WTF?!?!

    I am going to get drunk and then come back later.

  24. Russell Hanneken   19 years ago

    Jennifer,

    It would have been a better apology if he had gone into specifics, yes.

    Anyway, the whole apology is undermined when he insinuates that the "disease" of alcoholism made him act the way he did. Bah.

  25. zener   19 years ago

    Shall I be the first one to mention that alcohol does not change your personality, but merely lowers your inhibitions? A drunk person's not going to rail against the Jews unless he already had such anti-Jewish thoughts somewhere in his mind. It's not like he was tripping on hallucinogens or anything.

    I agree, note Sandy's comment: in vino veritas

    Just imagine what we could find out if Pres. Bush is drunk.

  26. Herrick and His Balls   19 years ago

    I say anti-semitic things when I'm drunk, but that's just my attempt at "politically incorrect" comedy.

  27. APL   19 years ago

    Shall I be the first one to mention that alcohol does not change your personality, but merely lowers your inhibitions

    I used to think this, but I've come to realize that to a very great extent, our inhibitions ARE our personality.

  28. Herrick and His Balls   19 years ago

    Russell, I think you meant to link to this:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloody_Mary_%28South_Park%29

  29. Les   19 years ago

    joshua,

    Nothing you said was anti-semitic except this:

    The amazing advenures of Cavalier and Clay sucks ass and does not deserve a pulitzer.

    I loved that book, you fucking anti-semitic bastard!

  30. Jennifer   19 years ago

    I used to think this, but I've come to realize that to a very great extent, our inhibitions ARE our personality.

    I disagree. We all (except me, of course) have thoughts and desires that aren't appropriate for public consumption, but I suppose you could argue that your personality is based in part on which such thoughts you consider inappropriate for the public to know about.

    I can confidently say that no matter how drunk I got I'd not make any anti-Jewish statements because even when I lived surrounded by racists I viewed Jews as white people who happened to get eight days of Christmas each year. (I might, however, get drunk at a libertarian gathering and say something worse, like "This country needs more worker-protection laws!" But that has absolutely nothing to do with the Jews.)

  31. Bee   19 years ago

    This is what Bush is like drunk:

    http://www.thesmokinggun.com/bush/bush.html

  32. Warren   19 years ago

    Shall I be the first one to mention that alcohol does not change your personality, but merely lowers your inhibitions?

    I call bullshit. Alcohol's effects differ greatly from person to person. It is not uncommon for a person under its influence to undergo a personality transformation. It's just false to claim that what people say and do while intoxicated is what is in their heart when they are sober.

    Re:Mel's apology. I read that as a complete Mia Culpa. He's sorry, he's sorry for everything, and he's being as contrite as he can about it. Anyone who parses that as weasel words wouldn't be satisfied no matter what he said.

    My personal feelings are that Mel is an anti-Semite. I've come to this conclusion after reading some of the more scholarly critiques of Passion, and Mel's inadequate response.

    Re:Sugar tits
    Sugar = sweet
    sweet:
    Adj.
    An intensive used to express satisfaction, acceptance, pleasure, excellence, exaltation, approval, awe, or reverence.

    My guess is the officer had a nice rack. Second guess, it was just a gender attack like 'girly' or 'toots' only more vulgar.

  33. Smappy   19 years ago

    MG's apology wasn't nearly as contrite as it should have been. But it's got to be the most contrite one I've heard or read from a disgraced celebrity/sports star/politician. That bar is real low, I realize, but still . . .

  34. violent_k   19 years ago

    His BAC was .12 according to what I've read. Granted, past the legal definition of drunk but hardly an excuse for belligerent behavior. I think it's just better PR to put out a statement that says, "I was drunk" as opposed to "I am an asshole".

  35. Mo   19 years ago

    I'm going to agree with APL on this one. Inhibitions are a big part of our personality.

    Just because someone has thoughts in their mind does not necessarily mean that they believe them. People do have internal conflicts and it is possible that the rational side dismisses the base, hateful side. In fact, aren't inhibitions really the rational wall holding back the primitive, base side of our personality*?

