Advertisement

Find answers, ask questions, and connect with our community around the world.

  • Disney and desantis

    Posted by Unknown Member on April 23, 2022 at 7:59 am

    [link=https://www.wftv.com/news/local/end-reedy-creek-disney-wont-pay-more-taxes-you-will/3TK6ASNJT5EXHICW3DQ3ZHEZYA/]https://www.wftv.com/news…SNJT5EXHICW3DQ3ZHEZYA/[/link]

    Interesting to see how this plays out

    Desantis winning now but Disney employs 100,000 more people than desantis won by in 2018 and the people of central florida arent going to like paying these taxes

    Problem is the Democratic Party in florida is currently incompetent

    kayla.meyer_144 replied 1 year, 3 months ago 12 Members · 83 Replies
  • 83 Replies
  • alyaa.rifaie_129

    Member
    April 23, 2022 at 8:21 am

    This entire thing is a fiasco.  DeSantis going overboard. Democrat’s / Libs don’t seem to get the public is tired of corporate America, Hollywood, athletes, teachers, etc. getting involved in these issues, many of which make them total hypocrites. Disney corporate is not even in FL. Athletes, Disney, Hollywood in bed w China but speak out about disparities in the USA. Parents don’t want their first grader in classroom discussing gender issues. People don’t want their police cut. Dems being totally foolish. 

    • Unknown Member

      Deleted User
      April 23, 2022 at 8:24 am

      The point of the article is

      Disney actually gets a huge tax break

      This could end up backfiring

      • btomba_77

        Member
        April 23, 2022 at 8:32 am

        DeSantis will use it gin up turnout for 2022. Then, because if he actually goes through with it it will cost FL taxpayers >$1 bn, he will quietly drop it after he wins re-elect.
         
        Disney will slow-play response as long as it doesn’t actually cost them $$ or truly change their status.   If that happens, they will sue .. and win on first amendment grounds because it  is clear that Florida is using the power of the State to impede speech that it disagrees with.  But they would much rather not sue. 

        • kaldridgewv2211

          Member
          April 23, 2022 at 12:19 pm

          Was reading an article from a local Orange County TV station that theyd need to raise property taxes 25% to cover the loss.

          • ruszja

            Member
            April 23, 2022 at 1:21 pm

            Reedy Creek and the ‘City of Lake Buenavista’ have always been an odd concept. Nothing wrong with the mouse paying her fair share.

            • kayla.meyer_144

              Member
              April 23, 2022 at 1:57 pm

              Disney should request moving the effective date up to June of 2022 instead of waiting after the election in June 2023.
               
              Maybe even loudly petition states for location of a new DisneyWorld the way Amazon did.
               
              But that won’t happen because everyone knows this is nothing but a show for the the GQP and Disney would not want to throw a monkey wrench into their good relationship with local governments when the problem is DeSantis and his pedophile fantasies. All will mysteriously disappear as DeSantis declares after winning the election that Disney agreed to no longer support the grooming of children for and by pedophiles in classrooms.
               
              [link=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2022/04/22/disney-world-losing-its-special-district-status-could-be-catastrophic-for-local-taxpayers/]https://www.forbes.com/si…c-for-local-taxpayers/[/link]

              [h2]KEY FACTS[/h2] Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, whose county is one of two that covers Walt Disney World, told reporters Thursday that Reedy Creek being dissolved would be a net sum loss for taxpayers, as the county will likely now have to pay for emergency and law enforcement services that Disney previously reimbursed it for.

              Right now, Disney pays taxes to Orange and Osceola counties, but all of the government-related services on Walt Disney World propertylike fixing roads, fire department services and moreare paid for by Disney and Reedy Creek and not by county taxpayers.

              Getting rid of Reedy Creek would put an undue burden on taxpayers to fill that gap if Disney can no longer fund its own emergency services and the county does not get any extra revenue to fund it themselves, Demings said.

              Orange and Osceola counties will also likely be forced to assume Reedy Creeks debtswhich total nearly $1 billion, per credit analysis firm Fitch Ratingsand Reedy Creek currently generates $105 million in tax revenue for itself every year that wont get transferred to the counties if it dissolves.

