M-I-C ... See Ya Real Soon?

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Burke describes Disney as a company that responds to strategic threats by creating feuds instead of partnerships. "They are at war with the cable industry, with Harvey Weinstein [co-chairman of Miramax], with Pixar. Maybe there are good reasons for that, but we don't think there are. We want to change the atmosphere and culture."

That's about as direct an attack against Eisner as can be made. And Burke knows Eisner is running low on allies. To another former Disney executive, it all reeks of a cabal organized to overthrow King Michael. Weinstein has made no secret of his discord with Eisner. Neither has Jobs. Nor has Roy Disney. And they have all known Roberts for years. "It's sad," says the ex-Disney man. "But Michael really brought this on himself, and he only has himself to blame." It's a very dramatic, very Hollywood way of thinking, of course. To Roberts and Comcast, it's just business.