Words Matter

Mel Gibson is – deservedly – being vilified for his recent anti-Semitic outburst.

It’s shocking to think that someone like Gibson could utter such a bigoted comment as “The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world."

But it’s interesting how one word can mean so much.

For instance, if Gibson had been giving a speech to a literary society in Paris and declared, the “Zionists” are responsible for all the wars in the world, he would be the hero of the European elite.

Or if he had been speaking to an anti-Bush rally in Los Angeles and shouted out that the “neo-cons” are responsible for all the wars in the world, he would be a cinch to win an academy award.

And if he had been on the CBC and suggested the “Americans” are responsible for all the wars in the world, he would be considered a visionary.

Maybe Gibson’s problem is he just didn’t understand how to speak in code.