posted on August 7, 2006 02:52:07 PM new
In his boldest bid yet to apologize to the Jewish community, actor Mel
Gibson today announced that he had converted to Judaism.
The news took many Jews aback, since conversion to Judaism is a
demanding process that can take months or even years of study, and Mr. Gibson accomplished the feat in a record time of forty-five minutes.
But a spokesman for the "Lethal Weapon" star explained how Mr. Gibson pulled off his lightning-fast conversion: "This is Hollywood -- a lot
of things can be done by special effects."
Moments after his conversion to Judaism, Mr. Gibson paid a visit to
the registrar's office in Los Angeles County and had his name legally
changed to "Mel Gibstein" in a show of commitment to his new chosen faith.
Then it was off to Malibu, where the 50-year old actor was Bar
Mitzvahed on the beach in a small, private ceremony.
"Today, I am a man," Mr. Gibstein said before a gathering of friends
and well-wishers from the local watering hole Moonshadows. "A Jew man!"
Mr. Gibstein, whose Lexus LS sedan now sports a license plate reading
"LCHAIM," said that he was "thoroughly enjoying being a Jew" and vowed to only shop wholesale from now on.
The actor added he would begin production of a new film, "Mad Matzoh
Beyond Thundershalom," as soon as he kicks his drinking problem.
"I am really committed to reheeb," he said. "I mean rehab."
posted on August 7, 2006 04:50:50 PM new
I'm surprised there hasn't been any discussion of this deal here. Too touchy I guess. Everybody likes Gibson. Braveheart is one of my all time favorites.
I tend to think of alcohol as truth serum and don't much buy the "it was the booze talking" excuse. I figure drunk persons tend to say things they would never say sober, but don't say things they don't believe or mean. After seeing that Passion movie I was suspicious but figured that Gibson was just following the biblical story line, which I think has contributed to a lot of the antisemitism that has existed. I can remember in catechism being led to believe that the Jews caused Jesus' death more than the Romans did. Then I hear that his father was an outspoken holocaust denier and bigot and that pretty well cinched it for me when along comes Jackie Mason who swears up and down that Gibson is just a drunk who said some mean stuff and definitely NOT antisemitic, so who knows?
____________________________________________
Grow your own Dope. Plant a Republican.
posted on August 7, 2006 05:18:49 PM new
He has apologized up one side and down the other, let's not crucify the guy for his drunken stupidity...I've said and done stupid things when I've had to much to drink..who hasn't. Unfortunately for him, his words have been broad-casted all over the world. And I agree, I think alcohol lowers one's inhibitions, and loosens the lips..
posted on August 7, 2006 06:18:25 PM new
Mel Gibson knows Bars serve a drug. Mel Gibson knows Bars are a modern day Opium Den. Mel Gibson knows Bars pay a lot of taxes to stay open.
Mel Gibson came to a Pa. SHOW BAR to see it all. LOL
posted on August 7, 2006 08:07:09 PM new
Deep down, really, who cares?
He was drunk and said something stupid.
I grew up in a somewhat rascist household (and by that I mean the "n-word" was used). I made a concious effort to never say it and I raised my children not to say it...but if I got totally wasted would it come out? Maybe. I don't know. But it would be a shame that IF it did happen someone might hold that against me for the rest of my life.
posted on August 7, 2006 11:03:24 PM new
Actually, the first time I "went under", someone had to be "present", in case I said something....when I was in the Army.
I remember getting to the low 90's (counting backwards) and nothing more.
The second time I went under, no one extra was present. But I no longer held a clearance and was "out of the loop" for a few years.
Because of that, I figured everyone talks under anesthesia and I have always wondered what I said. It's kinda creepy.
I wonder if they would let you record your own surgery?
posted on August 7, 2006 11:43:28 PM new
Yep drunken state loosens the lips and if he were not famous no one would be offended other than the jewish cop stopping him and then treatment would have been rather harsh I bet.
I think it was good thing he appoligized but you can bet he will not live it down so quickly as I have feeling that a large majority of holly-wods (not misspelled) are Jewish and still into blacklisting. Sort of...
posted on August 8, 2006 07:22:34 AM new
Interesting, I could care less what Mr. Gibson utters in a drunken stupor. I am more affected by Irked's remarks somehow turning it around to blame the object of Mr. Gibsons tirade for the incident.
posted on August 8, 2006 08:02:56 AM new
There is no excuse, he has to own his words.
But...in my opinion, it's hypocritical of a society where racism is so prevalent to castrate this one person for his stupidity.. as if he is the only bigot out there...it exists people, and not only against the Jews, but the Blacks, and Mexicans also, to name a few.
