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Mel Gibson Enters Rehab

Mel Gibson has entered rehab for alcoholism treatment. He has also issued a statement denying he is an anti-semite and asking to meet with Jewish leaders of the community.

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'm not just asking for forgiveness. 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.

Unlike his apology of the other day, this one directly acknowledges his hateful comments towards Jews:

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.

Gibson's actions have had business repurcussions.

A miniseries set during the Holocaust, which was to be produced in partnership with ABC, has been canceled by the network.

Gibson has a lot to think about in rehab. This is undoubtedly a life-altering happenstance for him -- kind of like Bill and Monica, one that when it happens, there's no reversing course. He will recover, just like Clinton did, but also like Clinton, he'll probably never have the same level of respect in the eyes of many but his most ardent supporters.

More takes: Arianna says the Gibson affair is Hollywood's defining moment. The New York Times looks at the speed of the scandal. Ann Althouse compares his quick fall to OJ, Michael Jackson and other fallen stars. Andrew Sullivan is not forgiving.

Update: Arianna has part two of the Gibson affair, dealing with today's apology, which she calls a "world class affair." Like Arianna, I wonder how real it is...whether it's from his heart or from the pen of a very skillful p.r. crisis manager.

Only time will tell whether it reflects the most stunningly fast and vast transformation since Saul became Paul on the road to Damascus or the work of a PR genius -- but, for now, it has to be said: Mel gives excellent apology when his back is shoved up against the wall and he gets a do-over.

Use it wisely, Mel. It will be your last chance.

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    Re: Mel Gibson Enters Rehab (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Aug 01, 2006 at 10:42:33 AM EST
    The Jewish Anti-Defamation League has issued a press release responding to Mel Gibson's recent requests for "help" in his recent apology to "the Jewish community." Its response appears to me both gracious and constructive.

    Re: Mel Gibson Enters Rehab (none / 0) (#2)
    by Punchy on Tue Aug 01, 2006 at 10:50:16 AM EST
    His apology is so hollow as to be meaningless. I'm sorry, but 0.12% BAL, while over what is legal to drive, is NOT an amount that one can blame for bad behavior. I'm not saying his words were premediated, but they could not have been incoherent babbling caused by drinking only this amount... In addition, and related, is why getting pulled over would spark anti-Jewish comments! Anti-police...sure. Anger, frustration, denial of drinking...perhaps. But who busts out of their car and starts slinging anti-Jewish comments out of nowhere? This is twisted, off-the-charts bizzare behavior. This is also why I'm convinced he was "on" more than just alcohol. 0.12% BAL just doesn't open up the gums like this...harder drugs...absolutely (and could explain his rage)...

    Re: Mel Gibson Enters Rehab (none / 0) (#3)
    by TomStewart on Tue Aug 01, 2006 at 11:00:12 AM EST
    I've thought Gibson was unhinged for several years. Now we have hard proof of it, and his apology seems aimed more at saving his box office than at true remorse. How many are nodding their heads in agreement with Gibson's anti-jewish remarks, and will Gibson go on presenting himself has a modern Christ, pursecuted by the Hollywood Jews that would keep his movies off the screen?

    Re: Mel Gibson Enters Rehab (none / 0) (#4)
    by scribe on Tue Aug 01, 2006 at 11:16:28 AM EST
    All well and good. Here's some new, interesting part(s). Today's NY Post (I know, no paragon of high-end journalism, but this one appears sourced and properly reported) reports the arresting officer is Jewish, but even he considers Gibson's rant to have been "booze talking" and was personally unoffended by the rant, considering this a normal bust. Earlier, Gibson was at a restaurant with a number of other people, and was photographed there (cover of NY Post, courtesy In Touch) goggle-eyed, with a blonde on each arm (neither of them his wife) and a beer in his hand.* Apparently, he mixed beer, wine and the "Lethal Weapon" (tequila) that night, was all chatty, bloodshot eyes, slurring words, declined rides home, dismissed concerns that he shouldn't drive and said he'd take care of himself, all before being clocked at 87 in a 45. In vino, veritas. * As we've heard elsewhere: "Celebrities, when you go out, remember, the camera phone is your friend!" Go figure.

