With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Mel Gibson Sorry for Drunk Driving, Not for Hating Jews
"The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world." - Mel Gibson, who now has something else to add to his list of controversial quotes regarding religion.
You'd think that even if you said that drunk, you'd apologize your ass off the next day. Especially if you're in the Popularity Game and you work alongside a fair share of Hebrew ladies and gentlemen.
Instead, after Mel Gibson's arrest for DUI, and filmed drunken offense-fest, the award-winning director released a broad, grand, sweeping statement that focused far more on the Sheriff's Dept. than it did the Jewish community. The same community that Gibson's father outraged when he denied the Holocaust . The same community where some felt that Gibson's biggest film "The Passion of the Christ" was not just anti-Semitic but "the most virulently anti-Semitic movie since the German propaganda films of World War Two".
Therefore we scratch our heads when we think of the lawyer who helped pen Gibson's "apology" and wonder if he was drunk too for not paying more attention on the Jews and instead focusing on the deputy, one of whom he called "sugar tits".
Mel Gibson's statement:
After drinking alcohol on Thursday night, I did a number of things that were very wrong and for which I am ashamed. 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. I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested, and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable. I am deeply ashamed of everything I said.
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. I disgraced myself and my family with my behavior and for that I am truly sorry.
I have battled with the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse. I apologize for any behavior unbecoming of me in my inebriated state and have already taken necessary steps to ensure my return to health.