Abigail Disney compares rejecting Republicans to the story of Old Yeller in plea after Noem book.
Abigail Disney, the heiress of Disney, recently referenced the iconic Disney movie, Old Yeller, to urge voters to oppose the Republican Party following South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s revelation in her new book about shooting her ranch dog.
“My great-uncle Walt Disney understood the special place animals hold in the hearts of families everywhere,” Disney stated in an email released exclusively by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) and reported by the Guardian.
Expressing her shock, Disney mentioned that Noem’s account of killing her dog in her book, “No Going Back,” was unexpected and troubling.
“The release of Old Yeller left a lasting impact on people because the killing of a family pet is a serious matter,” Disney remarked. “However, my perception shifted after reading about the incident involving Kristi Noem shooting her family’s pet – a disturbing story that has deeply affected many of us.”
In her book, Governor Noem described the incident of shooting her dog after it attacked a neighbor’s chickens.
Disney highlighted that Noem’s narrative about killing her ranch dog is beyond just a personal anecdote; it is intertwined with the broader story of the upcoming 2024 election.
“Walt Disney was a master storyteller, and collectively, we must ensure that all voters recognize how this distressing Kristi Noem episode forms part of the larger narrative of the 2024 election: America could potentially elect extremists who endorse cruelty and lack fundamental empathy and compassion,” she conveyed to the PCCC.
Subsequent to the controversy around the killing of her ranch dog, Governor Noem staunchly defended her actions, portraying it as her capacity to make tough choices.
During an interview with FOX Business’ Stuart Varney, Noem justified her decision by stating that the dog was aggressive and posed a safety threat to her children and others.
“The animal was dangerous and attacking livestock and people. It was a working dog. I had to decide between protecting my children or an animal,” Noem explained to Varney. “Many politicians evade such truths. They prefer to evade difficult decisions.”
Asserting her confidence in her book, Noem claimed that the criticism she faced was baseless and stemmed from fear of her capabilities.
Abigail Disney contrasted the compassionate act portrayed in Old Yeller, where the dog is put down due to rabies, with Noem’s shooting of her dog because it was deemed challenging to train.
“In Old Yeller, the dog is cherished as a vital part of the family. The conclusion, where the father reluctantly shoots Old Yeller to prevent further suffering, is a heartbreaking choice made out of love,” Disney noted in the PCCC letter.
“Noem, as per her account, shot her family’s puppy because it was too difficult to train. ‘I despised that dog,’ she expressed, presenting the killing of a puppy as an act of strength,” Disney remarked. “Kristi Noem is not exhibiting strength; she is cruel and self-centered.”
“If Kristi Noem possessed genuine strength, she would confront the January 6 rioters instead of glorifying them,” Disney added. “She would demand fair taxation from billionaires instead of being dependent on their campaign contributions.”
“If she truly embodied courage, she might criticize the Supreme Court for curtailing abortion rights or for making it easier to saturate our streets and schools with firearms,” Disney pointed out.
Abigail Disney, known for her social activism and advocacy work, emphasized the need for voters to consider the ethical values and stewardship displayed by political figures like Governor Kristi Noem in the context of broader societal issues.
While the 2024 election looms ahead, the contrasting views on leadership, empathy, and compassion brought to light through this discourse serve as a poignant reminder of the significance of ethical governance and humane values in shaping national policies and priorities.
