Mike S
Well-Known Member
I wish Sabbath was coming to Florida
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The Spirited 11th Hour ...
- Thread starter WDW1974
- Start date
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
But the attackers have fire arrows. Fire Canvas and Dry wood a bad combination.
ChrisM
Well-Known Member
I still regret listening to the recording of that 911 call.
WildcatDen
Well-Known Member
I misunderstood your post and for that I apologize. I also believe the reliance on tent poll movies is becoming increasingly CRAZY. For every TFA, there seems to be a half dozen John Carters. The law of averages does not seem to be in play here.
As for TFA, it really is too bad Exploder basically boycotted. I am guessing not having her money from the ticket sales is what has led to the films abject failure.
WildcatDen
Well-Known Member
Is that a Monica Lewinsky quote?
punkabella
Well-Known Member
I enjoy just going back one page and trying to understand what the arguing is all about. I couldn't determine if you all were talking about Elsa or Rey... I'll just imagine both. And yes, please eat a snickers.
Fe Maiden
Well-Known Member
To whom it may concern, the concert was absolutely amazing
If Eternity Should Fail
Speed of Light
Children of the Damned
Tears of a Clown
The Red and the Black
The Trooper
Powerslave
Death or Glory
The Book of Souls
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Fear of the Dark
Iron Maiden
Encore
The Number of the Beast
Blood Brothers
Wasted Years
Fun fact: this was the first time they've played Children of the Damned and/or Powerslave at any show since the last time I saw them on April 2, 2009. They were very welcome surprises for me
I had fun last night following along at home in NJ. The stage looks fantastic and the lighting might be their best in years. A good mix of new songs for the hard core fans like me, and the classics for the casual fan. Throw in a rarely played gem with COTD and they knocked it out of the park.
My wife and I are taking our two sons (10 and 13) up to MSG on 3/30 for their first ever concert. Can't wait.
Spirited Quickees (because it's been too long and you know you want them ... bad!):
So is new ABC honcho Channing Dungey (who I may have met multiple times and is a charming woman) going to upset The Weatherman right from the get go by cancelling one (or both) of his overrated (and ratings challenged) Marvel commercials on the network? Sure looks that way. Is that @Lee crying in his wife's moonshine?
Is the latest WDW price increase on admission media about to happen? Put it this way: if you are addicted enough to plan a trip this year or just want to see Pandora (oh wait) or all the new Star Wars attract... (um, OK ... wait much longer) or even Frozenstrom (this will be open before Olaf's favourite season ... IN SUMMERRRRRRR!!!!!) then I might suggest making sure you have locked in your admission media now.
Apparently, Dr. Blondie (my fave cupcake!) helped a hoard of whores increase their sense of self import by holding some sort of event for Zoomania (that is what it is called here in Europe where it has opened very large ... especially in France and Belgium) this past weekend. It is scary how man of these nothings were walking around with media badges and playing pretend. Disney is like the loser gal (or guy) who you dumped, but has no shame and keeps begging for you to take her (or him) back. They'll do just about anything to be loved. So, from psychos who have had public meltdowns many times to rich kids that need to realize that they are not kids in their mid 30s to conmen who have gone to jail for crimes against TWDC to bloggers who used to proudly go by the moniker 'Doom and Gloomer' until they were put on a Disney list and suddenly love everything ... well, they all were apparently wined and dined (and some flown and lodged at DAK Lodge) and given swag and a preview of the film and limited access to folks behind it. I started ranting about these folks and, more importantly, the way Disney was using them five years ago. And it just keeps getting worse.
So that Luigi's attraction in Anaheim is still ... is still ... there.
Nice to see Potter open at UNI-Hollywood. Will be interesting to see how it is received considering the Minions and a little add on to the Tram Tour themed to the F&F franchise drove huge crowds (that I lived to tell about) last summer. I have heard tales that UNI is looking to quickly add DA out there. Frankly, I hope not. They really are limited for land and I just don't see the burning need ... especially when they aren't putting it in Beijing where they have all the land they need.