I'm disgusted with his words but not shocked, I've heard them a thousand times before... I'm glad he has been exposed.. but I doubt it will change his way of thinking.
posted on August 8, 2006 10:33:43 AM new
Just one question - Would "society" be as outraged had Gibson blamed all the wars in the world on the Muslims or the Catholics or the Protestants? Or, is it only racist because he blamed the Jews? I think if he blamed it on another religion or race it would have probably been swept under the carpet.
Just curious what everyone's answers would be. Personally, I'm getting a bit tired of Holocaust this and Holocaust that. My people (the Scots and the Irish) have been persecuted, enslaved and murdered throughout history. The Irish still are. Sorry, but those of the Jewish faith do not hold exclusive rights to prejudice or religious persecution. So, he (Gibson) slipped up. So, he said something incredibly insensitive and stupid. I think there are worse things to worry about right now than what Mel Gibson said in a drunken stupor. Get over it and get on with it. . .is my opinion.
Sorry, but I'm tired of hearing about it on the radio and the TV. Enough already.
Now I suppose everyone is going to call me prejudiced. . .so be it.
Edited to add: My best friend is Jewish and she knows how I feel about this one subject. If she can handle it and basically agree (why should she care what someone she doesn't know and never will thinks?), so can everyone else.
Cheryl
[ edited by cblev65252 on Aug 8, 2006 10:35 AM ]
posted on August 8, 2006 11:11:56 AM new
Not at all Cheryl, I agree with you, racism is racism.
No "One" group deserves more attention than any other. But I imagine that being a movie star puts you under stricter scrutiny, so I'm not sure if he had spoken against Muslims, or Catholics etc. that it wouldn't have been blown up large as well.
posted on August 8, 2006 01:37:26 PM new
davebraun-- I didn't know I had turned anything around to blame others. A fact is a fact not blame. It is well known by now that because Gibson is famous a lot was swept under the carpet. IF it had been me and I spouted off to a Jewish cop or a black cop or any cop something racist I would probably still be picking myself up. I was not blaming Gibson's remarks on anyone how would I know Gibson knew that a certain cop was of the Jewish faith, we can thank the media for that tidbit. I would not know a person of Jewish faith by looks alone and that goes for Catholic, Baptist, some Muslims are not all of Arabic nationality either. I am not racist and do not condoan any racist remarks by others to hurt or defame anyone. I am from the South and there are a lot of racist remarks made by a lot of people and I believe there are a lot of remarks made by others not just the Southerners--still don't condon it at all.
posted on August 8, 2006 08:57:32 PM new
So cheryl, out of curiosity and pleased be advised I'm not picking a fight here as I have mixed opinions about the whole thing as I said above, do you think any comeuppance Gibson gets will be warranted or undeserved?
____________________________________________
Grow your own Dope. Plant a Republican.
posted on August 9, 2006 04:52:21 AM new
I think whatever Mel Gibson gets, he gets. I have no opinion on what he deserves one way or the other. As much as what some people say may bother us, there still is a thing called Freedom of Speech. If the KKK is allowed to say the vile and disgusting things they do without consequence, should there be consequence to what Mel Gibson said? I think it's a slippery slope and I won't comment further. I haven't the energy to climb back up the slope should I slide down.
posted on August 9, 2006 05:40:01 AM new
"do you think any comeuppance Gibson gets will be warranted or undeserved?"
any WHAT??
What the hell does comeuppance mean?
Profe-I could be wrong,but I would bet most of us,besides you, dont have college degrees.If you're gonna use these "50 dollar" college words, go elsewhere will ya?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you dont want to hear the truth....dont ask the question.
posted on August 9, 2006 05:45:22 AM new
classic - it's a deserved consequence or outcome from an action good or bad - iow "just deserts" as I usually call it.
posted on August 9, 2006 08:23:55 AM new
Classic, a comeuppance is a lot like a discomfiture. An ignominy if you prefer. He certainly got his commonition.
Sheesh. Public schools these days...
Helen's answer was good too. "Honey, look at that, you've FINALLY got a comeuppance!"
Dr. Arcane, revelator of mystical secrets
http://www.drarcane.com
Got questions about the secrets of the universe?
[ edited by DrArcane on Aug 9, 2006 08:25 AM ]
posted on August 9, 2006 12:35:25 PM new
Simply put... Gibson is a moron. It has nothing to do with his movies, social views, or celebrity status.
I personally could care less what he thinks or says. If he thinks Jews are so evil, that is his business. If he wants to spew it all over for the world to see, then he asks for the attention. Gibson knows that anything he does is under scrutiny, but he decided to do what he did anyways.
He is a professional actor making millions of dollars. He could have afforded a limo driver to take him where he needed to go. He's done the crime before, he should already know better. If he would have been responsible to NOT drive, none of this would have happened. He is a moron who made a moronic decision.
[ edited by DrArcane on Aug 9, 2006 08:25 AM ]