    Besides, I thought the preferred nomenclature was "sweet tits."

  36. Troy   19 years ago

    I have gotten drunk....lots! And I have never ranted against jews. I do rant at at the quantity of stupid people who still live because we won't allow what Carlin calls passive eugenics to take root....yeah. I have done terrible Gilbert Gottfried impressions under the influence.

  37. Russell Hanneken   19 years ago

    I disagree with the idea that alcohol lowers people's inhibitions. I think people lower their own inhibitions when they think they have an excuse--e.g., "I'm acting obnoxiously, but people will cut me some slack because they can see I'm drunk," or "I'll make a pass at my co-worker; if things go badly, I'll just say it was the alcohol."

  38. Jennifer   19 years ago

    Alcohol's effects differ greatly from person to person. It is not uncommon for a person under its influence to undergo a personality transformation. It's just false to claim that what people say and do while intoxicated is what is in their heart when they are sober.

    How so? What you call "personality transformation" is just "release of deep-buried inhibitions." The chronic sex-hating virgin who gets drunk and takes on the football squad isn't undergoing a transformation, she's just releasing some seriously repressed sex thoughts. The sweet, loving guy who becomes a punchy asshole is just a guy who, while sober, has a huge amount of self-control in regards to his desire to punch things. The more self-control you need to maintain your day-to-day image, the greater the change people will notice when you get drunk.

    I can buy the idea of a non-anti-Semite saying anti-Jew stuff while he's tripping. I can buy the idea that such a guy, if smoking powerful pot to which he's unaccustomed, might say anti-Jew stuff (but not because he means it; merely that he thought for some reason it was really, really funny). But I don't buy the idea that a drunk Semitophile will start spewing out a bunch of Jew-bashing crap that was completely independent of his own mind.

  39. Les   19 years ago

    Warren is absolutely right in that alcohol affects everybody in different ways. Considering our relative ignorance of neuropsychology/physiology, no one can be accurate when they say, "Alcohol does X to a person," because its effects are as varied as the neurological make-up of the people who drink it.

    That said, if alcoholism is a disease, I think we need to come up with a different word to describe cancer (or at least a qualifier to describe the kind of disease alcoholism is).

  40. Karen   19 years ago

    Honestly, I'm more bugged by the fact that he drove when he was so completely snockered than that he made asshole comments when he got arrested. Surely he has enough cash to hire a driver? Have booze delivered to his house? Honestly, I cannot understand why any Hollywood type EVER gets caught on a DWI, but it happens so very often. Does anyone have an explanation for this?

    No defense at all to the content of the statements, by the way. It's just that I've been around enough drunks in my time to know that "in vino veritas" is usually but not invaribly true. He probably is an anti-semite, but I don't think there's enough information to make a definite diagnosis. Wait to see what he says over the next few weeks, once he starts trying to market his new Mayan movie. Then we can see if he was really out of his head, or just a little more relaxed than he should have been.

  41. Jennifer   19 years ago

    To add to the drop-inhibitions theory, think of the types of personality changes you see under the influence of alcohol: you'll see a drunk prude discover a fondness for sex, but you won't see a drunk sexpot suddenly discover the joys or chastity. You'll see a painfully shy wallflower turn into a shimmering extrovert, but you won't see an extrovert become painfully shy. You'll see a supposed non-bigot start spewing racist crap, but you won't see a drunk Klansman start saying "I just realized that all men are brothers under the skin."

  42. Ken Shultz   19 years ago

    I just want to know if this will affect the release date of Apocalypto.

  43. BornAgainIconoclast   19 years ago

    I don't buy the idea that a drunk Semitophile will start spewing out a bunch of Jew-bashing crap that was completely independent of his own mind

    Jennifer, totally agree. I've seen too many people let their Freudian inner inhibitions let loose after one too many. I think this episode just cleared up the great mystery as to the influence of Gibson's dad on his own personal (and inner) worldview.

