Guest Author
The Battle of Reedy Creek could be the Gettysburg of America’s culture war crusades.
Today, in the first wave of the battle, the Florida Senate dutifully passed the demands by General Robert E. DeSantis to attack and dismantle Disney’s land holdings in Orlando.
Even for Floridians, Reedy Creek is obscure; a small, strange legal fiction created by the State of Florida for Walt Disney World in 1972. It was an utterly esoteric remnant in state law until Gov. Ron DeSantis set his sights on breaking Disney to his will.
The DeSantis attack on Disney will cost Florida taxpayers at least $2 billion, and residents of the two counties where Disney resides an average of $2,200 more per household annually in local property taxes. DeSantis is working hard to kill the golden goose of Central Florida tourism.
This stunt is all about giving DeSantis more ammunition in his nonstop culture war as he prepares to primary Donald Trump in 2024, and the Florida Legislature has covered itself in infamy for playing his game. Just as Washington Republicans lived in terror of Trump’s horde, Florida House and Senate Republicans live in fear of DeSantis and his mob, including the ones who troll on the taxpayer’s dime.
As America’s hottest new dictator-curious Trump-manque, DeSantis signed an instantly notorious “Don’t Say Gay” bill this spring as part of his nascent 2024 presidential campaign. Like almost every Republican moral panic and trolling operation (but I repeat myself), it was a divisive piece of legislative arson presented as a response to an imaginary threat.
Through the incessant tweets and statements of Christina Pushaw, his most crucial strategic adviser, DeSantis characterized any opposition to the bill as that of “groomers” and “pedophiles” aiming to abuse Florida’s children.
Having abandoned all their previous ideological predicates under Trump and giving in to the sweet seductions of the pursuit of absolute power, today’s GOP believes in nothing and, therefore, can convert any issue into a campaign weapon … the more lurid and conspiratorial, the better.
DeSantis has been a wildly successful fundraiser from corporate titans like Disney. They think they’ve bought a relationship, as has been done since time immemorial. Leaders of these companies felt that giving DeSantis campaign contributions would buy his favor. Disney thought that, too.
Disney was wrong, and major corporate backers of DeSantis are wrong, as well. They just don’t know it yet.
With an authoritarian bully, the old transactional dance with corporations, super PACs, and politicians on the right is over. Disney’s massive, decades-long investment in the Florida GOP bought them nothing.
If you’re a major donor to DeSantis or the Florida GOP, you’re fine … until you’re not. You’re best friends … until you’re sworn enemies. DeSantis is a radical populist and the grunting, seething hatred stoked in his base by the agitprop machine over everything and everyone who disagrees with the Dear Leader’s plans is his only real weapon.
Republican leaders once at least mouthed the correct pieties about the free market, free speech, and government staying out of the workings of private enterprise. Today, the message is quite the opposite. Government control of corporations’ speech, internal policies, and behavior is precisely what the DeSantis assault on Disney’s rather anodyne objections to his “Don’t Say Gay” bill represents.
DeSantis and Co-Governor Pushaw understand that the great unwashed MAGA masses would much rather hear about Ron DeSantis, warrior against the vast and dangerous — and imaginary — army of pedophile groomers, rather than see DeSantis respecting the free-speech rights of a corporation and its leadership. As much as Florida Republicans bleat about the imaginary threat of communism — which exists almost entirely in college dorm bullshit sessions and the sleepy dreams of doddering old Bernie Bros — they sure love its tactics.
It doesn’t help that Disney still believes that they’re playing the old game.
Disney’s lobbyists in Florida and Washington assured them that they could donate their way out of this crisis. Their PR people are telling them that the brand is strong, and DeSantis will stop soon. They’re convinced they can wait him out.
Always punch the bully back, twice as hard.
Disney should turn their money, media, and creative muscle against him, moving the argument off “Don’t Say Gay” and on to making DeSantis and his enablers feel real pain. They’re the state’s largest employer and generate billions in tax revenues.
It’s time for Disney to call Ron’s bluff.
How? One idea is to go in hard against DeSantis in the Florida Governor’s race, but I’d argue against it. As a general in this war, he’s hard to kill politically. So why not take some of his enablers off the battlefield?
Disney should identify a dozen or so Florida state House and Senate races and invest $25-$30 million into breaking the GOP majority in the state. For the Florida GOP, that amount of money is a significant lift; for Disney, it’s a rounding error. Make every Florida Senator who sponsored this monstrosity rise from their normally serene easy re-elections and suffer.
Bullies rarely fight alone. DeSantis needs an obedient majority in the Legislature to make the threat of breaking Disney a reality. Break — or even shrink — the GOP majority and he’s a loudmouth, not a threat. Given this stunt’s massive, budget-crushing costs, a Legislature with fewer Ron acolytes will think twice before playing this game again.
Disney almost certainly won’t follow this advice. They’ll double down on doing more of what got them here; sucking up to the Florida GOP and the Governor who wants to destroy them.
“Go along to get along” is political poison when you’re dealing with authoritarians.
Disney is on the front lines of the culture war now, and unless they fight back hard, it’s a war DeSantis has every intention of riding all the way to the White House.
___
Rick Wilson is the author of two New York Times bestsellers, an award-winning ad maker, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, and 5th generation Florida Man.
187 comments
Antonio
April 20, 2022 at 11:36 pm
Rick Wilson? Seriously? Just when I thought Florida Politics couldn’t sink any lower…..
Tom
April 21, 2022 at 12:44 am
Never underestimate the power of sinking lower Antonio. Only peter h would be happier. What an achievement by FP, despicable. What’s next Joe Scarborough, please.
Gonna be great
April 21, 2022 at 6:12 am
If You want high wait till have to pay your taxes from this!
meredith shaw
April 21, 2022 at 9:40 am
As usual, the right never attack ideas because they have none. They inly attack peopke. Rick is fine.
Dan Schwartz
April 21, 2022 at 11:24 am
Bingo.
Dan Derrico
April 21, 2022 at 3:26 pm
It’s easy for DeSantis to sell hate, fear and division. Would you care unless he stoked your fears and turned Americans against each other? How does this make things better? Is he improving your life? How about love and openness and empathy? Democrats know we’re all in this together. The radical right frames life as Us vs. Them.
Lynn Harris
April 21, 2022 at 4:36 pm
Great comment and AMEN – Great article Rick!!!
Brandon
April 21, 2022 at 8:11 pm
Ironically the article is itself nothing more than a character attack on DeSantis. It ignores the logic of stopping a corporate monstrosity like Disney from insinuating itself into Florida politics and forcing the state to accept the ideological grooming of young children in public schools into the extreme leftist fold. Desantis a “bully?” Are you kidding? This is gaslighting plain and simple. Disney struts up to the Florida Legislature and says “we’re going to destroy your culture and way of life, and support the sexualization of your children,” and when Florida fights back, they cry victim. It’s the classic strategy of narcissists and sociopaths.
Lisa
April 22, 2022 at 7:33 am
You are a textbook example of the nonsense this article describes.
Brandon
April 22, 2022 at 8:47 am
Not an argument. Let me know when you have something of actual substance to add.
meredith
April 22, 2022 at 8:08 am
You are projecting again. DeSantis started this on a lie, and THEN Disney spoke against the legislation, against something that is not happening, at the behest of its employees. Please atleast get yoyr facts straight. This did not start with Disney. It startled with a DeSantis lie. He’s shutting down free speech in Universities as well, so spare me the save the children lie.
Brandon
April 22, 2022 at 8:46 am
Disney actually openly discussed in zoom meetings on the future of the company that they planed to inject gender identity propaganda into their content. This is a fact. Then they claimed they would do everything in their power to derail legislation that the majority of the state of Florida support to stop the sexualization of children. If the bill changes nothing, then why be opposed? You don’t seem to grasp the delusions within your argument. Also, gender identity propaganda and sexualized lessons within elementary school curriculum are happening in leftist states across the country. This is a FACT. Just look at New Jersey’s recent announcement on this very subject. Finally, universities are publicly funded institutions, they do not have the right to propagandize young people with leftists ideology and lies, they answer to the taxpayers that fund them and if the taxpayers don’t want it, they must abide. You are uneducated on the facts, which is why your arguments fall apart under scrutiny.
