It's interesting watching the parallels between DeSantis' governing style and NC's Pat McCrory. Like DeSantis (albeit to a much lesser extent), McCrory decided to die on the hill of a cultural non-issue, in his case the "bathroom" bill that would supposedly force people to only use bathrooms of their birth gender. It was unenforceable and petty, and yet he went all-in on it in spite of NC losing millions of dollars in revenue when sports tournaments and businesses started boycotting the state.
McCrory wound up paying the political cost of this economic recklessness, and got booted out the next election. DeSantis may be headed down the same path by inexplicably picking a fight with one of his state's largest employers and arguably THE biggest tourist draw. Perhaps he feels emboldened with a Presidential run on the way and another 4 years left in office even if he doesn't attain the White House, but I'm confident that this will never work out in his favor. There's simply no upside to anyone but his base, who are in the clear minority.
I wish we could all just agree to let everyone live their own experience, without trying to impose our moral beliefs on others. We have far more in common than not, and it's a shame that disenfranchised groups are being used as political tools when there are actual real issues that need to be addressed. Let's just try to be good people to one another, we're all fighting our own battles.
To bring it back around to coasters, I've met more diverse groups of people in this hobby than in any other that I've participated in. To me, it's been one of the biggest positives of joining coaster clubs and participating in events.
I want to raise a tension that comes to mind for me often when we talk about "avoiding politics" in these theme park-oriented, fun, lighthearted bubbles we try to create. First of all, I want to say that I grow really, really worn out from reading the news all the time myself. I vote, I donate, I volunteer at times, and other than that, I often don't know what else to do with the energy and feelings I have surrounding these topics. I am so grateful to the individuals who throw themselves into governing in order to make changes and represent their communities. That said, I don't think it's possible for theme park world to insulate itself from the effects of things like "Don't Say Gay" or other laws that are passed. While I might want to avoid the partisan bickering and posturing that happens around the passage of these laws, we are not immune to their effects, especially those in the groups that are directly discriminated against and actively harmed by these laws. I am grateful for spaces where I can decompress a bit, like Arthur's work on this Substack (thanks, Arthur!), but I am cognizant of the fact that we are never completely walled off from the decisions that our elected officials are making at local and national levels.
Disney will just play the long game. They will still be there doing business and raking in millions long after Desantis and his lackeys are gone and all but forgotten. Disney, for all its flaws, has been an incredible asset to Florida. Once Desantis fails in his presidential bid and terms out as Florida Governor, the personal portion of the debate will end and cooler heads can come to a solution that maintains the millions for Disney and perhaps a better tax deal for Florida.
It's interesting watching the parallels between DeSantis' governing style and NC's Pat McCrory. Like DeSantis (albeit to a much lesser extent), McCrory decided to die on the hill of a cultural non-issue, in his case the "bathroom" bill that would supposedly force people to only use bathrooms of their birth gender. It was unenforceable and petty, and yet he went all-in on it in spite of NC losing millions of dollars in revenue when sports tournaments and businesses started boycotting the state.
McCrory wound up paying the political cost of this economic recklessness, and got booted out the next election. DeSantis may be headed down the same path by inexplicably picking a fight with one of his state's largest employers and arguably THE biggest tourist draw. Perhaps he feels emboldened with a Presidential run on the way and another 4 years left in office even if he doesn't attain the White House, but I'm confident that this will never work out in his favor. There's simply no upside to anyone but his base, who are in the clear minority.
I wish we could all just agree to let everyone live their own experience, without trying to impose our moral beliefs on others. We have far more in common than not, and it's a shame that disenfranchised groups are being used as political tools when there are actual real issues that need to be addressed. Let's just try to be good people to one another, we're all fighting our own battles.
To bring it back around to coasters, I've met more diverse groups of people in this hobby than in any other that I've participated in. To me, it's been one of the biggest positives of joining coaster clubs and participating in events.
I want to raise a tension that comes to mind for me often when we talk about "avoiding politics" in these theme park-oriented, fun, lighthearted bubbles we try to create. First of all, I want to say that I grow really, really worn out from reading the news all the time myself. I vote, I donate, I volunteer at times, and other than that, I often don't know what else to do with the energy and feelings I have surrounding these topics. I am so grateful to the individuals who throw themselves into governing in order to make changes and represent their communities. That said, I don't think it's possible for theme park world to insulate itself from the effects of things like "Don't Say Gay" or other laws that are passed. While I might want to avoid the partisan bickering and posturing that happens around the passage of these laws, we are not immune to their effects, especially those in the groups that are directly discriminated against and actively harmed by these laws. I am grateful for spaces where I can decompress a bit, like Arthur's work on this Substack (thanks, Arthur!), but I am cognizant of the fact that we are never completely walled off from the decisions that our elected officials are making at local and national levels.
What a bunch of wasted effort on both sides. Doesn't the gov have more important things to focus on? The whole thing just seems really stupid.
Disney will just play the long game. They will still be there doing business and raking in millions long after Desantis and his lackeys are gone and all but forgotten. Disney, for all its flaws, has been an incredible asset to Florida. Once Desantis fails in his presidential bid and terms out as Florida Governor, the personal portion of the debate will end and cooler heads can come to a solution that maintains the millions for Disney and perhaps a better tax deal for Florida.