Disney the mouse betrayed

[mitros]

Since I have only been around here since 2002, I may have missed a thread regarding this book. Before I start posting any of the stuff I have read so far, can anyone tell me if this book has been the subject of a previous thread?

 

[cristen]

I had mentioned it once a while back. I didn't really get a response on it, I think one person said they had heard of it. I only read the first 30 pages of it, and was appalled by what I read. At the same time it felt almost like they had an agenda, or a beef with the Company as a whole. But the Pornography part and the sexual abuse at the parks had me a little upset. I don't know how you would go about finding out if they do indeed have a financial stake in those porn channels. Did you read the entire book?

 

[mitros]

No, I've only read about a hundred pages, and can't believe what I'm reading. I was thinking about the agenda business that you mentioned, but they are investigative journalists and this is the type of thing they do.So far there is no mention that they might have worked for Disney, or had a relative working there. The thing that makes me think that this is a legitimate book is that I have heard
these types of allegations about Disney from a number of different people, some of who had worked at WDW at one time. It seems like this is a book that everyone needs to read. Did you ever finish the book yourself?

 

[cristen]

No, it was a library book and I returned it before I got much farther. In the back of my mind I keep thinking I need to go back and read it all.

I know they were journalists, I didn't get the feeling like they had worked there, but still felt they were out to get Disney. Maybe it was because it had the feel like they were willing to dif ANYTHING up that was remotely "bad" to make them look worse. But like I said, the porno and the not screening employees, having the molester at the pool masterbating, and what was going on at the fire station, those are crazy accusations. And if they are all correct are very troubling. Maybe AV can let us know if he knows anything about the porn thing.

I am very surprised that more people on these boards have not read it, and if they have I haven't heard any outcry about the possiblity that it is true.

 

[Chuck S]

Just because they are investigative journalists does NOT mean they didn't have an agenda. And hey, sensationalism sells books, right?

 

[meowthew2]

I still haven't found out if Disney really did have ownership in Viewers Choice PPV/Hot Choice PPV (now iN Demand) 15 years ago, as the book alledges, but they don't now. Comcast iN Demand Holdings, Inc., Cox Communications, and Time Warner - Advance/Newhouse Partnership are the current owners (unless Disney has some stake in one of those three companies).

 

[DEE DEE]

That book The Mouse Betrayed sounds interesting, and now I would like to read it.I remember reading on the internet about Disney under ME hiring a convicted child molester to make a film called Powder. He was still a pedophile from the report from the Police Officer and he was surprised Disney hired him to make a film.Just ask google about Victor Salva and you will find out a lot that is not pretty about Disney.Now I only know this from the web and do not know about the police report but they said it was true. So where was Roy during all this?

 

[mitros]

I can't believe I got so few responses to my thread. I am assuming that not many folks have read the book. So what I'm going to do now is recommend that everyone obtain a copy of this book. You don't have to spend any money, just go to your local library. The book is entitled: Disney the mouse betrayed. It was written by Peter and Rochelle Schweizer, I think it is an important read for anyone concerned abut the future of the Disney company.

 

[WDSearcher]

I think that maybe the reason you haven't had too many responses is that "Disney, the Mouse Betrayed" was published in September 1998. It has very little bearing on how the company is run now. If the book were a bit more current, you'd probably have more discussion, but this book was researched and written in a totally different world -- financially, politically, and business-wise -- than we live in today.

 

[chrisnjessie]

I have actually read this book cover to cover, back in 2000/2001. Honestly, it just left a bad taste in my mouth for the authors. I am a Disney fan, though I've never had a problem seeing "problems" with the company. I don't think I'm one of those people who just think Disney is wonderful and can do no wrong.

But, that said, some of the stuff just didn't seem all that relevent to me. Or at least, it's not something that I necessarily would think bad about Disney for. It's been a while since I've read it, and it's on the stack of books I'm reading at the moment to refresh myself, but from what I remember some stuff was surprising, some just seemed nit picky to me.

The stuff about pedophiles was surprising. Off hand I don't remember about the firehouse, so I don't know. But Disney owning the stake in the adult cable channels, that I think was nit picky. If they were running them on the Disney channel or marketing under the Disney name, it would be one thing. But, for it to be another branch of the company, I don't have a problem with it.

 

[cristen]

Originally posted by chrisnjessie
. But Disney owning the stake in the adult cable channels, that I think was nit picky. If they were running them on the Disney channel or marketing under the Disney name, it would be one thing. But, for it to be another branch of the company, I don't have a problem with it.