Derrick Watson
April 24, 2022 at 5:37 pm
Meridith,
You obviously do not have kids in school or work in a school.
You are the one lying. To yourself and others. Unfortunately, I sounds like you will never accept the truth.
Getting warm
April 22, 2022 at 11:10 am
Florida has no culture though. It’s going to the bottom of the sea.
Brandon
April 22, 2022 at 4:41 pm
Florida is a predominantly conservative culture and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Get used to the idea.
Karen Johnson
April 22, 2022 at 5:20 pm
You’re just crazy and have drank too much Red Kool-Aid.
The degenerate governing our state seeks nothing but power.
Ironically he announced his intent to get rid of the Reedy Creek District while standing at the Republican stronghold — “The Villages” another “special district” in the state which governs itself!
Time to do just what Wilson says. For Disney to back Dems and Independents to get the Florida legislature moving on the “People’s Biz” rather than the absurdities that DeSantis champions!!!
Arthur Bartol
April 24, 2022 at 12:30 pm
“LET’S GO BRANDON”
Buddy
April 22, 2022 at 8:18 pm
It would be great if Disney would pull out of Florida altogether. Until that time I hope the taxpayers there enjoy paying off the Disney bonds. It is funny when people think they are screwing someone and it bounces back to hit them in their own pocket.
Donna hand
April 23, 2022 at 10:19 am
Brandon, please show us some examples of Disney grooming Florida children. Disney embarrass DeSantis plain and simple, so he’s going to retaliate. DeSantis has be showing plenty of signs of being an authoritarian.
frank mahoney
April 23, 2022 at 1:30 pm
Brand-what kind of made up propaganda are you spreading here. Disney is and has been taken to task by its employees for not giving a strong enough message to address “Don’t Say Gay” and it’s reliuctance to adequately incorporate LGBT into it’s programming. So adding to book burning now DeSantis wants to eradicate the first amendment? How on earth do you thonk you are on the right side of this. No one who banned books has ever been the good guy. And no American who believes in exclusion of certain citizens belongs in the same bin. This is NOT about children or their safety. It’s about deSantis and his desire to become the first authoritarian president of the US.
Sandy
April 23, 2022 at 2:15 pm
Brian, Where are you getting all your ideas about grooming young children in public schools or by Disney. Come on, man. Look at the GOP if you want to see some groomers.
Keep supporting the autocrat/authoritarian and you certainly will get what you want—a Putin inspired government. if that’s something you don’t want, start really listening to these authoritarian politicians.
Tim
April 23, 2022 at 2:51 pm
The GQP is exactly that. Narcissists and Sociopaths. (And a few Authoritarians thrown in for good measure). I really hope Disney grows a pair and takes it to those that support DeSatanist. No mo money to the right wingers would hurt the most.
DeSantis will end up stealing to much chain and be his own worst enemy.
Claire Boise Morda
April 23, 2022 at 10:50 pm
Obviously you are a product of the republican cultural thinking-Disney might not be the best corporation in the world, but my guess is you don’t live in Orange or Osceola Counties and you really think the plan DeSantis is deploying to make the state a white man’s paradise will actually work. You’re the one who’s been gaslit.
John
April 25, 2022 at 9:31 am
Omg. Get your head out of your ass! You are either a diehard sheep cult member follower of the far right are you honestly have issues with interpretation of what is right and wrong. Continue to follow your craze trump want to be in watches are state goes down in flames.
Barbara Wilson
April 27, 2022 at 12:27 am
In all of history of tyrants, the plan to become the master of all our fates, is repeated exactly over and over: Confuse and scare citizens with lies, make them afraid of outsiders, and Always always, tell them their children are in danger and this tough leader will save them. But it’s you he’s after.
Magic Mike
April 22, 2022 at 11:20 pm
Go ahead drink the Kool aide
Keith
April 24, 2022 at 7:51 am
The right doesnt attack because we try to keep the high road. That im happy to say is changing. Also remember, we have the guns because you like gun “control”. Dont make us use them.
Comment
April 21, 2022 at 1:32 pm
What ever it is if you can keep America good luck bring way for the new ways.if you can keep that too. and as Biden says it is the great experiment. We all the lab mice
David Parnell
April 22, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Rick Wilson, How dare you attack “De” Fuhrer !!
r kress
April 23, 2022 at 12:56 pm
“Those who dine too long with the Devil, tend to end up on the menu!” Larry Summers
Smib
April 24, 2022 at 10:23 pm
Rick Wilson’s advice to Disney is genius. Giving to Republican candidates challenging incumbent R members of the legislature is the only way to stop the incumbents who toady up to DeSantis because redistricting highly favors Republicans in the vast majority of legislative districts. Democrats don’t have a chance to take the House or Senate. But Disney could also take on DeSantis in the Governor’s race by supporting a Democrat because Florida is a purple state on a statewide basis. The same goes for the other cabinet races where a strong Democratic or Republican candidate who believes in the Florida Constitution’s separation of power structure that dilutes the Governor’s legal authority and gives the cabinet member a bully pulpit. Disney would be especially wise not to support the current Senate President’s campaign for Ag Commissioner. He’s a DeSantis enabler.
Raheim
April 21, 2022 at 12:01 am
Mr. Wilson is exactly right. What Governor DeSantis is doing is a direct assault on Florida business and Florida residents.
No one is safe from a populist. Populism is Ponzi scheme and that always, without exception, destroys its supporters. The only variable is how long it takes for the scheme to collapse.
The business community can either band together and end the Tallahassee Populist or be destroyed by him.
Tom
April 21, 2022 at 12:38 am
Me thinks Raheim engages in hyperbole and exaggerates some.
Not
April 21, 2022 at 6:13 am
Your thoughts can’t replace tourism revenue
Mother Superior Crosscheck, Bishop Hedman High School
April 21, 2022 at 12:08 pm
Goodness gracious, Tom, “Me thinks”? You are not a pirate. I used to date a pirate and, believe me, you are no pirate. Also, just a little bug in your ear: the definition of hyperbole includes exaggeration, as in excessive exaggeration, so suggesting that someone “engages in hyperbole and exaggerates some” is a bit like accusing someone of “murder and causing the victim’s heart to stop.” But at least you kept it all to one sentence this time, bless your heart.
Tom
April 21, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Sista, sista, Sista!
You have been kneeling again.
I thought we have Sunday time with Henderson.
Ok, you are engaging in such hyperbole yourself Sista!
Irregardless, how’s that one?
I am legend Sista, you know that. You and your Manchurians have nothing to offer. Please say prayers for alzie Joe, giggles Harris, cruella di vile Pelosi, AOC- squad and the rest of the Manchurian nation. Desperately needed. Light a candle or two for out country.
I replied below to Manchurian nation, in which how dat, I suffer gladly. See ya Sunday with Henderson.
Doug
April 21, 2022 at 4:40 pm
$2400 extra in property taxes says you are wrong.
Pete
April 24, 2022 at 9:45 am
FYI. $2 B annually works out to roughly $74 per Floridian annually. Given that Disney will lose a great portion of its tax protection and be on the hook for property tax -let’s say 2/3 of that amount or $1.67 B annually. The remaining responsibility would be dispersed among all sate homeowners. That works out to $333 Million annually or about $12.50 per person. Add to that, the fact that state sales tax revenues from Disney, of which a greater portion would be subject to state tax collection, will far exceed this amount and most likely result in a tax windfall for Florida. It is conceivable that real property taxes when the Homestead exemption is applied (up to a $50,000 reduction in assessed value) will DECLINE.
Don’t believe the fear mongering. Do the math.
Donna Cormier
April 21, 2022 at 8:14 am
BS
meredith shaw
April 21, 2022 at 9:41 am
How articulate. Rahein is right.
Tom
April 23, 2022 at 2:11 pm
Please stop complimenting your partners in public Meredith, just saying.
Babs
April 21, 2022 at 9:31 am
You are so right. Knock this bad egg off his pedestal before he destroys not only Florida, but our country. Disney, please act NOW!
Fred
April 21, 2022 at 12:16 pm
Good move by Ron DeSocialist and his toadying rabble.
Lynn Harris
April 21, 2022 at 4:39 pm
Governor DeSantis is a bully (just like trump) who thinks they can say/do anything they want and get away w/ it /b/c they always have….It’s time for Americans – I don’t care what party to stand up and say NO….
