Tigger Costume Revealed In Courtroom and News Media Publishes Images

[lnsemsf]

if the man is found guilty, then his crime is what is "sick." not the spread of these photos.

Hear, Hear!

 

[mkt]

There is too much reasonable doubt with this case. I personally feel he's innocent of THIS accusation. However, like I've said before, his reputation from within the WDW Cast preceeds him.

And like has been said before, until you've been a Disney character, been in costume, worked for the mouse, you have NO clue what its like. I don't think any jury will be able to understand that, which is why I feel that Michael, although innocent, will be sentenced. And yet another innocent person goes to jail.

 

[djhammon]

Shocking Pics

Hi

I agree with the majority of the Board this is NOT just a costume it is one of the values of Disney, with out these Costumes then the parks would not be the same!!!!!!!

I think that this is awfal and should not have been allowed to happen and as for lnsemsf, well your views are not supported by all of the disney Fans.

Regards

 

[Dr Albert Falls]

So, I guess what most of you are saying that Disney's right to "protect the magic" is MORE IMPORTANT than this guy's right to a fair trial? That it's MORE IMPORTANT than an innocent man spending 15 years in prison?? Or, conversely, that it's MORE IMPORTANT than letting a child molestor walk the streets and possibly fondle other kids---perhaps your own???

As "mkt" wrote, only a Disney employee who's worn the costume would know what this man is going through. The only way for the jury to see that perspective is to actually touch and examine the costume.

As for the media coverage--- why should the media have any loyalty to Disney? Should the media NOT aggressively cover a multi-million dollar corporation- the biggest employer in Central Florida?

If a General Motors employee was accused of molesting a girl in a General Motors car inside a Detroit General Motors plant, wouldn't it be IRRESPONSIBLE for the media to HIDE those details and images simply to protect General Motors' good name????? The public would be FURIOUS that the media catered to the powerful company.

Imagine if the media chose to NEVER show images of Martha Stewart in court because those images hurt her reputation, her company's good name, and the employees who worked for her.

"But Disney and Tigger are about kids", you may argue. You're right. But Disney is also about large profits, low-wage jobs, and, in this case, the hiring of alleged child molestors.

Is it the media's responsibility to protect the fantasies of children?

Also, I think many of you are giving children too little credit. Think back to when you were young. You knew people dressed up as Disney characters on Halloween. But that didn't change the fact that the ones at WDW were REAL. And you had a million excuses for Santa Claus being fake, but for some reason, you had a tough time falling asleep on Christmas eve.

I think the children will survive this "traumatic experience" quite well. If you're a responsible parent, turn off the TV and keep the newspaper off the coffee table. With decapitated soldiers and car bombs depicted everywhere, there are MUCH WORSE things in the media right now than Tigger you should be worried about.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I must say that my jaw did drop when I saw the pictures. I don't want to wonder too far off of the thread, but at the same time, it brings back to when Javier was killed portraying Pluto in the parade and how important it was for the character community to make sure that the young guests especially didn't think that Pluto was dead. While looking at the pictures, all I could think about was the little kids who may have seen them and thought that Tigger was on trial for something.

Yes, I know it's only a costume, but there's a lot of meaning behind it and a lot of integrity to protect. But of course, that's only my opinion!

TheDisneyGirl02

 

[Fievel]

The thing that bothers me is this....This case is getting much more press coverage just because it is disney and it is spoiling the magic. If this would have been a clown or something, you'd hear about 10 seconds worth of news on it. However, because they are showing a dismembered tiggered suit, it's front page news.

 

[General Grizz]

heh.. we have a lot in common (raised with Disney and Law), and you're right, it ISN'T a big deal. But I deal daily with families who come to Florida who when they flip through the TV tomorrow or read the newspaper will come asking me about it as if I have something to do with this... or the fact that I did that job for years in a previous point in my life. I view the sanctity of the Disney characters as one of the only things left on this planet that through time, through the changes we've experienced as a planet in the last 50 years, are still innocent.

Strip away the innocence from a child, and you have made a failure. This is stripping away at that innocence. That is why this enfuriates me.

I concur.

With you too, Fievel. There it is. FRONT PAGE sentinel. No, not black and white photo inside. Full color, front page.

Do I care? It doesn't affect me. But it will surely hit a lot of kids planning their next week's vacation to you-know-where. . .

