The Just Thought I'd Share Thread

[Tango]

Mel Gibson.

I cannot justify Mel Gibson's behavior--hitting someone is obviously wrong, illegal & immoral. I believe bad language is often the exposed tip of the ice berg of seething anger. Yet I don't believe Mel Gibson hates women, blacks, Jews, gays, etc. Did you see him with Danny Glover, Helen Hunt, Jody Foster, Julia Roberts and many others? He is a professional actor. Still, I don't really believe it. Or don't want to believe it. Even after hearing the tapes. I hear an angry, out of control drunk. Is that illegal?

Whoopi Goldberg says he's not a racist--but says he IS a bonehead. How well does she know him? What does she gain by defending him? Perhaps she's just being the "devil's advocate." I don't think the tapes are necessarily proof that Mel is a racist, misogynistic, homophobic antisemite. Sure, I have seen his work and interactions with others on talk shows, but that's just "on camera" and on his terms. On the other hand, Whoopi has had Mel in her house. Not too many others are defending him, and not too many defended OJ Simpson. Why do I bring up OJ here? I guess in my mind it's a fairly well known domestic violence case that ended in horror. Perhaps I am being unfair: Gibson is not involved in a murder case. Whatever his issues are, Gibson seems to be a collison course that could lead to tragic consequences beyond just the loss of Hollywood money--a commodity he no longer needs, anyhow. The girlfriend needs cash--she has a child to raise. Is she provoking him? Does he know how to walk away?

Hearing the tapes I thought back to hearing the OJ Simpson/Nicole Brown audio tapes--ones we all heard after Brown's murder. So many were shocked at the man they cheered for from the stands. In the same light, I appreciate the actor playing in Lethal Weapon (s), [The] Mad Max [series], Signs, Maverick, The Man Without A Face, The Patriot, What Women Want, Braveheart and Ransom. With OJ, no one wanted to believe the monster existed. What we are seeing from Mel is likewise creepy.

I have my suspicions. I didn't understand the Mel Gibson behind "The Passion Of Christ." I didn't watch it. I won't watch it. I don't want to meet the person behind the voice on the angry tapes either. Sure, I believe he was "set up,"--the girlfriend's voice was clearer, in control--absolutely serene--and obviously aware, as she was doing the taping. Yet I believe we heard the reality of what his girlfriend has been living. I believe he was used by her, and I think he was an idiot to let this happen. I believe the constant fawning of people on celebrities damage them and give them some crazy sense of entitlement that is not real. I believe drugs and alcohol cause senseless damage and violent behavior, but people can change.

I'm less sure about Lindsay Lohan. Jail certainly won't "rehab" her, but maybe it will work as a "time out."

What will help Mel Gibson? I don't know.

Does it really matter in the "big picture?" Not really. But it's being played out on the "news" as if it does matter. Actors can always be replaced in the limelight. Domestic violence abounds--that matters. But somehow with some celebrities, we are drawn in to it like a moth to a flame.

More importantly--
What will happen in Haiti. What will happen to so many others in the world who are starving and suffering. And will BP finally cap the leaking oil pipe in the Gulf Coast, destroying the ecosystem, wild life and the income of millions?

Just thought I'd share.