#he's ours now walt

[aikrathecat]

Walt Disney: Let me what you have

The public: Your son! Holds up b&w Micky Mouse

Walt Disney: NO!

[ophanim-vesper]

An hour and 17 minutes into Defunctland's new video. It's crazy to think that the first person to basically say "we should replace artists with robots/AI!" was... Walt Disney himself.

[around 1:17:14 in the video]

Defunctland's new video, you should watch it.

[batboyblog]

Copy Right and Public Domain in 2024

Happy 2024 all! its also Public Domain Day! a magical holiday here in America where things enter the public domain. Works published in the year 1928 (or 95 years ago!) have entered the public domain, which means they belong to us, all of us, the public!

Mickey's Back!

Yes! I'm sure you've heard, but Mickey Mouse (and Minnie Mouse too) is entering the Public Domain today. This has been news for a few years and indeed Disney's lobbying in the late 1990s is why our copy right term is SO long. So what exactly is now public domain?

Most people know about Mickey's first appearance Steamboat Willie, but a second short film, Plane Crazy was also released in 1928 so will also be public domain. So what's public? well these two films first of all, you're allowed to play them, upload them to YouTube or whatever without paying Disney. In theory you'll be allowed to cut and sample them, have them playing in the background of your movie etc. Likewise in theory the image of Mickey and Minnie as they appear (thats important) in these films will be free to use as well as Mickey's character as he appears in these works will be free to use. Now Mickey's later and more famous appearance

will still be protected. Famously the Conan Doyle Estate claimed that Sherlock Holmes couldn't be nice, smile, or not hate women in works because they still held the copyright on the short stories where he first did those things even though 90% of Sherlock Holmes stories were public domain. It's very likely Disney will assert similar claims over Mickey, claiming much of his personality first appeared in works still copyrighted.

Finally there's copyright vs trademark. Copyright is total ownership of a piece of media and all the ideas that appear in it, copyright has a limited set term and expires. Trademark is more limited and only applies to things used to market and sell a product. You can have a Coke branded vending machine in your movie if you want, but it couldn't appear anywhere in the trailer for your movie as thats you marketing your movie.

Where trademark ends and copyright begins and how trademarked something in the public domain is allowed to be are all unsettled areas of law and clearly Disney in the last few years as been aggressively pushing its trademark not just to Mickey in general but Steamboat Willie Mickey in particular

Ultimately the legal rights and wrongs of this might not matter so much since few people have the money and legal resources of the Walt Disney corporation so they might manage to maintain a de facto copyright on Mickey through legal intimidation, but maybe not?

And Tigger Too!

All the talk about Mickey Mouse and Steamboat Willie has sadly overshadowed other MAJOR things entering the public domain today. Most people are aware Winnie the Pooh entered the public domain in 2022, but they might not realize his beloved friend Tigger didn't. Thats because Tigger didn't appear till A. A. Milne's second (and last) book of Pooh short stories, The House at Pooh Corner in 1928.

Much like Mickey Mouse only what appears in The House at Pooh Corner is public domain so the orange bouncy boy from the 1960s Disney cartoon is still on lock down. But the A. A. Milne original as illustrated by E. H. Shepard is free for you to use in fiction or art. His friend Winnie the Pooh has made a number of appearances since being freed, most notably in a horror movie, but also a Mint Mobile commercial so maybe Tigger too will have a lot of luck in the public domain.

Other works:

Peter Pan; or the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up

Peter Pan is a strange case, even though the play was first mounted in 1904, and the novelization (Peter and Wendy) was published in 1911, The script for the play was not published till 1928 (confusing!) meaning while the novel as been public domain for years the play (which came first) hasn't been, but now it is and people are welcome to mount productions of it.

Millions of Cats

The oldest picture book still in print, did you own a copy growing up? (I did)

Lady Chatterley's Lover

The iconic porn novel that was at the center of a number of groundbreaking obscenity cases in the 1960s and helped establish your right to free speech.

All Quiet on the Western Front and The Threepenny Opera in their original German (but you can translate them if you want), The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie, and Orlando by Virginia Woolf will also be joining us in the public domain along with any and all plays, novels, and books published in 1928

for Films we have The Man Who Laughs who's iconic image inspired the Joker

Charlie Chaplin's The Circus, Buster Keaton's The Cameraman, Should Married Men Go Home? the first Laurel and Hardy movie, Lights of New York the first "all talking" movie, The Passion of Joan of Arc, The Wind, as well as The Last Command and Street Angel the first films to win Oscars for Best Actor and Best Actress respectively will all be entering public domain

For Musical Compositions (more on that in a moment) we've got

Mack the Knife by Bertolt Brecht, Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love) by Cole Porter, Sonny Boy by George Gard DeSylva, Lew Brown & Ray Henderson, Empty Bed Blues by J. C. Johnson, and Makin’ Whoopee! by Gus Khan are some of the notables but any piece of music published in 1928 is covered

Any art work published in 1928, which might include works by Frida Kahlo, Georgia O'Keeffe, Alexej von Jawlensky, Edward Hopper, and André Kertész will enter the public domain, we are sure those that M. C. Escher's Tower of Babel will be in the public domain

Swan Song, Public Domain and recorded music

While most things are covered by the Copyright Act of 1976 as amended by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, none of the copyright acts covered recordings you see when American copyright law was first written recordings did not exist and so through its many amendings no one fixed this problem, movies were treated like plays and artwork, but recorded sound wasn't covered by any federal law. So all sound recordings from before 1972 were governed by a confusing mess of state level laws making it basically impossible to say what was public and what was under copyright. In 2017 Congress managed to do something right and passed the Music Modernization Act. Under the act all recordings from 1922 and before would enter the public domain in 2022. After taking a break for 2023, all sound recordings made in 1923 have entered the public domain today on January 1st 2024, these include.

Charleston by James P. Johnson

Yes! We Have No Bananas (recorded by a lot artists that year)

Who’s Sorry Now by Lewis James

Down Hearted Blues by Bessie Smith

Lawdy, Lawdy Blues by Ida Cox

Southern Blues and Moonshine Blues by Ma Rainey

That American Boy of Mine and Parade of the Wooden Soldiers by Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra

Dipper Mouth Blues and Froggie More by King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band, featuring Louis Armstrong

Bambalina by Ray Miller Orchestra

Swingin’ Down the Lane by Isham Jones Orchestra

Enjoy your public domain works!