Mark Anderson
April 21, 2022 at 9:52 pm
Oh Lynn, he’s just a girly voiced shortstop that wants to be centerfielder.
Doug belasco
April 21, 2022 at 4:52 pm
Disney I’m sure pays huge taxes in Florida it’s for kids and their parents a wholesome atmosphere. Why does he need to go after this corporation because he thinks it has a LGBT stance it’s ridiculous have a heart mr desantis leave them alonr
Keith
April 24, 2022 at 7:53 am
As long as the gay crowd leaves the kids alone
Sharon
April 21, 2022 at 6:25 pm
Your absolutely right on the money
David Parnell
April 22, 2022 at 2:44 pm
You give “populism” a bad name…have you forgotten that most of our first “founding” documents began with “We the people…”?
Kelli
April 21, 2022 at 6:11 am
Ridiculous amount of slanting and framing in this zany opinion piece. And actually, the first thing was the incorrect statements regarding not sexualing children aged k-3 by big bully Disney. Shouldn’t Disney be supportive of this?
Once again, we are being asked to feel sorry for a multi billion dollar company?
Liken differing views to Gettysburg where thousands died fighting for more than the right to sexualize little kids? Ever even been to Gettysburg or just going for sensationalism?
Florida Senate SHOULD BE dutiful in responding to the requests of their constituents. Florida parents don’t want little kids talked to about sex this young! You see, WE pay THEM. They don’t get to dictate to US.
This is just the first paragraph. This is a joke! Does the writer even HAVE children?
Mach Draught
April 21, 2022 at 7:27 am
What does “sexualing” mean?
Point is that the new law prohibits something that’s not even happening. Now, white supremacizing (aka grooming white supremacists) is okay, right?
Me
April 22, 2022 at 7:58 pm
/Users/ArlaManson_1/Desktop/278474268_678223460057879_3527593069786344890_n.jpg
See this. I guess they think this is okay.
Buys Florida
April 21, 2022 at 7:47 am
If you want Getty just watch what happens to Florida if that mouse gets his lawyer
Tony
April 21, 2022 at 8:56 am
You are obviously blind to DeSsntis’ ploy of providing an answer to a problem that does not exist. Why now demonizing teachers and the LGBQ and Trans communities. Why not a year ago. Or two years ago? Well, he is whipping up the hords of thr unwashed for his run for the presidency. No one can make one straight or gay. The great majority of LGBTs had hetero sexual parents who “grommed” them to.fit ,society’s conception of what a child grows into the proper gender role.
Get Serious
April 21, 2022 at 9:08 am
This whole idea that any classroom is “sexualizing” kids is so bizarre that it’s amazing anyone takes it seriously.
What is a kindergarten teacher supposed to do if a kid asks why another child in the class has two fathers? Should the teacher say, “I’m not allowed to discuss that”? Do you realize how messed up that would be for both children? Just saying, “Well, Jimmy’s father is married to a man,” is pretty basic and then the teacher can move on. Do you want the teacher getting sued for that? Protecting teachers who give normal, factual answers to questions allows teachers to do their jobs. Nobody is giving age-inappropriate responses to kids’ questions.
The whole idea that mentioning gay people “sexualizes” children is just bizarre. DeSantis is creating a solution to a problem that does not exist.
LAH
April 21, 2022 at 10:16 am
EXACTLY!
Teri
April 21, 2022 at 9:19 am
You miss the point entirely. There really aren’t a bunch of pedophile school teachers. Its a oropaganda scheme to get folks like you to be destracted while he completes his tyranny on public education. Watch him next she’ll close the bathrooms because somebody might peak. The GOP would like to wipe out public education if you haven’t noticed. Or any other services they might have to pay out to the people.
Sharon Tyrrell
April 21, 2022 at 6:32 pm
Your absolutely right, nobody is teaching sexuality to little kids, gopoop will say anything to scare parents,thinking they will earn their votes. It’s all Bull shit .
William Stanley Bua
April 21, 2022 at 9:19 am
Wrong Qaren,
You’re in a #DeathCult
Nancy
April 21, 2022 at 9:32 am
Kids are not being taught sex in K-3. Geesh wake up, they make up fake things for you to worry about to look like they have some platform. Their only platform is being in absolute power.
meredith shaw
April 21, 2022 at 9:43 am
No One is sexualizing children in schools. Did you even go to school??
Brandon
April 21, 2022 at 9:41 pm
If it’s not happening then why are leftists so upset about the bill? The bill targets and bans sex and gender ideology lessons for grades K-3 – That’s all it does. Why are leftists so upset about something that is supposedly not occurring? Reason: Because it IS happening all over the country, and this has been exposed for the past couple of years. Try checking out Libs Of Tiktok; half the videos are of leftist teachers bragging about how they are grooming young children into leftist ideology and gender cultism. This activity is openly admitted and you would have to be willfully ignorant not to see it.
meredith
April 22, 2022 at 8:04 am
You answered my question. You have never been to a school or spoken to a teacher. You get your pokucy info from Tic Toc. Got it. Fyi, there is already NO sex ed til middle school.
Brandon
April 22, 2022 at 8:38 am
Ah, the typical leftist response – Attack a person’s character while ignoring the factual points they make. It’s not surprising that you can’t answer the question: If there is no leftist intent to sexualize children, why are you against a bill that blocks the sexualization of children? Also, there are programs across the country that attempt to insinuate gender identity politics and sexuality into curriculum as young as kindergarten and first grade – Just look at New Jersey, for example.
The facts disagree with your delusions.
Brandon
April 22, 2022 at 8:58 am
So, teachers openly admitting online that they are sexualizing and indoctrinating their young elementary school students is not evidence in your mind? You must hurt yourself with the amount of mental gymnastics it takes to ignore reality.
Georgia
April 23, 2022 at 10:12 pm
You are delusional. Brandon is absolutely correct. Kids are being taught about being able to choose their gender and sexual identity in k-3 I have seen the curriculum. Also there is nothing in the bill that is stopping teachers from say anything about ppl having two moms or two dads.
Joe
April 22, 2022 at 5:53 pm
Is the pedophile is the room with us now, Brandon?
Buddy
April 22, 2022 at 8:22 pm
You need a tighter tin foil hat
Fieldhand
April 23, 2022 at 8:09 pm
Poor Brandon. Arguing with facts. Leftist don’t deal with facts they deal with feelz. They don’t like your facts so they don’t count. So there.
Keith
April 24, 2022 at 7:55 am
Actually we did and in my day we didnt even learn sex ed until 8th freaking grade. Let kids be kids.
REMEMBER YOU CANT SAY LGBTQRSTUVWTF without LGB
Inez M Verhagen
April 21, 2022 at 9:51 am
Get out of the gutter!! Disney has only pure, wholesome intentions and for you to suggest otherwise is another example of lies and misinformation. Shame on you.
Brandon
April 21, 2022 at 9:46 pm
You mean the same Disney that removes images of black actors from their movie posters in countries like China where racism actually exists? Or the Disney that makes movies right next to Chinese concentration camps where they use forced labor of Uyghurs? Yeah, they are so wholesome….
RT
April 21, 2022 at 1:05 pm
Way to miss the entire article and be dishonest and bigoted, all at the same time, Kelli! Wilson is right that DeSantis has involved his ego and ambition in corruptly attacking Disney because they (shudder) disagreed with a political policy. And because his ego is so fragile while his ambition to be a dictator is so huge, he’s prepared to cost Florida and its taxpayers billions of dollars and endless bad press. It’s a twisted game and he’s playing it with taxpayer money.
Rev T L Camp
April 21, 2022 at 4:49 pm
Kelli when and where have these “grooming” discussions ever happened? This is just another Republican law in search of a non-existent problem. Total Fake News!!!
Chris
April 21, 2022 at 6:59 pm
It has nothing to do with sex. It’s the GOP and DeSantis who are making this about sex. No one is advocating talking to young children about sex. How do you stop Billy from bullying Johnny for playing with a doll if the teachers aren’t allowed to address it?
Brandon
April 22, 2022 at 9:10 am
Actually, there are endless examples online of teachers advocating for gender identity and sex discussion in grades Kindergarten and up. Multiple leftist states have injected or are in the process of adding gender identity and sex lessons into school curriculum for young children. To deny this reality means you are either ignorant of the facts or dishonest.
