The Passion of the Gibson

Well one question can be finally put to rest. Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" was intentionally anti-semitic.

We know this because he so kindly admitted his real feelings last Friday. I'm sure you've read the story by now: Mel Gibson, arrested for driving while drunk, attempted to escape from arrest, verbally abused the arresting officer and released what the New York Times called an "anti-Jewish tirade." Mel Gibson: The Speed of Scandal, New York Times, July 31, 2006.

Real Kudos go to TMZ.com, which first reported the story and which posted a copy of the original police report on its web-site.

Since Mr. Gibson's words were reduced in the Times and elsewhere to mere "anti-semitic remarks" I thought a direct quote from the police report would give a much clearer picture of the filth spewed from his mouth:

Mr. Gibson almost continuously threatened me saying that he "owns Malibu" and will spend all of his money to "get even" with me. Mr. Gibson blurted out a barrage of anti-semitic remarks about "fucking jews." Mr. Gibson yelled out "the jews are responsible for all the wars in the world." Mr. Gibson then asked, "are you a jew?"

I think that leaves very little doubt about his sensitivity to jewish people and his intent in their depiction in his film.

It also leaves me wondering what else Mr. Gibson had to say. After all a "barrage" of remarks suggests more than one or two.

Happily, the article from TMZ.com points out that the entire incident was audiotaped "and that the tape fully corroborates the written report." Gibson's Anti-Semitic Tirade -- Alleged Coverup, TMZ.com, July 28, 2006.

With a little luck, the audiotape will be on the internet soon.

Meanwhile what to do about Mr. Gibson? He has "apologized". Isn't that nice. Do I think he's actually learned anything? Do I think that he's sorry that he had been an anti-semite, and that he won't be one any more? No. I think he's sorry that he was caught. He's sorry that he's blemished his "image." And he's sorry that it might hurt his profits.

I don't know whether it will hurt his profits, but I for one do not intend ever again to watch a Mel Gibson film (starring, directed or produced). I will not pay to see them in theaters. I will not watch them on cable or pay tv. I will not watch them on commercial tv. Even films I once liked. I will not spend two hours of my time helping an anti-semite make money.

Mel Gibson has been "outed". He has tried to hide it for a long time, but now it's going to take a lot more than a press conference before he can seek forgiveness.