[esyra]

Haven't heard from family in days. I feel like it's time to accept they're gone. I know in my heart Palestine will, one day, be free, but it wasn't supposed to be like this.

We feared another Nakba, and it happened. 700,000 pushed out of their homes in 1948 to 1 million being forced to leave their homes in 2023.

We thought it couldn't get worse or more deadly than the Israeli invasion in 2014, and it happened. We lost 2,251 people in 50 days then. Now we're past 2,300 in one week.

What I heard most from my grandmother the first days it's that "this time is different". And I feel like a rock is crushing my heart in pieces because i've been hoping that speaking out, teaching people about the historical oppresion of Palestine would help but it's not helping. Nothing is changing.

I feel like I'm screaming into a void. There's some sympathy from people online, until I see content documenting Palestinian oppresion being flagged as 'hate speech' or check the comments of any updates on Gaza and it's: "blame it on hamas", "tell them to give up hamas", "the hamas asked for it". They're not even among civilians!!!!!

My heart feels full seeing the manifestations in favor of Palestine, then I see police forces breaking protests apart and remember that the people that can actually save Gaza don't care.

If there's nothing left to do but to watch the extermination of my people, then I'm going to beg for anyone reading this to please don't forget. Please.

Israel is hiding behind Judaism to commit genocide against Gaza. Netanyahu supported the Hamas militant group to prevent the establishment of the Palestine State, and now he's using them to justify his agenda of ethnic cleansing. He abandoned Israelis and left them to die because he cares more about seeing Gazans dead!

Every single person and institution supporting and financing Israel is complicit. I hope the deaths of every Palestinian haunts you for the rest of your lives and that you never find an ounce of forgiveness, for you do not deserve it.

Just as in the Iraq War, the US government is financing and cheering for the slaughter of millions of innocent Arab lives. The media is complicit by engaging in biased propaganda and other nuclear powers, such as the UK and Germany, are complicit too. You are fascists and war criminals and every drop of Palestinian blood is in your hands. I hope every single day, for the rest of your lives, you look in the mirror and see nothing but the blood you've helped spill.

This serves as yet another proof that not a single Western in a position of power, be it in the media or in government, sees Arabs as humans beings.

For decades, the US has comitted terrorism and crimes against humanity in the Middle East and has NEVER been held accountable. Over one million in Iraq; over 150,000 in Afghanistan; and now they'll turn Gaza into a graveyard. Punishing selected soldiers over the years does not erase the fact that the American military and its government validates their crimes during execution and are never punished for it.

Please never forget: Joe Biden is a genocidal terrorist, Rishi Sunak is a genocidal terrorist, the American Democrat Party and UK's Labour Party are led by genocidal terrorists, the European Union is led by genocidal terrorists, fuckass Walt Disney Company is led by genocidal terrorists; every celebrity that called for Palestinian death or stood by silently while ignoring our suffering is a genocidal terrorist.

May Allah protect the people in Palestine and grant the martyrs the highest level of Jannah. Wallah what keeps me here is knowing that the Akhirah is theirs. May Almighty Allah grant us imaan and Taqwa as high as the people of Gaza. Ameen.

[artist-issues]

I Hate How She Talks About Snow White

"People are making these jokes about ours being the PC Snow White, where it's like, yeah, it is − because it needed that. It's an 85-year-old cartoon, and our version is a refreshing story about a young woman who has a function beyond 'Someday My Prince Will Come. "

Let me tell you a little something's about that "85-year-old cartoon," miss Zegler.

It was the first-ever cel-animated feature-length full-color film. Ever. Ever. EVER. I'm worried that you're not hearing me. This movie was Disney inventing the modern animated film. Spirited Away, Into the Spider-Verse, Tangled, you don't get to have any of these without Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937.)

Speaking of what you wouldn't get without this movie, it includes anime as a genre. Not just in technique (because again, nobody animated more than shorts before this movie) but in style and story. Anime, as it is now, wouldn't exist without Osamu Tezuka, "The God of Manga," who wouldn't have pioneered anime storytelling in the 1940s without having watched and learned from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in the 1930s. No "weeb" culture, no Princess Mononoke, no DragonBall Z, no My Hero Academia, no Demonslayer, and no Naruto without this "85-year-old cartoon."

It was praised, not just for its technical marvels, not just for its synchronized craft of sound and action, but primarily and enduringly because people felt like the characters were real. They felt more like they were watching something true to life than they did watching silent, live-action films with real actors and actresses. They couldn't believe that an animated character could make kids wet their pants as she flees, frightened, through the forest, or grown adults cry with grieving Dwarves. Consistently.

Walt Disney Studios was built on this movie. No no; you're not understanding me. Literally, the studio in Burbank, out of which has come legends of this craft of animated filmmaking, was literally built on the incredible, odds-defying, record-breaking profits of just Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, specifically.

Speaking of record-breaking profits, this movie is the highest-grossing animated film in history. Still. TO THIS DAY. And it was made during the Great Depression.

In fact, it made four times as much money than any other film, in any other genre, released during that time period. It was actually THE highest-grossing film of all time, in any genre, until nothing less than Gone With the Wind, herself, came along to take the throne.

It was the first-ever animated movie to be selected for the National Film Registry. Actually, it was one of the first movies, period, to ever go into the registry at all. You know what else is in the NFR? The original West Side Story, the remake of which is responsible for Rachel Ziegler's widespread fame.

Walt Disney sacrificed for this movie to be invented. Literally, he took out a mortgage on his house and screened the movie to banks for loans to finish paying for it, because everyone from the media to his own wife and brother told him he was crazy to make this movie. And you want to tell me it's just an 85-year-old cartoon that needs the most meaningless of updates, with your tender 8 years in the business?

Speaking of sacrifice, this movie employed over 750 people, and they worked immeasurable hours of overtime, and invented--literally invented--so many new techniques that are still used in filmmaking today, that Walt Disney, in a move that NO OTHER STUDIO IN HOLLYWOOD was doing in the 30's, put this in the opening credits: "My sincere appreciation to the members of my staff whose loyalty and creative endeavor made possible this production." Not the end credits, like movies love to do today as a virtue-signal. The opening credits.

