some hardcore southern baptists actually have more respect towards jews than i’ve seen from other christian sects — the old testament is part of their religion, and jesus was a jew.

but to hell with that! i want to be in mel’s next jew flick! and, what, are you trying to kill him with that food. “pastrami killed more jews than the holocaust” — zero mostel. maybe mel should quote that instead.

“What I fear is some of those good people, who don’t go to movies, but flocked to see The Passion of the Christ are tacitly agreeing with Mel Gibson’s anti-Semitic statements, even as he more or less denies them. I’m afraid they may be glad a big celebrity gave voice to their beliefs. Because I write Southern novels, I tour the South. I’ve spoken to groups in beautiful homes, stuffed with antiques, where even at 10:00 AM a miasma of bourbon floated from the thick, silk drapes and Oriental carpets. When I said I was Jewish a frisson rippled through the well-dressed crowd. They were invariably polite, but it was clear, I was no longer “their kind.” I am also afraid some of the not-so-closeted anti-Semites in bars and back-yards not just in the South but across the country are nodding their heads and saying, “You tell it like it is, Mel.” ”

You must travel in different circles than I, a native born Southerner. I can attest that I have never met anyone who expressed one iota of bigotry towards Jews. Next time you are down here, let me show you around.