Lisa
April 22, 2022 at 12:04 pm
What bullshit.
Emily
April 22, 2022 at 1:13 pm
Right?!
Brandon
April 22, 2022 at 4:37 pm
Nope, this is fact. Just google “New Jersey/Gender Identity In schools” or the “Equality Act” – These are only a couple of examples of leftists trying to inject their crazed ideology into school curriculum. Sorry that the facts disagree with your delusions.
Ron Stewart
April 21, 2022 at 7:32 am
Wow, looks like Rick Wilson wants to be in charge of talking to our young children about sex. Grow up Rick and take your trash out to California where you are going to find many other pedophiles.
Just is
April 21, 2022 at 7:49 am
Disney is the only reason people come toyour state
The other being spring break and dying of old age
Melinda Trotti
April 21, 2022 at 8:52 am
This accusing those who disagree with your political position of being pedophiles is a fascist play copied from Putin.
Pat Pelc
April 21, 2022 at 9:02 am
That viewpoint is bullshit. Disney is not arguing to sexualize kids. They are standing up for gay rights. They are standing up against a phony, not even necessary bill that is nothing more than Deathsantis looking like he is saving the innocents of the world from pedophiles. BTW why is it that Republicans seem to be obsessed with sexual matters. Weren’t they the ones who promoted the QAnon theory of the human trafficking and pedophile pizzeria?
John
April 24, 2022 at 6:55 am
Gay rights is not synonymous with teaching grades K through 3 about transgender identity identification. You are a gas lighting idiot if you think otherwise.
William Stanley Bua
April 21, 2022 at 9:56 am
WTF is wrong with you cultists?
Arm The Homeless
April 21, 2022 at 10:34 am
Those are some pretty big words from the party of Denny Hastert and Matt Gaetz.
Meredith Shaw
April 21, 2022 at 12:07 pm
Isn’t it funny how Republicans project. The only pedophiles I know are republicans, and the only fascists I know are republicans as well.
Brandon
April 21, 2022 at 9:51 pm
The only people defending pedophilia today are on the left. This is a fact.
meredith
April 22, 2022 at 7:58 am
That is not a “fact.” LOL…facts support the opposite, Mr Hasert.
Brandon
April 22, 2022 at 8:55 am
No, it is a fact. Leftist media outlets constantly defend pedophilia and support the sexualization of children in schools. Show me one conservative platform that does the same – Just one.
Keith
April 24, 2022 at 7:48 am
Of course that ALSO means you are against Pedo Joe eho sniffs little girls hair. Nice to know you are consistent
TPAkyle
April 21, 2022 at 3:01 pm
Hey Ron, do you know the difference between a porcupine and a Porsche?
Doug
April 21, 2022 at 4:44 pm
Ron Stewart: take your GQP talking points and volunteer to pay the extra $$2200 every year that 1 family of 4 will pay in higher property taxes. What just happened with Disney today is fascism 101. Ronnie the fascist is going after political enemies.
Rev T L Camp
April 21, 2022 at 4:53 pm
Ron when and where have these “sex talks” with children ever happened? Just more Republican Fake News!! Calling people pedophiles is just shameful!! But the right has given up on shame!! Let’s make shame real again!!
Weirdos
April 21, 2022 at 8:02 am
“Anyone who doesn’t agree with me is a pedophile” isn’t a particularly compelling argument outside the insane asylum. Take a step back. You people are INSANE.
Comment
April 21, 2022 at 1:47 pm
Be yes gay has imbalance talking will not change the DNA results.two daddy’s two mommies they miss out of other outlooks and discipline.role model’s but look at the other side a lot miss out
Talking does not prevent things
Brandon
April 21, 2022 at 9:49 pm
Do you support the sexualization of children? because that is what the Florida bill is designed to prevent. If you stand against the bill, that does make you suspect….
steven grabarczyk
April 21, 2022 at 8:51 am
Bad enough he tries to be like Trump, but now like Putin? If you don’t like someones position, use your power to punish them? The R party is going down the toilet joining the democraps. ALL politicians are SCUM
rob
April 21, 2022 at 9:17 am
Like Putin, DeSantis try’s to kill his opponents (metaphorically) Like Trump he only does interviews with Fox News. Another GQP pussy scared to take the tough questions and only offers BS answers.
How many FLA Republicans will loose thousands of dollars and supporters. Like anyone that makes money from Disney Companies in FLA, it more than Disney World.
Jeremy Lesh
April 21, 2022 at 9:24 am
With all due respect Mr. Wilson, and I am a big fan of the Lincoln Project, you are the Dr. Frankenstein of Florida politics. I lived there in the aughts and you were one of the top enablers of the GOP going insane over fake culture war issues. It wasn’t until it got too extreme for your liking that you tried to put out the fire. The rest of us sensible moderates have had third degree burns since the reaction to 9/11. No corporation is going to save you now.
Dawn Renay Campbell
April 21, 2022 at 10:28 am
How do you respect a guy who worked with and protected a pedophile John Weaver for years before they finally booted him from their club? Rick Wilson is a conman.
John Kessler
April 21, 2022 at 9:41 am
My only gripe about this piece is the portrayal of us “old Bernie bros” as communists. I know of no one (at least no one sane) who believes communism is or ever was a desirable economic system. Bernie and he supporters are Democratic Socialists, which is a far cry from communist.
Robert Hume
April 21, 2022 at 2:14 pm
If you’ve followed Rick or read his books, that statement is somewhat tongue in cheek to the problem of Bernie Bros. They are TOXIC to Dems winning anything. The rules are still the same: suburban white women are a majority demographic in election outcomes, and the “communist” card the GOP would play against any Bernie initiatives is always a slam dunk.
It’s just as dumb as Dems trying to do gun control right now. They suck at the whole winning election parts and think “oh let’s go full AOC, that’s what soccer mom from the Philadelphia suburbs wants!” NO. STOP DOING THIS DEMS. PLEASE.
Darryl Mitchell
April 21, 2022 at 10:15 am
Reading through this article and the comments, everyone is ignoring the most important factor at play here: RACE. The rise of white, authoritarian bullies like Trump, DeSantis, and Abbott was a predicable reaction to the election (and re-election) of our first black President, who won a majority of the popular vote both times, despite never exceeding 43% of the white vote. Following Obama’s election, the percentage of white men who self-identified as Democrats cratered and has never recovered. The day after Obama was re-elected in 2012, Limbaugh and O’Reilly lamented to their white, male audiences that the US “wasn’t our country anymore.” In the wake of the Obama Presidency, most whites will support a white authoritarian bully over a multi-racial coalition committed to fair play.
Mohammed
April 21, 2022 at 11:58 am
And there you have it folks…your token “racist” comment. Centerpiece of every liberal argument. If you can’t debate with facts just use race. Nothing to see here, more along…
Meredith Shaw
April 21, 2022 at 12:09 pm
Unfortunately, there are enough facts in his statement to support his argument. There happen to be no facts in your statement, or even a coherent argument.
Brandon
April 21, 2022 at 9:52 pm
There are no facts in his statement. None.
Tom
April 23, 2022 at 2:19 pm
Tell Meredith to shut up please!
Emily
April 21, 2022 at 12:24 pm
“Token”? Except that he’s correct. If your comment is all you have, there is indeed nothing to see here.
Barry
April 21, 2022 at 1:17 pm
It’s easy to pick on & target minority groups to rile up the base. It’s what Hitler did & Putin does. Charge anyone speaking out against his rule with “pedophilia.” Now the GOP & DeSpanky are pulling from the QAnon “rabbit hole” of BS & Pizzagate.
And if you pretend racism doesn’t still exist, and you’re party’s willing to keep sweeping dealing with it under the carpet, … or say CRT is the real, racist comeback … you’re STILL the problem. Nixon’s “Southern Strategy” to lure over White Dixiecrats WAS to get racist votes. Radicalizing the right wing & some centrists with “fear-based” lies is the last gasp of a dying party, seeking ONE PARTY rule as a minority. Same reason Carlson went to interview mini-Putin Orban in Hungary. Let’s show that democracy is over-rated to our wingnut base!