    This is what Bush is like drunk:

    Wow, haven't seen that one in years! In light of Bush's adventures of the past six years, he actually comes off sober (compared to his behavior as president) and half-way intelligent in that clip. Was he a victim of a "Paul is Dead" conspiracy, and replaced by a replicon now sitting on Pennsylvania avenue?

  44. Russell Hanneken   19 years ago

    If someone hadn't stolen my copy of Saying Yes, I'd find the passage where Jacob Sullum mentions a culture in which people drink a lot of alcohol as part of a ritual--and no unruly behavior ensues.

    Really, I don't think the chemical alcohol per se has much of an effect on people's behavior. Sure, it can mess with your coordination, slow your response time, etc. But what really influences people when they drink is their idea of what it means to be drunk.

  45. BornAgainIconoclast   19 years ago

    Maybe NBC Dateline can now start a "To Catch a Drunk Celebrity" series to sequel the predators.

    "I didn't really mean to say that Jews are responsible for the sun burning out in 5 Billion years. That's not me. This is my first time .... "

    I now have a lot more respect for the former mayor of Columbus, Ohio, who, when caught and asked by one of his own police officers why he was drunk behind the wheel in the middle of the night, replied "I was inspecting our city ... "

    Now, that's a classy DUI defense ...

  46. Warren   19 years ago

    Jennifer,
    Let me explain... No, there is too much. Let me sum up.

    While many people become belligerent when drunk and say what's in their mind, but may in no way reflect what's in their heart. A guy who's spent the past couple of years fending off charges of anti-Semitism is likely to reach for that when inebriated weather or not he's guilty as charged.

  47. h-dawg   19 years ago

    Great distinction, Jen. Inhibitions work in one direction, to contain the animal. They also tend to make us more serious, but I doubt Mel was expecting too many laughs from jew jokes in L.A.

    Funny, that Klansman example.

  48. Lowdog   19 years ago

    I saw the baba walters interview with Mel, and he came across as a little nuts. I think he does have some serious internal conflicts, many of them probably due to his father's influence. The fact that he used to be a partier, but is now uber-religious is another symptom of this, I think.

    Not saying that he isn't anti-semitic, or an asshole, but we've all got our issues.

    (And this is not in any way me giving him a free pass here, I'm just saying. Or maybe I'm biased because he was the star in one of the greatest movies of all time, The Road Warrior.) 🙂

    As to alcohol's effect on people...I think it does lower inhibitions, but I also think that if you're spouting off race-hating comments, you probably have those thoughts a lot but are usually under control of those thoughts.

    The funny thing to me is that it's not jews that are the cause of all war, but religion. Or maybe more accurately, commitment to irrational philosophies. (Just throwing that out there, feel free to bash me or point out how I'm wrong.) 🙂

  49. MainstreamMan   19 years ago

    "but you won't see a drunk Klansman start saying "I just realized that all men are brothers under the skin."

    Drunk Klansman/skinhead/racist to nearest person...
    "I luv you man, you're the best. Maybe you ____________aren't so bad.I really love you man. You're great, jus' great."

    Pretty sure I've seen this scene play out more than once. For some drunks, the world is their family.

  50. Jeff P.   19 years ago

    Do they make Sugar-Free Tits?

  51. Warren   19 years ago

    You'll see a painfully shy wallflower turn into a shimmering extrovert, but you won't see an extrovert become painfully shy. You'll see a supposed non-bigot start spewing racist crap, but you won't see a drunk Klansman start saying "I just realized that all men are brothers under the skin."

    I've seen examples of both. Extroverts who when drunk hide in the corner and become anti-social. When I was in the Navy I met two different guys who were "nigger this and nigger that" when sober. But when they got drunk (one of the especially) they wanted to hang out with black guys, going out of his way to be all nice and buddy-buddy.

  52. Herrick and His Balls   19 years ago

    Due to the failure of the Doha round, the correct term is still "High Fructose Corn Syrup" Tits.

