by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright August 2, 2006
All Rights Reserved.

hen Academy Award-winning director Mel Gibson was arrested “without incident” in the early-morning hours of July 28 for driving under the influence, there was nothing unusual, except his outrageous remarks and the Sheriff's attempt to cover it up. Arresting deputy James Mee's report omitted Gibson's anti-Semitic and other sickening remarks initially reported by Time Warner-sponsored celebrity Website TMZ.com. Sherriff Department spokeman Steve Whitman fanned the flames, denying there was any attempt to sanitize or otherwise distort the real events of Gibson's arrest. Calling Gibson's arrest “without incident” caused a stir, after TMZ.com reported that the 50-year-old actor spewed anti-Semitic hate, directing threats at the officer. “F------ Jews. The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world,” asking the deputy, “Are you a Jew?” all omitted in the initial arrest report.

      Whitman tried to allay concerns about preferential treatment, or, worst yet, a Sheriff's cover-up, telling reporters that everything would be contained in the final report to the D.A., “lock, stock and barrel.” When asked why Gibson's profanity and anti-Semitic tirade was missing from the arrest report, Whitman stuck to standard talking points that could prove more damaging to the director and lead actor of the 1995 Academy Award-winning film, “Braveheart.” “The job of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department is not to focus on what he said or didn't say. But to establish a blood-alcohol level and concentrate on the facts. We do not investigate rumor and innuendo,” said Whitman, whose department already reported that Gibson's blood-alcohol level was 0.12, or 0.04 above the legal limit of 0.08. Gibson's BAL and possible conviction for DUI is the least of his problems.

      While Whitman neither confirmed nor denied Gibson's incendiary rhetoric the actor and his publicist wasted no time starting his damage control. “I did a number of things that were very wrong,” read the actor's statement. “I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested, and said things I do not believe to be true and which are despicable,” verifying the worst of TMZ.com's report about his foul anti-Semitic and sexist remarks. Gibson, who works in the film business, faces ostracism from many of his Jewish colleagues. “I disgraced myself and my family with my behavior and for that I am truly sorry,” said Gibson's mea culpa, hoping to mend fences for his offensive remarks. Gibson announced he was entering rehab to deal with what he called a relapse of his alcoholism, which he blamed for setting off his tantrum and barrage of ethnic slurs.

      Gibson's blood-alcohol level, while technically beyond the legal limit, could not account alone for his offensive statements. While alcohol inhibits ordinary restraints, it doesn't put thoughts into people's heads. When Gibson financed and made his 2004 controversial blockbuster “The Passion of the Christ,” rumors circulated about his anti-Semitism. Some critics contended the film portrayed Jews in a bad light. One year before “The Passion's” release, Gibson's father, Hutton Gibson, attended a conference on revisionist history sponsored by the Adelaide Institute and well-known Holocaust denier TÖben Fredrick. Gibson denied anti-Semitism, refusing to criticize his father for holding controversial views about the Holocaust. Blood-alcohol levels give a measure of impaired judgment at various stages of intoxication but don't program individuals to hold racist views.

      Disputing Gibson's blood-alcohol level poses problems, especially about the authenticity of his anti-Semitic comments. Blaming alcohol for his anti-Semitic remarks and erratic behavior offers a convenient excuse but doesn't explain why Gibson lashed out at Jews. Nor does it explain why the Sheriff's Department apparently redacted the original arrest report containing references to his anti-Semitism and sexist language. While Gibson's BAL presents a problem for his legal case, the missing expletives from his arrest report open up another can of worms. Removing controversial material suggests uneven treatment. Investigating the incident, the Office of Independent Review attorney Mike Gennaco promised to get to the bottom of the alleged discrepancy. Gennaco wants to find out why Gibson's incendiary remarks were deleted from the Sheriff's first arrest report.

      Gibson has a real problem explaining away his anti-Semitism on his blood-alcohol level. Many people get arrested for DUI without making racist remarks, or blaming erratic behavior on alcohol. If Gibson's attorney argues the actor was not drunk at the time of the arrest, Gibson's going to have to take responsibility for his highly offensive behavior. “There certainly could be legitimate reasons for sending a report and changing it. “That happens all the time. A good supervisor makes sure the report complies with all the rules and regulation,” said Gennaco, making more excuses why Gibson's original arrest report was doctored up. While the Sheriff's Department may be forced to release the unedited version, Gibson still has a lot of explaining to do about his hateful speech. His furious attempt at damage control indicates he's truly worried about the fallout.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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