In the modern era a great deal of racism has been subdued, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t millions that aren’t still spreading it through fear & isolation. Or it’s simply spewed by right wing “think tanks,” because fear of “others,” or some imagined threats to “children” WORKS. But we still have systemic prejudices that haunt minorities, in both areas of judicial & financial inequities. $13 Trillion lost in real estate wealth, from “redlining,” alone, that wasn’t officially illegal until 1968, though 45’s father & he has to settle for NOT renting to blacks in their condos (with the help of Roy Cohn, closet gay)
The 2006 FBI report & another one in 2015 WARNED law enforcement there was a growing risk of “White Supremacist/Nationalist” infiltration. They didn’t address it. The public response being “Blue Lives Matter,” and they do, but it’s still no excuse to NOT remove the 2% of cops that can’t put their bigotry aside on the street. If you’re not going to be honest about the history of causal effects to our problems, you have little place commenting on a toxic strategy by the GOP to weaponize lies & manufactured enemies.
Brandon
April 21, 2022 at 9:54 pm
There is zero evidence to support the notion that DeSantis or any other conservative leader is “racist.” This argument is nothing but a dog whistle for dumb leftists who don’t do actual research.
Darryl
April 22, 2022 at 11:29 am
Brandon, No level of proof would ever satisfy someone like you. DeSantis forced the Republican caucus in the Florida legislature to eliminate black-majority U.S. House districts. The FL legislature purposely diluted black voting power, thereby preventing black voters from electing the candidates of their choice. He and the Republicans are actively seeking to destroy black political power. You may not like that black folks vote Democratic, but that is their choice (and with people like you on the other side, how can you blame them?). White conservatives don’t get to decide what’s racist. That’s like a farmer consulting with the fox on chicken wire. Black people get to decide what’s racist.
Tom
April 23, 2022 at 2:18 pm
DeSantis is a rising tide for all, not a few. More economic growth for all, more educational scholarships choice for minorities, poor and minorities. More wage growth, 8.5% third best in country. Unemployment lower than USA, 3.3%, all jobs pre pandemic retrieved. Rising tide lifts all boats! Yes that’s all the DRM Dum
Manchurians do is dog whistle. You are correct sir!
FYI, Florida near $20 billion in reserves. Reedy creek will not be forgotten. Amen.
Arm The Homeless
April 21, 2022 at 10:30 am
Gov. Ronny-Bobby and the trølls in his political orbit don’t care what the taxpayers of Osceola and Orange think, they statistically-speaking didn’t vote for him or his buddies.
I already told my dïppy GQP House/ Senate members that they’re starting a war with normal Americans they aren’t prepared to win–and won’t win because Ronny-Bobby will be running a primary or permanently ensconced within FOX Nooz by ’24. Normies like me will be left with the bill and the mess after Ronny-Bobby has moved on to his next gig.
Julie C.
April 21, 2022 at 10:42 am
Florida/DeSantis makes me feel a tiny bit better about living in Tennessee. 😬
Darin
April 21, 2022 at 11:16 am
If I ran Disney, I’d do way more than what Rick Wilson reccomends.
I’d actually threaten (and follow through if necessary)
to CLOSE DOWN Disney World and pull out of Florida.
Someone would notice. It’s the largest employer in the state.
Lakeisha
April 21, 2022 at 11:55 am
Do you realize how stupid you sound? Where else is Disney going to buy land cheaply, near a metropolitan area, with low taxes etc? Nowhere.
Disney dug their hole…now they can deal with the consequences.
Doug
April 21, 2022 at 4:56 pm
Disney is planning on moving >2000 high tech jobs to Lake Nona. That’s Orlando for you out of towners. I’d rescind that announcement and keep them in California.
Doug
April 22, 2022 at 1:05 pm
I think it would be very interesting for them to talk to Stacy Abrahams. Make it known they are supporting her campaign. Then buy land in Georgia as close to Savannah as they can.
Then start having architects draw plans. Then see where things go.
it would make for interesting spectacle.
Brian Moyer
April 21, 2022 at 11:50 am
If General Motors, Ford and Chrysler can move their operations to different locations. Disney can do the same thing. There is nothing that is stopping Disney from moving their operation to another state along the Gulf coast. Lets see what happens.
Jeremy
April 21, 2022 at 11:56 am
How big is the size of a GM plant?
How big is Disney World?
Case closed.
Lakeisha
April 21, 2022 at 11:53 am
Let me introduce to you the next official spokesperson of the Florida Democratic party…Rick Wilson.
We see right thru your propaganda Rick. It’s disgusting. Thankfully we have a legislature and a Governor that won’t back down and do what’s right for the people of Florida.
Have you considered a move to Communistfornia Rick? You’d fit in much better there.
Meredith Shaw
April 21, 2022 at 12:13 pm
Again you prove the point that republicans have ZERO to offer except ridicule. There is no economic plan, no educational plan…the only plan is to divide and insult, like Lakeisha here. We have a governor who has done nothing for Florida and made us the laughing stock of the nation, while our insurance costs go through the roof and our kids rank 45th in SAT scores nationwide. Let’s have a governor who knows how to move Florida forward.
Doug
April 21, 2022 at 4:47 pm
Except if you live in Central Florida *YOU* are going to have to deal with it in the name of multiple thousands of additional property taxes. So put your money where your mouth is Lakeisha
Mary
April 21, 2022 at 12:11 pm
I’ve been to both Disney’s many times. As a child and with my own children. NONE of us were “sexualized” it is clean wholesome fun. I believe that this moron is cutting Florida’s nose off to spite it’s face! Disney is the biggest employer and the largest tourest attraction in the state. With all the pollution in the everglades do you really think people will want to travel to spend thousands of dollars there?? Even the manatees are dying because of so much algae growth brought on by toxins.
Disney world was built with so many ingenious adaptions that many don’t even know about. One example, do you know why there are no mosquitoes in Disney world? Because he collaborated with a genius in aquatecture. There is ZERO standing water in that entire place! There is no place in the state that can boast that kind of technology. And death santis wants to destroy it.
You Floridians have a eternal gift from Walt Disney that takes care of itself entirely. Do you really want to trade your stock and passes for taxes that will break the majority of the families that live there??
Ken Smith
April 21, 2022 at 12:29 pm
The Reedy Creek Improvement District was formed in 1967, not 1972, that was the year Disney World opened! I believe that this will go to court and I am hopeful DeSantis will lose!
slb
April 21, 2022 at 12:44 pm
Der Dwarf: mental midget.
William Robbins
April 21, 2022 at 1:09 pm
So all the sudden liberals and those who make money off them without actually believing what they are saying (like The Lincoln Project and Rick Wilson) are clamoring to continue tax breaks for billionaire corporations and less regulations and oversight of mega corporations like Disney?
What hypocrisy and blind hate!
(Note: I’m only commenting on the hypocrisy here. This isn’t an opinion about whether this is good for Florida or not.)
Comment
April 21, 2022 at 1:54 pm
What ever you can not change your DNA you have to live with it talk is cheap
Darin
April 21, 2022 at 1:57 pm
Thanks Brian for the support.
I get it that it’s a huge cost to move if that’s how they
want to reply. But some of that cost would certainly
be coverred by the money MANY STATES would pay to
have such attractions to bring not only huge employment
but also monies received by any other businesses in
the area.
i don’t feel any more stupid than people who think Critical Race Theory is hidden in Math books; or many other of the irrational right wing conspiracies.
82nd Airborne
April 21, 2022 at 2:03 pm
It would never happen, but it would be the end of DeSantis and possibly republican control of Florida if Disney decided to close up shop and move elsewhere and Floridians that lost that revenue had to pay income taxes.
Will
April 21, 2022 at 2:25 pm
So, instead of talking about Reedy Crerk, you wrote a bash DeSantis and Trump article? Typical liberal.
Doug
April 21, 2022 at 4:49 pm
Will: reread the article again. Better yet read a local Orlando newspaper. You obviously don’t live here so I could just blow you off as a GQP member. However, you may have some brain cells. Assuming so, understand that each and every household in Osceola or Orange County will see property taxes go up about $2400/year. At least the tax notices will go out before election day.
Sean Williams
April 21, 2022 at 3:35 pm
Okay, Disney is doing right thing right now, not saying anything. DeSantis will sign it, then Disney will go to court because DeSantis & Legislature actually don’t have the power to dissolve Reedy Creek. Florida Statue Title XIII 189.072 states that an independent special district created & operating pursuant to a special act can only be dissolved by a majority of the resident electors of that special district. Disney will win in court, and the GOP & DeSantis will look stupid for not knowing that they couldn’t actually dissolve Reedy Creek. So grab your popcorn and watch, this is far from over.