It's legacy endures. Your little "85-year-old cartoon" sold more than 1 million DVD copies upon re-release. Just on its first day. The Beatles quoted Snow White in one of their songs. Legacy directors call it "the greatest film ever made." Everything from Rolling Stones to the American Film Institute call this move one of the most influential masterpieces of our culture. This movie doesn't need anything from anybody. This movie is a cultural juggernaut for America. It's a staple in the art of filmmaking--and art, in general. It is the foundation of the Walt Disney Company, of modern children's media in the West, and of modern adaptations of classical fairy tales in the West. When you think only in the base, low, mean terms of "race" and "progressivism" you start taking things that are actually worlds-away from being in your league to judge, and you relegate them to silly ignorant phrases like "85-year-old cartoon" to explain why what you're doing is somehow better.

Sit down and be humble. Who the heck are you?

[yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere]

new favorite video, yes!!❤️🤍💙 #RWRB #RWRBMovie #RedWhiteAndRoyalBlue thank you Aneesh!!

!! more VERY IMPORTANT RWRB content in this post: https://yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere.tumblr.com/post/739408729011781632/rwrb-this

.https://ew.com/taylor-zakhar-perez-honors-nicholas-galitzine-entertainers-of-the-year-2024-8759399 +CAST OF RED WHITE & ROYAL BLUE |FYC Panel - Consider Amazon:https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/769737016086839297?source=share

Henry Fox & Arthur Fox-post here: https://yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere.tumblr.com/post/738761008290627584/when-alex-texted-henry-yo-theres-a-bond

----from: https://instagram.com/p/C1POyPot_ZC/

+ CMQ spotify (characters' playlists!!) https://open.spotify.com/user/p873j0jdmqn5hye7cakdnub7e/playlists

my RWRB instagram highlight here: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18198132073262637/

BTW for everyone interested: Red, White & Royal Blue: Collector's Edition Henry PoV bonus chapter by Casey Mcquiston : https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/752528941905018880?source=share

+ also queer history/facts from RWRB(Alex engaging with queer history)(thank you SO. MUCH. CASEY MCQUISTON!!)-GREAT POST here on tumblr!!-many links here, lots of information! (Waterloo Vase, Stonewall, SCOTUS decision 2015, Walt Whitman, Laws of Illinois 1961, The White Nights Riots, Paris Is Burning, THAT David Wojnarowicz photo 'If I Die Of AIDS-Forget Burial-Just Drop My Body On The Steps Of The F.D.A' https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/757305651356729344?source=share (I encourage you to research more about David!!) , Thisbe & Pyramus, The V & A, James I & George Villiers and MORE!!) https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/757308307835895808?source=share (Learning about things referenced in Red, White & Royal Blue, thank you @ elipheleh)

THIS SONG IS SO FIRSTPRINCE!! thank you Nick & Taylor, i'm adding it to my RWRB playlist!!

♥. and now some RWRB links here:

Matthew talking about Alex's bisexuality ahead of the movie:

Alex, our ACD, our bisexual king post:

our FIRSTPRINCE post/mostly beautiful pictures/:

FIRSTPRINCE EDITS(post with edits/links♥):

coming out-important post/A's speech(both movie+book versions):

RWRB DELETED SCENES post:

RWRB BLOOPERS/BTS post:

THAT SCENE-Alex and Prince Henry Flirt Over Text:

KARAOKE SCENE:

Them reading RWRB:

!! https://nicostiel.tumblr.com/post/725473496174575616/red-white-and-royal-blue-2023-text-posts

+ https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/729333681897046016/the-delicate-art-of-the-grab-and-kiss?source=share

.

[cannedbabs]

HEY YOU TURBO/WIR FANS!

Yeah I’m talking to YOU! 🫵

Do you want to know current updates in some of the Disney parks either I found or are recently happening? Maybe!

Ooooo you want to soo bad 👇👇 oooOoOoOo…

Hi. Im your residential Disney parks factoid. This doesn’t mean give your money to the parks and I still highly encourage getting merch/etc off hand :]

There’s a lot of content I’ve found while searching specific things in regards to Disney! So let’s start from oldest to newest? Sure !

1. KING CANDY BUG FEATURED IN WORLD OF COLOR

(Video credit to Theme Park Review on YouTube! Check out full video here)

This is from a Special Edition World of Color show in Disney California Adventure called “Celebration!” It was to celebrate Walt Disney’s legacy. This show only went from May 2015 to September 2016, and hasn’t shown again. This show included our beloved king candy Cybug BUT it also included two other scenes from WIR (albeit briefly)! Those being “Ralph and Vanellope’s handshake” and “Ralph’s sacrifice (when he’s falling towards Diet Cola Mountain)”

Is it a VERY VERY short clip of him? Yes 😔 but the idea he was chosen specifically for a ‘special edition’ of WOC while being paired with big bads such as Ursula, Scar, Sid, Maleficent, and even Stinky Pete (and more!) is so awesome to me!

2. NEW POSSIBLE WIR TOKYO DISNEY ATTRACTION!!

In the year 2026 we are apparently getting a Wreck-it Ralph inspired ride! It will be in their Tomorrowland, replacing Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters (which I believe has already closed in late 2024 to begin construction!). Here’s the summary (read more about it here):

"In the new attraction, guests will team up with Vanellope and Ralph for an adventure in the game world. Riders will help save the world of the racing video game Sugar Rush, which is about to be destroyed by the bugs created by King Candy. Working together, players will return the sugar bugs to the original, cute sweets such as cookies and cakes."

I’ve heard it will look like Ant-man and the Wasp: Nano Battle in Hong Kong Disneyland (click here to see video of that ride!), a mix of screen and real props where you have to shoot (???) created by King Candy. Are these bugs referring to game-glitches or Cybugs? I’m unsure! But since KC is mentioned I’d LOVE to see if he could be apart of the ride as a “boss level” ending bit sort of deal (kind of like Zurg in Buzz Lightyears!)

3. VANELLOPE SWEET POP WORLD IN TOKYO DISNEY JUST OPENED!!!

From January 15th to March 16th, 2025, Pal-Palooza is featuring our favorite little racer!!

This brings forth LOTS new Vanellope centered merch, as well as events within the park that includes a specialty parade, food and drink, photo ops, hotel services (there was an AR thing involved w the hotels 👀)

This post is getting too long BUT!!! THIS NEWS IS SO EXCITING, 2025 is the year for WIR I guess! 😭😭

If people wanted I’m totally down to go over something that was ‘Ralph Breaks Virtual Reality’ that TheVoid had hosted before their closure. But :] I’ll leave it at this for now!