              Orange County tax collector Scott Randolph [link=https://twitter.com/ElectRandolph/status/1516869085329596418]tweeted[/link] the county will take on an extra $163 million in costs per year, between Reedy Creeks missing tax revenue and its debts, and Randolph told [link=https://www.wftv.com/news/local/end-reedy-creek-disney-wont-pay-more-taxes-you-will/3TK6ASNJT5EXHICW3DQ3ZHEZYA/?utm_source=pocket_mylist]WFTV[/link] the county will likely have to raise property taxes by 20% to 25% to make up for it.

              While the counties and taxpayers would have to shoulder more costs, getting rid of Reedy Creek will effectively give Disney a $163 million yearly tax break, WFTV notes, as theyll no longer have to tax themselves and pay for Reedy Creeks services or shoulder their own debts.

               

               

            • kayla.meyer_144

              Member
              April 23, 2022 at 2:05 pm

              Quote from fw

              Reedy Creek and the ‘City of Lake Buenavista’ have always been an odd concept. Nothing wrong with the mouse paying her fair share.

              There’s also that odd concept of “The Villages.” And more.
               
              [link=http://specialdistrictreports.floridajobs.org/webreports/websitelist.aspx]http://specialdistrictrep…ports/websitelist.aspx[/link]
               
              [link=https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/state/in-depth-understanding-special-districts-in-florida]https://www.abcactionnews…l-districts-in-florida[/link]
               

              special districts are units of local, special-purpose government. They are similar to municipalities and counties. The main difference, [link=https://floridajobs.org/community-planning-and-development/special-districts/special-district-accountability-program/florida-special-district-handbook-online/introduction-to-special-districts]according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity[/link], are municipalities and counties have broad powers and provide local general governmental services; while special districts have local specialized government services and have limited, related, and explicitly prescribed powers.”

              [b]According to the Florida DEO, there are currently 1,844 special districts across the state.[/b]
               
              Orange and Osceola counties would assume all assets and liabilities of the special district. The infrastructure and its associated workers would likely be absorbed into the counties, [link=https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/04/19/what-is-a-special-district-in-florida-heres-an-explanation/]according to ABC affiliate WFTV[/link]. In exchange, the counties would collect the tax revenue that Disney currently pays itself, WFTV reported. [b]However, the counties would also assume all debt from the district and could cost taxpayers upwards of $1 billion, lawmakers said. The counties would also be responsible for all infrastructure improvements and Disney would have to go to the county for major renovations or additions. [/b]

               
               

              • kaldridgewv2211

                Member
                April 23, 2022 at 3:11 pm

                Yet Florida voters will probably still vote for these people.

                • btomba_77

                  Member
                  April 23, 2022 at 3:51 pm

                  Partisanship trumps all.

  • btomba_77

    Member
    April 25, 2022 at 10:50 am

    Interesting bit of legal opinion on Florida and Disney

    [link=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article260682577.html]https://www.miamiherald.c…/article260682577.html[/link]

    Disney obviously has no right to have a business improvement district, but to take away something like that based on speech, that strikes me as highly likely to be unconstitutional, said Daniel Greenwood, a law professor at Hofstra University in New York who specializes in corporate speech.

    ……

    Corporations have First Amendment rights virtually the same as individual Americans, crystallized by the famous Citizens United Supreme Court decision in 2010. In that case, the court ruled that companies could make unlimited campaign contributions because the checks are a form of free speech.

    The Supreme Court has said the government cannot take special benefits away for improper reasons, {said Adam Winkler, a University of California Los Angeles professor whos written a book on corporate civil rights}, adding that this new law would be like prohibiting people from receiving public assistance checks if they dislike Donald Trump.

    [/QUOTE]

  • btomba_77

    Member
    April 27, 2022 at 2:06 pm

    [b]Disney Tells Investors Florida Gambit Wont Work[/b][/h1]  
    As Florida legislators were rushing through passage of a bill to repeal the special district that governs Walt Disney World last week, they failed to notice an obscure provision in state law that says the state could not do what legislators were doing unless the districts bond debt was paid off, the [link=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article260783972.html#storylink=cpy]Miami Herald[/link] reports.
     
    Disney, however, noticed and quietly sent a note to its investors to show that it was confident the Legislatures attempt to dissolve the special taxing district operating the 39-square mile parcel it owned in two counties violated the pledge the state made when it enacted the district in 1967, and therefore was not legal.
     
    The result, Disney told its investors, is that it would continue to go about business as usual.