Barney
April 21, 2022 at 6:25 pm
That is true, but DeSantis will rile up his pubic base as much as he can. Even after he loses this (and wastes tons of taxpayer dollars), he will tell the rest of the Cult that he tried, but he could do more as President. What you see now is the horror of what could happen.
Sandi
April 21, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Disney has been avoiding taxes for years, and it doesn’t matter how bad the economy is they still increase their prices. It’s about high time they started paying their fair share
Doug
April 21, 2022 at 4:50 pm
Except Sandi, this won’t cost Disney at all. Homeowners in Orange and Osceola county will see annual property taxes rise $2400/year. Still gonna sing that tune?
pjonesl
April 21, 2022 at 3:49 pm
But…corporations are people too! Are they getting a divorce? You can make this stuff up. My cynical side is showing,
Sean Williams
April 21, 2022 at 4:01 pm
They do pay their fair share of taxes. They paid more than $780 million in State & Local Taxes in 2021. Please research your information.
Keno Gster
April 21, 2022 at 4:05 pm
HAHAHAHAHA! The Federalists are eating their own now. Thanks for the daily comedy.
Tom
April 21, 2022 at 4:29 pm
Fake newsies. Manchurian Dum, Dems pontificating non issues and ignorance, which is bliss.
Wilson, off the RNC gravy train, finds allegiance in Dum crat party. Where is his his front man, peter h. Unbelievable that FP would run this. When are morning hoe and mika coming?
You moronic’s spew your venom in unison. The moron who said the right has no issues lives in the Manchurian bubble 24/7. What a crock.
Say what you want bout America’s Gov, he has dozens of issues to run on. Endless, making a difference in Floridians lives everyday. United Florida, rising tide for all, not continued welfare for all.
Facts are a funny thing. Florida number one on wage growth, 8.7% increase, in top 5 in unemployment, 3.3%. Expanded education scholarships vouchers for poor and minority opportunity. Best Governor on environment in 40 years!
You have nothing to run with, Camillion crispy critters, nikki fraud, and the tape she won’t address, the pot advocate, and the anti mask, did someone tell nikki it matters what your position was 2 yrs ago. Talk about the bridesmaid. Oh yeah and tarantula.
Biden’ is abysmal. At 36% approval in Florida. 40% nationally. America’s Gov, Marco and the state team win bigly! 20 to 40 US House seats flip. 6 Senate seats.
As for Wilson and Lincoln Org, the tiki torches didn’t work in Virginia Gov race.
Laugh my ass off. Florida politics new low.
Tallahassee to Oval WH, America’s Gob the best!
Doug
April 21, 2022 at 4:54 pm
Tommy your support of fascism is amazing. Mussolini and other fascists went after political enemies.. That is exactly what our xenophobic, homophobic, governor is doing. His feelings got hurt because he is getting pummeled by everyday Floridians over his desire to ban books and shove gays and African Americans by the wayside. Today was Fascism 101 and it will cost residents of Orange and Osceola Counties $2400/year more in property taxes. You obviously don’t live in one of the counties so SU
Tom
April 21, 2022 at 5:27 pm
Doug you are an idiot, espousing your hate.
State of Florida under America’s Govs excellent leadership is bout $20 Billion in reserves. Not feds money, Florida economic revival and growth.
How do you and the rest of the Manchurian nation know what the state will do with local units?
Stop the stupid along with the rest of your Manchurian tom a tons. My God how ignorant.
Florida is in the very best shape for all. Not a few.
DeSantis is the best Gov in America, and will win presidency if he runs.
Who told you it’s $2,400. Dum, Dum Jerry Demings. The other half.
Btw, I am Legend on FP.
95 South
April 21, 2022 at 7:05 pm
Doug, your hissy fit is a pure gold!
JD
April 21, 2022 at 6:00 pm
You mentioning wage growth. How are you attributing that to the Governor? I suspect a large portion is supply and demand from the “Great Resignation” and businesses simply trying to fill positions. But wages in the Sunshine State have historically been far below national average and barely ticked against the cost of living. I feel they only could have gone up.
As for your point for $20B in reserves, is that a newly reported number? The last budget I read it was $6.6B. However, if it is $20B, it does represent about what? Over 200 days of running the state? Which is far greater than most with averages of 33 days of reserves. So good job on that.
However this still feels punitive, even if only because of the timing. And Disney is allowed to change their stance just like we as citizens are. Even if Reedy Creek was a privilege,.
What’s to protect citizens from similar punitive action? They going to revoke our driver’s license because we don’t like a new law that bans family style restrooms and we speak out about (even after the fact)?
How is being punitive public service?
Tom
April 23, 2022 at 9:06 am
Hello JD, yes Florida’s economic growth reserves is a Elon Musk rocket on lift off. 8 weeks ago Florida was in the $14, 15 billion range, now its estimated closer to $18 to $20 billion. Florida’s economy is on fire like Elon’s rockets. The unemployment has recaptured ore pandemic at 3.3% per Govs open freedom liberty state.
Yes JD, of course if wages were low before, cause of the wonderful job market per America’s Gov and fed stats, wage growth in Florida, per Sept 20 to Sept 21 is third in country. 8.5% growth. With Biden destroying economy that’s a statement of in itself.
With the growth like many of the Govs/State accomplishments it’s not realized. No one is suggesting that the reserves will last in economic distress. They allow flexibility.
My point is that the state will not abandon local units, Disney has financial obligations as well.
As for punitive, Disney Winnie the Poohed all over the magic kingdom steps when they announced, they would work to overturn state law! Totally over the top. Chapek and his 32 lobbyists were to busy telling China they’d take off the Taiwan patch in new top gun flick. Shameful.
The leftists handwringing for ABC/Disney and China is pathetic.
Take care JD, always welcome your thoughts. Tomorrow with Henderson is good.
Tom
April 23, 2022 at 9:35 am
JD, yes it’s estimated in the high teens to $20 billion. That’s an awesome amount, increase is up from $15 billion or so earlier in year.
The stats on wage increase came out 3 or 4 weeks ago. 8.7% is huge, third in country increase. Especially with this Biden inflation. Florida’s Unemployment has recaptured to 3.3% in Florida. Pre pandemic.
Cause America’s Gov opened state, kept Florida free and prosperous we are in this position. Can’t have it both ways. Unlike blue tyrannical states.
Florida will hold Disney accountable on financial commitments and the state will not a abandon the counties. Don’t listen to mayor Dum, Dum Demings , the other half of the Dum team.
Florida’s economy is a Elon Musk rocket ship on lift off.
Facts are funny things. It’s always the economy stupid” per james carville.
America’s Gov the best!
Rick H
April 21, 2022 at 6:10 pm
Hahahaha, one of the Lincoln Project kiddie effers is against this law. Well color me shocked!
Gail Ransom
April 21, 2022 at 6:28 pm
DeSantis I use to respect you but now you are going all Putin on us being power hungry no matter how much you hurt Osceola and Orange county residents. Please go back to serving your public and not your agendas
Meredith Shaw
April 21, 2022 at 6:50 pm
The tiki torches were yours, nit wit. And your “facts” are like Trumps. Florida leads the nation in losing kids in DCF, and lags the nation, #45, in SAT scores. Everyone has under 4% unemployment. But apparently only our elementary school teachers are all pedophiles and groomers, according to DeSantis.
Tom
April 21, 2022 at 8:14 pm
Not at allJen Psaki want a be, Meredith. You know nothing. Amazing you know I called you out. LOL
The tiki torches were a Lincoln Org production, you liar. It’s a fact! Lincoln raised money for Dem, dum McAuliffe. Lincoln supported him. They set up the 5 college kids with tikis.
They raised monies from Dums, $500,000, they were defeated like a drum. Plus 2 Biden went plus 10 Youngkin Repubs. That’s plus 12, wait for this November. Extrapolate VA across the country and it’s a nightmare for Dums.
I’ve provided facts on America’s Gov and the Florida economic renaissance. So do for America, what you have done for Florida.
Psaki-Meridith, you can’t play with me.
But you can try. I am FP legend! Enjoy.
