Dear Mel,
We haven't spoken for... well it's been err.... forever. Yes we've never spoken. For many years I was a distant admirer of your admittedly finite acting skills. Not exactly Olivier - but a breezy swagger that passes for charm in a charmless world.
You lost me when you made the "Passion Of The Christ." Not the film itself. I believe in freedom of choice and I think it is wrong to ostracize someone just because he finds a way to dress up a snuff flick and fleece religious zealots into paying to see it. No - you lost me when you claimed that everything on the screen was literally "gospel" - and yet there were several instances of text cited by impeccable biblical scholars that did not appear in ANY version of the gospel (except perhaps the Gospel According To Julius Streicher). And yes those fabrications presented Jews in a negative light. Those were NOT you being literal in presenting a biblical story. Those were you inserting your inflammatory views under cover of "being true to the Gospel." A "the Bible made me do it" excuse. (The biblical version of the Twinkie defense.)
Your refusal to clearly and unequivocally renounce the views that some were attributing to you - was worrying. If you're not anti-semitic - why not come out and say it? Yes you might have disappointed many of those who flocked to spend over $600 million to revel in your depiction of Christ's death at the hands of the Jews (a notion which for some strange reason was very popular in countries dedicated to the utter destruction of Israel). But you could have lifted the air of suspicion that you're an opportunistic, feckless, glib, anti-semite who found a way to convey his views AND make money doing so.
So I've avoided seeing and hearing your work since then. Including all your old films when they pop up on TV. I didn't feel I could bring myself to listen to your voice or see your face without feeling utter contempt.
Well - the good news for you is that I'm now ending my self-imposed 'Mel-cott.' I am now ready to see and hear you again!
You see I'm now an investor in something new you star in! The video and audio recordings of your arrest early Friday morning were paid for by me (along with approximately 200 million other US tax-payers) and I can't wait!
I'm looking forward to seeing the delivery of your lines: "Fucking Jews" and "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world." I mean you're not just an actor in those scenes - you also WROTE your own dialogue. And directed yourself! That makes you a triple-threat! In so many ways...
I can't wait for the way you put that female officer in her place. "What do you think you're looking at sugar tits?" ("A pathetic, drunken, venom-filled, anti-semitic piece of ordure" was probably her thought - but I'm sure she kept it as inner dialogue.)
People forget that you are an expert in this field - having starred in "What Women Want." Of course some women may DENY that want you to address them as "sugar tits" - but those women are probably just in denial of the level of abuse they want from Mel Gibson!
By the way - I like the way that you are now much more open to homosexuality than I recall you being in the past. Your line addressed to the male officer who arrested you: "'I'm going to fuck you." - well... what a generous offer!
Millions of women want to hear those words from your mouth - but how many men get to have such a clear declaration of intended sexual congress from you? Admittedly you followed this line with "You're going to regret you ever did this to me" - which is a bit harsh on a first date - unless of course he likes it rough. You also asked the officer "Are you a Jew?"
Now a lot of people may think that that was you being a little aggressive - but I'm sure that there's a perfectly innocent explanation that some $1,000-an-hour lawyer or PR flack can come up with. Perhaps curiosity to know if the man whose body you so desired was circumsized? Or perhaps you have a general inferiority complex about size. And was worried you might not 'measure up' so well alongside a Member Of the Tribe... No matter.
There is something that is making me curious though. And that's your statement - very astutely released to the media BEFORE the transcript of your latest production was released. Keep one step ahead of the media and shape the story! Smart thinking!
You say the following:
After drinking alcohol on Thursday night, I did a number of things that were very wrong and for which I am ashamed.
So far so good.
I drove a car when I should not have, and was stopped by the LA County Sheriffs. The arresting officer was just doing his job and I feel fortunate that I was apprehended before I caused injury to any other person.
Well duh! At the moment you're facing a drunk driving rap. Vehicular homicide might have cost a tad more to fix.
I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested,
You ACTED like a person completely out of control - or you WERE completely out of control? Please clarify.
and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable.
If you don't believe them to be true - then why did you say them? Did the thoughts that sparked those words get CREATED by the alcohol. For the very first time? Or is it possible that the sole role of the alcohol was to make your tongue loose enough simply to utter those long-held thoughts in public? Please clarify.
If you don't think those things are true - then please tell us precisely what you said - and tell the world why you do not believe those things to be true. And most important of all - please tell your millions of fans precisely why those things you said are so despicable. Maybe they all know - maybe some of them don't. It can't hurt to explain.
I am deeply ashamed of everything I said,
Ashamed that you said it? Or ashamed that you were caught on tape saying it and that it has been reported? Please clarify.
and I apologize to anyone who I have offended.
Why limit it just to people you have offended? Non-Jews might not have been specifically offended by your assertion that "the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world." Non-Jews might just think that you're a puerile, rabid anti-semite. I suggest apologizing to EVERYONE who has ever heard of you and who has ever had a smidgeon of respect for you. It's not much - but it's a start...
Also, I take this opportunity to apologize to the deputies involved for my belligerent behavior. They have always been there for me in my community and indeed probably saved me from myself.
Well I think it's always wise to apologize to people who are there to protect you. Particularly if any of them are entitled to take legal action against you. Not that I'm urging any of them to seek legal counsel and research their legal options...I disgraced myself and my family with my behavior and for that I am truly sorry.
Ahhh TRULY sorry. Yes as distinct with how sorry you are that millions of people may have found your words offensive. Anyone can understand that. Especially your kids who probably already know exactly what you are...
I have battled with the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse.No one can argue with that. It is a disease. And a relapse is not a happy thing. I apologize for any behavior unbecoming of me in my inebriated state
"unbecoming of me" - what does that mean? Unbecoming of you as a public personality? At odds with your persona? That behavior would seem on the face of it to be unbecoming to anyone. And was your "inebriated state" what CAUSED the behavior? Or merely what allowed it to be on public display? Please clarify.
and have already taken necessary steps to ensure my return to health.
Well that sounds as though you are going to deal with the alcoholism. And good for you. Also smart to be able to tell the judge that you are already dealing with a problem.
But are you taking steps to ensure your mental and emotional health? Not just the alcoholism which lubricated your tongue and enabled you to publicly articulate the vile thoughts you uttered. But also the UNDERLYING disease - that allowed such thoughts to ever be sufficiently close to the surface of your consciousness to tumble out when the brake of sobriety was lifted? THAT is a very grave disease that has to be addressed in addition to the alcoholism.
Unless of course you are simply trying to pave the way for a quick probation sentence and back to the old ways.
To deal with your deepest problems - you're going to need a very brave heart...
Keep me posted
Martin