DeSantis' Unconstitutional Attack on Disney

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K Graham
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DeSantis' Unconstitutional Attack on Disney

Post by K Graham »

How is this being allowed without any blowback by Republicans who keep claiming to care about things like Freedom of Speech, and the Constitution?

DeSantis is pulling a Trump maneuver by attacking a private company simply because it voiced an opinion he didn't like.

Like the moron Gov in Texas who shut down the supply chain coming from the Southern border, this guy doesn't understand how this pitiful and spiteful tantrum amounts to a tax increase on Floridians.

For years Republicans have argued that corporations are people who should be allowed to free speech, even political speech. But the second one corporation doesn't toe the line with their idiotic culture wars, then suddenly free speech no longer applies to them.

This is so blatantly unconstitutional that even Trump's former attorney said Disney is going to cream DeSantis in a lawsuit.
Up until now, the Walt Disney World Resort has been exempt from certain regulations and taxes and has been allowed to control construction on its 25,000-acre property, known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Reedy Creek also levies taxes on Disney to pay for the resort's own fire and medical response teams.

The dissolving of the district will require the two Florida counties that contain the sprawling resort to step in and provide services. This could lead to a potential double-digit tax increase for residents in Orange and Osceola counties.

Ellis, who was hired as a senior legal analyst by then-president Trump in 2019, has argued that the legislation violates Disney's constitutional right to free speech, telling Newsweek that the government cannot punish Disney's "protected speech" but that this is "exactly what the State of Florida is doing."

"DeSantis and Florida legislators have admitted (and even fundraised off of!) their motive for retaliation against Disney because Disney put out a statement and said it would use its resources to fight against the Parental Rights in Education bill," she wrote.

The attorney said that in order for Disney to successfully argue that their constitutional right is being violated, the company would need to prove that they engaged in protected conduct, such as speech, and that adverse action was taken against Disney and that the adverse action was motivated in part by the protected conduct.

"Disney clearly meets all of the elements here. The First Amendment right to criticize government or public officials or legislation is supported by caselaw and the Constitution," she said. "What Florida is doing is illegal and unconstitutional."

Ellis emphasized that while she doesn't necessarily agree with Disney's position, she is a "constitutional conservative" who is dedicated to defending the right to speech "regardless of whether I agree with the speech or conduct, and regardless of whether the offending government is a blue or red state."

"The right to disagree with our government is a hallmark of American liberty," Ellis said.

She has offered her legal services to Disney should the company want to take DeSantis and other Florida Republicans to court.
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Re: DeSantis' Unconstitutional Attack on Disney

Post by Moksha »

You can tell by this tyrannical reactionary maneuver that DeSantis is preening for higher Republican office.
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ajax18
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Re: DeSantis' Unconstitutional Attack on Disney

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It's kind of ironic seeing Democrats fighting so hard to protect a giant businesses "corporate welfare," handout.
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Re: DeSantis' Unconstitutional Attack on Disney

Post by K Graham »

ajax18 wrote:
Mon Apr 25, 2022 4:37 pm
It's kind of ironic seeing Democrats fighting so hard to protect a giant businesses "corporate welfare," handout.
What "Democrats" are "fight so hard"? I'm just pointing out the hypocrisy in yoru camp proving once again you don't have the integrity to stand up for your stated beliefs. Free speech to you means nothing really.

It isn't corporate welfare you ignoramus. Disney made a deal with the State of Florida back in the 1950's that allowed Disney to govern their own areas which has saved Florida tax payers billions. Disney has made Florida ridiculous amounts of money. It is the reason Florida doesn't even need to have an income tax, because of all the tourism revenue driven in by Disney. Now, just because Disney expressed disapproval of DeSanti's idiotic, bigoted piece of legislation, he's going to do what trump liked to do and that is use all the power he has to bring them down. The fact that it is illegal and unconstitutional doesn't even faze you because you're OK with GOP folks acting like ruthless dictators.
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canpakes
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Re: DeSantis' Unconstitutional Attack on Disney

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ajax18 wrote:
Mon Apr 25, 2022 4:37 pm
It's kind of ironic seeing Democrats fighting so hard to protect a giant businesses "corporate welfare," handout.

