Behar to Gibson -- Get a Public Circumcision

106. The best word to describe Gibson's utter moral failure is the one he himself has used - despicable. That said - are Joy Behar and Barbara Walters seriously setting themselves up as judge and jury?

I understand that they were both personally offended by Mel's remarks. But Joy saying Mel can never learn to change and "has it in him to just hate" is as ridiculous as anyone else saying that Joy can never lose weight and just has it in her to be fat. We all have our demons, addictions and shameful secret struggles. Joy's previous actions indicate she believes personal motivation and professional help can lead to real and lasting change. After all - it worked for her, and she let Jenny Craig pay her to sell that philosophy to other people. Perhaps she is just "fooling" all of us, though, and is really overweight in her heart. (Maybe someone should "call Jenny"...)

And it wasn't that long ago that Barbara Walters was making headlines of her own for admitting that she lied and tried to cover it up. Again, I'm not excusing Mel, but to me, a journalist who lies is just as despicable in her own way as a Christian who hates (or endangers innocent life by drinking and driving). It simply isn't an option. The main difference I see here is that Mel admitted his failing and apologized. Barbara admitted hers - sorta kinda - and then blamed it on someone else and asked us all to understand that her cover attempt was merely her way of acting in the best interests of the person she hurt (a once beloved friend) and the general public.

Through the years, Barbara has traveled the globe to sit face to face with some of the world's most notable, heinous, and physically dangerous anti-Semites - as well as a host of notorious murderers, rapists, and bigots of all nationalities, religions, and opinions. My money says she'll not only see another Mel Gibson flick at some point (it's her job to know what's going on in the culture, and Disney - who owns the company for which she works - is releasing his next film), but also that her people are already working to secure the first exclusive post-rehab interview with Mel. Because remember - Barbara lies. And she's not sorry about that.

Mel Gibson can't change what he did, but I choose to believe that I can be a better person tomorrow than I was yesterday, and I choose to hold out the same hope for everyone else. If we can't affirm that as a society, we're all in serious trouble. The concept of repentance - which literally means expressing regret and then walking in the opposite direction - is essentially Jewish in origin. I have gained even more respect for those in the Jewish community who have reached out to Mel and opened the door for discussion and healing. I'm sure it wasn't easy, but it was the right and kind and courageous thing to do, and it was consistent with what they claim to believe. I have lost some (not all) respect for Mel, but I haven't lost hope for him. His apology is a good start - let's reserve further judgment at least until we see where he goes from here.

For the record, I'm not Jewish, so I can't pretend to understand the debate from that point of view. However, I am a professional journalist and I have shed 75 pounds in the last few years with the help of a weight loss program - so I feel justified in being "personally offended" by Joy and Barbara.

Posted at 4:38PM on Aug 7th 2006 by LED

107. I find it extremely irritating and sad that so many of you people feel you ahve th e"right" judge and crucify Mel Gibson for remarks he made in an alcoholic stuper. You obviously have no compassion nor human kindness towards someone who has fought a very serious and addictive disease. Begin the wife of a recovering alcoholic, I KNOW the things alcoholics say, and just becasue they say them while drinking does NOT mean that it is something they trully believe.

SHAME ON YOU and anyone else who thinks that that are "sinless" and beyond criticism. You and others who think yo have the right to judge and blacklist Mel Gibson are hypocrites; you are not perfect, and you should be ashamed of yourselves. Anytime someone of another religion "blasts" and puts down Christians and our religion, it seems to be "ok" with most of you in HOllywood, but if someone is drunk and says something, which I am sure he said what he did thinking about how Israel is bombing so may innocent people in Lebonon. Not to say that it was a good comment, but many people feel the same way--and may don't. But don't crucify one "sick" but not horrible man who made a comment that he really did'nt mean.

Posted at 11:30PM on Aug 8th 2006 by Peggy