Politics Iger steps down...from CA Task Force

[el_super]

You may be on to something. As much as I’ve been willing to criticize Newsom here for his lack of flexibility and perceived uneven treatment of the theme park industry, there is more than certainly enough blame to go around here.

Yeah.... the reason I keep insisting that this is tin foil hat conspiracy territory is that I saw the theme park guidelines posted to the state's COVID response website, the very day the new color coded system was rolled out. That was in August. It indicated that theme parks would open in the Yellow Tier with indoor operations only. The problem is: I can't prove that in any way, as it was removed within an hour of being posted. Since then, I have started to believe that the state had the guidelines ready to go and just pulled them upon request.

Which does make sense. Going all the way back to May, we had state officials indicating that the guidance for the phased reopening had changed, and theme parks would be allowed to open in phase 3 instead of phase 4. So there were conversations occurring with regard to theme parks back then. And back in May Newsom was indicating that Phase 3 was just weeks away. At the point in June when Disneyland announced their reopening for July, they must have been pretty confident the guidance was ready to go and agreed upon, even if it hadn't been released yet.

I honestly believe that Disney had asked them to hold off on releasing the guidance then, because they wanted to be the first to announce the reopening, and get their marketing message out before the state could steel their thunder. I wouldn't have thought at all that there was any confusion or disagreements over the guidance. If the guidance wasn't ready at that point, or was still being negotiated, then the reopening announcement in June would have to be the biggest gaff Disney has made politically in decades.

And as someone who works in Government Affairs it seems surprising, if not downright unbelievable, that a Fortune 500 company like TWDC would have such a feckless GR operation. From their failure to compromise/triangulate with the Administration to their apparent inability to coordinate/back channel with aligned interests, from their state trade (CAPA, CalChamber, etc), unions, local government, and industry partners.

It is bizarre to think that Disney has been trying to negotiate these terms of theme park openings for 7 months now, and have nothing to show for it. Since the Governor pulled back on the guidance again, it seems that he is at least open to the idea of reaching terms that all sides would agree on (which is a good thing).

I just can't shake this feeling though... Disney is usually pretty good when it comes to government relations. But if you subscribe to that idea, then you have to start wondering if Disney didn't get exactly what they wanted out of this.

I'll take the tin foil off now.

 

[cmwade77]

Saying someone is annoying is not name calling

100% false lol

Actually, it isn't false, I had to check into it for someone a couple of years ago and unemployment did indeed count as income and the amount made because of the extra would indeed count, just as it will on taxes unless some legislation is passed to change that. Even the $600 alone would have disqualified them for next year. As for this year, the income they made while working last year is what would disqualify them this year.

 

[ThreadMaster5]

Actually, it isn't false, I had to check into it for someone a couple of years ago and unemployment did indeed count as income and the amount made because of the extra would indeed count, just as it will on taxes unless some legislation is passed to change that. Even the $600 alone would have disqualified them for next year. As for this year, the income they made while working last year is what would disqualify them this year.

1000% false lol, you're a crack up man

 

[Curious Constance]

1000% false lol, you're a crack up man

Yeah, but from what I’ve observed, it doesn’t take much to crack you up so it probably has little to actually do with cmwade77. Laughing is so healthy for you, good job!

 

[GimpYancIent]

1000% false lol, you're a crack up man

Maybe folks need to look it up for themselves. You know fact checking.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Yeah, but from what I’ve observed, it doesn’t take much to crack you up so it probably has little to actually do with cmwade77. Laughing is so healthy for you, good job!

Don't these nuts ever stop arguing back and forth?

 

[Curious Constance]

Don't these nuts ever stop arguing back and forth?

No one has managed to sway anyone’s opinions yet, but it’s only been 7 months of rehashing the same things over and over. The pandemic is still young. You never know when the next post might blow someone’s mind and change their life forever.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

It's the same thing every day over and over and over again. Just once I'd like to see one of these guys break character and blow my mind.

 

[ThreadMaster5]

It's the same thing every day over and over and over again. Just once I'd like to see one of these guys break character and blow my mind.

Just sit on your bench?

