Yes, Val Kilmer's comments were not the most well-received comments ever. His defense wasn't much better than, say, John Rocker's; I find it highly unlikely that the reporter would just make up stuff out of his mouth.

That said, he is apologizing and trying to make amends, and that means, according to a co-worker, that a lot of charities in New Mexico are going to wind up grateful for that article. I tend to agree.