    Re: Mel Gibson Enters Rehab (none / 0) (#5)
    by Slado on Tue Aug 01, 2006 at 11:28:57 AM EST
    As I stated on previous posts I agree that .12 does not give you a pass on anything. Something else made him shout those things. Either he believes them (if he said it), he has some emotional crisis going on that had him all worked up, or he was on something else like Punchy suspects. I love his movies but he's going to need to go on an "I'm Sorry" tour leading up to the release of his next movie to put this behind him. This sounds like step one of a 20 step program in rebuilding his reputation.

    Re: Mel Gibson Enters Rehab (none / 0) (#6)
    by roger on Tue Aug 01, 2006 at 11:36:09 AM EST
    Sorry, but in the "Lethal Weapon" movie with Jet Li, Gibson repeatedly calls Li's charactor "Dim Sum". He acts like it's the wittiest joke in the world. As a result, I found the movie unwatchable, despite having Jet Li in it. Anti-semitism is just the tip of Gibson's racial outlook.

    Re: Mel Gibson Enters Rehab (none / 0) (#7)
    by desertswine on Tue Aug 01, 2006 at 12:26:57 PM EST
    ...goggle-eyed, with a blonde on each arm (neither of them his wife) and a beer in his hand.
    A man has got to know his limitations. ~ Clint Eastwood (Harry Callahan), Magnum Force

    Re: Mel Gibson Enters Rehab (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Aug 01, 2006 at 12:57:02 PM EST
    Punchy. Please believe me when I say I am no fan of Gibson, and judging by his outburst it would be hard to dismiss that he has a "Jewish problem" But if I take your quote:
    This is twisted, off-the-charts bizzare behavior.
    If only for future understanding of alcoholics, twisted, off-the-charts bizzare behavior is more oft than not unreckognised as such by the alcoholic, the abnormal becomes the normal. Believe me I have listened to far too many horror stories of the actions of what now are useful members of society when recalling their past lives as alcoholics.

    Re: Mel Gibson Enters Rehab (none / 0) (#9)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Aug 01, 2006 at 01:26:34 PM EST
    Methinks under that normally charismatic, funny, warm exterior exists an angry man. There but for the grace of, well, somebody, my parents maybe?, go I.

    Re: Mel Gibson Enters Rehab (none / 0) (#10)
    by roy on Tue Aug 01, 2006 at 01:38:42 PM EST
    There doesn't seem to be a concensus on how the alcohol would have affected Gibson's behavior, on whether to take his words at face value. I suggest an exercise to help evaluate: ask yourself, what's the worst thing you've ever said or done after drinking 6+ beers or equivalent, and did it accurately convey your ideals? (My answers are "I love you", and "no", respectively)

    Re: Mel Gibson Enters Rehab (none / 0) (#11)
    by jondee on Tue Aug 01, 2006 at 02:46:46 PM EST
    I had a cab driving partner years ago who served 20+ in Attica for a double murder he commited while on three day bender. Swore he couldnt remember anything at all about that day and I believed him. If you met this gentle, grandfatherly, old guy you'd never suspect in a million years that he was capable of anything like that. Too much booze + our mammalian wiring + stress + wrong and anti-rationalist thinking, is a disaster waiting to happen.

    Re: Mel Gibson Enters Rehab (none / 0) (#12)
    by Slado on Tue Aug 01, 2006 at 03:00:32 PM EST
    Roy. I thought back about what I'd done after 6+ beers and while on the very plus side of 6 your point was well taken.

    Re: Mel Gibson Enters Rehab (none / 0) (#13)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Aug 01, 2006 at 03:26:25 PM EST
    Gibson can say he is sorry to those he has hurt while in Rehab. Speak to them personally.That's all part of the healing process.

    Re: Mel Gibson Enters Rehab (none / 0) (#14)
    by John Mann on Tue Aug 01, 2006 at 03:58:21 PM EST
    Punchy wrote:
    His apology is so hollow as to be meaningless. I'm sorry, but 0.12% BAL, while over what is legal to drive, is NOT an amount that one can blame for bad behavior.
    Different people react differently to the same amount of alcohol in their systems. We've probably all read the police report by now, and all the details of exactly what it was he said. Do you really think he'd say those things if he wasn't blitzed out of his mind? Nonetheless, in vino veritas.