Have I mentioned how much I loved Deadpool? And how much better it is then the vast majority of those Marvel tentpoles that all the post 2009 Disney turned Marvel fanbois eat up? OK, just checking.
Yes, there are rumours of both Pandoran and Star Warian hotels for WDW and DL, respectively. I don't believe they are anything more than blue sky concepts that factions at WDI want to see exploited and talked about online ... so, am I helping the cause? I hope not. Truly.
Can't help but notice that many CM blackout dates in March were just opened up. Could it be that WDW is projecting a less than stellar Spring Break?
Back to Pandora, remember when it was announced and there was talk of it going worldwide? And there were even plans for Paris being worked up? And ... yeah, no one at TWDC does anymore. So score a unique area for WDW!
So, all those 400-pound (OK, maybe just 270 on a 5-4 frame) Lifestylers are going ga-ga over RunDisney races? Look, I can appreciate it when someone like @WDWFigment decides to run because he gets quite a workout on his nature photography run and he weighs what a healthy 14-year-old should. But running to the kitchen for a bag of Doritos doesn't qualify one to run any competitive race and it makes a mockery of them. We all know Disney could keep these people out by simply not awarding medals to people who don't complete the distance ... but really, what fun would that be? All of these people saying "I don't train. I am not an athlete. I probably am morbidly obese. But I am going to run 13.1 miles and even if I don't I'll get this very kewl medal! You can too and you should!" help bring in the $$$ and that is where it is at.
So, I am confused. Does the new SW pyro begin in April or in summer?
Is it just me or is there another whorefest coming to WDW around April 19th?
Yes, I guess this batch of Quickees is hard on the Lifestylers. What can I say? I like to spread the love. And you'll have to explain to me how so much anger and angst was spent on how WDW literally just let SpectroMagic rot away, yet those same imbeciles are tripping over themselves to buy LE ugly as hell $25 tees? Who does that? Who gives money to a company to commemorate it destroying something they loved? I will never get the specialness of so many in the Disney (and UNI) fan community.
Time to pee off the UNI Wand Wavers too because I am just not all that excited about Skull Island/Kong. Sorry.
So, there are folks here daring to question that NGE/MM+ is one of the two reasons (that Shanghai endeavour being the other) that there are cuts all over WDW (and DLR)? Sorry, but you are wrong. I have the facts correct. Period.
Ah, Shanghai ... the resort that is being built for all the Chinese (and really no one else, even if a few Lifestylers and a few other insane Spirits, visit) is being pushed that way. Even getting a mention in the ABC Disney commercial last weekend. Again, this is what happens when your partner is the CCP and they are calling the shots. SDL is NOT Disney's resort in Shanghai, it is China's Disney Resort. If you do not understand the difference, then please go have some orange chicken at Panda Express or a Chinese Chicken Salad at The Cheesecake Factory or TGI Friday's and then come back here and attempt to debate it.
I wouldn't expect evening EMHs to last much longer.
So that steak is a lower grade and smaller and the price went up $4? Sounds like Disney MAGIC to me!
So is new ABC honcho Channing Dungey (who I may have met multiple times and is a charming woman) going to upset The Weatherman right from the get go by cancelling one (or both) of his overrated (and ratings challenged) Marvel commercials on the network? Sure looks that way. Is that @Lee crying in his wife's moonshine?
Is the latest WDW price increase on admission media about to happen? Put it this way: if you are addicted enough to plan a trip this year or just want to see Pandora (oh wait) or all the new Star Wars attract... (um, OK ... wait much longer) or even Frozenstrom (this will be open before Olaf's favourite season ... IN SUMMERRRRRRR!!!!!) then I might suggest making sure you have locked in your admission media now.
