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In advance, YES, I know this is a beer commercial. If this tempts you to go get drunk and rob a bank, then you’re, well, an idiot. But for some reason, I’m fascinated by the video.
OK, it’s in the middle of a tornado warning here in our small metropolis of 10,000. I had just finished posting the National Weather Service warnings on MonticelloLive. I had the front door open listening and stepping out to look at the swirling clouds intermittently. Carolyn is out of town at the Journey Ladies’ Retreat, and so the kids had made a shelter in the hallway closet. They kept yelling, “DADDY!!!! Come get in here!” I walked back to comfort and lend them my manly presence only to discover that with them, the stinking chihuahua, the cat-that-has-become-ours, the bird and cage, and the hamster and cage, there was no room in the inn.
The thought of their dear old dad not being able to fit in the closet in case of an actual tornado apparently didn’t concern them. Rather, I placed last after a dog, cat, hamster, and parakeet.
by James B. Stewart
It was a fascinating and disconcerting read at the same time. Having just come back from a week in DisneyWorld earlier this month, this book revealed the “dark side” (as Eisner claims everyone has) behind the magic.
It all boils down to this: Michael Eisner’s 20+ year stranglehold on the Disney Corporation was highlighted by almost a manic obsession with anyone receiving recognition beyond himself. He routinely lied, twisted, and covered truth. As author James Stewart concludes at the end of the book, it doesn’t appear that Eisner even became aware that there was a “truth” – that whatever he said was “truth.”
A legion of amazingly talented folks exited from Disney during his reign of insane, uncontrolled outbursts and character assassinations. Some formed Pixar; others formed DreamWorks, and still others head literally dozens of media and household corporations that you know and love today.
What would Disney be today without Eisner? Who knows? But I imagine it will be years before a culture of openness and creativity without fear are restored. You can’t abuse people for 20+ years and then expect for the dysfunction to disappear overnight.
Name one Disney movie or park or thing that you like, and chances are, Eisner was NOT behind it. In fact, chances are, the folks who were behind were forced out later because of their success.
An interesting omission in Stewart’s book… there is only one mention of “evangelicals” in the book as a passing sentence describes Eisner as “secular” and relates how deeply he hated Pat Robertson. However, there was absolutely NO mention of the Southern Baptist Convention’s boycott of Disney, nor of the numerous evangelical ministries’ call for reform within it.
It’s clear from reading the book that the downward spiral for Eisner began nearly simultaneously with the evangelical community’s call for a return to family-friendly fare. While I knew that a few years following the boycott, Disney’s stock hit an all-time low, I was not aware until I referenced the dates that perhaps there may have actually been some divine intervention, even judgment taking place within Disney, far from the eyes of those praying for it.
I was quite intimidated recently by a long list of excellent Christian blogs offered. I scrolled for hours, it felt like, to reach the end of the list. Needless to say, many of my frequent stops weren’t on the list, and in fact, Notes wasn’t there either. So if you’re here, reading and enjoying, pat yourself on the back for having discovered one of America’s little-known blogging jewels of insignificance. ;)
However, I’ve noticed in the past few weeks that my frequency at a few blogs has become quite steady, and I wanted to list them just to let you know of some that I really like and appreciate. For the most part, I’ve corresponded with the authors, and they’re very personable, helpful and friendly.
Ta-dum! Here’s the list:
If you find one you like, let me know! Or if you have some to recommend, post them in the comments.
Shawn adds to the plethora of information out there on boosting your blog traffic in a simple, helpful and very readable way. Stop by and check it out. Tell him thanks for his work.
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