Journalist David Neiwert of Orcinus investigates actor Mel Gibson today, asking whether his cozying up to conservative political pundits as part of a Washington power play to garner pre-release support for his new movie about the crucifixion called "Passion" is indicative that there is truth to the rumors that the film and Gibson are anti-semitic. No one knows what's in the movie for sure, but there are major concerns that it blames the Jews for the crucifixion of Christ.

Here's the guest list for his latest screening in Washington:

Peggy Noonan, Cal Thomas and Kate O'Beirne; conservative essayist Michael Novak; President Bush's abortive nominee for labor secretary, Linda Chavez; staff director Mark Rodgers of the Senate Republican conference chaired by Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.); former Republican House member Mark Siljander of Michigan; and White House staffer David Kuo, deputy director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

Neiwert explores Gibson in depth. He reprints part of a 1995 Playboy interview with Gibson which is fascinating and appalling--the man is anti-feminist, does not believe in evolution or Darwin, does not think men and women are equal, and reveals several other beliefs we find bizarre. And he uses plenty of profanity to express these views. Why should you read it? As Neiwert says,