((Like stated. I am a Disney park factoid, I love updates and such especially if it involves my favs! I figured this would be a decent way to update fans who aren’t in the know about past/current WIR ‘wins’(?) Feel free to ask any questions for more depth and I will gladly do the research! :] have a lovely day everyone!!))

[megalynnan]

Thoughts on Defuntland's History of Animatronics.

-starting a history of disney animatroics with Homer's The Illiad. *chefs kiss* Kevin Perjurer should never stop telling stories like this.

-the RUR play - fucking horrifying, where can I find it?

-French is a beautiful language

"Real skin....real skin"

-When talking about how the disney Grandpa Chung's face skin would deteriorate, I assumed he was going to go "maybe thats why they used real skin.

-"no." -Walt Disney

-the California adventure bit had me spit a laughed so suddenly, and paused the episode to appreciate it.

-at the start of part 3. There is a lot of stuff about God in here. Like. A. Lot. Giving me Frankenstein vibes. Kevin, kevy, Mr. Defunctland, where we going with this? Are we as humans poor fathers/gods to our creations? Have we created life to reject it and turn it monstrous? Are we the monsters of this story?

-a lot of math and engineering here Kev.

-Lincoln had sort of legit cheekbones. "Unique"

-another pause at How TF did Walter "i want to be a dictator of an automous city in florida" Disney get technology for warheads?????

-is...is Lincoln christ in this metaphor???

-disney was such a shitty boss.

-and that's when the protests started.

-a 6 foot 7 robot Lincoln.

-soooo disney wanted to get rid of people...and have robots work instead???? Because the robots can't form a union????? Cue the RUR play.

-ah historical perfectionist anti union disney.....wants to create robots......

-"because I can't stop" walt disney on why he developed the lincoln animatronic. Big yikes my bud. Big yikes.

-PART 4

-a 6 foot 7 robot lincoln. Who would violently spasm and break his set. "It could kill you" - marc davis

-lincoln's great grandson crying at the world's fair is making me feel things.

-how TF was bradbury friends with Disney?? To get ideas for dystopia?

-bringing up a lot of monsters right now kev. Think we are getting back to the frankenstien stuff.

-kevin babe. Are we skipping over ada Lovelace?

-"the difference engine...the computer would not just be the new way to program animatronics, it would be the key to unlocking the next phase of mechanical life. A living machine, that appeared not just to move like a human, but to sense like one, to respond like one, to think like one. There's something inside us and we let it out."

Fuckkkkk So. We are just holding a mirror up to the horrors of our creation? Thanks kevin. Absolute banger of a line. Thanks for the existential dread.

I need kevin to get like awards for this shit. Seriously the best and most insightful Documentaries.

This. The disney Chanel theme song. The fastpass one. Garfield. All fucking top tier. The Epcot one is so beautiful too.

It's almost like he started by talking about defunct rides, and is now talking about a defunct culture. But as the culture is going under. And in true Kevin Perjurer fashion, he's starting at the beginning of the story. The idolization of business and consumerism and innovation for consumptions sake. The rot of leadership and how to make poor facsimiles.

He's not talking about how society is crumbling now, he's talking about the first termite that started eating away at the foundation. And I love him for it. I guess it's time to watch the fastpass video for fun.

[labelleizzy]

The Judges Say No

February 11, 2025

By Connie Willis

The big news today was all in court, from different federal judges, and all good:

--A judge ordered Trump to reinstate all the websites scrubbed from the public health web pages and slapped a restraining order on him to make sure he did it.

--A federal judge said that Trump violated his order halting federal funding and ordered the government to immediately restore the frozen funding. The judge said Trump had defied a court order. He threatened contempt proceedings if Trump did not comply.

--A federal judge reinstated the fired head of the whistleblower protection agency.

--A federal judge cancelled the deadline for "deferral resignations," put a halt to them, and put a restraining order on the project.

--A federal judge ordered the FBI to release documents related to the mishandling of classified documents. (This is in response to a FOIA case.)

--A federal judge issued an injunction halting Trump’s executive order cancelling birthright citizenship. (This is the third time and the third judge.)

--The judges are really angry that Trump’s lawyers and Musk and his young punks have been lying to the court.

--For those who are worried about who’s going to enforce these judicial rulings, federal judges can deputize other state level law enforcement to carry out their orders, and cabinet officials don’t have the same protections as Trump does.

Meanwhile, the coup-ing continued:

--Trump pardoned New York Mayor Eric Adams (to spite Letitia James) and Rod Blagoevich (because he’s a fellow criminal), dropped the charges against his co-conspirators Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliviera in the classified documents case, and had his DOJ make a plea deal with Steve Bannon in his multi-million dollar "build the wall" scam so that Bannon pleads guilty but serves no jail time. Legal experts called it "corruption in plain sight." (It’s just like one of those Marvel Comics where the Joker frees all the criminals to help him in his dastardly plan.)

--Musk shut down the Institute of Education Sciences, canceling $900 million dollars in contracts.

--Musk froze the funds at the USDA. This means farmers who signed contracts and paid up front for fending, new crops, renewable energy systems, etc., are now on the hook for all that money.

--There are reports that Musk may have created a secret IT contracting vehicle at OPM.

--Russell Vought said that veterans' disability benefits need to be means tested.

As all this progresses, their plan is coming into focus:

--Speaker of the House Mike Johnson: "All options are on the table for spending cuts to every government program."

--Hakeem Jeffries: "Their plan is to destroy Social Security, destroy Medicare, destroy Medicaid."

--Marissa Kilaas: "If you think of Musk, Vought, the DOGE group, etc. as hired mercenaries, the picture becomes much clearer. This administration isn’t trying to change our government. They want it dead. They want it so thoroughly gutted that no American has a shred of faith left in its ability to protect them. They’re creating despair to then step in as saviors with faux solutions."

--Maxine Waters put it much more bluntly: (about Musk) "We know you’re the co-President now. He’s a thief. He’s a gangster."

--Orval Osborne, one of the lawyers fighting Musk in court, came out today with a list of "How to Defeat Autocratic Regimes:" 1. Defend the rule of law. 2. Fight corruption. 3. Pluralistic government. 4. Defend elections. 5. Fight disinformation. 6. Protect media. 7. Explain that democracy delivers better than dictatorships."

