One To Ponder...
I owe you guys something about the film Capote, which I watched the other night. No time now...
By the way, the Lieberman/Gibson rumble is postponed due to lack of interest. I apologize for my inability to build up any Joe-mentum for the fight (thanks, Macky, for the "Joe-mentum" term).
The whole Mel Gibson incident has prompted me to ponder the following: what is the true implication of one's drunken utterances?
It is clear that almost anyone, under the influence of enough alcohol, is apt to say something outrageous. Alcohol tends to break down certain mental walls, called "inhibitions." This break-down allows for all sorts of activity that might not occur in a state of sobriety. But, it is clear as well that not everyone's outrageous statements will be anti-Semitic (or racist or homophobic or...).
So, is it "the alcohol talking?" Or, is it the person "showing their true colors?" Which cliche do you think hits closer to the mark?
By the way, the Lieberman/Gibson rumble is postponed due to lack of interest. I apologize for my inability to build up any Joe-mentum for the fight (thanks, Macky, for the "Joe-mentum" term).
The whole Mel Gibson incident has prompted me to ponder the following: what is the true implication of one's drunken utterances?
It is clear that almost anyone, under the influence of enough alcohol, is apt to say something outrageous. Alcohol tends to break down certain mental walls, called "inhibitions." This break-down allows for all sorts of activity that might not occur in a state of sobriety. But, it is clear as well that not everyone's outrageous statements will be anti-Semitic (or racist or homophobic or...).
So, is it "the alcohol talking?" Or, is it the person "showing their true colors?" Which cliche do you think hits closer to the mark?
posted by haahnster at 7:51 AM
6 Comments:
I'm afraid this is one of those "showing his own colors," with a splash of the "alcohol talking."
I don't know about this. I can't tell you how many times I have been proposed to when a man was in his cups. We hold people liable for their behaviour when they are under the influence. Saying that all wars were started by the Jews doesn't necessarily exude hatred; it's tantmount to saying, for example, all men are pigs. Not nice, contemptuous, inconsiderate. Everyone of us has a bit of that in us and there are times we would like to say something catty, in a moment of anger and dispair, but reason holds us back. Being drunk eliminates reason. Not an excuse for bad behavior, but not a reason to persecute otherwise regular human being for speaking his drunk mind. The humiliation of this is his own to bear, as we all have at one time or another. His crime was drunk driving and resisting arrest, which he should pay for.
He has apologized, why crucify him?
Oh there you go - stirring up the two schools of thought on alcohol utterances.
Do we say our true feelings when we're drunk because our inhibitions are down or are we deranged and spouting nonsense?
For my part, I think it's either/or. I find that some people let things out that they would normally never say and then there are those that become different people.
I know alcoholics that are like that.
So I think it either lets out one or the other, but that's not even the real point here, is it?
The real point is "who cares what Mel thinks"?
I mean really, the world is exploding around us and the media is focused on what Mel Gibson thinks.....
Geez, what a world.
I think the "professional jews" are going to milk this for all it's worth. And by "professional jews" I do not mean anything derogatory - but those folks like the Anti-Defimation League who are looking to put themselves forward as leaders will want concessions.
I think we should just ignore this crap and get on with life.
But that's just one boy's opinion.
Beth: That reads as though you're leaning (slightly) towards "true colors." Otherwise, nice tightrope walk!
O-L: I appreciate your reasoning, although I do equate Gibson's utterances with hatred. Certainly, blaming Jews for "all" wars is more egregious than "all men are pigs." I am offended by the former (while not being a Jew), and not offended by the latter (while being a man). Or, maybe it's just me. Oink oink.
KK: "Professional Jews" or no, we are talking about a fairly high-profile guy, not some fringe lunatic. He does have more influence than you might care to admit. Also, I think it's a legitimate concern that there's more of this sentiment lurking under various surfaces. So, in the grand scheme of the world's problems...not so significant. But, a completely "shrug it off and move on" scenario...I disagree.
I tend to agree with you, Haanster. I think that Gibson is more bigot than bottle. He is a high-profile person, and as such , he needs to be aware of what he says. No matter whether he was drunk or not, that does not make what he said less of a racially-charged statement. Yes, alcohol lowers your inhibitions, but it generally doesn't put ideas in your head that weren't already simmering there to begin with. Maybe it makes them stronger, and makes you more receptive to suggestion, but I don't think you'd really do something that you were in theory totally against while sober.
At any rate, alcohol is just his excuse for saying things that are now getting him in hot water. Alcohol or not, he's been caught in a compromising situation, and now he has to do damage control.
Oh, I think he's a bigot. I think he true-colored himself. But we know what alcohol can do.
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