Meredith Shaw
April 21, 2022 at 8:18 pm
Nut Case. You live in your parents basement at 50 and we all know it.
Tom
April 21, 2022 at 11:33 pm
Meredith Hardly, moronic one.
Go find nikki frauds sex tape, or get fondled by cuomo, or cry an eye with Hillary.
You Dem, Dum, Manchurians can’t think, nor understand anything.
You can’t counter any facts. You live in ignorant AOC land. How’s your gas prices you idiot. How’s the 10% inflation you idiot.
America’s Gov whizzes on you and your Manchurian nation. You got nothing, know nothing and understand nothing. Clueless, hapless and helpless.
DeSantis saved Florida from Gillium and the rest of you extremists.
God bless him, first lady Casey and the kids.
Governor Kahones is the real deal and your Manchurians are helpless.
Enjoy, Tallahassee to Oval WH.
Wah Wah
Tom
April 21, 2022 at 11:51 pm
Wah, Wah, Wah Meredith. Lincoln groupie. You offer nothing, know nothing and understand nothing. Loser!
Jerry
April 21, 2022 at 7:14 pm
Just put in high rise condos. The property tax will make up for the cost over time. Florida could reroute the road back in a circle away from the Disney area, declare an egret sanctuary or something if necessary.
David in Shoreline
April 21, 2022 at 9:08 pm
I love this new argument that conservatives don’t believe in the free market because they are ending SPECIAL PROTECTIONS for a major conglomerate. Disney decided they wanted to F around and now they’ve found out exactly what that gets you. They should stay in their lane, entertaining children and leave the parenting to PARENTS.
meredith
April 22, 2022 at 8:01 am
So should DeSantis. He started this craziness, and Disney responded because their employees implored them to….as DESantis is lying and dehumanizing many people.
Brandon
April 22, 2022 at 8:53 am
Disney started it by saying they support the sexualization of young children in schools, which IS INDEED happening all across the country and one only needs to look at New Jersey and other leftist states to see that is being written into official curriculum. THIS IS A FACT. You can continue to live in your fantasy world and ignore reality, but you look stupid when you make such arguments.
Meredith
April 22, 2022 at 12:24 pm
Look, stop calling people stupid. I’m sorry, but your facts and timeline are incorrect. Disney Corp. only under pressure from its employees, came out against the Don’t Say Gay bill. And to your point, its already in statute that there is no sex ed in Fla schools til middle school. So if its already addressed, why object…why pass a law that doesn’t need passing? Because you are an attention whore, trying to rile up your base for the election. This does nothing for Fla. Only DeSantis;s cofers.
Melania
April 22, 2022 at 2:19 am
As usual Dion DeSantis continues his retirement village community theater, running around the state of Florida like an obese woman in a floor length ball gown trying to work a busy dance floor alone. Come 2024 America will be looking for a real man and a true conservative and they’ve found it in America’s Governor, Gov Abbott.
Gov Abbott attracted the foremost entrepreneur of our time while Dion DuhSantis attacks the number one employer in his state. Abbott passes groundbreaking anti abortion legislation and DuhSantis screams #metoo. Like a woman. Gov Abbott is fighting America’s war on illegal immigration on the front line. DuhSantis just chimes in with more #metoo, talking about sending immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard. It’s so pathetic.
God and America know the truth and they will turn to America’s Governor, Gov Abbott in 2024.
STEVEN D WARFE
April 22, 2022 at 8:32 am
“like a woman”? wow, I bet you are popular with your friends!
Melania
April 22, 2022 at 2:26 am
The DeSantis Lockdowns crippled business in Florida. Destroyed 1000’s of small businesses and 10,000’s of jobs. Now DuhSantis is going after big business. But any psycho can self publish a “childrens book” full of sick inappropriate garbage and sell it in the state of Florida. DuhSantis has done NOTHING to protect children. Total RINO.
Eric
April 22, 2022 at 3:08 am
President Trump said it best, little Ronnie is gutless.
Tom
April 22, 2022 at 8:11 am
Mental’s, Meredith, Melania, Eric and Dem, Dum Manchurian nation. How pathetic can you all be. How ignorant ? Woeful.
Florida is the economic Mecca, the best example of defeating Covid, prospering America, liberty, freedom and Florida peoples prosperous. Florida under America’s Gov, are working, earning and are happy. It’s a happy prosperous state.
You Manchurian have nothing to offer.
America’s Governor has led Florida through and through, expanded minority voucher scholarships education, recovered all jobs pre Covid, economic prosperity, rising tide for all, best Florida environmental policy in decades, expanded educators and law enforcement pay and bonuses. Trade schools, and youth new job opportunity.
You all whine and Wah, Wah all day long. No one is listening. Biden is abysmal in Florida, 36% approval in Florida. Dems cannot overcome Biden/Harris. LMAO. Cal Jen Psaki and cry eye.
America’s Gov wins Nov 22, Tallahassee Govs mansion, to WH Oval. Enjoy.
meredith
April 22, 2022 at 9:01 am
Even crazy people have 1st Amendment rights. Rattle on my friend.
Wendy
April 22, 2022 at 10:19 am
Lots of DFG-style word salad on here today!
Meredith Shaw
April 22, 2022 at 10:27 am
DFG? Not familiar with that acronym salad.
Tom
April 22, 2022 at 11:20 am
Low end loser Meredith, apparently apart of the Lincoln predator group. You can’t answer any fact, just insults. Whiner!
Tom
April 22, 2022 at 6:12 pm
Even Manchurian asses like Meredith talk dumb and stupid, unable to share a coherent thought. You have no facts, no candidate, abysmal POTUS 36% Florida approval, did moron Rick Wilson tell you that. The Dums have no chance, as you have no clue,
BigTX
April 22, 2022 at 10:48 am
America’s Governor is Governor G. Abbott, not the limp-wristed beta male little Ronnie Dion. And you’re clearly on your knees in front of a beta male. Dions #metoo business is wearing thin with real republicans who are looking for a real man not a whiny woman like DuhSantis. He took 100k$ from Disney. Woke RINO in real conservative man’s clothing.
Governor Greg Abbott, AMERICA’S GOVERNOR, will be triumphant in 2024. Dion DuhSantis will still be picking fights with cartoon characters and whining like a woman scorned.
STEVEN D WARFE
April 22, 2022 at 8:28 am
DeSantis will be destroyed by Trump in 2024. It was just overheard at Mar-a-Largo by Roger Stone that DeSantis is a piece of s**t! Remember how Trump cremated Bush, Cruz, Rubio, and everyone who ran against him. His base love the crudeness of his insults and it led to his victory of the primary. Once Trump goes after him, “Fat Frat Boy”, he will not survive. Florida itself is almost purple, it won’t take much to turn the state blue. We know that the majority of America has had enough of Trump, but his base (the minority) won’t have it any other way…Trump 2024! I would love to see Disney move to Georgia or Alabama. DeSantis would not survive that at all!
Sean Williams
April 22, 2022 at 8:33 am
Why comments about liberals & conservatives? Why can’t we just have a discussion and leave those tags out? As an independent, here is my opinion which you can agree with or not, just let’s park the hate & spite at the door. First we can all agree that Chapek is a poor leader, and handled this poorly. No argument there. I have no problem with the not teaching “sex orientation” at those ages, but that’s not the problem with the law. The law was written in a way that gives opprtunity for discrimination against LGBTQ population. Just take the loop holes out of the law that would allow this, and some more control on the lawsuit aspect, and leave intact the controls of not teaching about sexual oreintation views at those younger ages. 2nd the dissoulution of Reedy Creek is clearly a political reprisal, and in my opinion an abuse of power. A case was brought before the supreme court by republicans to recognize Corporations as individuals so they could donate more money to political candidates. As individuals they then do have a right to an opinion with freedom of speech. If you don’t like this, then have a law passed that takes away this recognition as an indvidual. You can’t have it both ways to fit your purposes. To the Reedy Creek reprisal, they haven’t thought this through other than they want to get even. If they are successful the debt of reedy creek falls to the voting home owners in those 2 counties, and all the future cost that disney used to pay. They pay taxes already, so you can’t just raise their taxes, you have to raise everyones taxes. Good thing for those citizens it probably won’t stand because there is a Florida Law that says the only the voters in that special district can dissolve that district, not the legislature. Finally whatever happened to agreeing to disagree on issues instead of this hateful and disrespectful exchange that is going on in this thread as well as this country? We need to be better than this. Thank you for reading, and If you disagree with this, that is your right, just be respectful of each others opinions.