Apparently, Dr. Blondie (my fave cupcake!) helped a hoard of whores increase their sense of self import by holding some sort of event for Zoomania (that is what it is called here in Europe where it has opened very large ... especially in France and Belgium) this past weekend. It is scary how man of these nothings were walking around with media badges and playing pretend. Disney is like the loser gal (or guy) who you dumped, but has no shame and keeps begging for you to take her (or him) back. They'll do just about anything to be loved. So, from psychos who have had public meltdowns many times to rich kids that need to realize that they are not kids in their mid 30s to conmen who have gone to jail for crimes against TWDC to bloggers who used to proudly go by the moniker 'Doom and Gloomer' until they were put on a Disney list and suddenly love everything ... well, they all were apparently wined and dined (and some flown and lodged at DAK Lodge) and given swag and a preview of the film and limited access to folks behind it. I started ranting about these folks and, more importantly, the way Disney was using them five years ago. And it just keeps getting worse.
So that Luigi's attraction in Anaheim is still ... is still ... there.
Nice to see Potter open at UNI-Hollywood. Will be interesting to see how it is received considering the Minions and a little add on to the Tram Tour themed to the F&F franchise drove huge crowds (that I lived to tell about) last summer. I have heard tales that UNI is looking to quickly add DA out there. Frankly, I hope not. They really are limited for land and I just don't see the burning need ... especially when they aren't putting it in Beijing where they have all the land they need.
Have I mentioned how much I loved Deadpool? And how much better it is then the vast majority of those Marvel tentpoles that all the post 2009 Disney turned Marvel fanbois eat up? OK, just checking.
Yes, there are rumours of both Pandoran and Star Warian hotels for WDW and DL, respectively. I don't believe they are anything more than blue sky concepts that factions at WDI want to see exploited and talked about online ... so, am I helping the cause? I hope not. Truly.
Can't help but notice that many CM blackout dates in March were just opened up. Could it be that WDW is projecting a less than stellar Spring Break?
Back to Pandora, remember when it was announced and there was talk of it going worldwide? And there were even plans for Paris being worked up? And ... yeah, no one at TWDC does anymore. So score a unique area for WDW!
So, all those 400-pound (OK, maybe just 270 on a 5-4 frame) Lifestylers are going ga-ga over RunDisney races? Look, I can appreciate it when someone like @WDWFigment decides to run because he gets quite a workout on his nature photography run and he weighs what a healthy 14-year-old should. But running to the kitchen for a bag of Doritos doesn't qualify one to run any competitive race and it makes a mockery of them. We all know Disney could keep these people out by simply not awarding medals to people who don't complete the distance ... but really, what fun would that be? All of these people saying "I don't train. I am not an athlete. I probably am morbidly obese. But I am going to run 13.1 miles and even if I don't I'll get this very kewl medal! You can too and you should!" help bring in the $$$ and that is where it is at.
So, I am confused. Does the new SW pyro begin in April or in summer?
Is it just me or is there another whorefest coming to WDW around April 19th?
Yes, I guess this batch of Quickees is hard on the Lifestylers. What can I say? I like to spread the love. And you'll have to explain to me how so much anger and angst was spent on how WDW literally just let SpectroMagic rot away, yet those same imbeciles are tripping over themselves to buy LE ugly as hell $25 tees? Who does that? Who gives money to a company to commemorate it destroying something they loved? I will never get the specialness of so many in the Disney (and UNI) fan community.
Time to pee off the UNI Wand Wavers too because I am just not all that excited about Skull Island/Kong. Sorry.
So, there are folks here daring to question that NGE/MM+ is one of the two reasons (that Shanghai endeavour being the other) that there are cuts all over WDW (and DLR)? Sorry, but you are wrong. I have the facts correct. Period.
Ah, Shanghai ... the resort that is being built for all the Chinese (and really no one else, even if a few Lifestylers and a few other insane Spirits, visit) is being pushed that way. Even getting a mention in the ABC Disney commercial last weekend. Again, this is what happens when your partner is the CCP and they are calling the shots. SDL is NOT Disney's resort in Shanghai, it is China's Disney Resort. If you do not understand the difference, then please go have some orange chicken at Panda Express or a Chinese Chicken Salad at The Cheesecake Factory or TGI Friday's and then come back here and attempt to debate it.