  53. Karen   19 years ago

    Jennifer has an interesting point. I've never known a sexpot become a prude from drink, but I have known several happy-go-lucky sorts turn gloomy and taciturn with the application of strong drink. Generally, though, Jennifer is right. Booze discloses the personality traits most of us would prefer people keep hidden.

  54. Warren   19 years ago

    Aww crap, this is really deeper into this than I wanted to go.

    Generally, though, Jennifer is right. Booze discloses the personality traits most of us would prefer people keep hidden.

    Yes, it's true alcohol acts as a depressant. Many people experience loss of inhibition as an effect of drinking. It is a mistake however to conclude that all behavior under the influence is a result of loss of inhibition. Alcohol is a strong psychoactive drug, and its effects vary greatly from user to user and even from time to time.

    Jennifer is generally right but she is not universally right.

  55. Jennifer   19 years ago

    As to alcohol's effect on people...I think it does lower inhibitions, but I also think that if you're spouting off race-hating comments, you probably have those thoughts a lot but are usually under control of those thoughts.

    How is this a "but" statement? Alcohol lowers your inhibitions, which among other things means you'll spout off a lot of thoughts over which you are usually in control but not when you're drunk.

    I've never known a sexpot become a prude from drink, but I have known several happy-go-lucky sorts turn gloomy and taciturn with the application of strong drink

    Well, once you consume a certain amount of the stuff you cross the line from "happy" to "morose."

  56. Lowdog   19 years ago

    Jennifer - you're right, that "but" probably didn't need to be in there. I guess an "and" or a simple comma or dash would have been more appropriate.

    But (there's that word again, hopefully I use it right this time), what I'm saying is that just because you have those thoughts doesn't mean that you are actually convinced of it yourself. Again, I think he's an internally conflicted man, and he may very well feel quite bad about his behaviour.

    Not trying to apologise for Mel's behaviour, or excuse it, of course.

  57. joshua corning   19 years ago

    when i am drunk and even when i am sobber i am perfectly willing to say or write things that i dissagree with simply becosue it would be funny to say them...

    Like this one:

    For a people who rule the world the jews sure are touchy about what mel gibson says about them.

    i don't care who you are that is funny.

  58. Lowdog   19 years ago

    Josh - I hear you...if people heard some of the messed-up things my friends and I say to get a laugh (sober and/or drunk and/or otherwise chemically altered), we'd probably be seen as some of the biggest bigots and jerks around.

  59. Cyrano   19 years ago

    The director of the Anti-Defamation League agrees with Jennifer. From the New York Times artice on Gibson's arrest:

    "If it's true what's reported, frequently hatred, bigotry and prejudice, which is controlled, explodes at moments of stress and crisis," said Rabbi Abraham H. Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League. "Liquor loosens the tongue of what's in the mind and in the heart, and in his mind and in his heart is his conspiracy theory about Jews and hatred of Jews."

  60. Jennifer   19 years ago

    The director of the Anti-Defamation League agrees with Jennifer.

    We hammered out the details at our secret world-control meeting last night.

  61. Jennifer   19 years ago

    When I was in the Navy I met two different guys who were "nigger this and nigger that" when sober. But when they got drunk (one of the especially) they wanted to hang out with black guys, going out of his way to be all nice and buddy-buddy.

    If they grew up in the kind of place I did, I can see how the "buddy-buddy with black guys" was what they kept repressed, and the "nigger nigger" schtick was what they said when they tried to meet standards they didn't quite live up to.

    Ever see a homophobe get mighty affectionate when he's drunk? And I'm not talking about the ladies.

  62. Zach   19 years ago

    Thats why we all need to smoke weed.

  63. Sandy   19 years ago

    Actually I suppose some people do start loving people they would not normally love while drunk.

  64. Herrick and His Balls   19 years ago

    To those who wonder how gaymosexuals can endure the pain of anal sex the first few times, here's the secret: We're drunk.

  65. Herrick and His Balls   19 years ago

    To those who wonder how gaymosexuals can endure the pain of anal sex the first few times, here's the secret: We're drunk.

