Gary Oldman Defends Slurs By Mel Gibson And Alec Baldwin
In Playboy, actor Gary Oldman defends the anti-Semitic slurs of Mel Gibson by proclaiming that he just got a little drunk, and “we all say those things.” We do? I didn’t realize that alcohol causes anti-Semitism. Oldman’s defense of Gibson is that the cop who arrested him probably has also used the n-word and said, “that f-ing Jew.” Some defense!
And Baldwin used the word “fag” defends Oldman, just because he was “pissed off.” Hmm, I didn’t know that being pissed off makes you use gay slurs.
D.B. Hirsch is a political activist, news junkie, and retired ad copy writer and spin doctor. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Maxx44 June 24th, 2014 at 2:47 pm
OK, you got me. Who the heck is Gary Oldman, and why should I or anyone else care what he has to say?
Djamon June 24th, 2014 at 5:21 pm
You don’t have to care, you’re probably just some generic HuffPo/CNN liberal. Gary Oldman is a world-class actor with many accolades to his name, his opinion matters.
Michael Greiling June 24th, 2014 at 5:50 pm
I agree that Gary Oldman is a good actor, but why exactly does being a world-class actor make someone’s opinion matter regarding a subject completely unrelated to acting?
Johnnay June 24th, 2014 at 6:12 pm
Because he’s well-known and makes a solid point. Opinions only count from PhD professors in the specific field?
Michael Greiling June 24th, 2014 at 6:16 pm
The comment seemed to imply that because someone is well known that their opinion automatically matters on some particular subject unrelated to what they are famous for…
Sure, this guy’s opinion is probably just as valid as mine given that neither of us are sociology professors or whatever, but I dislike the notion that someone’s opinion is suddenly more worth listening to just because they have a mic and a podium.
He can have an opinion, and we can talk about it, but as to why it “matters” in some sense more than an average joe, seems odd to me.
Kevin June 24th, 2014 at 6:42 pm
It’s not that his opinion maters, it matters just as much as yours does. Consider it a political game, he’s famous so what he says carries some weight and will most definitely gain some attention, hence the conversation currently occurring. As a man his opinion is no more important than any others, as a famous person his opinion has the potential to make a difference, kind like peer pressure.
Frank Discussion June 24th, 2014 at 7:47 pm
His opinion matters only to lemmings…to everyone else, it’s just an opinion.
fahvel June 25th, 2014 at 4:04 am
how dare you insult Maxx – oldman is an old man with a problem – at’s all,
actionexpres June 24th, 2014 at 4:22 pm
I “get it”, and it’s about time someone stands up and says so. I remember my mom grounding me, and thinking “bitch” in the moment. That didn’t mean I always thought she was a bitch, it just meant that at that moment of anger, I wanted something mean to say and that remark came to mind. Same thing when someone cuts me off while driving. They might be any word that is negative that might fit – in that moment.
Kevin McGrath June 24th, 2014 at 5:36 pm
Good boy Alan!!!
David Hill June 24th, 2014 at 5:41 pm
The reason that Sal the Stockbroker on the Howard Stern show is considered a racist (including by Stern himself) when he uses the n-word in his stand-up act and Lisa Lampinelli is not when she does the same thing is because it’s a matter of intention. And if you can’t tell the difference between someone using it out of hatred, as compared to humor, then chances are that you’ll demand boycotts of someone who says it that disagrees with you politically and forgive anyone who doesn’t.
It’s a lot like when Sarah Palin demanded Biden’s resignation when he said that Democrats fighting Obama were “retards”, but when Limbaugh said “What’s wrong with calling retards ‘retards’?”, Palin decided THAT was satire, and therefore okay.
But, like I said, it’s about intention. And Gary Oldman, whether you like what he said or not (and I don’t) is a great actor.