I wouldn't expect evening EMHs to last much longer.
So that steak is a lower grade and smaller and the price went up $4? Sounds like Disney MAGIC to me!
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BernardandBianca
Well-Known Member
I guess that's a possibility, but the original came from a guy named Sigmund I recall.
Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
Given the importance of my opinion Ill have to wait till I have experienced the Kong attraction before I attempt to upset wand waver everywhere, I know that may cause some consternation but I feel it prudent given the variance with the existing ride in ye other park.
I would post more but Its too boring even for me.
I would post more but Its too boring even for me.
Mike S
Well-Known Member
My mom tried to get tickets to MSG but they sold out in seconds. So she flew down and joined me here, lol. I loved that they played a lot of new songs too. I just wish they were able to do Empire of the Clouds. 18 minutes of pure unaldurated awesomeness.
ETA: You're an awesome parent taking them to Maiden as their first show
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tissandtully
Well-Known Member
FrankLapidus
Well-Known Member
Can't say I'm surprised to hear this. Do you know why that is the case? Do they just not want to spend the money or have they concluded that Avatar doesn't have sufficient pull as an IP to bring in more people to the parks?
Mike S
Well-Known Member
I'm guessing it has to be the overblown budget.
FrankLapidus
Well-Known Member
That could very well be the case. When it was announced for DAK I had doubts we would see it make its way to other parks in spite of what Disney said because I don't think it has the pulling power to be a real draw, I'm just curious whether that was a factor in Disney deciding not to expand it beyond WDW as they had planned.
If EMHs do go away, how do you think this will affect occupancy at the on-site hotels? This was always one of their selling points - pay higher prices to stay in one of our hotels but you can play longer in the parks.
Nick Pappagiorgio
Well-Known Member
I thought that was part of the angle for the extra 30 days for my MM+. Also in the past Spirit has mentioned that occupancy rates were low for deluxe resorts. What does it look like for values and moderates? Obviously they have some confidence in the segment if they went ahead with the twin Marriotts.
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
@WDW1974 As to runDisney - last time I checked you need to cross the finish line under your own power to collect the medal, What's changed here (I do runDisney). Is this different in LA LA Land home of speshul snowflakes???
BrianLo
Well-Known Member
Nothing as serious as that. It's because they got Star Wars and Frozen in the intervening years (and Marvel too can go in most of those other parks).
Why spend a billion dollars on building up a franchise you don't own when you have 3 equally (arguably even more) viable in-house ones?
As someone who actually thinks Pandora is shaping up and really prefers for parks to be unique from one another, I think it's worked itself out for the best. AK will continue to towards becoming WDW's best park, while remaining one of the most unique worldwide.
the.dreamfinder
Well-Known Member
Disney has opened up a Political Action Comittee... called DisneyPAC. They also want white collar employees to make contributions.
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...ployees-to-chip-in-to-pay-copyright-lobbyists
Disney CEO asks employees to chip in to pay copyright lobbyists
Oh, hey, do you work here? Mickey could use a little extra cash.
Loren Javier
The Walt Disney Company has a reputation for lobbying hard on copyright issues. The 1998 copyright extension has even been dubbed the “Mickey Mouse Protection Act” by activists like Lawrence Lessig that have worked to reform copyright laws.
This year, the company is turning to its employees to fund some of that battle. Disney CEO Bob Iger has sent a letter to the company’s employees, asking for them to open their hearts—and their wallets—to the company’s political action committee, DisneyPAC.
In the letter, which was provided to Ars by a Disney employee, Iger tells workers about his company's recent intellectual property victories, including stronger IP protections in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a Supreme Court victory that destroyed Aereo, and continued vigilance about the "state of copyright law in the digital environment." It also mentions that Disney is seeking an opening to lower the corporate tax rate.
