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NEW YORK, NY August 1, 2006: I exclusively interviewed Mel Gibson's father, Hutton Gibson, three times during a highly charged time in the United States, just one week prior to the launch of The Passion in February 2004. This is why I can state emphatically that the hoopla surrounding Mel Gibson's comments comes as a bit of an anti-climax.
When Mel defiantly expressed to the world during an interview with Dianne Sawyer on February 16, 2004, that the integrity and morality of his father was sacrosanct - even though the octogenarian was a notorious longtime Holocaust denier - he cast his lot with the callous philosophy his father discharges.
Mel had every opportunity to walk the proper path without compromising his father-son bond: denounce the abhorrent views of the father while continuing to affirm his birthright love for him.
Mel's character reveals much about a troubled family obsessed with demonizing another faith. He was reared in a family whose patriarch has spent his life discrediting others dissimilar to him. Whether through his father's monthly newsletters or media interviews, you were either for Latin Mass and against the "looming world Jewish domination," or against God.
That is why I repeated over and again on the talk-show circuit that Mel's drink-and-tell-all anti-Jewish revelation would only be a matter of time in the making. And what was perhaps most fascinating about his tirade this past Saturday evening, was his word-for-word parroting of his father. In Mel's rage he feared that the policeman was Jewish and claimed that Jews were the source of all wars. Well, like father like son. Hutton stated to me that WWI & WWII were waged as part of a Jewish plot, that in fact every war was orchestrated by the Jewish bankers and corporate magnates to reap financial gain at the expense of the Christian.
In my discussions with Hutton, I was actually most interested in what was his children thought of his philosophy and worldview. He proudly confirmed that the "first generation" - referring to his ten adult kids - resoundingly supported his perspective regarding the Holocaust et al. One of the pillars of his outlook that he chose to share with me include: "I don't know what the Jewish agenda is except that it's all about control. They're after one world religion and one world government."
Mel alluded to sharing his father's visions all too many times before. During his interview with Sawyer the actor had stated resolutely that his father was "a moral man," and that his father "is a man of truth." His categorical unwillingness to distant himself from his father's opinions culminated in a foreboding caution to Sawyer, "I'm tight with him. He's my father. Gotta leave it alone, Diane. Gotta leave it alone."
And when asked during a Readers Digest exclusive if the Holocaust was a uniquely Jewish experience, it was as if pulling teeth when Mel replied that there were "some Jews killed."
And what about future Gibsons? It was the next generation - the grandkids - who Hutton Gibson was most concerned about, that they may not carry forth his call to arms as resolutely. Unfortunately, he has little need to worry just yet, as this trans-generational cycle of hate is alive and well in the Gibson family. I had interviewed Mel's nephew as well, seventeen-year-old Tiernan Gibson, who is the son of Hutton's Houston-based daughter. He was as absolute in his Holocaust denial as his grandfather. His enlightened "education" about the murder of six million Jews came at the Latin mass only St. Jude's Shrine just outside of Houston. Father Louis J. Campbell, a Brooklyn-born Holocaust denier, is his spiritual mentor. But, then, so is Uncle Mel, Grandfather Hutton, his mother, their friends, church president, and so on.
The denigration of others will never come to a close unless bold steps are taken to deny carte blanche access to haters like the Gibsons.
But then again, I think this whole outburst was a Machiavellian maneuver to generate another wave of over-the-top coverage and create another division in society of Gibson defenders versus the accusers for one principal beneficiary: Gibson. His latest flick, Apocalypto, is due for release this summer.
(68) Anonymous , July 21, 2009
Mell i toguht you were swell but you prove me wrong
No I wont get over it, mell is antisemitist and just like hitler said that he has no wish for war and he weshes for peace mell knows that it is not wise to say he hate jews. you can read from the words that he does hate jews when he says they are responsible for all the wars in the world. he reminds me of the arab states who said that israelo is responsible for tzunami waves, what next is he going to balme jews if arm will itch. when you see hiis the pssion of christ movie you understrand he is realy hates jews but he lacks the minimal courage to say hedoes. it disturbs me because as somone who know history and studied it i see how this movie is pure propaganda which is a lie and it show that mell is a fake christian. as a christian you are suppose to spread out love, all i see is anger and lies and the propagande ahttas spread out hate. I think it is really fucked up when little kids see it and are told this movie is true and grow up with all this falce hate all built inside them cause of that jerk
(67) John , February 17, 2008
Mel Gibson is a role model to all people. He has apologised regarding this issue, therefore I see no point of going over the same issue over and over again.
Further on, (a reply to all questions based on the lack of education) Mel Gibson is ranked at the top of all actors - to be an actor education is not really needed, therefore if all of you have a problem with uneducated people do not watch any acting associated issues.
Everyone has a point of view, I have a point of view that jews are just money living people that own the capatalist society - leaving all of us at the bottom.
All you people speak about yourself, and do not compare a person whom has succeeded in his life with such questionable people like you.
(66) kay heggie , January 19, 2007
hutton and mel gibson
Remind these two uneducated people that Jesus and his mother were jews. Tell them there are only 12 million jews in the world . That muslims and catholics out number them. tell old hutton to get a closer look at the ovens at austwitz.and watch some movies about himler and heinrich.
(65) ruth glueck , August 19, 2006
I am going to throw away my movies with Mel in them/
I will not go to see another film that Mel has anything to do with. I hope others will feel the same and we boycott his films
(64) Anonymous , August 17, 2006
Gibson -personal problems maybe-anti-semetic-i would'nt worry about it.
Perhaps Mel Gibson said a few things. But those few things were not repeted by the media nor did they say what exactly what it was the Mel may have said. Mel probbly has some spiritual issues that most mainstream religious folk might think "thats kinda OVERBOARD" but to keep on and on about what mel might have or have not said in which we really don't know what was said that night. I say we just forget the whole thing besides a fellow Jew at the museum already reached out to him and he appoligized. Did'nt he, so if mel wants to study Judism,Jewish history,or just check in to the rehab, fine so be it. Sincerly, John