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Why not just make a new Tigger suit that looks more like Tigger? I never thought "Tigger" looked like Tigger...he looked like a neon orange 80's tiger. Kids won't care what Tigger looks like (meaning, if it's the same costume that they have seen before)...they'll just know it's Tigger.

 

[djlb16]

Can anybody tell me what's happening with tigger???

 

[Disneyland1970]

So, I guess what most of you are saying that Disney's right to "protect the magic" is MORE IMPORTANT than this guy's right to a fair trial? That it's MORE IMPORTANT than an innocent man spending 15 years in prison?? Or, conversely, that it's MORE IMPORTANT than letting a child molestor walk the streets and possibly fondle other kids---perhaps your own???

If a General Motors employee was accused of molesting a girl in a General Motors car inside a Detroit General Motors plant, wouldn't it be IRRESPONSIBLE for the media to HIDE those details and images simply to protect General Motors' good name????? The public would be FURIOUS that the media catered to the powerful company. .

Well Dr, I think that a person MOLESTING someone in the back seat of a Buick is a little more cut and dry than this circumstance. The picture of a Buick LeSaber on the news is not going to ruin the MAGIC for anyone. I don't see how dying the suit would have had an effect on the trial? Would the color of the Buick mattered in your example?

Is it the media's responsibility to protect the fantasies of children?.

The media is one step above a lawyer on the LIKE scale by most people, NO Dissrespect to your father MKT & Insemsf!!. The media just cares about ratings! I understand that is how revenue is generated by them, but a little class can be used. Did the station have a warning before the story, asking people with small children to leave the room, because the pictures might be upsetting? I'm betting not.

Also, I think many of you are giving children too little credit. Think back to when you were young. You knew people dressed up as Disney characters on Halloween. But that didn't change the fact that the ones at WDW were REAL. And you had a million excuses for Santa Claus being fake, but for some reason, you had a tough time falling asleep on Christmas eve..

My 4 year old daughter is very much CAUGHT UP in the magic, and I will do everything I can to keep her that way. They grow up to fast as it is, let them have the magic as long as they can! Heck some places have metal detectors in Jr. High schools! That dosen't sound magical to me!

I think the children will survive this "traumatic experience" quite well. If you're a responsible parent, turn off the TV and keep the newspaper off the coffee table. With decapitated soldiers and car bombs depicted everywhere, there are MUCH WORSE things in the media right now than Tigger you should be worried about.

A person can worry about the war and Disney, I have friends in Iraq as we type. I'm sure (hope) most parents try to limit the amount of real life that a child is exsposed to. But if I am walking thru the TV dept at Sears with my daughter, and there is Tigger's head on 58 big screen TV's, how do I explain that. My daughter probably wont grasp the grainy images of a blindfolded man being held prisoner, but a man in a suit holding Tiggers head is going to get her attention, I'm sorry!

Maybe we should worry about Disney and the Magic to help all of us cope and escape the images of war. Not forget, just maybe let us smile and think of something better for a time! It might help us all just not the kids!

 

[corran horn]

I concur.

With you too, Fievel. There it is. FRONT PAGE sentinel. No, not black and white photo inside. Full color, front page.

Do I care? It doesn't affect me. But it will surely hit a lot of kids planning their next week's vacation to you-know-where. . .

I was hoping the Sentinel would have more sense than that.

 

[djhammon]

So, I guess what most of you are saying that Disney's right to "protect the magic" is MORE IMPORTANT than this guy's right to a fair trial? That it's MORE IMPORTANT than an innocent man spending 15 years in prison?? Or, conversely, that it's MORE IMPORTANT than letting a child molestor walk the streets and possibly fondle other kids---perhaps your own???

As "mkt" wrote, only a Disney employee who's worn the costume would know what this man is going through. The only way for the jury to see that perspective is to actually touch and examine the costume.

As for the media coverage--- why should the media have any loyalty to Disney? Should the media NOT aggressively cover a multi-million dollar corporation- the biggest employer in Central Florida?

If a General Motors employee was accused of molesting a girl in a General Motors car inside a Detroit General Motors plant, wouldn't it be IRRESPONSIBLE for the media to HIDE those details and images simply to protect General Motors' good name????? The public would be FURIOUS that the media catered to the powerful company.

Imagine if the media chose to NEVER show images of Martha Stewart in court because those images hurt her reputation, her company's good name, and the employees who worked for her.

"But Disney and Tigger are about kids", you may argue. You're right. But Disney is also about large profits, low-wage jobs, and, in this case, the hiring of alleged child molestors.

