I'll admit that I am tiring a bit of the Mel Gibson is an anti-semite story. It's been known for years. Predictably, the right in America defends Gibson. A typical right-wing pundit or blogger will say, "His words were terrible, but he was drunk and couldn't have meant it. And those that criticize Mel Gibson are criticizing him because of his movie, and therfore, are criticizing Christians." See how the right turned the situation into Evangelicals being victims? Bill Maher's take on the subject is among the best I have seen.The World IS Mel Gibson
I suspect I'll have plenty more to say about Mel Gibson when Real Time returns to HBO on August 25 (PLUG!!!), but in the meantime a couple of thoughts:
As I watch so much of the world ask Israel for restraint in a way no other country would (Can you imagine what Bush would do if a terrorist organization took over Canada and was lobbing missiles into Montana, Maine and Illinois?) - and, by the way, does anyone ever ask Hezbollah for restraint? You know, like, please stop firing your rockets aimed PURPOSEFULLY at civilians? - it strikes me that the world IS Mel Gibson. Most of the time, the anti-semitism is under control, but that demon lives inside and when the moon is full, or there's been enough alcohol consumed, or Israel is forced to kill people in its own defense, then it comes out.
I've heard Mr. Gibson say he's sorry, and that he's wrong, and others say, well, he was drunk, he's got a disease, etc. But my question is, what is the root of this, Mel? I mean, we all say crazy things when we're drunk, and we've all undoubtedly had ugly moments when we're superstressed out and then drunk on top of it, I know I have - but what comes out at that moment isn't a tirade against the Jews. Yes, liquor releases demons, but I want to know why the demon in Mel Gibson is hatred of the Jews to begin with (I know, the father). Why, when Mels's id is released, its about the Jews fucking everything up, just like it was with Hitler. Except Mel Gibson, when his id is in check, I believe, really knows how wrong that is, and how stupid. He, I believe, at least fights with himself about this.
But he'll never win as long as he's so religious, because, I hate to tell you, the disease isn't alcholism, the disease is religion.
But that's another essay.
For now, let me just say again: the world has their simmering hatred of the Jews under check most of the time, but do watch them when they start weaving on PCH.
And Mel, let me remind you: The Jews have not started all the wars in the world. But they have greenlit all the movies.
Tag: Mel Gibson
2 comments:
"...the disease is religion."
Ahhh, those tricky little memes... crazy little mind viruses! I'm reading an interesting book by Skeptic Magazine creator Michael Shermer, called "How We Believe". It isn't so much a criticism or debunking of religion as it is an examination of why people seem to have the need for religion, what thought processes are involved, what causes people to believe, etc.
Shermer does debunk creationism (and does a MARVELOUS job) in his book "Why People Believe Weird Things". That book also includes his debunking of holocaust deniers and of UFOs, among other things. His stuff is easy to read, and it is interesting!
Shermer must view Gibson as a fascinating case study, what with all the religious zeal, Mel's dad's influence, etc.
Sounds like an interesting book. I'll look into it.
I am agreeing more and more every day with Bill Maher's statement that religion is a mental disorder. Look at what it makes people do in America, let alone that fanaticism in the Middle East. I think we'd all benefit from a lot less of it.
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