Laura Hunt June 24th, 2014 at 6:12 pm
Laura Hunt says:
June 24, 2014 at 3:08 pm
I doubt seriously if Mel Gibson, Alec Baldwin, or Gary Oldman care
one crap about what any of you think. I will still go to their movies or
watch them on TV as I find them talented and entertaining. They may
not have the best of manners, hold their liqueur, or worry about what
they say, so what they are grown men. Gary Oldman will always have a
great career in England, as Gibson and Baldwin will here. As soon as we
begin to speak everyone has called someone else a name. Kids call other
kids fat, nose pickers, four eyes. People driving cars are notorious
for name calling. If you are going to worry about something then worry
about children being kidnapped or starving, not about ridiculous name
calling. It just seems so odd to me that grown ups would need
organizations to control others concerning their freedom of speech.
Everyone has encountered a person who whines about how their life is so
unfair, I wonder if these are the folks who were called names as a kid
but could not stand up for themselves. Do they still need watch dogs to
go out into public ? I was called names all through my life, I don’t
feel labeled or wounded in any way. I think it is part of growing up,
life lessons. You either grow up or you whine about life and be
miserable.
Chinese Democracy June 24th, 2014 at 7:24 pm
Have you informed those gay kids that get bullied all the time they need to butch up ?
Bullying is just a word used by whiners.. people should be able to say anything they want
I could care less what Mel Gibson does he certainly doesnt have a ” great career anymore If you want to watch him you are going to have to watch OLD movies 🙂
What people say matters
Like you for instance, parroting some Phil Robertson speech. Not the best choice if you actually want to seem intelligent.
FedorTheGreat! June 24th, 2014 at 7:14 pm
Good for Gary Oldman standing up for free speech.
Chinese Democracy June 24th, 2014 at 7:30 pm
So INTO free speech , until it comes to burning the flag
Frank Discussion June 24th, 2014 at 7:42 pm
You don’t seem very intelligent.
A flag is not speech.
Jason Livingston June 24th, 2014 at 7:51 pm
Not according to the Supreme Court.
Chinese Democracy June 24th, 2014 at 9:06 pm
lol actually burning the flag IS a free speech issue
In 1989 the Supreme Court decided in Texas v. Johnson that flag burning as a protest constituted free speech that was protected by the Constitution.
You dont seem very well read
Spirit of America June 25th, 2014 at 6:12 am
If ‘burning’ something is considered speech, which you correctly cite the SCOTUS in their view of it, then so is giving money to a campaign, no? Yet many will say how correct the TvJ ruling was/is yet say how wrong the CitUnited-v-FEC was/is. Now in my view, and I’ve spoken of it often, this is where watering down/expanding/altering definitions gets everyone in trouble. Burning and giving money are not speech, they are actions, and should be classified/treated as such.
Chinese Democracy June 25th, 2014 at 2:46 pm
Giving money to a campaign is ok with me as long as its disclosed where the money came from and how much was given no?
Jason Livingston June 24th, 2014 at 7:41 pm
Grow a pair. Get over it.
Bruce Wong June 24th, 2014 at 7:53 pm
Respect for the fellow human despite his negative appearance and unpopularity has nothing to with liberal or conservative. It is trying to create a better world for those less fortunate. PC is a term used by those that want to silence dissent .
Jayne Cobb June 24th, 2014 at 8:28 pm
I applaud Oldman, he’s right on the money.
Political Correctness and race-baiting are destroying this country.
“In times of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” – George Orwell
Jerry Pritikin June 24th, 2014 at 8:31 pm
A applaud your stupidity. My mother always told me not to call a dummy a dummy,for you I make an exception!
Jayne Cobb June 24th, 2014 at 8:40 pm
Ah, ad hominems from a leftist pervert.
The beautiful people, indeed.
Chinese Democracy June 24th, 2014 at 9:09 pm
A pervert? Whats wrong with being a pervert?! You are destroying this country with your PC nonsense!
fahvel June 25th, 2014 at 4:01 am
hominems are not tolerated by a lot of people – they cause indigestion and sometimes headaches and yours somehow, even though properly cooked and served, nausea.
Chinese Democracy June 24th, 2014 at 9:08 pm
Destroying the country huh? Dramatic! There are limits to ” free speech” ever tried yelling fire in a crowded theatre when there was none?
Spirit of America June 25th, 2014 at 6:18 am
I’m not sure that yelling fire in a crowded theatre, which immediately puts many people in danger of physical harm, is synonymous with saying a racial or religious slur… my view. That is like saying forcing a kiss on a woman or pinching her bottom is the same as rape and they all should get life in prison sentences.
