Now that there's a boycott, I have to go to McDonald's

You can tell it is getting into the political silly season here in the states when groups come out against all sorts of absurd things, usually "for the children..." Because, who will think of the children, if not the likes of the American Family Association.

Today's target: McDonald's

Specifically the fact that McDonald's has donated money to the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and also has a company representative on the NGLCC board - a list I will have to make note of when I do my shopping. (see also: corporate advisory group)

This is McDonald's and I know that they also do lots of bad things, but this is not one of them. So I interrupt my usual anti-McKentuckyFriedBurgerRoyalty (et al) hate for a moment...

Lest you misunderstand what this boycott is about, the AFA has conveniently laid it out for us. From Boycott McDonald's:

That the boycott of McDonald's is NOT about:

• This boycott is not about hiring homosexuals.
• It is not about homosexuals eating at McDonald's.
• It is not about how homosexual employees are treated.

What the boycott of McDonald's IS about

It is about McDonald's, as a corporation, refusing to remain neutral in the culture wars.  McDonald's has chosen not to remain neutral but to give the full weight of their corporation to promoting the homosexual agenda, including homosexual marriage.

Meaning, it's not about those first three things in theory, it is against them in reality. (Don't ask. Don't tell. Don't have fries with that.)

And McDonald's response to this? There's a letter at the boycott site. Here's what makes me want to go buy something at the local golden arches.

"We have a well established and proud heritage of associating with individuals and organizations that share in the belief that every person has the right to live and work in their community free of discrimination."

"We will continue to support our people and their right to live and work in an inclusive society."

Damn! That's just beautiful. You know, like as if all people are valuable. Wow! What a thought.

I think that next time I am out and about, I will stop in at the local MickeyD's, order a soft drink and ask for the manager so I can tell them that I am only there because they support human rights. (...and I might even have fries with that...just this once...)

Comments

[theKid]

I really am happy and proud that you're my mom. Just in case I don't let you know that enough.

[Janiece Murphy]

I guess I'll be writing a letter AND spending some money.

McDonald's, striking a blow for good. Who knew?

[Sam]

I still won't eat there, because their quality of food is such shit. But maybe I'll stop giving them the finger every time I walk by.

[kitchenmage]

theKid, thanks! Always nice to hear.

Janiece, I have to get the letter out, too.

Sam, that's a start. They do sell Dasani if you are into bottled water...

[Deb on the Rocks]

Maybe I can give in to a long-held pining for an ice cream cone from McD's, you know, for the cause.

[Sean]

Well, now I don't feel as bad about the once-yearly pilgrimage to Mickey D's while visiting the other half's family in flyover country. My inner foodie will still cringe, but at least it'll be an ethical alternative to Cracker Barrel.

[Cookster]

Looking at the situation from over here in Perth, Western Australia it all seems completely crazy - the AFA is just a bunch of crackpots!

[MWT]

Coincidentally I bought some chicken nuggets there today. Just out of the blue; I don't normally eat fast food, and when I do it's never McD's.

I thought I'd spent too much because I went for the large value meal so I could get the free pie, but now I feel much better about that. :)

[Sally]

I think I will have to go and buy some McD's as well, just a salad mind you..couldn't stomach anything else from there.
I'll be sure to let the know why I'm buying, I think it's important to share that information with their Management.
Can't believe I'm saying this but...yay McDonald's..that felt weird....

[Jon]

What standard of righteousness allows people to become fiercely indignant about the way their food is treated, but take offense when others suggest that there is a God who has created men in His image, and men are accountable to Him? We appeal to the Bible, which clearly condones such behavior as apart from God's natural created order. To what do you appeal? If men can live and do as they please, then why are you so morally indignant when they do atrocious things to your food? I agree that such things are not right, but I would contend they are not right on the basis of God's good and gracious law.

[kitchenmage]

I am guessing there will be a lot of not-regulars showing up at McDonald's in the near future. As I said elsewhere, if we all walk in, order something, sing a bar of YMCA, and walk out, they'll think it's a movement... (with apologies to Arlo)

Jon, I'm confused. Are you saying that because I think people should be able to love another adult of their choosing, I should be willing to eat adulterated food? Huh? If your understanding of god precludes your being gay, then please don't be. But please give others the same respect that you want and let them live their lives according to their own beliefs - not yours.

[Jon]

Perhaps that is confusing. I don't think you should be willing to eat adulterated food. I'm simply questioning how people make judgments about what is right and wrong. The AFA has made a judgment that McDonalds is wrong in actively supporting the gay and lesbian community.
But it seems that many people think that we should be free to do as we please as long as we don't hurt anybody else and that the only thing that is wrong is to question the behavior of others. Where does this standard of right and wrong come from?

[kitchenmage]

Jon, my personal standard of right and wrong comes me and from my personal belief in what some folks are currently calling "the daughter test" (and others call "the golden rule") - how would I want my daughter, or myself, to be treated?

My desire is that all people be accorded basic human and civil rights, whether or not I agree with their personal expression of them. My personal religious/spiritual beliefs have surprisingly little to do with it. It is a very pragmatic course to take, you know, and one endorsed by just about every religious tradition out there. (Heck, even the people who believe in manifesting things, ala "The Secret" are basically saying this: like attracts like. Be a jerk and the world will be jerklike to you; be nice and the world will be nice. I choose nice.)

As for the AFA's beliefs...well, it's an organization so it "believes" what the leader believes. In this case, what Wildmon believes is generally pretty intolerant and, at times, downright ugly. If some people choose to line up behind that, I wish them well on their life's journey.

I, on the other hand, will stand with the larger world community and ask that all of us be treated with the same respect you would like displayed towards your own child. Surely, your god would approve of that.

[earlgreyrooibos]

Jon-

Many people dislike McDonald's because they treat their animals unethically - keeping them in cramped quarters, for example. Their lives are miserable. Who wants to patronize that?

Conversely, people are currently at least partially happy with McDonald's because they are doing something to make other people's lives better. They are helping people.

While I wish McDonald's had the same level of regard for ALL life, I am glad they are giving a group of people the respect they deserve.

It's not a matter of being made in a god's image. It's a matter of having respect for life - all life. McDonald's shows that they respect the rights of gay people to make their own choices. That is what I support.

[theKid]

I have to admit I always find it fascinating that people believe their "loving" god to be so petty and judgmental. Any god I would accept to believe in isn't going to condemn me or anyone else for trying to find someone to love in this chaotic world that thrives on separating people and causing rifts in interpersonal relationships. No matter the gender of the people involved in being happy.

I'm anti-McDonalds for vast amounts of reasons, the way they treat the animals that are part of their food supply, the way they treat the people who (used to, often) live where they want to grow/raise their food sources, their direct-marketing of extremely unhealthy foods to children... but that they're standing up and taking a stand for human rights? Is awesome to see.

It's funny, you attract more people to your ideas when you're nice to them... Jon, you might consider such concepts, because after all, your Jesus? Would be more likely to be hanging out with me than with you. In the end, we're all human beings, and we all deserve the right to love and be happy for the brief, fleeting moments we have on this plane of existence. Leave the judgments to the people/deities that are qualified to make them, and go live your life, Jon.

That's all any of us are trying to do.

[Beatrice]

Nice post.

I somehow wound up on the AFA e-mail list a few years back. I still get their e-mails from time to time and I read them, as you do, as information about businesses I should support, rather than boycott.