Stay Tooned

Today The Walt Disney Company reported that profit at the media conglomerate rose nineteen percent in the second quarter, based on strong ratings at its ABC network and cable channels, and increased attendance at its theme parks. This was the good news. The bad news was that their film and DVD divisions continue to struggle. That may be why they have yet to kick up a big fuss about Hamas militants using a figure bearing a strong resemblance to Mickey Mouse to broadcast their message of Islamic domination and armed resistance.
"You and I are laying the foundation for a world led by Islamists," Farfour (as the Mouse clone is called) squeaked on a recent episode of the children's show, which is called "Tomorrow's Pioneers." "We will return the Islamic community to its former greatness, and liberate Jerusalem, God willing, liberate Iraq, God willing, and liberate all the countries of the Muslims invaded by the murderers." I was too young to recall the original Mickey Mouse Club, but I'm not sure if this is the kind of programming that Walt would have approved. It doesn't have quite the same ring as "Special Guest Star Day", though it would certainly be right at home on "Anything Can Happen Day". Maybe this is more along the lines of the 1990's revival - you know, with Britney and Christina and Justin and all those "Pioneers of Tomorrow."
I guess the thing that puzzles me the most is how quiet things are at the House of Mouse. Back in 1989 when Rob Lowe sang and danced through an ill-conceived version of "Proud Mary" along with a faux Snow White to open the Oscar Telecast, Disney threatened to sue over the unauthorized use of their image of the fairest of them all. Maybe they're feeling pretty fat and happy right now, and they just don't need the additional litigation. Is this possible? Or perhaps they know that Wernher von Braun used to be on Walt's payroll. Who knows what kind of exploding toys Donald and Goofy might have up their sleeves.