The Bush Brothers & Mickey Mouse

Corrente has an excellent blog post on the relationship between Michael Eisner and George and Jeb Bush.

Shortly after 9-11. President Bush made this speech at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on September 27, 2001.

Go down to Disney World in Florida, take your families and enjoy life the way we want it to be enjoyed."

American Progress -May 6, 2004

At the direction of CEO Michael Eisner, the Walt Disney Company is prohibiting its Miramax division from distributing a new Michael Moore documentary, "Fahrenheit 911," that is critical of the President's policies and exposes his connections to prominent Saudis. According to Moore's agent, Eisner expressed particular concern that distributing the movie "would have endangered Disney's tax breaks for its theme parks in Florida, where the president's brother Jeb is governor." Eisner's decision also illustrates his cozy and conflicted relationship with the Bush family, particularly Gov. Jeb Bush.

Disney's agreement with Florida gives them nearly complete control of their land. Disney is vitually self-governed on 40,000 acres. The Florida government also oversees Disney's pension plan. Not that Eisner is complaining. He described the President as "our newest cheerleader."

Eisner has donated to candidates of both parties. He's interested more in his self-interest than ideology. Citizens should keep an eye on who the Mouse contributes money to. Politicians will bend backwards to keep favor with such a powerful business entity. Disney's interest and the public's aren't one and the same.

Update: I'm with Joel on this. Poltical boycotts are getting increasingly silly. Especially, when people are boycotting films they haven't seen.