  66. jasno   19 years ago

    Am I the only one who thought of 'The Divertor' sketch from TV Funhouse upon hearing of this? I don't think you can come up with a better explanation:

    video available here.

  67. kevrob   19 years ago

    Jennifer seems to be confusing the important milk, milk, lemonade... sequence.

    Can a gal have Splenda?Teats?

    Kevin

  68. Jennifer   19 years ago

    Jennifer seems to be confusing the important milk, milk, lemonade... sequence.

    God forbid you hear about the mess that ensued last time I ate strawberries with chocolate dip.

  69. crimethink   19 years ago

    Zach,

    You can bet that if Gibson was caught driving while high, the tone of this thread would be totally different.

    As far as alcohol's effect on talkativeness...I'm usually kind of a bigmouth, but when I feel the buzz coming on, I actually tend to STFU. I think it's cause I lose confidence in my judgement of what's OK to say vs. what's not, so I just clam up. Gross inhibitions (eg, don't say anything unnecessary) can be maintained long after complex inhibitions (eg, don't make anti-semitic, racist, homophobic remarks) are out the window.

    Now, if it got to the point where I was totally plastered even the gross inhibitions would be history. But I usually don't let it get to that point. Now, if Kerry was coming to an H&R get-together, I might make an exception... 😉

  70. Jennifer   19 years ago

    You can bet that if Gibson was caught driving while high, the tone of this thread would be totally different.

    I, for one, would have posted several comments to the effect of "how can a guy that high be that fucking uptight?"

  71. Happy Jack   19 years ago

    If Gibson was smart, he'd blame all of this on the Bronfman's. That way, he could explain his alcohol problems and the powerful Jews remark.

    BTW, is Gibson a midget or something? .12 seems awful low to claim being shitfaced.

  72. Some Dom Deluise Fan   19 years ago

    Jennifer, you've clearly missed out on Classic Cinema.

    /Catherine Bach + Susan Anton drive a Lambo and get out of tickets by flashing maximum cleavage... until a lady state trooper pulls the gals over and says "how's it going, sugar tits?"

  73. Warren   19 years ago

    ? I can see how the "buddy-buddy with black guys" was what they kept repressed, and the "nigger nigger" schtick was what they said when they tried to meet standards they didn't quite live up to.

    So we know people only say what they really think when they're drunk because whatever a drunk person says is what they're really thinking.

    But how about we forget about trying to peer into the heart and soul of other people anyway. I don't trust most people to know what their own motivations are. As a rule I find that when people start to make judgements on what's in other peoples heart and head, trouble follows. (I trust the president because he loves Jesus e.g.)

    Looking at Mel's actions alone, and putting aside his motivations, he fucked up big. Having done the deed, he is now contritely accepting responsibility. That?s as much as you can ask for at this point.

  74. jw   19 years ago

    Was the arresting officer male or female? Anybody know?

  75. Russell Hanneken   19 years ago

    jw,

    The article to which Jesse Walker linked states that the arresting officer was named James Mee. I think it's safe to say he's a man.

  76. Jesse Walker   19 years ago

    It was a different, and female, officer who was bestowed with the "sugar tits" title.

  77. Tbone   19 years ago

    I tend to agree that under the influence you can exhibit atypical or bizarre behavior, but I've never seen a racist or homophobe change stripes in such a state.

    And I don't buy that whole alcoholism schtick as an excuse. I've lived with two alcoholics over the years and 0.12 is nothing for a professional drinker. Mel's statements were a direct reflection of his feelings; his mea culpa is to try and stave off the PR shitstorm. It doesn't ultimately matter. There is no downside to bad publicity for celebs anymore unless you really screw up (like maybe kill someone).

  78. joshua corning   19 years ago

    Jennifer seems to be confusing the important milk, milk, lemonade... sequence.

    Doesn't that only work with nursing diebetics?

    Looking at Mel's actions alone, and putting aside his motivations, he fucked up big. Having done the deed, he is now contritely accepting responsibility. That?s as much as you can ask for at this point.