"With the support of the US Government we achieved a win in the Supreme Court against Aereo—an Internet service claiming the right to retransmit our broadcast signals without paying copyright or retransmission consent fees," writes Iger. "In the coming year, we expect Congress and the Administration to be active on copyright regime issues, efforts to enact legislation to approve and implement the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, tax reform, and more proposals to weaken retransmission consent, to name a few."
The source who provided the letter to Ars asked to remain anonymous, and they were bothered by the assumption that anyone who worked for Disney would agree with the company's political positions on tax, trade, intellectual property, and other matters.
"It just seems insensitive to folks that support the company but don't necessarily support all of its priorities," the source said. "Especially for something like TPP, which I view as particularly controversial. We do have a company position, but there's going to be a wide variety of opinion [within the company]."
The letter concludes with a suggested donation to DisneyPAC. Ars is not publishing the suggested amount in case it is personalized to the source's compensation or position at Disney.
"For your convenience, DisneyPAC has implemented a payroll deduction system, through which your contributions to the PAC will be deducted from your weekly paycheck," Iger explains.
The source received the letter via business mail and doesn't know how many other employees received it.
"I don't know how widely this was distributed," the source said. "Was it to rank and file folks in [theme] parks, to people working in a popcorn stand?"
Disney didn't respond to Ars' requests for comment about the fundraising letter.
Not unusual
Although Iger's letter was, in the view of this employee, somewhat tone-deaf, such requests are not illegal or even particularly uncommon. In 2012, Reuters reported on Citigroup's request to its employees to give to Citi PAC, a political entity that "contributes to candidates on both sides of the aisle that support a strong private sector and promote entrepreneurship."
US corporations are allowed to solicit political contributions as long as donations aren't coerced. The relevant law bars any "threat of a detrimental job action, the threat of any other financial reprisal, or the threat of force" when asking for donations.
The Disney letter has language explicitly reassuring employees that their jobs won't be affected by their decision whether or not to give to DisneyPAC.
"Your contribution is important to all of us, but I want to emphasize that all contributions are voluntary and have no impact on your job status, performance review, compensation, or employment," writes Iger. "Any amount given or the decision not to give will not advantage or disadvantage you."
Iger's compensation in the last fiscal year was $45 million (£32 million).
In the 2014 election cycle, the Disney employees' PAC spent about $375,000, according to OpenSecrets.org. During the current cycle with a presidential election on the way, the company will likely spend more. As of last month, the PAC had raised $295,000 and spent $231,000. The contributions are split roughly evenly between Democrats and Republicans, which is the PAC's policy according to the CEO's letter.
According to a MapLight analysis of the data, Disney employees contributed a total of $4.03 million in all election cycles since 2002. That doesn't include direct employee contributions to candidates, which adds another $1.81 million over the same period.
DisneyPAC fundraising letter to employees
Here's the verbatim text of most of Iger's letter to employees:
As we head into the election year of 2016, the electorate faces significant decisions about the direction of our Nation's future. Besides choosing a new president, we will once again be electing new senators and representatives. These decisions will have a profound impact on the lives of all Americans. The election will also impact issues that affect our company. As such, we will continue to work with our representatives in Congress to ensure that they understand our perspective on critical issues like trade, intellectual property, tax, and travel policies. I write to urge you to consider supporting the Company's efforts through a contribution to DisneyPAC. A well funded DisneyPAC is an important tool in our efforts to maintain our positive profile in Washington.
In the past year, we successfully advocated the Company's position on a number of issues that have a significant impact on our business. We played a major role in ensuring that the "Trade Promotion Authority" legislation set high standards for intellectual property (IP) provisions in our trade negotiations, and we helped get that bill through Congress. We used that language in TPA to advocate successfully for a strong IP chapter in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiations. We also pushed for provisions to promote digital trade and to reduce barriers in media and entertainment sectors. TPP will establish a strong baseline of protection for intellectual property while breaking down trade barriers in the Asia Pacific region. In both TPA and TPP we had to overcome significant efforts to weaken respect for IP, pushed not only by foreign governments but also from within our own Congress and the Administration.