Carla Akins June 25th, 2014 at 6:54 am
Yelling fire in a crowded theater is more akin to inciting a riot, something a reasonable person would know could cause harm. Just so you know, pinching a woman’s bottom or forcing a kiss on her are no rape – but it is assault, is illegal and not acceptable behavior. Your failure to see this is why we can’t have nice things.
Spirit of America June 25th, 2014 at 8:58 am
I think you may have misread or misunderstood what I wrote… we are saying the same thing. Yelling fire is dangerous right then and there and while illegal, pinching a bottom is NOT rape… we distinguish things via degree.
Carla Akins June 25th, 2014 at 9:11 am
Thanks and I apologize – in my defense it was very early. I’m a little grumpy before my infusion of caffeine. :-/
Spirit of America June 25th, 2014 at 9:27 am
LOL LOL (I don’t even sit at the computer till the 2nd pot is gone…..)
Chinese Democracy June 25th, 2014 at 2:44 pm
except you missed my point , which was there are limits to free speech. I used an extreme example because I was afraid you would miss the point. Go figure
arc99 June 24th, 2014 at 10:34 pm
I have never understood the concept of “political correctness”. I would wager that every adult on the face of the planet is offended by something.
So who gets to decide when taking offense is foolish and when taking offense is entirely justified? The only message I get from people who toss around the phrase “political correctness” is that they don’t give a f*ck about the beliefs of other people. That is fine with me as I am quite happy to return the favor. I don’t give a f*ck about the beliefs of people who have no respect for mine.
So remember Gary, if you are ever in a situation where you overhear someone saying, “you know, Oldman’s 12 year old neice is going to be a fine piece of a$$ one of these days”, by your own words, we have had enough of this pc crap. No cause to get upset.
fahvel June 25th, 2014 at 4:05 am
batman AND harry potter – two truly immortal works of cinematic art -poo.
craig7120 June 25th, 2014 at 8:00 am
Just so we’re clear, Gary Oldman the dude who played the creepy bad guy in the ‘Fifth Element’ about 20 years ago, the drug addicted DEA agent in ‘The Professional’ about 30 years ago, that Gary Oldman, ha! Well, at least he got some ink.
Chinese Democracy June 25th, 2014 at 10:21 am
Gary Oldman apologizes for anti-Semitic comments in his controversial ‘Playboy’ interview:
The actor says he’s “deeply remorseful” for controversial remarks made in a recent ‘Playboy’ interview
“I am deeply remorseful that comments I recently made in the Playboy interview were offensive to many Jewish people,” he says. “Upon reading my comments in print — I see how insensitive they may be, and how they may indeed contribute to the furtherance of a false stereotype. Anything that contributes to this stereotype is unacceptable, including my own words on the matter. If, during the interview, I had been asked to elaborate on this point, I would have pointed out that I had just finished reading Neal Gabler’s superb book about the Jews and Hollywood, An Empire of Their Own: How the Jews Invented Hollywood. The fact is that our business, and my own career specifically, owes an enormous debt to that contribution.”
http://goo.gl/pjzDCh
Shartnado June 25th, 2014 at 1:00 pm
He and Mel were both right abotu Hollywood. Dont buy the nonsense “ism’s” whether it be rascism, anti-semitisim, feminsism, they are all just vices used by the media
Chinese Democracy June 25th, 2014 at 2:42 pm
vices used by the media to do what exactly? I know I know its a follow up question and conservatives dont seem to like them .
Shartnado June 25th, 2014 at 3:32 pm
Do you see the irony of the stereotyping you just did?
Chinese Democracy June 25th, 2014 at 5:26 pm
can you answer my question? Guess not
Shartnado June 25th, 2014 at 5:45 pm
Vices used by the media to enable Ad-Hominem attacks to disable and distract from hidden agendas. Now answer my question.
Chinese Democracy June 26th, 2014 at 4:28 pm
I would see the irony but I didnt do any stereotyping u are what u are 🙂
Oh and no I have no idea what in the world u are talking about re: vices
Shartnado June 26th, 2014 at 6:05 pm
dictionary.com or getabrain.com