 

[ThreadMaster5]

Yeah, but from what I’ve observed, it doesn’t take much to crack you up so it probably has little to actually do with cmwade77. Laughing is so healthy for you, good job!

Can’t help it with all these.....I guess I’d say silly people?

 

[RollerCoaster]

Only if Trump wins, if Biden wins, he will likely reestablish them, so it is a contingency that everyone should plan for, because who knows what will happen.

Even if reestablished many of these cast members would qualify for a subsidy. If you make less than $44,120, which you likely do if you're unemployed, then you get a subsidy to offset the premium. Regardless, individual insurance does not run a $1,000. At full-price, you should be able to get a plan for about $350-$400, which is still a ridiculous price, but the price you pay when all pre-existing conditions must be covered.

 

[RollerCoaster]

It is bizarre to think that Disney has been trying to negotiate these terms of theme park openings for 7 months now, and have nothing to show for it.

How do you negotiate with someone who is totally irrational?

 

[el_super]

How do you negotiate with someone who is totally irrational?

Seems completely rational to put public safety over a theme park.

 

[RollerCoaster]

Seems completely rational to put public safety over a theme park.

Your argument is pointless. We have to learn to live with the virus or there will be nothing to live for. You can't keep the world closed when there is no end in sight. If you knew when it would end then you possibly could make an argument to stay closed until that point. There is no vaccine, even if one becomes available there is no assurance it will work or how long it will take to vaccinate enough people that you wipe out the virus. With the information that's known, there is only one path to take and that is to adapt to live with it.

How much time should our elected officials dedicate to protecting the public from theme parks? Theme parks are an elective activity. It's not a necessity, so high-risk individuals, whom we can largely identify can avoid theme parks. It's their choice. But while the parks are elective activity for patrons they are a necessity for the works who depend on them to make a living.

More importantly, theme parks in other states have already demonstrated that they can safely operate. There is not a single mass outbreak of COVID-19 traced to a theme park or waterpark. California didn't have to be the leader, but after someone demonstrates it can be done then you have to follow. You can't make the argument that in California theme parks can't safely operate when they can and have demonstrated they can operate safely in other states.

We're passed the point where we can remain closed. The government cannot continue to financially support individuals and businesses that remain out of work and closed. The hole is bordering on being so large that we'll never be able to get out of it. If you think the loss and suffering are bad now then you've got an eyeopening experience ahead of you.

It's time for businesses to reopen and individuals to get back to work in adapted environments with practices that reasonably protect the majority of us.

The one takeaway from COVID-19 that you can't dispute is that partial shutdowns don't work. That's what the US did and the virus lives on.

 

[el_super]

Your argument is pointless.

My argument is really just stating the current policies of the State of California. Since it's the rule of the land, it's not really pointless.

We have to learn to live with the virus or there will be nothing to live for. You can't keep the world closed when there is no end in sight.

Disneyland is closed, so other businesses can stay open. It was a desire to re-open the economy sooner, and not tackle the virus early, that has resulted in the lingering infection rates and continued deaths that now justify Disneyland being closed. So the "world" isn't closed at all.

How much time should our elected officials dedicate to protecting the public from theme parks?

How many people need to die so you can have a fun day at a theme park?

Theme parks are an elective activity. It's not a necessity, so high-risk individuals, whom we can largely identify can avoid theme parks. It's their choice. But while the parks are elective activity for patrons they are a necessity for the works who depend on them to make a living.

Employees shouldn't have to choose between keeping a job and getting sick/potentially dying. I'm not at all worried about people voluntarily visiting the park, as I am about Cast Members having to make really hard choices.

More importantly, theme parks in other states have already demonstrated that they can safely operate. There is not a single mass outbreak of COVID-19 traced to a theme park or waterpark. California didn't have to be the leader, but after someone demonstrates it can be done then you have to follow. You can't make the argument that in California theme parks can't safely operate when they can and have demonstrated they can operate safely in other states.