    Huh?!?!

    "Fucked up big time" I am not even convinced he even fucked up...now if say he went on a sustained campaign of anti-semetism, one that actually stuck..then i would begin to be conscerned.

    It will take more then a few drunkin misnomers flung at cops to raise my ere...the DUI looks bad though and maybe that is what you are refering to.

  79. Rich Ard   19 years ago

    .12 seems awful low to claim being shitfaced.

    Dunno - if he's being sincere that he's generally not drinking, then slamming a couple or few beers could certainly short some circuits.

  80. Larry A   19 years ago

    <trivia>Sugar tit:
    If you have a baby who is teething and fussy or a baby who is hungry and you don't have milk available take a couple of tablespoons of sugar and moisten it, then wrap it in cloth to resemble a nipple. The corner of a pillowcase works well. Great pacifier, unless you're one of the "empty calories" nazis.</trivia>

  81. Ken Shultz   19 years ago

    It was a different, and female, officer who was bestowed with the "sugar tits" title.

    In regards to that part of the alleged comments, I think we should hold off judgment, at least until we've had a look at the officer in question. For all we know, Gibson's comments may have been merely descriptive. If Officer Sugar Tits does indeed possess a remarkable pair, then, I'm not sure we aren't just arguing context.

    One time, I was on this plane and this flight attendant was yellin' at me 'cause she said I was endangering other passengers by using my phone. (It was the first version Treo--I needed to use the Palm portion--the phone service was off.) So I said something like, "Why don't you go be a nice little waitress and get me a Diet Coke?" "I'm not a waitress.", she said. To which I replied, "Well I'm not leaving you a tip then."

    She got all bent out of shape.

    It's amazing how easy it is to tip certain professional women over the edge. ...and how tempting it is to push, especially in the right situation. Anti-Semitic remarks are inexcusable, regardless of context, and, considering the comments his father is said to have made, I can see why people would find those comments especially interesting coming from Mel Gibson. ...but as far as "sugar tits", is that really such a big deal? It's not like he's a co-worker.

    I saw a film this weekend made by a man who married the adopted daughter of his girlfriend.

  82. mtc5499   19 years ago

    dunno ken i think one could read your joke to the flight attendant as the sort of the blatant sexism that is inexcusable regardless of context--granted it wasn't inherently sexist but the case could certainly be made

    and that said i will be using that joke on every female i ever meet from here until the end of time

  83. Non-Bullshit Master   19 years ago

    I call non-bullshit. Alchohol lowers inhibitions. It does not alter personality. Deal with what you did while you were drunk. 🙂

  84. mediageek   19 years ago

    "Well, once you consume a certain amount of the stuff you cross the line from "happy" to "morose.""

    Not I. I simply go from "happy" to "comatose."

    Unless I happen to already be in a downer of a mood when I start drinking. In that case strong spirits don't lift mine.

    As for the whole "sugar tits" remark, it seems like a pretty easy solve to me.

    Mel was obviously listening to the Def Leopard album Hysteria

    I'm hot, sticky sweet, from my head, to my feet Yeah!

  85. mediageek   19 years ago

    "Well, once you consume a certain amount of the stuff you cross the line from "happy" to "morose.""

    Not I. I simply go from "happy" to "comatose."

    Unless I happen to already be in a downer of a mood when I start drinking. In that case strong spirits don't lift mine.

    As for the whole "sugar tits" remark, it seems like a pretty easy solve to me.

    Mel was obviously listening to the Def Leopard album Hysteria

    I'm hot, sticky sweet, from my head, to my feet Yeah!

  86. Sheena Easton   19 years ago

    Didn't I have a hit single called "Sugar Tits"? Come spend the night inside my sugar tits. Yeah, that was my hit after "For Your Thighs Only".

  87. Joe   19 years ago

    Mel slipped up. He should have blamed Israel for all the wars. The brotherhood would have known what he meant.

