ONE LITTLE SPARK 3: THE SPARK SQUAD - HYPE/DISCUSSION/NONSENSE THREAD!!!

Disney Dad 3000

Disney Dad 3000

Well-Known Member
JokersWild said:
I'm not convinced anything's actually going to happen. The bill is disgustingly retaliatory. I don't know if that will have an effect in the appeal process, but it really should. I feel weird defending a multi-billion dollar company, but if this does end up coming into effect millions of people in the surrounding counties will be facing higher tax rates to pay off Disney's debts, so this is about more than just a corporation refusing to toe the line (though of course, the only reason they're refusing to toe that line is because of public backlash rather than actual concern.) This whole situation is appalling, even when ignoring everything else DeSantis has pulled this past year. Something needs to be done about Florida.
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Same. If the State really forces the issue, I could see a hefty legal battle considering other statutes that don't technically allow the state to do this without other mechanisms taking place. Regardless of political beliefs, it is beyond frustrating to see something like this get fast tracked in a matter of days when there are so many other pressing issues that should take precedent for the residents of those counties, let alone the state.

I don't think Disney was going to do much to WDW once Tron, the RR and Moana open for quite awhile anyway (which is unfortunate considering how much investment is still needed to properly align the resort), but this feels like a nail in the coffin for any true major investment for the foreseeable future.
 
Suchomimus

Suchomimus

Well-Known Member
Disney Dad 3000 said:
Regardless of political beliefs, it is beyond frustrating to see something like this get fast tracked in a matter of days when there are so many other pressing issues that should take precedent for the residents of those counties, let alone the state.
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Wasn't it fast tracked because an overwhelming majority voted yes on the matter?
 
JokersWild

JokersWild

Well-Known Member
Suchomimus said:
Wasn't it fast tracked because an overwhelming majority voted yes on the matter?
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You mean in the overwhelmingly Republican house and senate? And the vote that passed along party lines? Passing a bill is a lot more than just voting on it. Bills pass quickly when politicians are driven to do their jobs.
 
Suchomimus

Suchomimus

Well-Known Member
JokersWild said:
I feel weird defending a multi-billion dollar company,
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Probably because it is weird. I mean we are talking about a corrupted conglomerate that has come to value identity politics as a tool for making extra and has also gotten into trouble in recent memory with matters such as a lawsuit on discrimination based on sexual orientation last June or 25,000 Disneyland employees; former and current; suing the Mouse for underpaying them, also last year. Abusing their power to antagonize and spread misinformation over Florida Man making a bill more well known for its nickname than it's actual name or content was the straw that broke the camel's back. As for your comment on rising tax rates for the surrounding counties, I'm not sure how that would work when Disney is covering the debt service.
 
MickeyWaffleCo.

MickeyWaffleCo.

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
JokersWild said:
You mean in the overwhelmingly Republican house and senate? And the vote that passed along party lines? Passing a bill is a lot more than just voting on it. Bills pass quickly when politicians are driven to do their jobs.
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The party lines thing is sadly true, and a sign of how polarized this country has become, but it does apply to both sides. If the house and senate were overwhelmingly Democrat, the bill would have failed… but still along party lines. Ultimately, the legislature is supposed to be a reflection of the citizens of the state. Because Florida‘s populace is overwhelmingly Republican, the legislature is overwhelmingly Republican. In a perfect world, each representative and senator would do their best to represent the citizens of their respective districts, even if that meant voting differently than the majority of their party. Alas, the world isn’t perfect, and the legislature voted along party lines.

I think the bill was very much rushed without a plan in place, and the reason for its proposal is disappointingly retaliatory. I honestly just really wish Disney had stayed out of this whole mess in the first place. This series of events isn’t helping any parties involved.
 
JokersWild

JokersWild

Well-Known Member
Suchomimus said:
Probably because it is weird. I mean we are talking about a corrupted conglomerate that has come to value identity politics as a tool for making extra and has also gotten into trouble in recent memory with matters such as a lawsuit on discrimination based on sexual orientation last June or 25,000 Disneyland employees; former and current; suing the Mouse for underpaying them, also last year. Abusing their power to antagonize and spread misinformation over Florida Man making a bill more well known for its nickname than it's actual name or content was the straw that broke the camel's back. As for your comment on rising tax rates for the surrounding counties, I'm not sure how that would work when Disney is covering the debt service.
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Because the bill wasn't identity politics.

