Corporate Power Behind the Scenes
Re “Eisner and Me,†editorial, May 6: The Times has it right. The very public squabble between the Walt Disney Co. and Michael Moore over Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11†has all the markings of a coordinated public relations plan. By blocking Moore’s film, Disney placates its mainstream customer base while Moore gets millions of dollars in free publicity, which will come in handy when the movie is released by another company, which it undoubtedly will be. It is a win-win.
Moore is seemingly upset. Chief Executive Michael Eisner is seemingly upset. But are they really? The question is, who are the new Hollywood actors? Those in front of the camera or those in the executive boardrooms?
Harvey Farr
West Los Angeles
The most frightening aspect of Disney’s refusal to distribute “Fahrenheit 9/11,†Moore’s documentary that links the Bush and Bin Laden families, is the subtext of fear of retaliation from a member of the Bush clan that runs beneath this conversation. If, in fact, the laws of the state of Florida permit the tax breaks Eisner and Disney are so terrified of losing, then Gov. Jeb Bush shouldn’t be able to prevent Disney from receiving them. On the other hand, if such “tax breaks†are a quid pro quo for political favors that Bush might receive from Disney and/or Eisner, then the problem is a lot bigger than the future of one movie.
Joan Walston
Santa Monica