The fight on these issues is far from over. Last year we spent significant time and effort engaged in a series of government reviews of the state of copyright law in the digital environment.
We also continued to defend our right to be compensated for carriage of our programming by cable and satellite carriers as well as by emerging "over-the-top" services. With the support of the US Government we achieved a win in the Supreme Court against Aereo—an Internet service claiming the right to retransmit our broadcast signals without paying copyright or retransmission consent fees. With respect to tax issues, Congress extended certain provisions that provide favorable tax treatment for film and television production in the US. It also extended this treatment to live theatrical productions. Last year we also worked closely with the Administration on important veterans employment issues—an issue of critical importance for the men and women who defend our country and an area in which our company is proud to play a leadership role.
In the coming year, we expect Congress and the Administration to be active on copyright regime issues, efforts to enact legislation to approve and implement the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, tax reform, and more proposals to weaken retransmission consent, to name a few.
On the trade front, we will also look to build on our achievements in other negotiations this year. 2016 should see significant activity in negotiations between the US and China over a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), continued negotiations with the European Union over the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership agreement, the 50-country Trade in Services Agreement negotiations, and efforts by the US Government to raise IP standards and break down trade barriers through a variety of means.
In 2016, Congress will further discuss various tax reform proposals. While comprehensive reform is unlikely, activity in the coming year will lay the foundation for what many expect to be a genuine opportunity for reform in early 2017. We have been active educating Members of Congress on the importance of lowering the corporate tax rate to be competitive with the rest of the world. The US has one of the highest marginal and effective tax rates among developed countries, creating a significant competitive impediment to companies headquartered in the US.
Congress will continue to be very active on intellectual property issues... After three years of hearings and testimony from 100 witnesses, we now expect the House Judiciary Committee to turn to legislating. We expect significant attention on legislation to modernize the Copyright Office, a small agency that can have an enormous impact on our interests.
And the Copyright Office has launched several proceedings involving possible changes to laws governing the accountability of online services and the laws protecting technologies used to secure distribution of digital content. These discussions obviously have significant implications for a business like ours that is dependent on copyright policy in the face of ongoing change in technology and the marketplace.
We will also need to continue our work to fend off growing and concerted efforts to weaken our ability to freely negotiate the distribution of our broadcast and cable programming. Last year, the FCC teed up several rule makings that could have a significant adverse affect on retransmission consent and how we package and sell our media networks. As the debate becomes much more heated, we will need to remain vigilant.
With all of the challenges we will face this year, it is important that our PAC be strong. We, therefore, respectfully suggest that you consider making a contribution of [REDACTED]. You may give more or less than the suggested amount (although no contribution can exceed $5000 in any year) and any contribution will be appreciated. As always, 100% of your contribution is used in direct support of candidates and political entities that uphold policies and principles that are consistent with the best interests of our company. DisneyPAC contributes equally to Democrats and Republicans each calendar year. For your convenience, DisneyPAC has implemented a payroll deduction system, through which your contributions to the PAC will be deducted from your weekly paycheck. If you prefer, you may instead make a one-time personal contribution to the PAC. Your contribution is important to all of us, but I want to emphasize that all contributions are voluntary and have no impact on your job status, performance review, compensation, or employment. Any amount given or the decision not to give will not advantage or disadvantage you. You have the right to refuse to contribute without reprisal. Your help is truly appreciated.
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...ployees-to-chip-in-to-pay-copyright-lobbyists
Disney CEO asks employees to chip in to pay copyright lobbyists
Oh, hey, do you work here? Mickey could use a little extra cash.
Loren Javier
The Walt Disney Company has a reputation for lobbying hard on copyright issues. The 1998 copyright extension has even been dubbed the “Mickey Mouse Protection Act” by activists like Lawrence Lessig that have worked to reform copyright laws.