If you remember, Disney was actively donating towards the passing of the bill until they faced public backlash. Not only that, but they didn't publicly denounce the bill until after it had already passed, and even then it was only after increased criticism. I'm not saying that I don't agree Disney essentially pretends to care about certain groups of peoples and lifestyles to push their products, but you're kidding yourself if you think that this is a battle between an evil corporation and the good people of Florida. I haven't seen any evidence of Disney actively antagonizing DeSantis or Florida Republicans other than a single press release stating their public position, which is entirely within their right to do. I've only seen hurried retaliation from a power-hungry man.

In terms of taxes, essentially the taxes and debt formerly covered by Reedy Creek will be put on, or at least partially put on, to the people of Orange and Osceola Counties, from what I've read. Kind of antithetical to those lower taxes Republicans used to scream about.

MickeyWaffleCo. said:
The party lines thing is sadly true, and a sign of how polarized this country has become, but it does apply to both sides. If the house and senate were overwhelmingly Democrat, the bill would have failed… but still along party lines. Ultimately, the legislature is supposed to be a reflection of the citizens of the state. Because Florida‘s populace is overwhelmingly Republican, the legislature is overwhelmingly Republican. In a perfect world, each representative and senator would do their best to represent the citizens of their respective districts, even if that meant voting differently than the majority of their party. Alas, the world isn’t perfect, and the legislature voted along party lines.

I think the bill was very much rushed without a plan in place, and the reason for its proposal is disappointingly retaliatory. I honestly just really wish Disney had stayed out of this whole mess in the first place. This series of events isn’t helping any parties involved.
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I mean, that's absolutely the problem with modern politics. Both sides are too reactionary and partisan. However, I think one side is far more destructive their their reactions than the other, which is the problem. I also think it's unfair to say that Florida is overwhelmingly Republican when the state is heavily gerrymandered. It certainly is in many places, but I don't think it's quite as overwhelming as you think it is.

They absolutely did not have a plan in place. Every interview I've seen, legislatures, including DeSantis, are openly admitting that they'll figure out the details by June 2023. Not only is it wildly irresponsible, but it just show how rushed and reactionary the bill is.
 
ThemeParkPriest

ThemeParkPriest

Well-Known Member
As mentioned at the start of the DSNY Newscast, there is a lot of politics involved, so it's important to stay civil. I think Jack does a good job, too, of stating why DeSantis (and Florida) probably won't get what they were hoping for through this bill.

That being said, to play Devil's advocate...the Parental Rights Bill is rather popular among Floridians, including independents and Democrats (55%). The Reedy Creek Improvement District was important and necessary early on in Walt Disney World construction and management. Although a lot would have to change if it was dissolved, it is a bit of a head-scratcher why a huge corporation like Disney should benefit from tens of millions of dollars of taxes every year due to special treatment it gets. But that's just my two cents.
 
Tegan pilots a chicken

Tegan pilots a chicken

Sharpie Queen 💜
Premium Member
Original Poster
MickeyWaffleCo. said:
The party lines thing is sadly true, and a sign of how polarized this country has become, but it does apply to both sides. If the house and senate were overwhelmingly Democrat, the bill would have failed… but still along party lines. Ultimately, the legislature is supposed to be a reflection of the citizens of the state. Because Florida‘s populace is overwhelmingly Republican, the legislature is overwhelmingly Republican. In a perfect world, each representative and senator would do their best to represent the citizens of their respective districts, even if that meant voting differently than the majority of their party. Alas, the world isn’t perfect, and the legislature voted along party lines.

I think the bill was very much rushed without a plan in place, and the reason for its proposal is disappointingly retaliatory. I honestly just really wish Disney had stayed out of this whole mess in the first place. This series of events isn’t helping any parties involved.
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Florida really isn’t overwhelmingly Republican. It’s honestly one of the most balanced/competitive states in terms of voting history and how folks self-identify.

It’s the way their congressional districts are drawn that make their state legislature so slanted to one party.
 
Tegan pilots a chicken

Tegan pilots a chicken

Sharpie Queen 💜
Premium Member
Original Poster
I don’t talk about the subject on here very often because for some it is divisive, but it’s also who I am. Trust me I wish I had just been born with my outside matching my inside, that would have made life so much easier. But I think I should really shed some light on why this bill and others like it are so harmful.

I knew when I was 6.

This was also the 90s. There was absolutely zero awareness, visibility, or acceptance of people like me in the mainstream the time.

But I knew.