Even though there’s lots going on, I feel I have to keep reporting on the underlying madness that is driving it. Otherwise, it’s like reporting on all Caligula’s or George III’s doings and not mentioning that they were batshit crazy:

--I didn’t realize this, but Trump in his pre-Super Bowl interview not only said a bunch of crazy stuff, but declared February 9th Gulf of America Day and said people should celebrate it with "ceremonies, programs, and activities." He said his proclamation would be "bigger than the Super Bowl." (Note: Somehow I don’t see Gulf of America Day becoming as popular as, say, the Super Bowl or the Fourth of July, especially since only 25% approve of the name change. P.S. Delusions of grandeur is one of the symptoms of dementia.)

--Trump declared this while sitting at the mini-Resolute Desk which he has on Air Force One.

--Trump also said during the interview: "All hell is going to break out on Saturday at noon if Hamas doesn’t release its remaining hostages."

--Trump said "I’m committed to buying and owning Gaza...the remainder will be demolished."

--Now Trump is meeting with foreign leaders. When he met with Jordan’s king, the king asked him where he would find the money to buy Gaza. Trump: "We’re not going to buy anything. We’re going to have it. We’re going to keep it, and we’re going to make sure tht there’s going to be peace, and there’s not going to be any problem, and nobody’s going to question it." (Translation: Mine, mine, all mine.)

--In response, Hamas suspended the release of the rest of the hostages.

--Trump said he wants to stop the Ukraine war because "Young handsome soldiers are being killed."

--Trump said, "If they (Canada) become our 51st state, it would be the greatest thing they could ever do. And think of how beautiful the country would be without that artificial line running right through it. Somebody drew it many years ago with a ruler. Just a line." When asked if he was serious about annexing Canada, Trump said, "When the U.S. was founded, how many states did we have? And how many do we have noe? And so, is it outlandish?" (Yes, yes, it is.)

--When asked why he wanted to be chairman of the Kennedy Center, he said, "Some of the shows were terrible. They were a disgrace." Reporter: "Have you seen any shows there?" Trump: "No."

And Trump’s not the only one who’s crazy:

--Elon Musk has changed his name on Twitter to "Harry Bolz" (no, I am not making this up) and has been posting things like "Circumcisions at a discount, only 50% off," and "Next I’m buying Coca-Cola to put the cocaine back in." He had previously changed his name to Kekius Maximus. (Meanwhile, the Republicans are all over TV trying to convince everyone Elon is responsible, serious, and trustworthy.)

--Musk also continues to obsess about accusations against him of cheating on video games (which he’s been proven to do) tweeting, "Video game journalism is garbage."

--Republican Representative Buddy Carter introduced a bill to rename Greenland Red White and Blue Land. The internet was appalled. The comments read stuff like "This is embarrassing and cringe," and "Clown. Show."

--Dinesh D’Souza said "It would be fun to rename all the forts after Confederate generals, not because we like Confederate generals, but just to piss off the left."

--Fox News said (with a straight face) that Trump’s White House is putting out so much accurate information there is no need for investigative reporting any more. "All you have to do, legacy media, is simply repoeat, retweet, repost, and that is the news, and that is the facts."

In good news:

--The Democratic group Indivisible has been holding meetings all over the country to overflow crowds.

--Ditto the town halls that Democrats are holding all over the place.

--The Senate Democrats set up a whistleblower portal so federal workers can report what’s going on in their agencies as Musk and his punks maraud through them.

--The board of the Kennedy Center, which Trump wants to fire, includes all the living past First Ladies, including Dr. Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush (the librarian), and Hillary Clinton, any of whom are tougher than Trump. And smarter.

--Since the Winter Solstice, we’ve been steadily getting longer days, and Denver now has an additional hour of sunlight every day. It may not be noticeable yet, bur ir will be soon. Yay!

I posted the other day about the unreliability (to say the least) of AI and quoted an AI entry about how water is liquid at 27 degrees F because it doesn’t freeze till it reaches 32 degrees F. Well, I have since had a couple of encounters with AI of my own in the course of my work. While I was doing my taxes and looking up the mileage from Greeley to Brush, Colorado (where my husband goes to do an annual Science Fair), I found this: "Brush is 34 miles from Greeley, and the distance between the two towns is 152 miles." (Note: Neither is correct. Brush is 64 miles from Greeley.) Then, while researching which Romantic poets visited Tintern Abbey, I asked the question, "Did Byron visit Tintern Abbey?" The answer from AI was, "Yes, and he painted a romantic picture of it, "Visitor to a Moonlit Churchyard." The picture shows a young man holding a skull and contemplating death." (There is such a picture, but it’s not by Byron, who, to my knowledge, didn’t paint. It’s by the French artist, Philip James de Loutherbourg. And Byron didn’t visit Tintern Abbey, either.) So I definitely think we should let Musk and his young punks turn the whole government over to AI.)

Oh, and I have a movie to recommend. We watched "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" in honor of the anniversary of the Beatles’ appearance on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964, and then last night we watched "Yesterday," an absolutely lovely movie about a world in which nobody’s ever heard of the Beatles except for one guy--maybe. It’s a great movie--plus you get to listen to all the Beatles songs again.

—-

Follow CW Daily for a comprehensive political news summary.

[helpmarkrebuildhishome]

Dear Friends, Family, and Kindhearted Strangers,

Our father, Mark Scott, has been live in los angeles. Known for his unwavering dedication to the community, he built a legacy through his beloved Clothing store and endless support for local youth. Whether it was sponsoring youth sports teams, mentoring kids, or simply offering a listening ear, Mark has always been there for others. Walt has always put others first. Would give you the very clothes off his back to help you.

Tragically, his home of over 50 years was completely destroyed in the recent fire in los angeles , along with his cherished vehicles and a lifetime of memories. While we are so grateful that he is safe, the loss is devastating. Mark has spent his life giving back, and now he needs our help to rebuild.

We are launching this to simply help our father take the first steps toward recovery. The funds will go toward:

• Securing temporary housing.

• Replacing essential belongings.

• Rebuilding his home and replacing his vehicles.

Mark has always been the first to lend a helping hand, and we hope to rally the same love and support he’s shared with so many. Any contribution, big or small, will make a tremendous difference. If you can’t donate, we ask for your prayers, shares, and words of encouragement to lift his spirits during this challenging time.

Thank you for helping us restore hope for a man who has given so much to so many. Together, we can help Walt rebuild his life and continue his incredible legacy in our community.

Dad deserves it.

Sincerely,

The Children of Mark Scott

[7grandmel]

Character Archives - [FILE-07]

Grand Dad

"Mario seven, uh, was that the one I played? Oh, let's check it out..."

