Cheap shot

update - the REAL problem with all of this is that we've gotten distracted by the anti-Semitism. That's nasty if true, of course, but there's worse on hand. Mel was driving drunk, dammit. In fact, he's using that as his defense for what he said! It seems to suddenly not matter that he could have killed someone, so long as his heart's in the right place. Well, for a minute, forget what he said, and the Anti-Defamation League's complaints, and the ridiculous attempt to defend him from the Catholic League's Bill Donohue. Mel should be in jail for what he actually did, regardless of what he said.

In today's syndicated Liz Smith column:

And believe me, none of the evangelicals who jammed theaters, stadiums and churches to watch "The Passion of the Christ" over and over again, will condemn the actor for his addiction or his drunken remarks.

I don't believe you. For that matter, I had a good email on this topic from the Old Sarge, as well. Since I'm only Catholic and all, maybe I don't count in Ms. Smith's mind, but I'll come out and say it too - dumbass. "Nonsense draws evil after it," to quote CS Lewis, and Mel believes a lot of nonsense, which not surprisingly comes out after a few steins of Ye Olde Nut (Job) Ale.

The Romans (and Emily!) were right, "there's truth in wine." Mel doesn't always make sense while sober, either; but one's words and acts, freed from social constraint, tell a lot about your character (or lack thereof). Broadway Joe's desire to kiss Suzy Kolber on national television may still be alive and well, but he knew better than to say so aloud until he'd knocked back a few.