I have to go on record as thinking this is incredible!! WOW! I am not sure what to say!

Now it is OK to make money from porn as long as it doesn't say Disney? I don't know where to go from here.

 

[mitros]

Exactly! Thanks!

 

[Bob O]

I guess some will find anyway they can to exempt disney from any type of standards!!!!!! So as long as disney pushes porn its ok, as long as Mickey Mouse isnt used in the advertising campaign??? Is this a new from of family entertainment??

 

[meowthew2]

Again, Disney does not currently appear to have any stake in adult entertainment.

 

[JamesMorehead]

did some digging on this book's authors - which I read and have as part of a large collection Disney-related books - they are part of a right-wing Christian lobby group and while many of the books allegations are true (or were at one time or another), I found nothing in the book to be extraordinarily shocking. A company the size of Disney with as many complex direct and indirect ownership interests will have its share of skeletons in the closet.

For those that want to see Disney (the company) as an evil empire, this book will reinforce the image. For the majority that just want to get value from their entertainment product, this book is just tabloid trivia.

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by cristen
I have to go on record as thinking this is incredible!! WOW! I am not sure what to say!

Now it is OK to make money from porn as long as it doesn't say Disney? I don't know where to go from here.

Disney no longer owns any share of the adult networks that were listed in the book (which, again, was written in 1998 -- this is not current stuff). In fact, Michael Eisner was instrumental in selling OFF those adult movie assets.

 

[chrisnjessie]

Well, in defense of my earlier statements, I don't actually really have a negative opinion of porn. It's not something I would want as a career, nor is it something that I would want my child to be in, but I also have no problem with people who watch videos, or read magazines, etc. Providing that there are adults involved and they are aware of the fact that they are being taped/filmed, then that is their choice. If other people choose to watch/read the end product, I'm not going to say it's wrong. That is their choice. I still don't see a problem with it. They aren't showing the films on the Disney Channel, so it's not really an issue for me.

Now, if you don't agree with porn, or have a moral stance against it, then yes, it would definitely be an issue for you. It is not for me, though. I wouldn't not take my child (which I don't have) to WDW because another branch of the company sold porn films. To me it's not a related issue. Since they aren't even involved with it anymore, then it's really irrelevent.

 

[KNWVIKING]

***"Disney no longer owns any share of the adult networks that were listed in the book (which, again, was written in 1998 -- this is not current stuff). In fact, Michael Eisner was instrumental in selling OFF those adult movie assets."***

.... please, don't confuse the issue or muddy the waters with facts !! People who've actually read the book shouldn't post about it here. Kinda takes away the whole purpose of the thread.

 

[mitros]

I realize that all of corporate america has it's skeletons in their closets, but I bought up this book because it is about Disney, and this is a Disney site. I'll make one thing really clear, and that is that I really love going to WDW,and all things Disney, which is why I am reading this book. I am concerned about what goes on at WDW, especially if they are bad things. Having said that, I would like to ask some opinions. For those who say this book is old news since it was published several years ago, do you feel that everything in this book is no longer true? All the peeping into bathrooms and dressing rooms and the perversions regarding the fire stations amongst quite a few other things have all gone away since the book was published, even though these things have been going on for quite some time? And if so, who was responsible for cleaning it up? Or, do you think, as someone mentioned, that this can be taken as tabloid trivia, and all of these things were just made up? People like to blame the religious right or the liberal left for things that go on in this country, but does that make things that we read untrue?

PS: I wonder if this thread will soon be relegated to the debate board by the moderator?

 

[mickeysdsnyprncs]

Just a few things. I have not read the book first of all, but I heard about it awhile back. What to say about it. Has anyone talked to any CM regarding the subjects? I know that some of these things may be true. Remember not everything can be prevented. There is not enough manpower nor money to "babysit" every person on the face of the earth. (peeping) Which in turn is an oximoron because we have to trust the people watching and who's watching them. I guess what I am trying to say is you can't believe EVERYTHING you read even if it is published. In today's world you can't even believe every picture you see, I know I can alter picture if I want to. Some people just choose to be evil and we just have to try to stop them. Sometimes they work very hard to cover it up inorder to do other things or get somewhere. I know I wrote a lot so far, but I am still at a loss for word as to what to say. I am frustrated but not sure at who. Anyone understand where I am coming from here? As for porn, as long as a person is not using a child in the act or showing it to a child and it is in private not public. I do not see a problem. This is America right?