Gabler conveniently overlooks the critical difference between Gibson's "rant" and the other individuals' bigoted comments (Coughlin etc.). Mel Gibson admitted his comments were detestable and wrong. He has disavowed them as untrue. Mr. Gibson is an example of a man who is aware of his deeply rooted faults and failings. I expect this event, which fortunately only injured him and his reputation, may help him to avoid the fate of his father, who has clearly not let go of his misplaced hatred.

Mel Gibson made the claim that 'half the world's war were started by Jews'. What is the correct percentage? It would be hard to argue that the war in Lebanon was not started by Jews. Israel is, after all, a 'Jewish state'. The war in Iraq was certainly not started by Saddam Hussein; there were no 'weapons of mass destruction'. It wasn't started by Al Qaida, either. Jewish neo-cons and Washington's Israel policy might conceivably have had something to do with it.

That makes two. How many wars are going on, at present?

Mr. McCord:

>It would be hard to argue that the war in Lebanon was not started by Jews. Israel is, after all, a 'Jewish state'.

Hard for you, maybe. The current Israel/Lebanon conflict started when Hizbullah crossed the internationally recognized border and kidnapped 2 Israeli soldiers. Even Saudi Arabia(!) agrees their actions were illegitimate:

http://www.politicalgateway.com/news/read/24774

>The war in Iraq was certainly not started by Saddam Hussein; there were no 'weapons of mass destruction'. It wasn't started by Al Qaida, either. Jewish neo-cons and Washington's Israel policy might conceivably have had something to do with it.

Might have. But the people who hold the top level jobs in the Bush administration are all non Jews. Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Powell, Rice - all non Jews. These people got us into Iraq, and they deserve the blame for it.

>That makes two. How many wars are going on, at present?

You missed at least two. Darfur, and Chechnya. But those wars don't involve Israel or Jews, so I guess they don't count?

After reading posts like yours, I'm more worried about the anti-Semitic Left in this country than the anti-Semitic Right.

How has it become commonly accepted that anything unflattering said or implied against Jews and/or Israel is the same thing as "hate speech?" I could haver sworn that "hate" as a word conveyed an intense, extreme, visceral response against something or someone?

Mr. Gabler seems to have missed that our current administration and Mr. Bush share a few things with the Jewish alliance in this country: unquestioned obedience, absolutely no criticism of any type for any reason, and free speech be damned!

Unfortunately I will be labeled an anti-Semite because I am against the avalanche of negativity that has been launched against Gibson by the likes of Barbara Walters, the media in general and all the way to Mr. Neal Gabler. It would be so refreshing for all of us thin skinned people to understand that every person is valuable. To gnash and tear at someone who has not avocated violence or mayhem upon you or the group you most clearly associate yourself with, then how does a simplistic statement turn into "hate speech?" To be sure our culture can't boast a clean conscience on the issue of equality and inclusion, but people can't be condemned for making inocuous statements that no one, under any circumstances, would take seriously.

If the media hand't jumped on this situation with such ferocity against Gibson because of his supposed anti-Semite statement, then maybe the media buzz of the last six days would have allowed some rewal news to filter into our lives?

I began your article in agreement with your statements on Mel Gibson. I finished your article disgusted at the idea you would take Mel Gibson's drunken rantings and associate them with the entire Christian faith as well as the President. It is obvious that you are not involved with Evangelical groups. That can be surmised in your statement that Christians only support Jews to usher in the apocalypse that brings on their eternal damnation.??? Who did you study Christian beliefs under? I've never met an evangelical pastor who preached anything other than Jewish salvation in the last days. There is also a very large portion of the body of Christ that yearns for reconnection with the Jewish brother and sister and has no alterior motive like the apocalypse.

Your article certainly contained more hate speech than any other statements I have read in years.

Jason Bexten

I love Mel Gibson and Allene Swienckowski. Nice letter Allene.

The return of the Jews to Israel is not limited to the Book of Revelations(I read it, couldn't understand it)there are references in the Old Testament as well.

The guy was drunk. Who hasn't said things they didn't mean when they were drunk. I challenge all to look deep in their past and say they have never done that. Not going to happen! We all have. If you have ever gotten intoxacated, you have said and done thing you wish you didn't.

But what the heck, this sure would be a good way to get Mel back for making the "Passion of Christ".

Leave the guy alone, let him recover, live and let live!

I don't have a comment just yet about the article itself (still trying to digest some of the points discussed) but I would appreciate it the "F" word was not allowed, it is very offensive to us Traditional Roman Catholics and I would hope it would be just as offensive to the agnostics and all those in between as well. God has given the English language so many beautiful words. Surely you could find one that makes the point without using the "F" word. Shame on you for cussing. Thank you. (and don't bother to mention the Mel uses that word also. He is just as naughty as you are when he uses that word) C.B.

Although the name of the song escapes me at the moment,

there's an old blues lyric which resonates with a simplicity

and a true humor regarding an observation of humankind's ability

to embrace faith and make it personal and relevant rather than

political and oppressive no matter what the 'title' of that

faith be - Jewish,Christian,Muslim,Buddhist,Ayurevedic etc.

The blues man,he sing,"Everybody wanna go to heaven, but

nobody wanna die... oh yea ...everybody wanna know the truth,

but everybody lie ..."

I believe that there are many people who wish to embrace their

faith personally the world over and usually do so with the price

of a great pearl in exchange for their peace.These several faiths,however,

having been taken seriously by each devotee,are not expressed through

politically oppressive means in thought,word,or deed but rather through

true acts of repentance and love.

It doesn't matter if your name is Mel Gibson ,Neal Gabler,or Abu ben

Adam: repentance and love toward people,whether these people are

perceived as enemies or friends, is the price of the pearl.If you

believe it, just do it.

Pem Sterling