For Walt Disney, it all began with a mouse. But for SiIvaGunner, it all began with a bootleg game, a streamer, and a pinch of insanity. Many have come after him, and many can claim to be funnier - but Grand Dad will forever hold the title as the first ever figment of imagination to come out of the bubbling mind of SiIvaGunner [FILE-01]. As a result, he has come to be a symbol for the channel in its entirety, the very embodiment of the SiIvaGunner ethos, and something of a dear friend in the eyes of its creator.

In 2014, a certain streamer under the name of Vinesauce Joel was going through the motions of his typical streaming routine - playing games of the oddest variety, and bellylaughing at the absurd results they'd deliver. Even as part of this greater whole, however, Joel's reaction to 7 GRAND DAD immediately became a standout moment, a series of events so perfect that the comedic timing couldn't have been coordinated to be any better. A mumbling Joel clicks on the game bizarrely labeled as "Mario 7", and is to his great shock met with the imagery of a garishly discolored Mario, placed onto an equally garish blue background, as bold letters declare the game's name to be "7 GRAND DAD". Before Joel can even properly process the twist he's been subjected to, only letting out a reading of the game's name, the game twists all expectations once again: An 8-bit rendition of The Flintstones theme, originally from The Flintstones: The Rescue of Dino & Hoppy, kicks in - prompting a bewildered reaction of "FLINTSTONES?!" from the thoroughly befuddled streamer.

This is a sequence of events you're all too familiar with if you're a fan of the SiIvaGunner channel, yet nevertheless a necessary one to properly recount to understand just how core Grand Dad is to SiIvaGunner: Through this one 15-second clip of one streamer's reaction to the unpredictable world of bootleg video games, a small subset of internet dwellers on the platform SoundCloud realized that they'd uncovered a whole new genre of derivative audio work. Mashups and arrangements were always alive and well on the internet, yet always delivered with upfront honesty: To play into their derivative nature as part of the reaction, to present these edits as if they were the nostalgic, authentic real-deal video game music that you grew up loving, only to have the edit serve as an unexpected punchline, was the kind of brilliant idea that just had to be capitalized on. Thus, in January 2016, one lone internet dweller by the name Chaze the Chat started the SiIvaGunner (then GiIvaSunner) channel, and uploaded "Wild Pokémon Battle - Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire". The bait-and-switch foundation that laid the groundwork for all of SiIvaGunner, all built upon the concept of a bootleg Flintstones game pretending to be the seventh entry in the Super Mario franchise.

In our world, Grand Dad's debut to the online world is now over ten years old, his legacy on the SiIvaGunner channel being that of a figurehead mainly representative of the simpler times that the channel has long since grown up from. Yet in the SiIvaGunner universe, to SiIvaGunner himself, Grand Dad is the beating heart of the entire channel, the first spark of imagination which binds his whole universe together. Every figment made since the channel's inception owes its existence to Grand Dad, and with every step SiIvaGunner underwent across his original 2016 run, Grand Dad was right there alongside him, an enduring voice in his head steering the channel onward. And even as his creator fell into a deep slumber, as The Voice Inside Your Head [FILE-03] set his plans into motion to extract SiIvaGunner's figments into the real world, Grand Dad was at the front lines of the resistance fighting in his name - and remains a symbol of hope for all figments caught in The Voice's tyrannical reign.

Across eight years of the channel's life, Grand Dad has gone through so many phases in reception: As a novel joke, as a beacon of hope, as a redundant and played-out bit, looping around into being used ironically, followed by a loop-back-around into being genuinely appreciated. Event after event, album after album, Grand Dad has become a genuine symbol of everything the channel does, and continues to appear to represent it across all of its twists and turns. It's no small feat for a figment to have endured in relevancy for as long as Grand Dad has, and no matter where the channel is headed, you can sure that he's here to stay.

[hero-israel]

I think there needs to be a reckoning about how so many white (passing) American secular/nonpracticing antiZionist Jews can say "Not in my name, Israel doesn't speak for us!" and then think they can speak for Israel. How so many of them can have a limited familial connection to Israel, have such a disdain for Israelis, Israeli culture and society, and Israel as a concept, and then have the gall to act like their opinions matter?

I see their attitudes be described as fear, but to me it strikes me as more than just fear. A lot of them, I suspect, have incorporated antiZionism as a fundamental part of their Jewish identity. It's not just a disagreement, they're not just saving face. Take away the Goyim and talk to them privately and they still believe what they believe, and express it in the same way. They hate Israeli Jews.

And Israel is only going to become less Ashkenazi (aka less "white") as time marches forward. The bad faith hysterical Israel bashing and condescension is only going to look more and more like Orientalism, and frankly, racism.

I think it's very possible that calling something antisemitic can't just be a catchall term when this chicken comes home to roost. I think if there aren't already, there will be distinct forms of antisemitism, some that only Diaspora Jews face and some that only Israeli Jews face. And if this is true or will end up being true, it's pretty important that we not speak over each other's experiences. To do that we have to recognize these experiences and respect them. Do some Israeli Jews disrespect the Diaspora experience? Yes, from what I've seen. Is it nearly as vitriolic and is it growing nearly as quickly as the disrespect for the Israeli experience among antiZionist American Jews? Not even close.

All this divisive language to say: sometimes when Israelis say "so and so is antisemitic!" in the context of antiZionism, they're talking about themselves, their experiences, the stakes for them, and not Americans. So maybe we should all learn to stay in our lanes sometimes.

A lot of Israeli Jews disrespect, or at least are unable to grasp, diaspora existence, particularly when it comes to Americans. I can't even count the number of times I read Israelis say "Why are you American Jews so upset about Trump? Don't you see how good he's been for Israel?" Which is the worst damn argument a person could possibly use - it feeds into both left-wing and right-wing antisemitism, while ignoring that American Jews live HERE and are at risk from Trump's fascist cult and general lawlessness. And it is bad FOR EVERYBODY to have "pro-Israel" become the position of stroke-babbling grotesque racist criminals, and also for America to be too focused on anarchic decomposition and Yugoslav-style street warfare to be able to support Israel like it traditionally has.