Wendy
April 22, 2022 at 10:16 am
Thank you for your rational comment. The problem with the law is that it was meant to be one big loophole, as is the case with many of the laws passed during the DeSantis reign. I am now convinced that the passing of laws that Rs know are unconstitutional or vague is a strategy to keep them in the news and therefore keep their supporters riled up about these issues. What better way to keep them feeling persecuted? This strategy is being used all over the country, with lawsuits filed as soon as the laws are passed, with many being overturned.
I don’t know if I agree with the way Reedy Creek was set up, but it happened over 50 years ago, and to overturn it in 2 days with no input from the people who will be affected is one of the greatest abuses of power I’ve seen in my lifetime. I’m no Disney fan, but I hope that Disney’s silence means they are planning a response that’s in proportion to this action.
I can’t see how the local government can take over all those services in such a short amount of time. How can the taxpayers handle that increase overnight, along with the massive rise in homeowners insurance premiums that’s happening in this state and the rise in housing costs? This is a disaster for Floridians, not Disney.
Tom
April 22, 2022 at 8:53 am
Yeah Sean entering at the 3/4 hr after the abuse from Meredith and others including the sad author who has spewed abuse for decades on a open mic on MSDNC is way late.
Dums can’t articulate one issue. I shared multiple topics on substance twice. Dums are in a liberal bubble that does not allow non Dem talking points or facts. Meredith and the rest are abusive as they attack personally and refuse to acknowledge any substance. The parents bill us 6 pages, it does not refer to gender, K -3, really? Mental liberal meltdown over k-3? Are you kidding me?
Disney absolutely Winnies the Pooh all themselves! Your references do not sound independent, if so good.
Under any metric America’s Gov accomplishments are in the A bad B range. It’s been outstanding. The legislature is the sovereign not the local. Do you realize as I referenced earlier that Florida is $20 billion in reserves due to Gov. The y will not abandon local region. Do not listen to Demings.
Please read the hate from the author, Meredith and others. Please. I am a legend on FP. I share and speak truth, period. How’s your gad bill? Your inflation? Food ? How’s Biden incoherence? He confused the title 42 question on illegals with the mask mandate? What is wrong with you people? Spare me, ignorance is bliss.
Sean Williams
April 22, 2022 at 10:48 am
Let’s respectful when stating your response. 2021 Florida Statues Chapter 189 Uniform Special District Accountability Act Part VII Merger & Dissoulution 189.072 Dissoulution of an independent special district 189.072 Dissolution of an independent special district.—
(1) VOLUNTARY DISSOLUTION.—If the governing body of an independent special district created and operating pursuant to a special act elects, by a majority vote plus one, to dissolve the district, the voluntary dissolution of an independent special district created and operating pursuant to a special act may be effectuated only by the Legislature unless otherwise provided by general law.
(2) OTHER DISSOLUTIONS.—
(a) In order for the Legislature to dissolve an active independent special district created and operating pursuant to a special act, the special act dissolving the active independent special district must be approved by a majority of the resident electors of the district or, for districts in which a majority of governing body members are elected by landowners, a majority of the landowners voting in the same manner by which the independent special district’s governing body is elected. If a local general-purpose government passes an ordinance or resolution in support of the dissolution, the local general-purpose government must pay any expenses associated with the referendum required under this paragraph.
This is what I’m citing directly from Florida Statue on Special Distiricts. Please stop degrading others, have a civil conversation. Like the saying goes If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. Hope you have a nice day.
Tom
April 22, 2022 at 6:35 pm
Sean,
The special districts were enacted before the Florida Constitution was redone in the 1960’s.
Florida enacts a legislature as the sovereign body to enact law.
It may get complicated legally but I can’t imagine ultimately that the legislature and Governor as sovereign representatives would not prevail.
Disney has been identified as insensitive and out of touch, the extremists apparently run the company. Attempting to tell Florida parents they know better, compared to them. Over 60% approve of the 6 page law, the parental rights bill. Is supported. Over 50% Dems do as well.
You and the rest need to give it up. Wilson’s suggestion is absolutely thee worst idea and example. The people of Florida are not looking for Disney or another like Waste Management to get involved in classroom studies.
Disney really blew this up. Florida has $20 billion in reserves, the legislature will not allow the Creek development to go under. Disney has legal responsibility for another year,
I don’t agree with any of your above assumptions.
Tom
April 22, 2022 at 11:18 am
Typical libtards, refuse facts like Meredith and her above Manchurians. Legislature giveth and taketh. Enjoy.
Tom
April 22, 2022 at 11:25 am
Sean, really you don’t understand?
Read the disgraced authors abusive, assault before you critique anyone. How all the coordinated Manchurians came flocking to defend him. Take care of your toilet, don’t lecture others.
Sean Williams
April 22, 2022 at 11:31 am
Tom, it was also directed at the author. Sorry you miss the point about disagreeing, but doing so respectfully. That goes for both sides including the author.
Tom
April 22, 2022 at 10:47 pm
Sean you personalized it, I don’t care but you were lecturing me. Rick Wilson is scurrilous, it is disgraceful that FP would allow him to share anything. There is a relationship between FP and Wilson. He has a pathetic agent on FP constantly lauding Lincoln Org.
Meredith and rest of the AOC squad haters can’t tell you one issue and their are many that had improved Florida. I listed several. You need to focus on the pure Manchurian haters.
Tom
April 22, 2022 at 12:56 pm
DeSantis America’s Gov owns the playing field excluding past Potus Trump. None of the other Repubs are in Desantis league.
Abbott ain’t ready for prime time,
Good man, but he’s maxed out.
Nothing like dummycrats pontificating on the Repubs.
Tallahassee to the WH Oval Office.
Do for America, what you have done for Florida. DeSantisis America’s Gov, the best!
Sebastian wandrie
April 22, 2022 at 3:51 pm
I know at least 20 familys that are moving to Florida! No bullshit! And many more vacation there!
Florida is hot! Everyone wants to move out of blue states! Drugs,crime,no bail,pedophiles many reasons people are flocking to Florida!!! If I had the means I too would move there.
The governor is doing a outstanding job! This I know is a fact!!! The Biden crime family is destroying our wonderful country!!! Get prepared because his next move is to starve the people into submission for the kill shot! And a very big fan of TNWO 12 food processing plants have been destroyed in one month fact!
Inflation is at a all time high along with fuel! Can’t you people see this? When yr out of food and money only then will you see light!
Tom
April 22, 2022 at 10:54 pm
Correct Sebastian, America’s Governor is the best Governor in the country. Both sides, no contest.
Pete
April 23, 2022 at 6:59 pm
FYI. $2 B annually works out to roughly $74 per Floridian annually. Given that Disney will lose a great portion of its tax protection and be on the hook for property tax -let’s say 2/3 of that amount or $1.67 B annually. The remaining responsibility would be dispersed among all sate homeowners. That works out to $333 Million annually or about $12.50 per person. Add to that, the fact that state sales tax revenues from Disney, of which a greater portion would be subject to state tax collection, will far exceed this amount and most likely result in a tax windfall for Florida. It is conceivable that real property taxes when the Homestead exemption is applied (up to a $50,000 reduction in assessed value) will DECLINE.
Don’t believe the fear mongering. Do the math.
Tom
April 24, 2022 at 9:59 am
Florida has up to $20 billion in financial reserves, as the state economy is on fire. Due to Gov Ron’s great stewardship.
Gov and State legislature will not abandon Reedy creek as Disney has financial responsibility. As will homestead cap apply.
America’s Governor for all!
Edmund Burke
April 29, 2022 at 8:59 am
So, the guy who’s organization had a leader busted as a pedophile and “grooming” young boys says there is an, “imaginary — army of pedophile groomers”. He would know, he couldn’t even detect one he worked with.
Tom
April 30, 2022 at 8:22 pm
LMAO yes, Wilson is a fraud as is Lincoln Org.
Tiki torches and all, ask McAuliffe how effective Lincoln was in VA Gov race. They spent $500,000 losing. Youngkin kicked the ass, as will America’s Gov.
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