OK, most things in life defy belief. But sometimes something comes alonge that is just so unbelivevable, so without moral, so utterly bare faced, so without conscious, that to call it evil would not begin to describ its capability. I am refering to that which, wherever it oozes into our live's just radiates of that most underhanded defient depravity: capitalism.

I was in Woolworths yesterday while my son was looking at the toys, telling me what he wanted for the next Ten Birthday's and Christmas's, when I spotted something that I was staring at for quite a while before I really did realize that I was actualy looking at what I thought I was.

I will have you know that for a mear £15-$20ish, Sutable for ages 3 to 8 years you can buy for your little ones an inflatable Drive Thru Mc Donnalds, compleat with and inflatable Hamburger, 'Shake', and 'Fries'.

Is It Just Me!

I mean this is a company that for what it passes off as 'Food' is just intestines and chickin skin laiden with salt incinerated in fat. It produes an increadable amount of waste each day, of which non is recycled. In a blatent atempt at making its self appear Healthy it has introduced the 'Fruit Bag' for only 59p to go with your 'Happy Meal' this consists of 5-6 thin slices of Apple and 3-4 grapes. I don't know how much fruit is over there but over here for 59p you can get a banana (10p), apple(10p), pear10p), orrange15p) and still have change.

This is a company that just shovels fat into the mouths of the lazy, it promots nothing other than waste and ill-hleath, it infests every town with a rank greasy smell and litter, while it bellows out from its garish posters 'I Am A Happy Family Place' and mornons go there and spend money on litter and crap to feed to toddlers in the notion that they are partaking in this 'Happy Family' image, and bedrooms and toy boxes get filled with little toys that have been proven to be made in sweat shops where the 'Family Image' is that of, send you 5 year old to work for pennies sewing and sticking together film images from films they will never see.

And now they want to sully childerns minds by pushing this 'Happy Image' off as a 'Fun Toy' Where in the picture on the box of smileing Childern was the image of a Twenty year old now suffering from CJD, or of the teenager over weight because their parnets let them carrie on eating there day after day, or even a picture of the family who spent all week making Happy Meal toys sitting down to their evening meal of next to nothing, because that is all they can afford! I would like to know does this Drive Thru come with an inflatable Rat to rummage thrugh the rubbish at the back of this inflatable drive thru?

It really is just too much, if one lands in my house this Christmas its going straight back to Mc donnalds with a slash thrugh it.

Thank you for taking the time to read my mone, I think I will go and calm down now.

Yours as always
ME.

<img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/peace.gif" width=16 height=16>

ahhh beverly! I hope we meet in october, so I can give you a nice big hug!!!!

by the way, what is CJD??

Wow, Bev... I was "on the road" a lot when the kids were little and I fed them chicken McNuggets 'cos I thought they were a tad healthier than hamburgers (and, of course, easier to eat and clean-up after).

I never really hated McD's as much as you, and I did raise my kids on fast food (to be eaten in the car "to save time"), but I totally agree with your anger about health, pollution, etc.

However, seeing's how we eat McD for breakfast, BK for lunch and who knows what for dinner (and have managed to stay slim and remain healthy) I can't totally agree with not buying the cute toys for Christmas.

I personally love the McD's playdough stuff. It's fun making my own "french fries" and then smooshing them and remaking them. Helps me deal with all the other stresses in my life.

No one is forcing anyone to eat that stuff, no one is forcing anyone to buy the toys. But, to each his own, as they say.

Terrie
The Confirmed, Card-Carrying Capitalist Pig that I am

I could possibly understand your irate attitude about the inflatable McDonald's toy food,until I consider what kind of examples we in America set whenever I see the rows and rows of toy guns,artillary,and weapons of destruction every time I go down a toy
aisle at the local Wal-Mart.They sell army fatigues in toddler size clothing,enourage the play acting of shooting their enemies by including G.I. Joe action figures in Easter baskets.Teach them young to kill, maime and destroy.And then wonder why a child goes berserk with a rifle at school,killing teachers and fellow students.The parents of the child who went on a shooting rampage at Columbine had a picture taken of him in
army camouflage holding a rifle at the age of 7 (ahh..aint he cute...).
And to think Wal-Mart covered some magazines with plain brown wrapper because they were afraid of offending some.(Lord forbid a child would see a woman in a bikini.We all know how much more dangerous that is than buying a toy Uzi for little Tommy to practice shooting his brother.Bam,bam you're dead.Welcome to Wal-Mart,teach your kid to kill early,get those toy guns while they last.

