Put your money where your mouse is!

I think it's swell that Bob Chapek, the CEO of Disney, apologized for his, and his company's initial lack of response to Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill. A bill which, despite Governor Ron DeSantis's technically correct insistence doesn't explicitly say the words "Don't Say Gay," is exactly that: a "Don't Say Gay" bill. It's designed to make ignorant people more comfortable at the expense of the LBGTQ+ community. Yes it is. Shut up Ron. 

Pictured: Ron DeSantis, seen here feigning outrage at a reporter
for calling his "Don't Say Gay" bill a "Don't Say Gay" bill. 

Is "The Voter-Suppression and Anti-LGBTQ+
Legislation State" too much for the sign?

Anyway, Bob Chapek. Again, super. In fact, his apol-memo--what? I can't make up words?--fine, like I was saying, his apology memo is a surprisingly good corporate apology. He takes personal responsibility for the failure of response, and commits himself and the company to making positive change. In this case, increasing support for groups fighting similar legislation in other states, and pausing all political donations in the state of Florida. 

I mean, come on, they're basically
swimming in political speech. 

Great. Cool. Couple of things. First, yes, Disney says they're going to throw their considerable weight behind advocating against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. But what does that mean? Like, they have all the money in the world. Like, all of it. They have Star Wars money and Marvel money, and since money is apparently speech now--thanks Citizens United v. FEC--we should be seeing a total end to this Republican nonsense in what, a week or two? Because that's how long it should take if they're serious about this. 

And I kind of think they're not. Call me cynical, but they love making money, and conservatives see movies too. Which is weird, because most of Star Wars is about anti-fascist rebels toppling an evil dictatorship and the Republican Party is the opposite of that. But are they really going to risk alienating some of their audience? I mean, they should; the GOP is basically trying to bring down democracy forever--but will Disney call them out?

Above: General Armatage Hux giving a speech at the 2021 CPAC.

Hang on, Disney was doing Gay Days at
their parks while donating to Republicans?
I think this calls for more than a memo, Bob...

Next, he says they're pausing all donations pending a review of their current policies when it comes to giving money to politicians. Cool? But it says all donations, not donations to Republicans, who are the problem. Ok, fine, Democrats are also the problem, but only because they're bad at stopping Republicans from carrying out their homophobic, racist bullshit. Something they'd be way better at if companies like Disney just gave them, I don't know, a hundred million dollars? Is that a lot in terms of political donations? I think that's a lot. Like, half a Star Wars movie.

And again, Chapek has done a pretty good job owning up to his companies failings here, but why were they giving these people money in the first place? Because I think the answer is because it worked for them. They're a corporation, and I suspect that expediency often beats ethics when you want to expand your park or get a tax break or whatever. So cool apology Bob. We'll just wait here for the follow-through. 

"Why did we give to anti-LGBTQ+ politicians in the first place?
That's an excellent question, and one which I will definitely--uh...
hey, do you all want to see the new Obi-Wan trailer again?"

-Bob Chapek, Disney CEO on why the company--

shit, did he say there's a new Obi-Wan trailer?