  88. Patrick   19 years ago

    Speaking of lowering inhibitions, apparently Mel really wanted to fuck Deputy Mee:

    The report says Gibson told the deputy, "You mother f****r. I'm going to f*** you." . . . We're told Gibson took two blood alcohol tests, which were videotaped, and continued saying how "f****d" he was and how he was going to "f***" Deputy Mee.

  89. Ken Shultz   19 years ago

    mtc5499,

    Calling a flight attendant a "stewardess" isn't sexist. Calling a flight attendant that doesn't like to be called a stewardess a "waitress" isn't sexist either.

    ...It's insensitive, but it's sensitive too. You have to be sensitive to to get under somebody's skin like that. ...at least if you're doin' it on purpose, and for all we know that may have been what Mel was doing.

  90. joshua corning   19 years ago

    Mel slipped up. He should have blamed Israel for all the wars. The brotherhood would have known what he meant.

    Hey does that mean "America is the biggest threat to world peace." is code for "Workers of the world unite"?

  91. Stevo Darkly   19 years ago

    A few items:

    1: SUGAR TIT

    Per Larry A: Sugar tit:
    If you have a baby who is teething and fussy or a baby who is hungry and you don't have milk available take a couple of tablespoons of sugar and moisten it, then wrap it in cloth to resemble a nipple. The corner of a pillowcase works well. Great pacifier, unless you're one of the "empty calories" nazis.

    This is indeed the meaning of the word "sugar tit." It is a primitive form of a child's pacifier. I learned this while watching the move The Cowboys many years ago.

    Either Gibson meant to say that his arresting officers were immature, wet-behind-the-ears, namby-pambies, milquetoasts or something of that sort, or else he was just spouting nonsensical insults because he was drunk.

    2. "I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested"

    Not, I was a person completely out of control. Or simply, I was out of control. Note the way Gibson sets up this verbal fiction by which some other Mel Gibson was responsible for raging about the Jews. His behavior was hateful; Mel Gibson was not hateful. This drunk Mel Gibson doppelganger was hateful when he was arrested; the Mel Gibson of right now regrets that other guy's actions. I like that Peter Bagge cartoon: no-one is the problem; everyone has a problem.

    Oh, niggler, please.

    Gibson was talking about his behavior. His choice of words was no more evasive of responsibility than when someone says, "I'm sorry I acted like an asshole." Meaning, "I behaved in a manner befitting an asshole," which is close enough to saying, "I was an asshole."

    3. When I'm drunk, I talk the way I post on the Internet.

  92. VM   19 years ago

    um, Stevo.

    um....

    yeah.

    [slinks off]

  93. bob   19 years ago

    So many entertainment wonks waiting to take down Mel. "He can't recover!" "The most grotesque thing I've ever experienced from a celebrity!"[actual quote I just heard!]

    I can't count the times I've heard someone say "f**king arabs!" since 9/11 with no context. Mel didn't JUST say "f**king Jews", he said that IN CONJUNCTION with a criticism of the WAR in Lebanon that many people think Israel is responsible for! I just said "f**king Jim" today when a friend of mine as usual didn't return something he borrowed. There was a key story by James Bamford in Rolling Stone that Mel may have just read, about the Israeli lobby manipulating the Pentagon into war in Iraq and Iran. This Mel stuff is rediculous, but enlightening to hear the comments in chosen media.

  94. Keyser Sose   19 years ago

    Ohh I came so late to the Mel train wreckage! What a shame. Was I working too hard ? Reading too much about Israal's just fight against radical crazy assholes? Oh where I was all this time !??

    My main dish is is going to be Mel, Honey in portuguese, melodic as "meow", Mel the bitch. Oh Pel Mel: What a *blip* up man !!!

    Was that a Mad Max stunt driving your Lexus at high speed on the perilous highways of Malibu? oh what a braveheart indeed! What a Passion you have for the law !!! Hey what about that forgotten law that says life is sacred? Remember that guy called Christ? He used to say that man. Mel, did you realize a Lexus can also be a Lethal Weapon in the hands of a drunken moron ?

