Letter: Suggestions for Gibson’s penance

Monday, Aug. 7, 2006 | 6:59 a.m.

As a retired California Highway Patrol officer, the details of Mel Gibson's DUI arrest in Malibu came as no surprise.

I've been called every name in the book by obnoxious drunks who want to blame their addiction or carelessness on someone else. Sure, most intoxicated people are letting their "alcohol do the talking."

Mr. Gibson's obnoxious behavior is no different than any other intoxicated person, despite his celebrity status. Gibson should accept the result of his alcohol test (0.12). Sure, any person is innocent until proven guilty. But, under the law, anyone showing a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher is presumed to be under the influence.

Gibson should plead guilty to this, just as he has acknowledged his insults and vulgarities in reference to the Jewish faith. Along with the typical first-time offender DUI penalties, he should make a sizeable donation (which he can well afford) to Mothers Against Drunk Driving or another charity that cleans up the mess that drunk drivers cause. Lastly, Gibson should issue an apology to the public and to the sheriff's deputies, who were only doing their jobs.

Todd Wheelan, North Las Vegas