    Re: Mel Gibson Enters Rehab (none / 0) (#15)
    by jimcee on Tue Aug 01, 2006 at 08:20:56 PM EST
    Mr Gibson obviously has issues that were exacerbated by excessive drink. As someone sort of said earlier alcohol=truthiness. I have enjoyed some of Gibson's films and I always thought he was a bit daft but that isn't surprising because he is a thespian. They all seem to be a bit off. As far as the anti-semitic utterances of a drunken man? I've had drunken friends and aquaintances call me much worse things but I still like them and in reality most of them are very generous and fine people...until they drink too much. As Squeaky pointed out earlier Wagner was an anti-semite but he still is considered a great composer. Karl Orff's reputation suffered from identification with a particular fan base and he never recovered. As repulsive as Gibson's comments were they are not unusual. The Arab print media says much worse things about Jews and everywhere the western media gives them a look-away pass. If there is a certain built-in acceptence of the inherent racist attitude of the Western press is that this is acceptable coming from the manipulators of the "Arab street". But it is unacceptable coming from Mel Gibson. I'm sure glad everyone in the media have thier priorities in order. Prediction: This will not damage Gibson's career as much as some think. This also has an odd timing in that his name is out there, although in a poor light, in time for his next film. His PR people will find a way to spin this away and Gibson will continue as a media giant. Like it or not.

    Re: Mel Gibson Enters Rehab (none / 0) (#16)
    by Aaron on Wed Aug 02, 2006 at 07:21:58 AM EST
    I had a cab driving partner years ago who served 20+ in Attica for a double murder he commited while on three day bender. Swore he couldnt remember anything at all about that day and I believed him.
    Let me guess... his girlfriend and her lover? Blacking out doesn't mean that you had no appreciation for what you were doing, or did something you didn't want to do. It simply means that you've lost most or all of your memory of what you did.

    Re: Mel Gibson Enters Rehab (none / 0) (#17)
    by Aaron on Wed Aug 02, 2006 at 10:44:21 AM EST
    Let's just be clear, these are two separate issues, driving under the influence, and anti-Semitic prejudicial remarks. While the alcohol may have been a factor in those remarks, I think it's important to keep them separate, specifically because these are two separate issues that Mel is going to have to deal with. One of them could negatively impact his career, the other could lead to Gibson destroying his life and the lives of others. I'm encouraged to see Mr. Gibson reaching out to the Jewish community, and see him going into rehab to address his drug problem. Whatever his motivations for taking these actions, both are steps in the right direction. He's doing what needs to be done in order to address these problems, and I support him as a fellow human being. Again I'd like to reiterate the importance of Mel's upbringing. While his rational mind may tell him that Jews are no different than other people in this world, on some deeper emotional level he perhaps harbor's feelings towards them which to a large extent he is not responsible for. He's not responsible because his father spent many years, formative years for Mel, spouting anti-Semitic propaganda. That's not the kind of thing that people overcome easily specifically because those developmental years influence your attitudes and outlook for the rest of your life. Too often we look at adults as if they can be separated from the child that they were, and the childhood which created them. I don't believe this is possible, and I have compassion and sympathy for Mr. Gibson and what he struggling with. Alcoholism and prejudice are difficult problems that may never be completely overcome. My sympathies will continue to extend up to the point where his problems start damaging the lives of others, which could likely occur in the case of his drinking and driving. Or if he continues to make movies with anti-Semitic themes which helped widen the divide between religious groups. Perhaps he will see the error of his ways, and do what he can to make amends, and perhaps his actions will even encourage others to face their problems and do likewise. PS If some of you here don't like my comments to the point where you're asking me to stop commenting, to you I extend my sympathies and compassion as well. As anyone who's read my comments here in the past knows, I can make inflammatory remarks with the best of them. But these issues do not need to be inflamed, and throwing more wood on the fire is not going to help anyone. Just don't get me started on George W. Bush, or I'll burn it all down baby. Better to do it with words in the hopes of heading off the biblical Armageddon we've got looming on the horizon, then sit back and wait for the conflagration which will literally consume us all.

    Re: Mel Gibson Enters Rehab (none / 0) (#18)
    by jondee on Wed Aug 02, 2006 at 11:18:54 AM EST
    His Father-in-law and brother-in-law. Reasonable guess though. Btw, He became an everyday AA meeting guy after he got out. People can change.

    Re: Mel Gibson Enters Rehab (none / 0) (#19)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Aug 07, 2006 at 09:22:43 AM EST
    Rehab is one thing, and recovery quite another. According to this scribe, there's more at stake than what can be resolved in a 30-day program. Richard Levick's Take