Categorical Aperitif

Dear Mr. Gibson:

Catching up on some media news recently, I came across an account of how, on your radio show, you had made light of the death of young actor Heath Ledger—and had mocked Ledger by making repeated nasty references to his role in the award-winning film about the long, difficult "gay" relationship between two ranchhands in the rugged, manly West, Brokeback Mountain. Now, I don't know Heath Ledger from Adam (or Steve)—I still haven't even seen Brokeback Mountain—and you have since offered an apology (of sorts), but really:

Has it not occurred to you that, for probably 90% of people, the first time they see your pasty, fussy white personage, the first thought they have is not "heterosexual"?

I'm just sayin': in your case, gay-bashing makes for a counterproductive kind of camouflage, if that's why you do it, and maybe it isn't, but frankly, I can guarantee you that I'm not the only person who's had these thoughts. So you might want to lay off ridiculing young actors for appearing in award-winning "gay-themed" movies lest you ignite resounding choruses of "methinks he doth protest too much."

I'm just sayin'.

// posted by nash @ 8:45 AM