And because turds of a feather flush together, Netanyahu wants ALAN DERSHOWITZ to be Israel's advocate if the ICJ case proceeds. I knew Netanyahu was a senile failure undermining all the strengths he had ever built for the country and this is just the shit cherry on top of the shit sundae. Alan Dershowitz is the ultimate stereotype of a Boomer who was kind of useful in the 1980s-90s and became awful and embarrassing now, Trump is surrounded by them (i.e. Rudy Giuliani). Your grandma in Florida remembers Alan Dershowitz for writing "Chutzpah" and being tough and quick-witted, and everybody under 40 knows Dershowitz as a Trump cultist and Epstein fuckbuddy. Big "Vladek Spiegelman can only compare his artist son to Walt Disney" energy. There are surely thousands of lawyers better-suited for the role, just off the top of my head I'd prefer Eugene Kontorovich and so should anyone who is more aware of the world as it actually is than how it was in 1994.

I say all that to parallel your original point, not to contradict it. Yes, the American Jews who performatively loathe Israel are by and large just an Extremely Online phenomenon of the most college-town bubble-protected, least observant, least affiliated, and least aware of non-Ashkenazim. It is not so hard for American Ashkenazim to stay protected from antisemitism as long as they totally unplug from their Jewish identity and any public-facing aspects of it. Can't be killed in a synagogue or JCC or kosher store if you never go in, head tap.

[highrepubliczine]

✨ Special announcement ✨

We are thrilled to announce that Starlight will feature a foreword from renowned High Republic author, Cavan Scott!

Cavan Scott began his writing journey by submitting short stories to Doctor Who fanzines, and we are delighted and honored that he accepted our invitation to write a foreword for this project celebrating Phase 1 of The High Republic.

You can follow Cavan Scott at cavletter.com and instagram.com/cavanscottwriter

Preorders for Starlight will only run through October 13, so order your copy now!

✨Preorder your copy here!✨

*Starlight is a fan-made project. Starlight is not associated with or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company or Lucasfilm, and is not officially licensed Star Wars merchandise.

[necromancer-at-abattoir]

Carter and Sadie should've been older

Istg Carter and Zia should've been 17 and Sadie should've been 15 years old.

Why? WELL, a little more MATURITY on our protagonists' part would have been nice. Also, Rick, you're telling me the king of the Egyptian gods, Horus, would inhabit a FOURTEEN YEAR OLD BOY? Carter should have been 17 to have more maturity and been taken more seriously. And then he could've had anxiety about turning 18 and no longer being a kid and having to face the world now? Just my personal opinion.

And Sadie, well, let's make Sadie a little older to NOT have the queen goddess in the Egyptian Pantheon inhabiting a preteen, which is really weird. And if she really had to date Anubis and Walt (an odd choice by the way, platonic Sadie x Walt would've been way better IMHO) she could've been 15 to match Walt's 16? A 13 year old and 16 year old are horrible together, and it's canon that Walt is sixteen, not fourteen, and to make it worse, this is one of the only 3 biracial couples (Zia x Carter, Sadie x Walt, Frank x Hazel) which does NOT have a fully white person dating a POC.

(Yes, I know Sadie looks like a white girl, but it's important to remember that she's biracial white passing, so this isn't a fully White x POC biracial couple)

[ravenqueensspecialboi]

I feel like people have heard about the time Bram Stoker sent his tinder bio to Walt Whitman but haven’t actually read the tinder bio so in honor of Dracula Daily’s return (and me finding my copy of Dracula that actually had the correspondence between Bram Stoker and Walt Whitman), here’s Bram Stoker’s pass at Walt Whitman:

I am not Shelley and you are not Godwin and so I will only hope that sometime I may meet you face to face and perhaps shake hands with you If I ever do it will be one of the greatest pleasures of my life. If you care to know who it is that writes this, my name is Abraham Stoker (Junior). My friends call me Bram. I live at 43 Harcourt St, Dublin. I am a clerk in the service of the Crown on a small salary. [’How did I get the impression that he was still in college?’] I am twenty-four years old. Have been champion at our athletic sports (Trinity College, Dublin) and have won about a dozen cups. I have also been President of the College Philosophical Society and an art and theatrical critic of a daily paper. I am six feet two inches high and twelve stone weight naked and used to be forty-one or forty-two inches round the chest. I am ugly but strong and determined and have a large bump over my eyebrows. I have a heavy jaw and a big mouth and thick lips - sensitive nostrils - a snubnose and straight hair. I am equal in temper and cool in disposition and have a large amount of self control and am naturally secretive to the world. I take a delight in letting people I don’t like - people of mean or cruel or sneaking or cowardly disposition - see the worst side of me. I have a large number of acquaintances and some five or six friends - all of which latter body care much for me. Now I have told you all I know about myself. [’And a mighty graphic picture it is too: I seem to see you not as in a glass darkly but as in the broad day lightly: I do, I do!’]

Bram Stoker originally penned this in 1872, but only sent it to Walt Whitman along with a second letter in 1876 after attending a meeting at Dublin’s Fortnightly Club, where he had, in his words, participated in a “hot debate” over Whitman’s poetic “genius”

[whimsicalwordsmith53-library]

A Promise is Timeless

Chapter One: Prologue

Word Count: 1,405/8,505 characters

Reading Time: 5 minutes, 7 seconds

Speaking Time: 7 minutes, 49 seconds

———————————————————————

*July 17th, 1955*

The grand opening of Disneyland had drawn crowds from far and wide, and amidst the festivities, the infamous Captain Hook found himself reflecting on the surreal nature of it all. As he stood near the Sleeping Beauty Castle: a beacon of Walt Disney's imagination turned reality, Hook's thoughts were interrupted by the approach of the man himself—Walt Disney.

"Walt," Hook greeted with a respectful nod, adjusting his hat as he acknowledged the visionary responsible for bringing so much magic to life.

Walt Disney smiled warmly, his eyes twinkling with pride and exhaustion. "Captain Hook," he replied, extending a hand. "Quite a day, isn't it? How are you finding the park?"

Hook hesitated, momentarily taken aback by the genuine interest in Walt's voice, and gently shakes the king’s hand. "It's... quite something," he admitted gruffly, his gaze sweeping over the bustling crowds and meticulously crafted attractions.

Walt chuckled, sensing Hook's mixed feelings. "I imagine it must be strange for you," he remarked, his tone gentle yet probing. "Seeing your world, your story, come to life in such a way."

Hook shifted uncomfortably, the weight of Walt's words sinking in. "Aye, strange indeed," he conceded, a hint of vulnerability in his voice. "To think we villains, born of ink and imagination, now walk among your guests."

