09/22/2008
George Michael Arrested Again, Apologizes
Old habits die hard for George Michael. In a statement released on Sunday, Michael apologized to his fans and the public after being arrested once again over the weekend.
Both the venue in which his arrest was made — in men's toilets near London's Hampstead Heath — and the reasons for his arrest — possession of crack cocaine and cannabis — are not unfamiliar to Michael.
Michael came out of the closet in 1998 after exposing himself to an undercover cop in toilets in Will Rogers Park in Beverly Hills, California in 1998. He has also been caught coming out of a "cottaging" area on Hampstead Heath in 2006 with another man, and has had prior drug arrests after being found passed out in the driver's seat of his car.
A police spokesman confirmed the arrest: "I can confirm that a 45-year-old man was arrested on September 19 on suspicion of possession of drugs in the Hampstead Heath area. He was taken to a north London police station where he received a caution for possession of class A and class C drugs."
Michael got lucky this time. Police, who were tipped off by a lavatory attendant, gave him a warning and sent him on his way, saying the singer showed "remorse."
Said Michael on Sunday: "I want to apologise to my fans for screwing up again, and to promise them I'll sort myself out. And to say sorry to everybody else, just for boring them."
Posted 7:51 AM EST by Andy Towle in Crime, George Michael, London, News | Permalink
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Pathetic. Fool. GM exemplifies the very worst stereotypes of gay men. His inability to control his behaviour negates the hard work of those seeking basic human rights for GLTB people in the minds of too many uninformed people, who nevertheless participate in the political process.
Posted by: rudy | Sep 22, 2008 8:25:20 AM
Jesus...what kind of doormat is his partner for putting up with this mess?
Posted by: Mike | Sep 22, 2008 8:27:34 AM
I agree RUDY and MIKE.
Posted by: SONNIE | Sep 22, 2008 8:46:12 AM
How many times should you apologize for the same crap. He should just admit that he is trash, and stop pretending.
Posted by: SONNIE | Sep 22, 2008 8:53:00 AM
"admit that he is trash"? haha oh you vicious queens sometimes. I would hardly say he is trash.
Sure, he is a mess, but come on.
I feel bad for him cuz its like he can't help himself - its really a shame.
and for the record i saw his recent show in philly and it was amazing. his voice is still totally flawless.
Posted by: Bobby | Sep 22, 2008 9:52:27 AM
Proving once again that money, wealth, and fame aren't everything.
As for the gay stereotype notion. Please. He's as much a gay stereotype as Paris Hilton is a straight stereotype. If "uninformed people" decide we don't deserve "basic human rights" because a rich British rock star likes drugs and toilet sex then they probably weren't on our side to begin with.
Posted by: Ernie | Sep 22, 2008 10:18:55 AM
Oops, make that money, TALENT, and fame. As much as I loathed Wham! GM is clearly gifted.
Posted by: Ernie | Sep 22, 2008 10:21:52 AM
I truly wish he would sort himself out..he has the ability to be very articulate and likable. And once upon a time he wrote some very good music.. Kissing a fool wow.
Posted by: cmh | Sep 22, 2008 11:05:43 AM
Michael needs to get his addictions [pun intended] in control, and you need to just say No to Stupidity, Ernie! How the fuck do you think people get "on our side"? Do you think the day comes when everyone is shopping in the Attitude Store and, willy nilly [no pun intended], some of them say, "Hmmm. Ho-mo-sexuals? Never heard of those. But I'll try a pound of Homophobia and give me a couple of jars of Lynch Blacks while you're at it."
Bigotry is LEARNED, you fool, by a combination of direct teaching, e.g., by Religion, and "example," e.g., the George Michaels of the world.
Cue Cher bitch slap: SNAP OUT OF IT!!!
Posted by: Leland Frances | Sep 22, 2008 11:20:45 AM
Uh, Huh, Basic human rights and equal protection under the law should be granted to those peoples who have among them only saints, angels, and people just like me.
Posted by: Robert | Sep 22, 2008 12:01:54 PM
what's even sadder is the knee-jerk reaction within our own community when someone who is famous has addiction problems. "Pathetic. Get them under control." Really? Obviously you don't know shit about addiction. And the cops letting him off? Now that's pathetic. Consequences are probably the best thing ol' Georgie needs. Let him get a record deal canceled because of his behavior and maybe he'll be open to some change.
Posted by: znsd | Sep 22, 2008 12:02:21 PM
This guy needs help, and fast. Something neds to happen to shock him into getting that help - his partner not putting up with this behavior would be a good start. I personally don't think he'll change his ways otherwise. If he was going to, he would have done it after the first arrest, not the third or fourth. Letting him get away with it is the worst thing the cops could have done.
Posted by: J | Sep 22, 2008 1:45:26 PM
Bigotry is learned by George Michael? Hmmm, thanks, Leland, that snaps me right out of it. You better go slap him and make him be a good boy so we'll keep the right to marry in CA.
Posted by: Ernie | Sep 22, 2008 5:44:32 PM
The press likes a bit of drama. I live right near that public toilet and I can assure you that it is QUITE FAR from the area on Hampstead Heath where gay men meet. While it is near the Heath, it is not at all near the gay area. It is also NOT AT ALL a toilet known for gay meet-ups.
However, the media has stated that Michael was arrested "on the Heath" and in an area noted for gay sex hookups, etc.
Something else is going on here in that I think it had more to do with drugs (clearly he needs help) than gay sex, but the press puts its own spin on things by trying to tie it in with the whole gay anonymous sex thing. It makes us look like we are incapable of controlling ourselves which feeds the flames of bigotry against us.
Posted by: Joe | Sep 22, 2008 7:44:52 PM
He needs suport now and not foolish people telling him he is trash! I feel sorry for you! Although America was deprived of his voice for the best part of 18 years he is one of greatest artists in the world! And you keep listening to Jonas Brothers, Cyrus etc.. What a pity
Posted by: rideon | Sep 23, 2008 2:32:14 AM
This guy needs help fast! He is a MESS! He needs a 12 step program NOW!
We don't need apologies do something to correct your behavior. ENOUGH!
Posted by: Mike | Sep 23, 2008 6:57:50 AM