Disney's Craven Behavior

Give the Walt Disney Company a gold medal for cowardice for blocking its Miramax division from distributing a film that criticizes President Bush and his family. A company that ought to be championing free expression has instead chosen to censor a documentary that clearly falls within the bounds of acceptable political commentary.

The documentary was prepared by Michael Moore, a controversial filmmaker who likes to skewer the rich and powerful. As described by Jim Rutenberg yesterday in The Times, the film, "Fahrenheit 9/11," links the Bush family with prominent Saudis, including the family of Osama bin Laden. It describes financial ties that go back three decades and explores the role of the government in evacuating relatives of Mr. bin Laden from the United States shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The film was financed by Miramax and was expected to be released this summer.

Mr. Moore's agent said that Michael Eisner, Disney's chief executive, had expressed concern that the film might jeopardize tax breaks granted to Disney for its theme park, hotels and other ventures in Florida, where Jeb Bush is governor. If that is the reason for Disney's move, it would underscore the dangers of allowing huge conglomerates to gobble up diverse media companies.

On the other hand, a senior Disney executive says the real reason is that Disney caters to families of all political stripes and that many of them might be alienated by the film. Those families, of course, would not have to watch the documentary.

It is hard to say which rationale for blocking distribution is more depressing. But it is clear that Disney loves its bottom line more than the freedom of political discourse.

NYT

Its obvious what needs to be done is it not? If he cannot find a distributor, he should set up a single seed of this film as an HDTV DivX rip, put it up on Supernova, inform Kottle and the key bloggers and everyone, and I mean EVERYONE in the USA will see this film inside of two weeks.

Why not do this? Is it because of a fear of loosing profits? Perhaps if GWB gets a second term WW3 will commence and there will be no one to go to the cinema. Perhaps if that monkey gets a second term films like that will be banned outright in the new marshall law state that might come in. Who knows? Would you sacrifice $100,000,000 to prevent all the above scenarios and the many others that will inevitably come to pass if there is a second GWB term?

$100,000,000 is what Michael Moore made on "Bowling for Columbine". Farenhiet 911 should easily match or exceed that if it is released before the election.

If Disney do not give a release date within a deadline, a DVD quality bittorrent release from the digital master should be the immediate response. To not do it would be the pinnacle of irresponsibility, especially as the last election was so "close". DO IT MICHAEL. DO it and I promise I will send you 5 €uros after I have watched it.

Arabs use porn to attack America

Disney's Craven Behavior

SEXTILLIONS!

FAKE FAKE FAKE!