Walt nodded thoughtfully. "You're a part of our stories now, Captain Hook," he said earnestly. "And this park is for everyone—heroes, villains, and everything in between. It's about bringing joy and wonder to all who visit."

Hook glanced down at the pocket watch hanging from his coat, a gift from Walt himself symbolizing their shared commitment to storytelling and imagination. "Thank you, Walt," he murmured sincerely. "For this park, for believing in us villains, and for making dreams a reality."

Walt smiled warmly, his fatigue momentarily lifted by Hook's gratitude. "It's my pleasure, Captain. Disneyland is for dreamers of all kinds, and you, my friend, are most welcome here."

As they stood together, watching families embark on their own adventures through the enchanted lands of Disneyland, Hook felt a sense of belonging he hadn't expected. In that moment, amidst the magic and the memories, he understood that Walt Disney's dream was indeed a powerful one—one that bridged the gap between fantasy and reality, bringing joy and inspiration to generations to come.

As Captain Hook and Walt Disney continued their conversation amidst the grandeur of Disneyland's opening day, a sudden cough interrupted Walt's silence. Hook, ever observant despite his pirate demeanor, turned to the visionary with concern etched on his face.

"Walt," Hook said gruffly, motioning towards a nearby bench. "Perhaps we should sit down for a moment."

Walt nodded gratefully, accepting Hook's gesture and easing himself onto the bench. His usual vigor seemed momentarily subdued, replaced by a hint of fatigue and vulnerability.

"I'm fine, Hook, I’m fine," Walt reassured, though his voice betrayed a touch of uncertainty as he rubs his neck. "Just a tickle in my throat. Lillian has been after me to cut back on the smoking."

Hook raised an eyebrow, settling beside Walt with a nod of understanding. "Aye, even kings must heed the concerns of their queens," he remarked, though his tone softened with genuine concern. "You've been pushing yourself hard, Walt. The park, the films, everything."

Walt sighed, a faint smile playing on his lips. "It's all worth it, Hook. To see this dream come true," he replied, gesturing towards the joyful chaos unfolding around them. "But perhaps Lillian is right. I ought to take better care."

Hook nodded in agreement, casting a thoughtful glance at the bustling park. "Aye, Walt. You've created something extraordinary here. Take the time to enjoy it."

Walt chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling with warmth. "You're right, Hook. We should all take a moment to appreciate the magic."

As they sat together, a quiet camaraderie formed between them—two men from different worlds, united by a shared vision and a mutual respect for the power of imagination. In that brief respite, amidst the whirlwind of Disneyland's opening day, Hook realized the depth of Walt Disney's passion and the impact of his dream on everyone who crossed its threshold.

And as the sounds of laughter and adventure echoed around them, Hook knew that this day would forever be etched in the annals of history—a testament to Walt Disney's unwavering belief in the power of dreams and the enduring legacy of Disneyland.

The afternoon sun cast a golden hue over Disneyland, Walt Disney's words carried a weight that Hook couldn't ignore. The conversation had taken a solemn turn, and Hook sensed the gravity of Walt's behavior.

"Hook," Walt began, his voice earnest and tinged with a hint of urgency. "Promise me something."

Hook nodded attentively, his gaze steady as he awaited Walt's words.

"When I'm gone," Walt continued, his eyes searching Hook's face for reassurance, "promise me you'll protect the villains. Maleficent, Queen Grimhilde, all of them. They're part of our stories, our world. Promise me you'll keep them safe."

Hook felt a lump form in his throat, understanding the trust and responsibility Walt was placing upon him. "I promise," Hook replied solemnly, his voice unwavering despite the emotions stirring within him. "With my life, I'll protect them. And the ones I love will guide me in that duty."

Walt nodded, a sense of relief washing over his features. "Thank you, Hook," he said gratefully. "I know I can trust you. You understand what it means to believe in something bigger than yourself."

Hook nodded in agreement, his gaze drifting towards the bustling crowds and the gleaming spires of the park. "Aye, Walt. This place is more than just bricks and mortar. It's a beacon of imagination, of dreams realized."

Walt smiled, a fatherly warmth in his eyes. "And you, Hook, are a part of that magic now. Never forget that."

As they sat in companionable silence, surrounded by the laughter and wonder of Disneyland's first guests, Hook felt a profound sense of purpose settle upon him. Walt Disney's dream had become his responsibility—a promise to safeguard the villains and preserve the stories that defined them.

And as the day continued to unfold, Hook knew that this pledge would endure long after the crowds had gone and the park lights dimmed—a testament to the enduring power of Walt Disney's vision and the bond forged between a visionary and a pirate.

*Present Time*

Captain Hook walked through the bustling streets of Disneytopia, his steps heavy with emotion as he recalled the memories of Walt and Lillian Disney. Their presence, once so vibrant and inspiring, now lingered in the shadows of the park they had built together. Tears threatened to spill from Hook's eyes, a rare display of emotion from the hardened pirate.

Gently, Hook retrieved the pocket watch from his coat, the familiar weight comforting in his hand. With a flick of his hook, he opened it, revealing two sides of significance. On one side, a locket held a precious picture of Walt and Lillian Disney, captured in a moment of joy and unity. Hook stared at the photograph, memories of their conversations and shared dreams flooding his mind.

"And now they're gone," Hook murmured quietly to himself, his voice betraying a mixture of sadness and reverence. "Their legacy lives on, but they are gone."

Turning the watch over, Hook noted the frozen time: 7:53. A poignant reminder of the moment frozen in time, just as Walt and Lillian would forever remain in the hearts and memories of those they touched.

"The sons carry on," Hook whispered softly, his eyes tracing the engraved initials on the watch; J.H&W.D. "Mickey and Oswald. The legacy of dreams and magic."

As he closed the pocket watch, Hook felt a renewed sense of purpose. His promise to Walt Disney, to protect the villains and uphold the spirit of imagination, burned brighter than ever. With a determined stride, Hook continued through the park’s mimic, where laughter and joy mingled with the echoes of a timeless dream—one that had shaped not only a company but a world of enchantment.

And as he walked, the pocket watch nestled close to his heart, Captain Hook knew that Walt and Lillian Disney's legacy would endure, carried forward by the magic they had created and the promise he had made.

———————————————————————

Chapter Two release date: August. More information on this AU lore will be explained in the next chapter. Hope you like this segment and hope to see you next month!