An Open Letter to Rob Schneider

Dear Mr. Schneider,

I read today that you have pledged never to work with Mel Gibson, based on his actions last week in which he was arrested for drunk driving and proceeded to subject the arresting officers to an anti-Semitic tirade.

I understand how you feel. Mr. Gibson's actions were deplorable. His hateful words make me wonder if my unfettered defense of his film, The Passion of the Christ from those who charged it was deeply anti-Semitic, was misplaced. Obviously Mr. Gibson has some issues in his life that are in desperate need of redemption, far beyond his drinking problem. I confess I like Mr. Gibson's work and even think that as a person, he is decent, warm and gracious. Which is why his actions a few days ago hurt us all so much. It will be interesting to see how and if the industry forgives him. I feel his apologies were very sincere and the fact that many in the Jewish community have embraced his pleas for forgiveness is a step in the right direction. But is it too little, too late?

Which leads me back to your announcement today that you will never work with Mr. Gibson.

With all due respect Mr. Schneider, you are a half-wit actor who stars in the sorts of films for which the "zero star" category was invented in the first place. Even if this unfortunate incident with Mr. Gibson had never taken place, there was never any chance in hell that an actor of your phenomenally sub-par caliber and ineptitude for choosing parts would have ever gotten close to working with Mel Gibson anyway.

But I thank you for your heart-felt stand--self-righteous, self-promoting and utterly inconsequential though it may be. Good luck with the inevitable Deuce Bigalow sequel.

Respectfully,

Brandon Fibbs