Sigh... Once more, I feel like just running away from all the corporate crap.

A corporate foundation now owns the Woodstock site... and guess what... the Woodstock Karma is now affecting the plans there! The Gerry Foundation (Alan Gerry of TWCable) owns the land and has plans to build a performing arts center...

This summer as a pre-35th anniversary, the GF people leased the site to the Ben and Jerry Ice Cream people... (B&J is now owned by Unilever) They put together a pretty horrendous lineup of music and were charging $35/day ... only sold 1000 tickets of the anticipated 20,000... and it's a week until showtime... So B&J/Unilever CANCELLED the show.

I hope this tells Alan Gerry that there is something to it... The Woodstock Karma won't allow for profiteering.

Ben&Jerry's press release

Article in local newspaper

<img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/peace.gif" width=16 height=16>
<FONT size="1">Still trying to let go of my hurt relating to this whole scene... Many thanks to some special people here who helped me get thru a reunion weekend spent away from Bethel. (((HUGS))) to you!</FONT s>

Terrie,
I hope that I havn't offended you. I belive that you can not hold an opinion without respecting the other side of the issue. I know that no one really forces any one to buy anything, and that most people are aware of what goes into this kind of food.

The thing that gets me most about things like this is the false values these companies smirk at you from their lavish office's. They demand to be acknowledged as an wholesome promoter of good intent, and upholder of morality, when in reality they sacrifice everything, from worker rights, fair trade,and the environment; this truth is painted over with a clown face. I can't help but see it as, they hide there deprvity behind a the idea they are offering a child happiness, and by bringing a child happiness absolves them of any wrong doing regardless of how this joy is brought about; and they do this in the most knowing terms.

Dreamer, toy Guns laybled 'Peace keeping kit' (I sawre I have seen such a thing) is another thing I could really waffle on about too. I do buy my son Action Men though I do keep to the bike riding water skiing type. I really do agree with you.

And Arnie, CJD is the abreviation of the medical name to Mad Cows Disease, I can't pronounce it let alone spell it.

Love you all
(Even those of you eating Mc chikin skin Nuggets, and Your gues is as good as anyones as to what meat Mc quarter pounder's)
<img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/peace.gif" width=16 height=16>

Immerse an entire generation in corporate advertising and logos--on their clothes, in their schools, on their toys, in their entertainment, and they will grow up believing corporations should be in charge. Then it will be easy to complete the corporate takeover of the globe. It can't happen here, it can't happen here, I tell you, my dear...

A very good book we read in our Sociology class last year, <u>Fast Food Nation</u>, by Eric something, was fabulous and I highly recommend it.

I wasn't thrilled with in-school advertising, but some of the profits go back into the schools. And I'm all for corporate take-over of our misguided, mismanaged, misdirected and misfunded public education system, not just here in PA where gambling, alcohol and cigarette taxes are what support our public schools (as of last year, Phila's drink tax netted so much money that the School District managed to "misplace" 10 billion dollars of it!) but for the entire country.

If it weren't for the corporations, whether they be small (2 people) or thousands, or non-profit such as the BSA, people wouldn't have jobs! And, without the prospect of a job, why bother going to school?

I agree that some corporate folks have gotten way out of hand with their high-end salaries and advertising to kids, and I agree that the food that McD's and the like are serving up doesn't quite cut it as "food." But they serve a purpose in our rush-rush society.

Back to the book mentioned above, I think that it's very worth reading, especially the parts where Disney's involvement plays a major role in McD's success, but doesn't allow them to have a "restaurant" at either Disney World or Disneyland.

I, myself, have boycotted Disney for other things, not the McD stuff, since the mid or late 80s. Disney had the audacity to sue a daycare center for having the likeness of their licensed characters painted on a wall in a room. Hannah-Barbera settled the suit out of court on behalf of the daycare center and then painted their own characters on the daycare center's walls at no charge. So, not all corporations are "evil."