     

    • kayla.meyer_144

      Member
      April 27, 2022 at 6:07 pm

      Maybe the state legislature will pay off the bond in order to save the children. Its only $1 billion.

      • btomba_77

        Member
        April 28, 2022 at 7:06 pm

        [link=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/pol…260873762.html]https://www.miamiherald.c…s/pol…260873762.html[/link]

        Fitch Ratings warned Thursday that if the state doesnt resolve a conflict over its decision to repeal Disney’s special district and its obligation to investors, the move could harm the financial standing of other Florida governments.

        Fitch expects the state to resolve the uncertainty. But warned:The failure to do so could alter our view of Floridas commitment to preserve bondholder rights and weaken our view of the operating environment for Florida governments.

        • kaldridgewv2211

          Member
          April 28, 2022 at 7:17 pm

          Like cutting off your nose to spite your face.

          • btomba_77

            Member
            November 21, 2022 at 4:13 am

            [link=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/20/media/disney-bob-iger-ceo/index.html]https://www.cnn.com/2022/…ob-iger-ceo/index.html[/link]
             
            Bob Chapek out at Disney. Bob Iger will make a return as CEO.
             
             
            Interested to see how this plays relative to FL, DeSantis, and the culture wars heading in to 2024.
             
            Chapek seemed to try to take a neutral stance to not rock the boat.  Bob Iger was much more in the face of the Trump administration during his previous stint and is seen much more as part and parcel of the Hollywood Democratic machine, and a vocal, politically active part at that.
             
             

  • btomba_77

    Member
    February 9, 2023 at 9:13 am

    [h1][b]Florida Lawmakers to Give DeSantis New Power over Disney[/b][/h1]  
     
    Florida lawmakers are expected to vote Thursday on a proposal to give Gov. Ron DeSantis new power over the states most iconic theme parks amid his ongoing feud with Disney, [link=https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/09/politics/ron-desantis-florida-disney-bill/index.html]CNN[/link] reports.
     
    Under a fast-tracked bill that could be headed to the Republican governors desk by the end of the week, the state would take over the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the 55-year-old government body that has effectively given Disney control over the land around its Orlando-area theme parks. The districts existing board, made up of individuals with close ties to Disney, would be replaced by a five-member board hand-picked by DeSantis.
     

    • Unknown Member

      Deleted User
      February 9, 2023 at 11:30 am

      They are going to try but

      1. Disney will take this to court

      2. If by chance Disney loses in court the issue of who pays the current debt will be on the table and taxpayers probably foot the bill

      3. If this should somehow eventually come to fruition its expected to increase local taxes significantly

      4. Dont F with Disney its the largest employer in the state

  • btomba_77

    Member
    February 24, 2023 at 4:30 am

    Interesting little split. Pence as the traditional small government conservative as opposed to the “say you’re for small government but happily use the levers of government to punish your political enemies” wing

    ________

    [link=https://www.nationalreview.com/news/mike-pence-says-desantis-went-too-far-in-revoking-disneys-special-tax-status/]Mike Pence Says DeSantis Went Too Far in Revoking Disney’s Special Tax Status

    [/link]

    In a Wednesday appearance on CNBCs [i]Squawk Box[/i], former vice president Mike Pence argued that Florida governor Ron DeSantiss support of a law that stripped Disney of its special tax status was a departure from his preferred vision of limited government.

    I have concerns about the follow-on. Disney stepped into the fray, they lost, explained Pence. The idea of going after their taxing authority. That was beyond the scope of what I as a conservative, a limited government Republican, would be prepared to do.

    The conflict was initiated by Disneys decision [link=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/statement-from-the-walt-disney-company-on-signing-of-florida-legislation/#:~:text=March%2028%2C%202022-,Statement%20From%20The%20Walt%20Disney%20Company%20On%20Signing%20Of%20Florida,have%20been%20signed%20into%20law.]to release a statement[/link] saying the Florida act should never have passed and should never have been signed into law. The company also suspended political donations in Florida in response to the parental rights law.

    [/QUOTE]

    • kaldridgewv2211

      Member
      February 24, 2023 at 6:18 am

      the idea that Disney got special status is out of bounds for me.  But DeSantis doing it in the name of “woke” is pretty stupid.

