It was explicit retribution. DeSantis and his cronies admitted to it. And the best evidence it was retribution, putting aside the actual words? The fact that they pushed this through in one week, in an emergency session, with no study, analysis or even understanding of impact, response from constituents, or any other normal legislative action. Tell me this — why was it necessary to have a special district in place over 50 years removed in an emergency session?
I have trouble understanding how you are not able to recognize Disney has an obligation to respect the State of Florida. And they chose not to.
No they have not. Disney knows that the position they took is going to alienate their target audience. They can spout off how they think kids K-3 should be taught sex ed if they want. They injected themselves and disrespected the State of Florida in the process. They have no rights to special privileges.
Under what law do you believe Disney has to agree with governmental action? Hint: you will not find one. But, they do have the right to DISAGREE with government action, and voice their disagreement within the confines of the law.
I think to just view this as an anti-trust battle is something taken directly out of her PR team, but do what you will. It would be like me saying this wasn't DeSantis retaliating on Disney, it's Disney giving the State of Florida the political cover to revoke their special tax district. I'm not saying that, because I don't buy it, but that's what DeSantis's legal team would probably say, if nothing else, because it distances them further from any legal problems down the road.
You are literally defining the power of an authoritarian government. You must recognize that. To be sure, Disney’s special district is subject to governmental action. Had the legislature gone through the regular process, I wouldn’t have any problem with the revocation of the special district. It doesn’t impact me at all. But that’s not what happened, and you know it, even if you cannot come to terms with it.
I am not saying DeSantis was right or wrong. I don’t have enough information to make an informed opinion yet on whether I think he should have handled this differently. But Disney does not have a Constitutional Right to special privileges. And Disney can say what they wish. As smart as DeSantis has been with leading the state…I lean to likely agreeing with his approach. Though he may have overstepped as well. We will see. If asked to wager…Reedy Creek will still be around for quite some time. Some changes to the agreement? Probably.
True. They don’t have to. But if you are not going to respect the State of Florida. Do not expect special privileges that are not granted you in the Constitution.
I never said they have to. Under what law does the government have to provide Disney special privileges?
What am I suppose to come to grips with? Disney has not lost any of its constitutional rights. Keep this up. It is a losing issue in the arena of ideas. Disney knows that…
Not to nit-pick, but you will not find Disney being granted a special district in any constitution. And, at the expense of repetition, Disney is and has been subject to having the special district sunset/repealed for quite some time. There is a legislative process to take to do so: open and robust debate, study, constituent input, impact studies and the like. That just didn’t take place and there was no excuse for it.
I’ll try it a little different- an authoritarian government can retaliate against anyone they choose for the speech; a free-speech democratic government cannot. Free speech, without fear of governmental retaliation, is the touchstone of a free-speech democracy.
Nonsense. Disney's being quiet because they've made their point, and unlike politicians and media talking-heads, need not continue with the bibble-babble ad infinitum.
Actually this anti-trust argument is widespread not just among the far left but also among the right: Here’s Trump’s Plan To Regulate Social Media Justice Thomas sends a message on social media regulation Allen West guest warns of 'oligarchy of super mega big businesses' Not to mention the FTC is literally bringing an anti-trust suit against Facebook right now. A Facebook antitrust suit can move forward, a judge says, in a win for the F.T.C. If you don’t buy any of that, can you explain what is Warren’s ulterior retaliatory motive for going after the big tech companies?
There was also no excuse for Disney to disrespect Florida. Should DeSantis have handled it differently? Maybe. Maybe not. People are going to agree and disagree on that. But Disney has every right to keep spouting off a false narrative disrespecting the State of Florida. Florida has every right to take away the special privileges being afforded Disney. They will get this handled behind closed doors for sure.
You are quite right, Rade. It is the personal nature of this issue that amplifies the pettiness and vindictiveness. However much DeSantis' fans may insist that DeS is the state of Florida, and to attack him is to attack the state, this decidedly is not the case.
And Disney can freely speak as it wishes. Florida can freely decide how to handle the special privileges it affords.
