Mel Gibson: Not A Nazi

Allison Hope Weiner has penned a very brave essay about a man she "vilified" in the pages of The New York Times and Entertainment Weekly: Mel Gibson.

Weiner, an observant Jew, actually befriended Gibson. It's a real friendship. She met his family. He attended religious services with hers. They speak regularly. She likes him.

He doesn't publicly defend himself; he just explains. He doesn't think it would help. He just "shrugs his shoulders." Weiner wishes that he WOULD hit back. She says he's made himself into the perfect punching bag. Has he? I don't know, but he does sound as if he's become a bit of a Stoic.

After the incidents which led to his exile he vowed to meet with Jewish leaders and he did, but he refused to publicize the fact. He attempted to make a film about the Maccabee rebellion but the script wasn't good (which is a pity, because good LORD would that have been a good movie). He's shown every sign of penitence but he hasn't told anybody about it.

Weiner thinks he's suffered too much, that he's been treated unfairly and that he should get another shot.

Now, what astonishes me is that this piece was written at all. Who does this? Who bothers, in this day and age, to take a real look at the target of one's loathing and, having gained perspective, reconsider? Weiner shows real courage, and Gibson plays his end exactly as I hope I would given his circumstances.

Well done to both of them. This is virtue, friends.

In related news, watch Mr. Gibson's shrug in action here (profanity... NSFW):

I think that he acquited himself very well.