      • kayla.meyer_144

        Member
        February 24, 2023 at 6:33 am

        The Villages and very many other entities also have special status in Florida, it’s nothing new.

        • kaldridgewv2211

          Member
          February 24, 2023 at 9:56 am

          It’s new to someone from OH.

  • btomba_77

    Member
    March 29, 2023 at 7:17 pm

    [link=https://news.yahoo.com/power-play-disney-handicapped-reedy-181501620.html]https://news.yahoo.com/po…d-reedy-181501620.html[/link]

    [b]Power play: Disney handicapped new Reedy Creek board before handing over control[/b]

    In their final days of controlling the Reedy Creek improvement districts board, Disney executives and attorneys found a way to poison the authority of the incoming members appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and effectively oversee the areas development.

    Particular focus was paid to one section that board members said locked in development rights of a particular parcel until 21 years after the death of the youngest current descendant of King Charles, or until Disney abandons the resort.

    Board members hired multiple politically-connected law firms to represent them and analyze the agreement, and discussed bringing on as many as four different firms to battle the deep-pocketed company as they attempted to unwind it. Garcia referenced taking it all the way to the United States Supreme Court if necessary.

    Some board members said they hoped Disney executives and attorneys would be willing to come to the table and reach a compromise agreement before any legal steps were taken, though others werent as optimistic.

    Disneys communications team did not answer multiple questions sent to them about whether theyd compromise or fight, and whether this was the reason the company chose to hand over control of Reedy Creek without a fight. However, they did email a requested statement summarizing their position:

    All agreements signed between Disney and the District were appropriate, and were discussed and approved in open, noticed public forums in compliance with Floridas Government in the Sunshine law, a spokesperson said.

  • btomba_77

    Member
    April 3, 2023 at 3:19 pm

    [h3][link=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-03/disney-ceo-iger-blasts-desantis-s-policies-as-anti-business?srnd=premium]Disney CEO Blasts DeSantiss Policies as Anti-Business[/link][/h3] ‘A company has a right to freedom of speech just like individuals do.’

    [ul][*]Shareholders reject proposal from conservative activist[*]Investors reelect board, back company on hot-button issues [/ul]  
    [link=https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/DIS:US]Walt Disney Co.[/link] Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger came out swinging at [link=https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/STOFL1:US]Florida[/link] Governor Ron DeSantis saying his policies regarding the theme-park giant have been not just anti-Florida, but anti-business.
     
    The executive, who spoke during the companys annual meeting on Monday, responded to questions from investors about Disneys political fight in Florida and its decision to oppose legislation that limits discussion of gender identity in schools. 
     

  • btomba_77

    Member
    April 7, 2023 at 2:25 am

    [link=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/04/06/desantis-disney-hotel-taxes-toll-rodes-00090959]https://www.politico.com/…es-toll-rodes-00090959[/link]

    [h2][b]Buckle up’: DeSantis escalates Disney dispute, eyes hotel taxes and road tolls[/b][/h2] The DeSantis administration is also examining if a recent agreement approved between a Central Florida board that had been controlled by Disney and the company runs afoul of the states growth laws, according to senior administration officials.

    They are not superior to the people of Florida, DeSantis said during an evening appearance at Hillsdale College, the conservative liberal arts college in Michigan. So come hell or high water were going to make sure that policy of Florida carries the day. And so they can keep trying to do things. But ultimately were going to win on every single issue involving Disney I can tell you that.
     
    Disney tried to pull a fast one on the way out the door, DeSantis said earlier in the day during a breakfast hosted by the Midland County Republican Party of Michigan. That storys not over yet. Buckle up. Theres more coming down the pike, he added.
     

    • adrianoal

      Member
      April 7, 2023 at 5:05 am

      hopefully there are wiser heads on both sides who will figure out a way to de-escalate. Right now this is lose-lose. DeSantis making himself look bad.

      • kayla.meyer_144

        Member
        April 7, 2023 at 5:08 am

        Both sides, as if Disney started the fight while Republicans demand silent obedience.
         
        This is all 1 side tyranny.

        • btomba_77

          Member
          April 17, 2023 at 4:14 pm

          DeSantis floats turning state board controlled land next to Disney into a state prison

          • kaldridgewv2211

            Member
            April 17, 2023 at 6:59 pm

            Isnt the Disney property massive anyway. Like you wouldnt be close to a prison type of massive.

