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The Letter Disney's CEO Sent To Disney Employees Asking Them To Fund Disney's Sketchy Lobbying Activities
from the oh-really-now? dept
Here's quite a scoop from Joe Mullin over at Ars Technica. Apparently, Disney is getting a bit desperate on the whole TPP thing. The company, which has been having a rough go of things because of the next generation not giving a # about ESPN, decided to take things up a notch. CEO Bob Iger apparently emailed Disney employees asking them to contribute to DisneyPAC, specifically to help Disney pay for lobbyists to push the TPP across the finish line. They even made it so easy that employees can donate directly from their payroll. Here's the letter, with some commentary (how can I resist?):
The Letter to Employees: arstechnica.com...
The Translation:
We're a big giant company, and as such, we've stopped innovating. So we need to keep friends in Washington to protect us from innovation and competition. Please consider taking your hard earned money and giving it to us so we can keep doing that kind of thing.
Have you heard about the TPP? It was negotiated in backrooms by special interests -- but good news -- we're one of the big special interests! So we helped craft it and it's got all sorts of goodies for us. Not the public, of course. Or even you workers. But it's really awesome for Disney bosses.
By the way, did we mention that 18 years ago we successfully extended copyright 20 years to keep Mickey Mouse from reaching the public domain, and we have two years left to do it again. Think of the Mouse, Disney employees. Think of the mouse!
Yes, thanks to our efforts, we were able to destroy innovative technologies that consumers really liked! And now we're losing customers who are ditching cable. But rather than help us innovate, please contribute more money so that we can shut down other new innovations. Because we're Disney and thwarting innovation is just what we do these days.
Can you believe those numbskulls in Washington? We already did this once and suddenly they're back again, talking about the public interest and consumer rights and all that crap again. Please help us put an end to it.
We successfully got awesome anti-public / pro-Disney language into the TPP and now we can do it again in other trade deals. Go team! Help us lock up culture even more! And pretend it's about "free trade."
Because, yes, we know that you, dear Disney employee, are quite concerned about the tax rates of giant conglomerates like Disney. Please give us money to help us get a tax break! We may give you a free ticket to Disneyland in exchange. But no free music or movies. That's bad.
Did you hear about the newly nominated Librarian of Congress? We hear she actually cares about the public and open access, and that's bad and must be stopped. At the very least, let's rip the Copyright Office out from under her and put it in the hands of people who understand us better. And by "understand" I mean, will soon accept jobs from us when they "transition" out of government work.
Did I mention our successful efforts in killing innovation? This is the next part of our plan. Like the internet? F*** you. We're Disney and we're going to f*** it up. With your money, hopefully!
Did you notice how odd it was that the FCC suddenly seemed to be caring about consumers again? We can't have that. We CANNOT have that. Please help us destroy the FCC. Sure your cable bills will be higher, and the internet will suck, but we're Disney. We've got a mouse.
We'll take money straight from your paycheck and put it to work making corporate Disney's life better. Not yours. Do that with whatever money you have left.
Iger's compensation in the last fiscal year was $45 million (£32 million).
originally posted by: Godhead
a reply to: infolurker
That's what happens when a hugely successful company built under the direction of rightist hardcases gets taken over by lefties when the original owners pass on. It turns into a sinking ship run with folks who don't give a damn about the legacy they're wiping their pirate booties on. Much like Hollywood itself, we can watch it all crash down.
originally posted by: NewzNose
a reply to: infolurker
I loved The Wonderful World of Disney, which came on every Sunday night at 7pm in the 60s, early 70s.
When you have to take out a payday loan for a family of 4 to enjoy Disneyland...it's time to give up Walt's ghost.
They can go pound sand.
Iger's compensation in the last fiscal year was $45 million (£32 million).
originally posted by: Britguy
Iger's compensation in the last fiscal year was $45 million (£32 million).
I am sure they could outsource that job or bring in an immigrant CEO willing to do the same job for $1 Million.
originally posted by: Snarl
I worked at Disney World for a Summer back in the '70s. It was no better then. Seems to have gotten worse.
originally posted by: MystikMushroom
I've also not heard good things from people who've worked with Disney.
Disney, the Walmart of the entertainment world...