There is no evidence that the parks in other states have safely reopened, because there is not adequate contact tracing to prove that. Regarding Florida specifically, their number of dead is nearly identical to California, with about half the population. Florida's travel industry is in shambles, despite the parks being reopened, because they have created the impression that the state is not taking the virus seriously, and that travel to Florida is unsafe.

The one takeaway from COVID-19 that you can't dispute is that partial shutdowns don't work. That's what the US did and the virus lives on.

Well... at least I agree on that.

 

[iLikeMountains]

Your argument is pointless. We have to learn to live with the virus or there will be nothing to live for. You can't keep the world closed when there is no end in sight. If you knew when it would end then you possibly could make an argument to stay closed until that point. There is no vaccine, even if one becomes available there is no assurance it will work or how long it will take to vaccinate enough people that you wipe out the virus. With the information that's known, there is only one path to take and that is to adapt to live with it.

How much time should our elected officials dedicate to protecting the public from theme parks? Theme parks are an elective activity. It's not a necessity, so high-risk individuals, whom we can largely identify can avoid theme parks. It's their choice. But while the parks are elective activity for patrons they are a necessity for the works who depend on them to make a living.

More importantly, theme parks in other states have already demonstrated that they can safely operate. There is not a single mass outbreak of COVID-19 traced to a theme park or waterpark. California didn't have to be the leader, but after someone demonstrates it can be done then you have to follow. You can't make the argument that in California theme parks can't safely operate when they can and have demonstrated they can operate safely in other states.

We're passed the point where we can remain closed. The government cannot continue to financially support individuals and businesses that remain out of work and closed. The hole is bordering on being so large that we'll never be able to get out of it. If you think the loss and suffering are bad now then you've got an eyeopening experience ahead of you.

It's time for businesses to reopen and individuals to get back to work in adapted environments with practices that reasonably protect the majority of us.

The one takeaway from COVID-19 that you can't dispute is that partial shutdowns don't work. That's what the US did and the virus lives on.

Very well said.

 

[DavidDL]

I find myself nowadays often wondering if this virus is/was Mother Nature trying to tell us that we're overstaying our welcome or that there are simply too many of us. I realize that's an incredibly messed up/morbid thought to be having but like, I'm starting to wonder if we'll ever fully beat it (vaccine or not).

-and if we do, what even more potent threat will evolve into existence to take its place down the line? Mother Nature is the most powerful force on the planet because, well, it is the planet. Reminds me of that quote from Godzilla; "The arrogance of men is thinking nature is in our control and not the other way around."

I'll return to my depressing corner now. Sorry to be a downer.

 

[bryanfze55]

I find myself nowadays often wondering if this virus is/was Mother Nature trying to tell us that we're overstaying our welcome or that there are simply too many of us. I realize that's an incredibly messed up/morbid thought to be having but like, I'm starting to wonder if we'll ever fully beat it (vaccine or not).

-and if we do, what even more potent threat will evolve into existence to take its place down the line? Mother Nature is the most powerful force on the planet because, well, it is the planet. Reminds me of that quote from Godzilla; "The arrogance of men is thinking nature is in our control and not the other way around."

I'll return to my depressing corner now. Sorry to be a downer.

99.5% of people beat it. If this is Mother Nature telling us we’ve overstayed our welcome, she isn’t being very forceful in kicking us out.

 

[GimpYancIent]

I find myself nowadays often wondering if this virus is/was Mother Nature trying to tell us that we're overstaying our welcome or that there are simply too many of us. I realize that's an incredibly messed up/morbid thought to be having but like, I'm starting to wonder if we'll ever fully beat it (vaccine or not).

-and if we do, what even more potent threat will evolve into existence to take its place down the line? Mother Nature is the most powerful force on the planet because, well, it is the planet. Reminds me of that quote from Godzilla; "The arrogance of men is thinking nature is in our control and not the other way around."

I'll return to my depressing corner now. Sorry to be a downer.

No No the Nature Culling the Herd theory has been mentioned before. Nature does have a way of adjusting itself.

 

[GimpYancIent]

99.5% of people beat it. If this is Mother Nature telling us we’ve overstayed our welcome, she isn’t being very forceful in kicking us out.

Consider it may just be a warning shot.