All purpose news and politics thread part VI: This Is Not The Time For Posing

[JB]

The argument from the right would be that the left have been the aggressors in the culture wars, but that they're only mentioning Disney because Disney has decided to get political (nevermind that there are no such expectations if Disney were taking conservative positions on minimum wage or copyright extensions.)

I didn't realize until recently that Disney World has had special status to self-govern since 1967.
"The Reedy Creek Improvement District runs as its own government, providing fire protection, emergency, utility, and planning services for the property around Disney World." Like a separate city within the city of Orlando. I was surprised to learn this but not that surprised (corporations, amirite?)

[Zelena]

Thanks. So, do you think that if she wins, there could be problems with her blocking sanctions or military aid?

Unlikely. Unlikely she wins, unlike the rest: as a consummate politician, she knows where the wind is blowing from. The majority of the French people is behind the Ukrainians. (How far this support can go, it’s hard to say…)

[Gray Lensman]

I didn't realize until recently that Disney World has had special status to self-govern since 1967.
"The Reedy Creek Improvement District runs as its own government, providing fire protection, emergency, utility, and planning services for the property around Disney World." Like a separate city within the city of Orlando. I was surprised to learn this but not that surprised (corporations, amirite?)

In this case it is because the nearby local governments were too small to provide those services to the park, so they were granted an exemption in order to do it themselves. A lot can change in 55 years though.

[Malvolio]

Only for those with a strong stomach:
Reports of sexual violence involving Russian soldiers are multiplying, Ukrainian officials say.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/29/w...e-ukraine.html

I swear, if I hear one more person saying they feel sorry for russian soldiers, I will probably explode. I wish they all decided to go dig at Chernobyl, they deserve nothing less tan painful deaths.

You can feel sorry for the ones who have turned around and gone home, abandoning their equipment. But of course we won't feel sorry for the Russian soldiers guilty of physical and/or sexual abuse.

[JackDaw]

You can feel sorry for the ones who have turned around and gone home, abandoning their equipment. But of course we won't feel sorry for the Russian soldiers guilty of physical and/or sexual abuse.

Yes..of course…the army is not one homogeneous mass, and if you knew the detailed story of a hundred of them, relatively few would be monsters, I guess.

But then if they were in my country, part of a force that is killing civilians, shelling nuclear reactors, raping…then I wouldn’t expect my own countries armed forces to care about telling the sheeps from the goats, it would be that old maxim “let’s kill them all and worry about details afterwards”.

So war makes monsters of both sides.

[Jack Dracula]

What is Russia's Wagner Group of mercenaries in Ukraine?

I’ve lately been wondering what shape the next phase of Putin’s war would take. I’m thinking he’ll use the opportunity to insert groups of insergents into Ukraine to foment rebellion and spread misinformation. The ultimate goal being to create an anti-government movement he can use to replace their current one. This story may describe one of those groups.

[AnakinFlair]

Well, it's Tuesday. So Marjori Taylor-Greene just opened her mouth again.


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[Tami]

I’ve lately been wondering what shape the next phase of Putin’s war would take. I’m thinking he’ll use the opportunity to insert groups of insergents into Ukraine to foment rebellion and spread misinformation. The ultimate goal being to create an anti-government movement he can use to replace their current one. This story may describe one of those groups.

After what Russia did already in Ukraine, I think that would be harder to do. It's as if Putin is working backwards. Normally you try and turn the people against the govt, then you come in as 'saviors' to rescue them. Or some such garbage like that.

[CaptainEurope]

You have to wonder why people vote that way, it's hard for me to understand.

Orban controls the traditional media, and older people who vote in larger numbers rely on those for all their information.

[4saken1]

Well, it's Tuesday. So Marjori Taylor-Greene just opened her mouth again.


Screen Shot 2022-04-05 at 12.41.14 PM.jpg

She is utter trash!

[Mister Mets]

In this case it is because the nearby local governments were too small to provide those services to the park, so they were granted an exemption in order to do it themselves. A lot can change in 55 years though.

It appears to have been more about independence than services.

That said, it'll be difficult for Disney to try to get a better deal elsewhere. Real estate is expensive, and they probably don't want families thinking about politics either way during vacation.

[babyblob]

It appears to have been more about independence than services.

That said, it'll be difficult for Disney to try to get a better deal elsewhere. Real estate is expensive, and they probably don't want families thinking about politics either way during vacation.

I dont think in any way Florida is in any danger of losing Disney. All the decades of buildup that went into the park, all the money and time they have invested. They are just going to go

"I dont like the law or Desantis. Lets pack it up and start over."

Ive heard people talking like Disney will move if pushed too far . Yea not happening.

[Mister Mets]

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants Texas version of Florida law that critics dubbed “Don’t Say Gay”



Knew it was coming. GOP hate and oppression parade continues. With all the real problems going on who in the world would believe this is anyone's "priority"?

If they were correct in their rhetoric, this would be a major priority.

What would be a bigger deal for the Texas legislature?

I think they're incorrect in much of the rhetoric, but that's where the problem comes.

I dont think in any way Florida is in any danger of losing Disney. All the decades of buildup that went into the park, all the money and time they have invested. They are just going to go

"I dont like the law or Desantis. Lets pack it up and start over."

Yea not happening.

Yep.

[Mister Mets]

First, someone who is more extreme than her has popped in the French media landscape: Éric Zemmour.

Second, Marine LePen has been present in the French politics for a long moment now and she has softened her image… (no longer speaking of Frexit). She ran her campaign on the very promising topic of buying power.

And, eventually, when the Russian has begun, Marine LePen has distanced herself cautiously from Putin (which is not the case of Zemmour). She has still strong ties to Viktor Orban (financial ties), though…

This is an interesting race.

Zemmour seemed to be taken more seriously as of late (with an endorsement from Le Pen's niece, the rising star of her party) but Le Pen's numbers have gone up and Zemmour's have declined.

https://graphics.reuters.com/FRANCE-...S/zjvqkomzlvx/

For anyone unfamiliar with French politics, there will be a runoff election. So even if Macron is only ahead by a point or two in the first stage with seven notable parties, there will be a different outcome when it's only two nominees.

We may also have a different dynamic. Right now, the expectation is that one of the conservatives will make it to the runoff, and lose by a comfortable margin.

If it's a runoff with Mélenchon (a socialist legislator who had run for President before), it's a different strategy.

[AnakinFlair]

I dont think in any way Florida is in any danger of losing Disney. All the decades of buildup that went into the park, all the money and time they have invested. They are just going to go

"I dont like the law or Desantis. Lets pack it up and start over."

Ive heard people talking like Disney will move if pushed too far . Yea not happening.

They don't need to move.

They have more money than god. What this will probably do is make them start donating to the opponents of Desantis and his merry band, and donate to anything that opposes them to get them out of office as fast as they can.