This year, the company is turning to its employees to fund some of that battle. Disney CEO Bob Iger has sent a letter to the company’s employees, asking for them to open their hearts—and their wallets—to the company’s political action committee, DisneyPAC.
In the letter, which was provided to Ars by a Disney employee, Iger tells workers about his company's recent intellectual property victories, including stronger IP protections in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a Supreme Court victory that destroyed Aereo, and continued vigilance about the "state of copyright law in the digital environment." It also mentions that Disney is seeking an opening to lower the corporate tax rate.
"With the support of the US Government we achieved a win in the Supreme Court against Aereo—an Internet service claiming the right to retransmit our broadcast signals without paying copyright or retransmission consent fees," writes Iger. "In the coming year, we expect Congress and the Administration to be active on copyright regime issues, efforts to enact legislation to approve and implement the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, tax reform, and more proposals to weaken retransmission consent, to name a few."
The source who provided the letter to Ars asked to remain anonymous, and they were bothered by the assumption that anyone who worked for Disney would agree with the company's political positions on tax, trade, intellectual property, and other matters.
"It just seems insensitive to folks that support the company but don't necessarily support all of its priorities," the source said. "Especially for something like TPP, which I view as particularly controversial. We do have a company position, but there's going to be a wide variety of opinion [within the company]."
The letter concludes with a suggested donation to DisneyPAC. Ars is not publishing the suggested amount in case it is personalized to the source's compensation or position at Disney.
"For your convenience, DisneyPAC has implemented a payroll deduction system, through which your contributions to the PAC will be deducted from your weekly paycheck," Iger explains.
The source received the letter via business mail and doesn't know how many other employees received it.
"I don't know how widely this was distributed," the source said. "Was it to rank and file folks in [theme] parks, to people working in a popcorn stand?"
Disney didn't respond to Ars' requests for comment about the fundraising letter.
Not unusual
Although Iger's letter was, in the view of this employee, somewhat tone-deaf, such requests are not illegal or even particularly uncommon. In 2012, Reuters reported on Citigroup's request to its employees to give to Citi PAC, a political entity that "contributes to candidates on both sides of the aisle that support a strong private sector and promote entrepreneurship."
US corporations are allowed to solicit political contributions as long as donations aren't coerced. The relevant law bars any "threat of a detrimental job action, the threat of any other financial reprisal, or the threat of force" when asking for donations.
The Disney letter has language explicitly reassuring employees that their jobs won't be affected by their decision whether or not to give to DisneyPAC.
"Your contribution is important to all of us, but I want to emphasize that all contributions are voluntary and have no impact on your job status, performance review, compensation, or employment," writes Iger. "Any amount given or the decision not to give will not advantage or disadvantage you."
Iger's compensation in the last fiscal year was $45 million (£32 million).
In the 2014 election cycle, the Disney employees' PAC spent about $375,000, according to OpenSecrets.org. During the current cycle with a presidential election on the way, the company will likely spend more. As of last month, the PAC had raised $295,000 and spent $231,000. The contributions are split roughly evenly between Democrats and Republicans, which is the PAC's policy according to the CEO's letter.
According to a MapLight analysis of the data, Disney employees contributed a total of $4.03 million in all election cycles since 2002. That doesn't include direct employee contributions to candidates, which adds another $1.81 million over the same period.
DisneyPAC fundraising letter to employees
Here's the verbatim text of most of Iger's letter to employees:
As we head into the election year of 2016, the electorate faces significant decisions about the direction of our Nation's future. Besides choosing a new president, we will once again be electing new senators and representatives. These decisions will have a profound impact on the lives of all Americans. The election will also impact issues that affect our company. As such, we will continue to work with our representatives in Congress to ensure that they understand our perspective on critical issues like trade, intellectual property, tax, and travel policies. I write to urge you to consider supporting the Company's efforts through a contribution to DisneyPAC. A well funded DisneyPAC is an important tool in our efforts to maintain our positive profile in Washington.
