John Gibson attempts apology for mocking Heath Ledger's death

Standard Non-Apology Apology

I'm sorry some were offended.

Not that I did anything wrong or was at fault in any way, you understand. 

Feh. 

 

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by: KCProgramr @ Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 21:25:57 PM CST

KCProgramr (no relation) gets it exactly right

"I'm sorry if you were offended" is meaningless:  It does not convey understanding.

Someone who would make comments like that is not going to suddenly "get it" 24 hours later.

He's going through the now-typical attempted career-saving stuff.  I hope it doesn't work.

In particular, I hope GLAAD says, "Apology NOT accepted, because there's no evidence, yet, that you understand.  Only if and when that evidence is forthcoming would any apology be accepted."

I really hope Gibson is held to the fire on this, because it was so particularly vile (funeral music and all).

I would also guess he never could, in fact, bring himself to sit through Brokeback Mountain.  It amazes me that any human being could compare watching two men kiss to watching someone being tortured (as Gibson did).  I'm a gay man, and I've seen two women kiss in movies and in person, and my reactions are either neutral, or, "how sweet," or "that's kind of hot."  While I personally would never watch Syriana.  It still astounds me that Gibson made that comparison.  That was profoundly offensive enough.  

I mean, I don't understand.  What the f*ck is Gibson's problem.  The supreme irony is that if Gibson did sit through Brokeback Mountain -- even with closing his eyes whenever he wanted -- there is no way in hell he could have done anything remotely like the "bit" he did yesterday.

I think a key factor behind how I and others in the blogosphere are reacting to Gibson's atrocious behavior is the contrast between Gibson, and the utter humanity, decency, and truth in Brokeback Mountain (which Heath Ledger clearly did not fail to perceive).  (The facts remain to be known, but I wonder how much Ledger was at ease playing an irredeemable character in a pointless "Batman" movie after the experience of being in such a soul-snagging profoundly pro-social, and extremely important movie as Brokeback Mountain.)

I mean, for many of us, Brokeback Mountain was no mere movie.  It makes Gibson's bit so particularly profane.

Perhaps the most fitting penance for Gibson would in fact be for him to watch Brokeback Mountain, more than once if necessary.

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by: KC @ Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 22:05:43 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Sorry... meant SAY IT YOURSELF

as a reply to KC... Thanks for that KC.

It's the Hammer of JUSTICE,
It's the Bell of FREEDOM,
It's the Song about LOVE between,
my Brothers and my Sisters
...All over this Land.

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by: Orion45 @ Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 00:30:27 AM CST

[ Parent ]

What happens when one of these idiots are caught...

...Expressing their true feelings.  I am not offended by this dumbshit's remarks.  I just consider the source.

 Were the comments anti-gay and insensitive?  You bet they were.  

 And hey Gibson, you do know your apology just put you on the Phelps Fag Enabler list.  Hurry and call James Dobson to let him know you are on his team.

If I make sense? it was quite by accident.

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by: HappyCat @ Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 21:59:13 PM CST

worst case of closet i've seen since larry craig

what a pathetic piece of work this guy is.  he's gonna have to pay his rent boy double tonight.

Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 22:04:31 PM CST

There Is Nothing Lower

The people who work for Fox News are truly the scum of the human species. You just know that these are the same people who would have flakked for Adolf Hitler in the 1930s.

The fact that millions of Americans watch these people and form their understanding of the world from these people means that this country could tip at any moment. That is why constant vigilance is mandatory.

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by: Jim @ Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 00:19:24 AM CST

The fear card will be played heavy,

You watch, the Republicans will scream the Dems want to weaken Nation security, ETC, ETC.

  My question is, who likes living if fear of attack?  LGBT Citizens here in the usa, and who will protect us from the christians here at home?

If I make sense? it was quite by accident.

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by: HappyCat @ Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 00:44:06 AM CST

[ Parent ]

SAY IT YOURSELF

That was good.  I sent it right off after my original TAKE ACTION emails. You too can do so, here are email addresses from GLAAD.

mitch.davis@foxnews.com

robert.finnerty@foxnews.com

irena.briganti@foxnews.com

suzanne.scott@foxnews.com

john.gibson@foxnews.com

It's the Hammer of JUSTICE,
It's the Bell of FREEDOM,
It's the Song about LOVE between,
my Brothers and my Sisters
...All over this Land.

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by: Orion45 @ Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 00:28:29 AM CST

Sorry this was reply to KC

... forgot these posted 'up' intead of 'down'. This is to KC's post.

It's the Hammer of JUSTICE,
It's the Bell of FREEDOM,
It's the Song about LOVE between,
my Brothers and my Sisters
...All over this Land.

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by: Orion45 @ Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 10:27:36 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Whatever

Translation "I'm sorry because they told me to be sorry."

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by: ChuChu @ Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 00:30:43 AM CST

I'm sorry you misunderstood?

That's not an apology, it's a fuck you, and is the standard by which most of these yahoos with foot-in-mouth disease express the demanded contrition.  No one in public life is sorry for their gaffes, they're sorry you were stupid enough, or shallow enough, or had a big enough chip on your shoulder to be offended.  It's not a question of apology accepted; it's a question of whether one is offended enough by being taken for an idiot by an idiot to denand that he apologise TWICE.

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by: Brian @ Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 01:38:10 AM CST

Gibson's 'apology' even makes it worse

Notice Gibson repeatedly says "I'm sorry THAT ..." He in no way apologizes for his own comments or views but instead apologized that they were "misunderstood". That is not a fucking apology at all.

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by: Ralph4159 @ Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 03:32:26 AM CST

Scumbag

that is all

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by: steerpike66 @ Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 09:09:08 AM CST

so gay folks 'took it wrong'

   I cannot, absolutely CANNOT take it when someone is busted for a seriously mean and bigoted remark, their defense is WE took it wrong.
Rather than admitting the remark and their attitude is wrong!

  Gibson revealed himself, just like Falwell and Pat Robertson did after 9/11, that they are selfish, mean, cowardly and consumed with bashing gay people when people are vulnerable and grieving.
 Especially are these men COWARDS. They won't suffer for their deeds, they hate getting their ass held to the fire for it.
 Soldiers of God? Soldiers of Truth?

 Oh, really? Then why do they kick when someone is down, and why do they squeak like scared mice when they are called on THEIR behavior?
 Imagine them the schoolyard bully. Only now they have powerful media jobs.

   That was no attempt at an apology at all. And it's lame anyway.

   This country has been fortunate that gay folks have created media watch groups, legal organizations and socio/political support to help the public understand them and their agenda better.

 The alternative could be violence, bullying, threats and take no prisoners for real for an offhand or mean remark.
The fact that it's not, doesn't mean gay folks are weak.
Just a LOT more civilized.
 What if gay men decided to punch someone for talking to them the wrong way?
  I tell you, when it comes to whining, people like Gibson have the lock.

 And the lack of appreciation for just how much patience and restraint gay folks really have is mind boggling.

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by: Regan DuCasse @ Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 12:52:56 PM CST

Well said,

  The fact that we have not unleashed our anger in violence speaks volumns. I personally would not want to stoop to their level.  I know many of my trans friends have been weapons trained in the military, I know I was, so it is not the lack of knowledge of weapons that keeps us away from weapons use.

If I make sense? it was quite by accident.

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by: HappyCat @ Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 13:34:03 PM CST

[ Parent ]

LA Times column: Why hasn't John Gibson been fired?

http://www.calendarlive.com/se...

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by: KC @ Sun Jan 27, 2008 at 12:55:04 PM CST