Is it the media's responsibility to protect the fantasies of children?

Also, I think many of you are giving children too little credit. Think back to when you were young. You knew people dressed up as Disney characters on Halloween. But that didn't change the fact that the ones at WDW were REAL. And you had a million excuses for Santa Claus being fake, but for some reason, you had a tough time falling asleep on Christmas eve.

I think the children will survive this "traumatic experience" quite well. If you're a responsible parent, turn off the TV and keep the newspaper off the coffee table. With decapitated soldiers and car bombs depicted everywhere, there are MUCH WORSE things in the media right now than Tigger you should be worried about.

I'm sorry but i disagree,
Disney is a household name! there is no question, that the guy in question should have a fare trial, however they could have kept a low profile for the suite.
Remember that Kid and Adults goto disney to see these characters and if kinds are seeing this. kids are going to be say " Mickey Mouse is not real, "
This would make the Magical part of Disney "unmagical"

Does this also mean that Disney cast will now be more hesiertant in the future as all kinds of people will be tring it on!!!!! and wanting to take disney to court.....

Lets just hope that Mickey's on Tiggers side and can wave some PIXY DUST!

 

[SirNim]

All I've to say is, "Creative use of editing your initials into all the screen grabs, TK!" :lol:

 

[Atta83]

I can not even comment on what i have seen here!

 

[PhotoDave219]

This is bound to be an unpopular stance, but oh well.....

From a photojournalistic point of view, theres nothing wrong with those photos. Ethically and morally, there's nothing wrong with publishing photos of a court case, which are open to the public and anyone could attend in the gallery.

From an editors point of view, would i run those photos? Heck yeah. Would i put them on the front page? Yup. Why? Because this is big news and its important, and sadly the only reason it is big news is because this is tied to Disney. If this were Bobo the Clown, no one would give a toss because people dont spend thousands of dollars taking their kids to see Bobo the mokey spazz. People spend thousands of dollars to go to WDW and see Mickey and the gang. And its important for the public to know whether or not Disney had an employee who may have molested a 13 year old. (Granted, i think he's innocent but his days at the mouse are certainly done). The public has a right to know in this instance.

Do these photos take away the magic? Yes. Does the entire case ruin the magic? You betcha. Would that costume have seen the light of day had Chartran (sp?) taken the deal offered to him? Nope.

If anything, its the Defense and Jeffery Kauffman (who coincidently works entertainment as a costumed character) who is breaking the magic.

..... Now ive taken more disturbing photos, personally. There was a week in November when i seemed to take a photo of every dead body in York County, PA. (All fatal car accidents, 3 who burned to death, and two in seperate head-on collisions) Granted, we didnt publish any photos with a body in them, although back in college I ran a photo off the AP wire of a victim of the sniper shooting lying on the ground under a tarp. Its photos like that which children not need see.

In this case i find it reminnacent of the photo of one Santa Claus giving CPR to another Santa Claus several years back. That also ruined the magic, but it was a news worthy photo.

In this instance, i think a good news photo would be someone reading that front page at WDW with the real tigger dancing off int the background. Thats a photo that would say something, showing the juxtaposition of the circumstances here.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Also..... the public has a right to know if employees of WDW in costume are being groped, molested, etc by Guests. I know this happens on a regular basis and it doesnt sit well with me either. Thats something that the media is missing in this case.

 

[barnum42]

If this were Bobo the Clown, no one would give a toss

Sidetrack time - I've never heard an American say "give a toss". Rob says he uses a lot of British swear words - is this one you picked up from him?

 

[drew81]

MKT is so right. The magic of the characters needs to be protected. I am never buying a Sentinel paper again. Their lack of common courtesy and tact makes me vomit.

If the usage of these pictures takes away from the magic a child or any guest could experience with a character, the editor of the paper should be taken out and shot.

 

[Disneyland1970]

MKT is so right. The magic of the characters needs to be protected. I am never buying a Sentinel paper again. Their lack of common courtesy and tact makes me vomit.

If the usage of these pictures takes away from the magic a child or any guest could experience with a character, the editor of the paper should be taken out and shot.

Wow, I'm all for the enthusiasm, but to SHOOT the editor is a bit much.

Maybe he should be made to sweep the TTC parking lot with a push broom and dustpan! :wave:

 

[mkt]

just a thought... an observation of sorts.

This is a public courtroom. I wanna visit