In the past year, we successfully advocated the Company's position on a number of issues that have a significant impact on our business. We played a major role in ensuring that the "Trade Promotion Authority" legislation set high standards for intellectual property (IP) provisions in our trade negotiations, and we helped get that bill through Congress. We used that language in TPA to advocate successfully for a strong IP chapter in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiations. We also pushed for provisions to promote digital trade and to reduce barriers in media and entertainment sectors. TPP will establish a strong baseline of protection for intellectual property while breaking down trade barriers in the Asia Pacific region. In both TPA and TPP we had to overcome significant efforts to weaken respect for IP, pushed not only by foreign governments but also from within our own Congress and the Administration.
The fight on these issues is far from over. Last year we spent significant time and effort engaged in a series of government reviews of the state of copyright law in the digital environment.
We also continued to defend our right to be compensated for carriage of our programming by cable and satellite carriers as well as by emerging "over-the-top" services. With the support of the US Government we achieved a win in the Supreme Court against Aereo—an Internet service claiming the right to retransmit our broadcast signals without paying copyright or retransmission consent fees. With respect to tax issues, Congress extended certain provisions that provide favorable tax treatment for film and television production in the US. It also extended this treatment to live theatrical productions. Last year we also worked closely with the Administration on important veterans employment issues—an issue of critical importance for the men and women who defend our country and an area in which our company is proud to play a leadership role.
In the coming year, we expect Congress and the Administration to be active on copyright regime issues, efforts to enact legislation to approve and implement the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, tax reform, and more proposals to weaken retransmission consent, to name a few.
On the trade front, we will also look to build on our achievements in other negotiations this year. 2016 should see significant activity in negotiations between the US and China over a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), continued negotiations with the European Union over the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership agreement, the 50-country Trade in Services Agreement negotiations, and efforts by the US Government to raise IP standards and break down trade barriers through a variety of means.
In 2016, Congress will further discuss various tax reform proposals. While comprehensive reform is unlikely, activity in the coming year will lay the foundation for what many expect to be a genuine opportunity for reform in early 2017. We have been active educating Members of Congress on the importance of lowering the corporate tax rate to be competitive with the rest of the world. The US has one of the highest marginal and effective tax rates among developed countries, creating a significant competitive impediment to companies headquartered in the US.
Congress will continue to be very active on intellectual property issues... After three years of hearings and testimony from 100 witnesses, we now expect the House Judiciary Committee to turn to legislating. We expect significant attention on legislation to modernize the Copyright Office, a small agency that can have an enormous impact on our interests.
And the Copyright Office has launched several proceedings involving possible changes to laws governing the accountability of online services and the laws protecting technologies used to secure distribution of digital content. These discussions obviously have significant implications for a business like ours that is dependent on copyright policy in the face of ongoing change in technology and the marketplace.
We will also need to continue our work to fend off growing and concerted efforts to weaken our ability to freely negotiate the distribution of our broadcast and cable programming. Last year, the FCC teed up several rule makings that could have a significant adverse affect on retransmission consent and how we package and sell our media networks. As the debate becomes much more heated, we will need to remain vigilant.
With all of the challenges we will face this year, it is important that our PAC be strong. We, therefore, respectfully suggest that you consider making a contribution of [REDACTED]. You may give more or less than the suggested amount (although no contribution can exceed $5000 in any year) and any contribution will be appreciated. As always, 100% of your contribution is used in direct support of candidates and political entities that uphold policies and principles that are consistent with the best interests of our company. DisneyPAC contributes equally to Democrats and Republicans each calendar year. For your convenience, DisneyPAC has implemented a payroll deduction system, through which your contributions to the PAC will be deducted from your weekly paycheck. If you prefer, you may instead make a one-time personal contribution to the PAC. Your contribution is important to all of us, but I want to emphasize that all contributions are voluntary and have no impact on your job status, performance review, compensation, or employment. Any amount given or the decision not to give will not advantage or disadvantage you. You have the right to refuse to contribute without reprisal. Your help is truly appreciated.