            • ds_428_213

              Member
              April 17, 2023 at 7:17 pm

              Ronnie D is going to run himself right out of this Presidential primary race.

              • btomba_77

                Member
                April 18, 2023 at 3:18 am

                Quote from Alpha Angle

                Ronnie D is going to run himself right out of this Presidential primary race.

                Maybe GOP primary voters see it differently but …
                 
                to my eye it looks like DeSantis is pointedly trying to avoid conflict with the guy he needs to take down (Donald Trump) but talking like a tough guy in a pointless, stupid conflict with Disney.
                 
                 
                Wanna talk tough? Take on Trump.
                 
                 
                 

                • kayla.meyer_144

                  Member
                  April 18, 2023 at 3:58 am

                  Imagine DeSantis giving away Ukraine to Putin just to own the libs.
                   
                  Yes, hes avoiding competing with Trump so he can look tough with the Mouse. And the Mouse is winning.
                   
                  Putting a prison next to Disney flucking up the major attraction to visit Florida so he can own the libs.
                   
                  And people are saying DeSantis is the smart version of Trumpism?

  • btomba_77

    Member
    April 18, 2023 at 4:17 am

    [b]Disney Trolls DeSantis with First-Ever Pride Nite[/b][/h1]  
    Disney seemingly fired a shot at Gov. Ron DeSantis, promoting Disneylands [link=https://twitter.com/Disney/status/1648031070938361867?s=20]first-ever Pride Nite event[/link] just hours after the Florida governor outlined new legislation seeking to wrangle the company as it attempts to resist a state takeover of its special taxing district, the [link=https://www.thedailybeast.com/disney-promotes-first-ever-pride-nite-after-gov-ron-desantis-targets-company?ref=home]Daily Beast[/link] reports.

     

    • Unknown Member

      Deleted User
      April 18, 2023 at 5:22 am

      Now I know I havent always been right about everything but.

      I did say the Desantis would fail on the national stage because he is

      -not charismatic
      – whiney
      -short and fat
      -angry
      -thin skinned
      -vindictive
      -and just frickin weird

      Im surprised he is still considering running for president but small mans ego is quite large

  • btomba_77

    Member
    April 21, 2023 at 3:10 am

    [h2][link=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/04/20/desantis-disney-battle-bad-politics/]DeSantiss war on Disney makes Trump look reasonable[/link][/h2]

    [b]The battle DeSantis has chosen to wage against Walt Disney World always seemed petty and ill-advised. It now looks obsessive and weird [/b] and I fear it tells us something alarming about the man who is running [link=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2024/president/us/2024_republican_presidential_nomination-7548.html]second in the polls[/link], behind Donald Trump, for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.


    Im belaboring this one dispute because thats exactly what DeSantis is doing. The more he persists, the more attention he draws away from the shiny object he wanted to show off to the MAGA crowd the anti-gay education bill and puts the spotlight, instead, on his own Ahab-like pursuit of the Little Mermaid.


    DeSantis likes to portray himself as the ultimate fighter; indeed, a PAC supporting his still-undeclared candidacy is titled Never Back Down. But a politician who doesnt know when to fight and when to stand down can never be trusted with the powers of the presidency. Disney doesnt have nuclear weapons; China and Russia do.
     
    This is all so unnecessary, a political STUNT! Trump posted Tuesday about DeSantiss fight with Disney. So between the two of them, Trump sounds more reasonable? Good Lord.

    [/QUOTE]
     

  • btomba_77

    Member
    April 21, 2023 at 8:24 am

    Yeah were just gonna pay whatever we want, ok Ron?

    [link=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/florida-board-says-it-discovers-another-11th-hour-agreement-with-disney-2023-04-19/]https://www.reuters.com/w…ith-disney-2023-04-19/[/link]

    Florida board says it discovers another ’11th hour’ agreement with Disney

    Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ new oversight board has discovered another “11th hour agreement” that allows Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) to set its own utility rates at its Orlando theme parks, the board’s chairman said on Wednesday.

    A Disney subsidiary, which provides utility services to the central Florida district that includes the Walt Disney World Resort, negotiated an agreement in February to extend its contract through 2032, Chairman Martin Garcia said at a public meeting. Disney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

    “Last Friday afternoon I learned for the first time about one of these new 11th hour agreements entered into between Disney and the district. This one relates to our utility services,” Garcia said. “We’ll have to evaluate the legality of that agreement, that essentially enables Disney to set their utility rates.