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BuffaloGal:

So, not all corporations are "evil."<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Gee, I seem to get in more trouble over this issue. <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/wink.gif" width=15 height=15> No, not all corporations are 'evil,' just as not all people are. If I say I don't like the KKK, I'm not saying I dont' like all people or groups of people.

Enough corps are evil to make that one of the major problems of our time, IMHO, and kids are so vulnerable to the images...As long as they have some protection and guidance about what's real and what's Memorex, I'm sure they'll be fine. (If you're too young, that last one may zip right over you. Sorry. It's an old geezer thing: real vs. recorded or virtual.) There just are so many kids without that guidance, it's scary.

Beverly,

Thanks! I really enjoyed your post. I share your frustrations for the behaviour of modern corporations, and the "profit before people" philosophy of current capitalist attitudes in general.

I've had to let go of some of my "intensity" over these issues. I honestly can't believe the Dark Side operates as they do, or that the American people are so disinterested in what's really happening. But I was so obsessed by their actions that it really begun to affect my health.

So, I've had to step back. Don't get me wrong, I'll always be engaged in politics, but I "can't face it day to day" as Neil would say.

In short, if the conservatives succeed in their desire to trash the planet and humanity for their greedy, short term gain, I can't stop them. They're in control, they make the laws, they beat the shit out of those who don't comply, they control the media, and America loves em.

So be it. Perhaps when America's cities resemble Mexico City, when 99 percent of our workers are making shit wages so the top can take it all, perhaps then people will wake up to the real motives of conservatism. Till then, I'm givin my mind some time off to bask in nature's glory. While we still have a few trees that Big Lumber hasn't found......

Life's too short for assholes!

Hmm, speaking of action figures ...

Edited to say:
I tried to post this yesterday...but it said there was nobody registered by my name...

<center><FONT COLOR="#000080">--- Edited 1 times, lastly by Goofus on Aug 22, 2003 ---</FONT></center>

Goofus: The action figures are hilarilous--thanks!

<img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/laugh.gif" width=15 height=15>

All I know about fast food, I learned from abstainance! High Cholestorel runs in my family. (both my Dad & Mom) I'm fortunate to still have them.(Dad 80 mother 79) I don't agree however how health care providers are making them feel safe about thier high cholestoral levels by taking perscription drugs! (lipitor & Zocor). I realize in some patients these drugs are probably a neccessity. I do know tho, longevity runs in my family, & my Grandparents got along fine without them! I had an Aunt named Alice (remember Alice) that lived to her late 90's. And my Grandparents were all in thier late 80's before they went on to thier reward. Interesting. All living before the onset of fast-food!!!!

In my late 30's my Dr. suggested I had a high cholestol level, for a moderately young man. DIDN'T even register with me at the time. WELL, lent came around & I gave up my favorite food. Bacon. (40 days & 40 nights) I coinsodently quit eating eggs. (what good are they without bacon anyway)???

Easter Sunday rolled around. My wife Sue paitienty made me my favorite breakfast. French toast, fried eggs, with plenty of bacon. After not eating bacon for over a month, I couldn't get past it. I mean I finished eating, but quickly realized I NO LONGER liked bacon. Coinsodently, after routine blood test, my Dr. gladly told me my cholestoral was down a good margain! Didn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out.

A decade later my Drs. on my case about my cholestoral again. So for the last 6 months or so, NO MCDONALDS, no fast food! NTM: just tying to have a healthier lifestyle. My cholestorals down again, and according to my Dr. if I want to keep it that way, to keep on doing whatever it is I'm doing.

It hurts to see my Mom, eat her McDonalds food with her Church going friends, only to go home and pop a Zocor. BUT, at 79, I'm surely not gonna tell her how to live...<img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/wink.gif" width=15 height=15>

RB

I think it just goes to show you that most people are sheep - and that clever marketing doesn't necessarily mean good choices. Kids will react to this marketing (watch their little mouths move as they either lip-synch or sing along with their favorite commercials), and many parents will give in to keep the peace. Money money money money...

We're lucky enough that Arlo taught us to think for ourselves, to question if something we're told is the truth, and to respect Mother Earth. At least, that's what I learned somewhere along the way, and I can see I'm not alone here in Blunderland.