The Little Mermaid was my favorite movie when I was a kid. And obviously is still incredibly special to me. But I would always cry when Ariel sang “Part of Your World.” It took a really long time for me to understand it, but that song, and really her entire story, is completely coded language, whether intentional or not. She knows who she is and how she wants to be, and she’s willing to do anything and lose anything to be her true self. Now I understand why I would always cry.

I hated photos of myself. Picture day at school was the absolute worst. I couldn’t understand why I didn’t look the way I thought I did in my mind.

One day in second grade, my teacher introduced the words “male” and “female,” and defined them for us with secondary sex characteristics. She then went around the room and asked everyone to self identify. She got to me. I said “female.” The class laughed at me and she gave me a dirty look. And that began the cycle of repression.

There was no awareness. No acceptance. No visibility. I couldn’t talk about this with anybody because I didn’t have the words to articulate it. I didn’t even know this was a thing; much less that it could actually be treated.

I didn’t learn the word transgender until I was into my mid 20s. I started learning about what gender dysphoria was. And suddenly so many things made sense. But I didn’t find the strength to come out until I was 33.

And let me tell you, I’m lucky. Actually I’m extremely lucky/blessed/fortunate. When I told my mom, she didn’t even flinch. She simply supported me. My entire family, included my grandparents who are mildly conservative and in their 80s, support me. My aunts and uncles and cousins all support me. I have no clue why I’m so special or what I did to deserve the kind of support system I have. But I’m grateful every single day.

There are kids out there who aren’t as lucky.

There are kids out there going through the same thing I did. And they need the support.

My life would have been so much better had I known what this was and been equipped to treat it. For almost two decades I dealt with depression and anxiety, I have attempted to take my own life before. I had zero self-confidence. Playing music was a shield, a way to hide from myself, a way to pretend to be a different person. An escapism.

My behavior and my choices choices were self-destructive, and ultimately also harmful to others, which is something I have to live with every single day.

My body was a prison for decades. And I don’t want anyone else to ever have to experience that ever.

Sadly, many kids are not as lucky as I am to have a family that is unconditionally loving and accepting. But their suffering is just as real as mine was. And that’s what everyone needs to understand; legislation like this doesn’t help anybody. It only hurts people.

I can sit here today and tell you that I have never been happier in my entire life. My depression is virtually non-existent. I haven’t had any ideations of self-harm. Treating this has dramatically improved my quality of life in ways I never imagined.

And don’t think for a second that treating gender dysphoria is as simple as one day proclaiming that oneself is “this” instead of “that” and then a doctor gives you pills and your body changes. I went to therapy for three years before I got my first prescription for estrogen and testosterone-blockers (Hormone Replacement Therapy). Everyone goes to therapy first. This isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. But that’s the thing. It never has been. Even for adults. But kids need that support more than anyone. Because if their parents are not unconditionally loving and accepting of them, who is going to be?

Gender dysphoria needs to be medically normalized the way asthma or heart disease is. You wouldn’t suggest that an asthmatic not use their inhaler because they were “created that way” - that would be silly. Actually that would be malicious. Hard pill for some to swallow: that’s what these bills are doing to kids like me across the country. So, just please consider that when you’re having philosophical debates over who gets to decide which people get treatment for their ailments.

I knew since I was 6.
 
tcool123

tcool123

Well-Known Member
Not to brag about what ride I got to ride today but….

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Thank you UCF for renting our Islands and allowing me to ride such a fun and fast and scary ride!
 
MickeyMouse10

MickeyMouse10

Well-Known Member
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Disney Dad 3000

Disney Dad 3000

Well-Known Member
MickeyMouse10 said:
WOW, that's cool man! I didn't know they allowed adults to ride Pteronadon Flyers. I thought I would have had to steal, rent or buy a kid to be able to get on it.
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I seriously considered the enterprise (renting out kid) when we were there last summer but got outvoted. Wait/load times are bad enough for that thing now. Cannot imagine what it would be like without restrictions.
 
tcool123

tcool123

Well-Known Member
MickeyMouse10 said:
WOW, that's cool man! I didn't know they allowed adults to ride Pteronadon Flyers. I thought I would have had to steal, rent or buy a kid to be able to get on it.
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Since my school rented out the entire park they allowed us to! It’s one person per car so each person in line adds about a minute to the wait time. So I can see why they don’t allow it normally, but it was a lot of fun!

(I also considered just taking my baby cousin to Islands to ride prior to that night)
 

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