    Ah, what an endorsement for your antisemitic views of the world: alcoholism.

    And what about the trash talk ? That was priceless ! Mel: the Jews did start all wars of the world man! Awesome and as true as your version of Christ's last days. Evidence is all over history: Jews attacked Pearl Harbour and of course invaded themselves in Poland. They exterminated Incas and Maias, they attacked Kuwait, set Iran and Iraq against each other too, sponsored the Taliban and don't forget the bunch os jews blowing away planes on 9/11. They self exterminated too and self pogrom'ed all over the 19th century. Those barbaric Jew Crusaders! Those bastard jewish samurais! I won't be suprised if mean aliens are jewish too.

    Mel you are a genius man, a bit drunk and bitchy, but a genius nevertheless. Thanks for opening my eyes sugar !

  95. Orrin   19 years ago

    I know that alcoholism is a serious disease, and I don't make light of it. On the other hand, I find the incident extremely amusing and ironic given his pious pretentions. Anti-semitism and racism against people of color made Western Civilization what it is today. Where would the West be today without the image of the crooked Jewish banker/parasite and the Black and Yellow and other heathen races slaving away for White Christian civilization. As Gandhi said when asked what he thought of Western Civilization, "I think it would be a good idea". Thanks Mel, I almost thought the West was doomed.
    (P.S., the Daily Mail in England would not print this. I thought the English would get the irony).

  96. ThinkTank   19 years ago

    A drunk man's words are a sober man's thoughts...

    In all fairness, he's only in the spotlight because of his rank in society. The fact is, people get drunk and say stupid things every day. Why should anyone take his words (while intoxicated) any more serious than someone elses? I mean...isn't there a war going on? "Accidental" bombings and whatnot, killing women and children? Lets not take the attention away from where it really belongs...

  97. ThinkTank   19 years ago

    It's almost as if the world waits for celebrities to fumble, so as to strip them of their accomplishments. That's a hate crime...

    They've gained popularity and worldwide respect, but they've lost their right to make everyday comments and express beliefs. Whether or not they are, in this case, his beliefs...as a figure of speach...who's on the cross now?

    And people wish to be famous? Do they wish to know what they'd be giving up...take a good hard look...

  98. ThinkTank   19 years ago

    It's almost as if the world waits for celebrities to fumble, so as to strip them of their accomplishments. That's a hate crime...

    They've gained popularity and worldwide respect, but they've lost their right to make everyday comments and express beliefs. Whether or not they are, in this case, his beliefs...as a figure of speach...who's on the cross now?

    And people wish to be famous? Do they wish to know what they'd be giving up...take a good hard look...

  99. Johnny   19 years ago

    So what's the big deal? Mel Gibson has a right to hate whoever and whatever he chooses to, just like the rest of us. Saying it to a cop while drunk is hardly a public statement and not a hate crime or incitement to hatred. It is the cops who made it a public statement, why are they even bothering to share Mr. Gibson's drunk blabberings with us? Is someone just looking for a moment of fame?

  100. dave   19 years ago

    I love seeing right-wing wackos crash and burn!

  101. johnny   19 years ago

    cops with sugar tits, kinkee isn't it?

  102. drunken jew   19 years ago

    Oh! I love sugar tits, please do me a favor can you kick my balls.

  103. angrygoy   19 years ago

    It's obvious this is just another jew-led smear campaign because they were unhappy with The Passion movie. There's no question jews primarily control the media and Hollywood, and they are out to destroy Gibson. People need to turn off the BS on TV and start thinking for themselves. The jews HAVE been involved in many of the world's wars, and are in the process of starting another world war by attacking Lebanon for no reason. Wake up, people! Gibson is telling the truth.

  104. Piter   19 years ago

    Cant we discuss more important matters then the mumblings of a movie star. Anti-Semitism is bad, but the killing of innocent woman and children in Lebanon is worse. After the second world war we said never again, but apparently nobody learned anything, even the victims of that time. Its happening all over again in Lebanon. Words can hurt, but bombs kill!

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