    [/QUOTE]

  • btomba_77

    Member
    April 26, 2023 at 9:29 am

    [link=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/04/26/desantis-disney-lawsuit/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter]https://www.washingtonpos…amp;utm_source=twitter[/link]

    [b]Disney sues Gov. Ron DeSantis, alleging political retaliation[/b][/h1]  
     
    [h2]The Florida governor is working with the legislature to overturn the entertainment giants latest oversight agreement.[/h2]

    Disney is suing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) over what it calls a relentless campaign to weaponize government power a major escalation of the standoff between the entertainment giant and the conservative governor.
     
    The lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida accuses DeSantis of orchestrating a campaign to punish Disney over its political views. The lawsuit comes just one week after DeSantis pledged to work with the state legislature to roll back Disneys corporate control over its Florida theme park.
     
    It represents the latest exchange in a long-running public feud between Floridas conservative governor, widely seen as a likely contender for the partys 2024 presidential nomination, and the California-based theme park operator.

    [/QUOTE]
     

  • btomba_77

    Member
    April 26, 2023 at 10:21 am

    [link=https://static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2023/04/File-Stamped-Disney-Complaint1.pdf]https://static.foxbusines…-Disney-Complaint1.pdf[/link]

    Governor DeSantis and his allies paid no mind to the governing structure that facilitated Reedy Creeks successful development until one year ago, when the Governor decided to target Disney. There is no room for disagreement about what happened here: Disney expressed its opinion on state legislation and was then punished by the State for doing so.

    [b] Governor DeSantis announced that Disneys statement had crossed the linea line evidently separating permissible speech from intolerable speech[/b]and launched a barrage of threats against the Company in immediate response. Since then, the Governor, the State Legislature, and the Governors handpicked local government regulators have moved beyond threats to official action, employing the machinery of the State in a coordinated campaign to damage Disneys ability to do business in Florida. State leaders have not been subtle about their reasons for government intervention. They have proudly declared that Disney deserves this fate because of what Disney said. [b]This is as clear a case of retaliation as this Court is ever likely to see.

    [/b]It is a clear violation of Disneys federal constitutional rightsunder the Contracts Clause, the Takings Clause, the Due Process Clause, and the First Amendmentfor the State to inflict a concerted campaign of retaliation because the Company expressed an opinion with which the government disagreed. And it is a clear violation of these rights for the CFTOD board to declare its own legally binding contracts void and unenforceable. Disney thus seeks relief from this Court in order to carry out its long-held business plans.

     [b]Disney finds itself in this regrettable position because it expressed a viewpoint the Governor and his allies did not like. [/b]Disney wishes that things could have been resolved a different way. But Disney also knows that it is fortunate to have the resources to take a stand against the States retaliationa stand smaller businesses and individuals might not be able to take when the State comes after them for expressing their own views. [b]In America, the government cannot punish you for speaking your mind.[/b]

  • btomba_77

    Member
    April 28, 2023 at 4:38 am

    [link=https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-vs-trump-dont-be-so-sure-rfk-third-party-rematch-2024-election-independents-bea741f2?st=asici1b5r1wl6bk&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink]Peggy Noonan[/link] says she’s not going to pick on DeSantis over Disney  but …

    It is too early to say Ron DeSantiss candidacy wont work. But it feels like it wont work. But life is surprising.

    …Im not going to pick on him on the [link=https://www.wsj.com/market-data/quotes/DIS]Disney[/link] fight….
     
     
    A big challenge for politicians is the management of powerful and competing interests and institutions, especially those that want to galumph into local political arguments. You have to manage this with firmness but as little friction as possible, because there are always a million arguments and friction keeps things too hot. Not explaining your stand, and Mr. DeSantis isnt good at explaining his thinking, doesnt help. Giving the sense youre getting a partisan kick out of the fracas makes it worse.

    Mr. DeSantis is reported to be announcing his presidential run later this spring. I got an interesting note about him the other day from the veteran political operative Alex Castellanos. He said the problem for Mr. DeSantis is not that hes unlikable: The problem for Ron is worse. Its that he does not like us. When voters see a political figure likes them, they start to trust him, because they know he will do a lot to preserve their affection.