Their $578,000,000 SIT credits will remain, though, as the credits aren’t specific to Disney.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... antis-feud

Interesting temper tantrum by DeSantis, though. I’m not convinced that this is a sound way to govern.
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Re: DeSantis' Unconstitutional Attack on Disney

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K Graham wrote:
Mon Apr 25, 2022 5:00 am
How is this being allowed without any blowback by Republicans who keep claiming to care about things like Freedom of Speech, and the Constitution?

DeSantis is pulling a Trump maneuver by attacking a private company simply because it voiced an opinion he didn't like.

Like the moron Gov in Texas who shut down the supply chain coming from the Southern border, this guy doesn't understand how this pitiful and spiteful tantrum amounts to a tax increase on Floridians.

For years Republicans have argued that corporations are people who should be allowed to free speech, even political speech. But the second one corporation doesn't toe the line with their idiotic culture wars, then suddenly free speech no longer applies to them.

This is so blatantly unconstitutional that even Trump's former attorney said Disney is going to cream DeSantis in a lawsuit.
Up until now, the Walt Disney World Resort has been exempt from certain regulations and taxes and has been allowed to control construction on its 25,000-acre property, known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Reedy Creek also levies taxes on Disney to pay for the resort's own fire and medical response teams.

The dissolving of the district will require the two Florida counties that contain the sprawling resort to step in and provide services. This could lead to a potential double-digit tax increase for residents in Orange and Osceola counties.

Ellis, who was hired as a senior legal analyst by then-president Trump in 2019, has argued that the legislation violates Disney's constitutional right to free speech, telling Newsweek that the government cannot punish Disney's "protected speech" but that this is "exactly what the State of Florida is doing."

"DeSantis and Florida legislators have admitted (and even fundraised off of!) their motive for retaliation against Disney because Disney put out a statement and said it would use its resources to fight against the Parental Rights in Education bill," she wrote.

The attorney said that in order for Disney to successfully argue that their constitutional right is being violated, the company would need to prove that they engaged in protected conduct, such as speech, and that adverse action was taken against Disney and that the adverse action was motivated in part by the protected conduct.

"Disney clearly meets all of the elements here. The First Amendment right to criticize government or public officials or legislation is supported by caselaw and the Constitution," she said. "What Florida is doing is illegal and unconstitutional."

Ellis emphasized that while she doesn't necessarily agree with Disney's position, she is a "constitutional conservative" who is dedicated to defending the right to speech "regardless of whether I agree with the speech or conduct, and regardless of whether the offending government is a blue or red state."

"The right to disagree with our government is a hallmark of American liberty," Ellis said.

She has offered her legal services to Disney should the company want to take DeSantis and other Florida Republicans to court.
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K Graham
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Re: DeSantis' Unconstitutional Attack on Disney

Post by K Graham »

Hey Shades, what was all that talk about how we'd be surprised with Atlantic Mike's new behavior?

Remind us again.
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Re: DeSantis' Unconstitutional Attack on Disney

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The Democrat big government mainstream media complex has infringed upon the 1st amendment rights of corporations for over 60 years. Were this not true, I'd be against what DeSantis is doing. But since 50% of the country does not have freedom of speech, don't be surprised to see the right put corporations on notice that bowing to the woke mob and Diane Feinstein is no longer always in their best financial interest.

If Disney's tax exempt status is restored based on a first amendment defense perhaps this could be the beginning of a new age where the first amendment rights of all political ideologies are respected now that the heavy hand of government has finally cut the other way for once.
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Re: DeSantis' Unconstitutional Attack on Disney

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ajax18 wrote:
Mon Apr 25, 2022 10:03 pm
The Democrat big government mainstream media complex has infringed upon the 1st amendment rights of corporations for over 60 years. Were this not true, …
Examples?

But since 50% of the country does not have freedom of speech, …
Examples?
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Re: DeSantis' Unconstitutional Attack on Disney

Post by Kishkumen »

Moksha wrote:
Mon Apr 25, 2022 6:06 am
You can tell by this tyrannical reactionary maneuver that DeSantis is preening for higher Republican office.
Exactly.
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