    [/QUOTE]
     

  • btomba_77

    Member
    April 30, 2023 at 4:22 am

    [h1]Its Like DeSantis Is Holding a Knife to His Own Throat[/h1]

    [link=https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/redirect-to/?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fslate.com%2Fculture%2F2023%2F04%2Fdisney-ron-desantis-lawsuit-florida-boycott-history.html]https://slate.com/culture/2023/04/di…t-history.html[/link]
     

    This all feels familiar to Mark I. Pinsky, a former Orlando Sentinel reporter who, back in the 1990s, extensively covered Disneys last skirmish in a conservative-led culture war. The Southern Baptist Convention had launched a boycott against Disney in protest of the companys support of its LGBT employees and Ellen DeGeneres sitcom. Did the boycott ultimately succeed in hurting Disney?
     

     
    Disney just dug its heels. I mean, they basically said to the Southern Baptist Convention, F*ck you, we dont need you. I dont know whether the Disney guys were just arrogant or confident, but from the very beginning, they gave not an inch. Maybe its a profile in courage. Maybe its just pragmatism. I dont know what was in their minds. I never got to talk to Katzenberg. I did speak briefly to Eisner at a book event, but he wouldnt tell me anything anyway.
     

     
    I would say, find a subtle way to back away. DeSantis took a real hit when it turned out that [link=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-ne-disney-new-reedy-creek-board-powerless-20230329-qalagcs4wjfe3iwkpzjsz2v4qm-story.html]Disney had outsmarted the five stooges[/link] he put on the Reedy Creek board. It was not the fact that they lost so much, but that they got the better of him. And thats when you begin to see these Republican megadonors saying, Well, maybe not. DeSantis cant afford another episode like that where it looks like he was bested by Disney. So if I were advising him, I would say find a way to lower the temperature, and put forward some other issues that will do you well but dont have as much of a fuck-up potential.
     
    I dont think he realized that Disney punches back, and they may punch back better than he punches. [b]He shouldnt set himself up to stand or fall on whether he can get Disney to capitulate, because he will never get Disney to capitulate. It will not happen. It didnt happen in the 90s, and for sure its not going to happen now. [/b] And if you had to bet, would you bet on an ambitious Florida governor, or would you bet on a multibillion-dollar corporation that knows what its audience wants?

     
    [link=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-27/disney-s-emboldened-iger-escalates-fight-with-florida-s-desantis] Disney CEO Bob Iger Escalates Fight With Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

    [/link]
     
    [link=https://www.businessinsider.com/disneys-bob-iger-going-nuclear-sues-ron-desantis-florida-disneyworld-2023-4] Disney’s Bob Iger is going nuclear on Ron DeSantis

    [/link]
     
    and even the WSJ sees the folly: 
    [link=https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-ron-desantis-bob-iger-florida-lawsuit-46c8b436]https://www.wsj.com/artic…orida-lawsuit-46c8b436[/link]
    DeSantiss Miscalculation: Disney Is Playing the Long Game[/h1]  
     

    • btomba_77

      Member
      April 30, 2023 at 8:42 am

      Its not the role of government to punish a business when you disagree with their position. I dont understand a conservative punishing a business that is the largest employer in the state. ~GOP Presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson, just now on CNN.

    • Unknown Member

      Deleted User
      April 30, 2023 at 11:41 am

      Desantis is getting Bludgeoned by Disney and he is too arrogantly stubborn to just back off
       
      Also, here is another card that Disney is holding…….. The special Districts, which Desantis is attacking are also shared by Daytona Speedway and …..The Villages which is a huge Republican voting block of “Old Farts’ that Desantis has been catering too
       
      So when Desantis start his disney has its own government ranting….Disney is just waiting to pull this card out and Beatccchhh slap again.
       
      Disney is going to play the card about why isnt he attacking the Villages special district if it is not about political retaliation
       
      As I said before.  Desantis is a short fat arrogant little turd who comes across as nasty, very vindictive and just plain WEIRD
       
      Dont F with mouse
       
       

      • btomba_77

        Member
        May 1, 2023 at 3:01 am

        He’s now getting attacked from *inside* the GOP on it almost every day.  Haley, Christie, Trump…. yesterday it was Hutchinson.
         
        Disney seems to feel they’re solid ground both on the politics and from the legal side. And they also know that the amount of time DeSantis has left where he is control of Florida politics is measured in months. The company probably figures that worst case is short term conflict with the DeSantis administration and some future actually-pro-business governor quietly drops the whole thing and returns to business as usual.
         
         
         
        That said, I’ve seen a significant amount of social media from my right-leaning friends who insist that Ron D is “owning” woke Disney.  So there’s obviously at least a few base votes to be won doing it.
         
         

        • satyanar

          Member
          May 1, 2023 at 6:43 am

          Anyone taking Rons side against Disney is not right leaning.
           

    • btomba_77

      Member
      May 1, 2023 at 10:14 am

      [link=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/01/desantis-disney-tax-lawsuit-oversight-board-votes-to-sue.html]DeSantis Disney oversight board votes to sue company over tax-district fight

      [/link]

      The board of supervisors picked by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to oversee Walt Disney Worlds operations voted Monday to sue [link=https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/DIS/]Disney[/link] in response to the companys [link=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/26/disney-sues-florida-gov-ron-desantis-alleges-political-effort-to-hurt-its-business.html]recent federal lawsuit[/link] alleging a campaign of political retaliation by the governor.
       
      The panel, which challenged the companys long-standing self-governing status when it replaced a Disney-backed board weeks earlier, unanimously voted to authorize a lawsuit in state court.
       
      This district will seek justice in state court here in central Florida where both it and Disney reside and do business, board chair Martin Garcia said at a Monday morning meeting, where the legal fight was the sole topic of business. Yes, well see justice in our own backyard.

      [/QUOTE]
       

      • kaldridgewv2211

        Member
        May 1, 2023 at 11:44 am

        not clear to me but what is the suit alleging?  
         
         

        • kayla.meyer_144

          Member
          May 1, 2023 at 11:54 am

          That the Mouse did not roll over & show its belly as it was supposed to.

          • Unknown Member

            Deleted User
            May 1, 2023 at 1:20 pm

            They havent decided yet what the suit will say

            Basically the desantis team is getting their A$$es beat every turn and are trying to do every to save face so he can say he never backs down

            As mick said to Rocky

            Stay down stay down

            Unfortunately desantis and his band of north florida zealots dont realize this isnt a movie and they are getting bludgeoned nationally

            • kaldridgewv2211

              Member
              May 1, 2023 at 1:44 pm

              it has sort of a Michael Scott yelling “I declare bankruptcy” feeling.  It was also weird that Desantis started using Disney font.  I’m sure that Disney doesn’t have any good lawyers defending their IP.

    • btomba_77

      Member
      May 2, 2023 at 5:56 am

      [h1]DeSantis Gave Disney the Ammunition It Needs[/h1]  
      [link=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/05/02/ron-desantis-disney-lawsuit-wokeness-donald-trump-2024/]Greg Sargent[/link]:

      Memoirs by presidential aspirants often lay out a blueprint for their coming candidacies. DeSantiss does, too. It boasts extensively about his war on Disney to advertise how he would marshal the powers of the presidency against so-called woke elites.
       
       
       
      [ul][*]DeSantiss book brags about his rapid mobilization of the state legislature to target Disneys tax district. The same passage declares that this happened because of the companys support of indoctrinating young schoolchildren in woke gender identity politics. That admits to retribution against speech opposing his legislation.[*]The book rips Disney for vowing to work to repeal the governors law, describing this as a frontal assault on it. That, too, is a description of political speech. Yet the book menacingly declares that, after this, things got worse for Disney, and that it would soon find out the truth about Floridas war with Disney, i.e., the state would punish that speech.[*]The book describes DeSantiss discussions with Republicans in the Florida legislature about whether they were prepared to tackle the thorny issue involving the states most powerful company. That confirms Disney was the unique target of legislative action.[*]In a companion to the books launch, DeSantis [link=https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-i-stood-up-to-disney-florida-woke-corporatism-seaworld-universal-esg-parents-choice-education-defa2506]wrote a Wall Street Journal op-ed[/link] that explicitly discussed governmental actions against Disney as an effort to fight back against its woke ideology, which is to say, its political speech. [/ul] [/QUOTE]
      The article also points out that  discovery is likely to go poorly for team DeSantis.  It is almost certainly going to expose that the actions against Disney were politically motivated and had very little to do with good governance in revoking long-standing privileges. 

Page 1 of 2