McDonalds is undeniably the largest of the fast-food giants. Some say this billion dollar company takes advantage of our need to eat restaurant cuisine, and taunts us with their dollar menu. The high-calorie foods certainly play a small part in the increase in weight problems, and heart disease that I write about daily. For this, and many other reasons, the McDonalds Corporation became the first victim of a group calling themselves the Food Liberation Army.
The mission of the Food Liberation Army, according to their website, is:
“To liberate man from systems bigger than him or her.”
Sounds good, right? But how does one go about such a lofty goal? The answer – kidnap an internationally beloved icon.
On February 1st, Ronald McDonald was reported missing. The group quickly took responsibility for the kidnapping. They posted a statement demanding McDonalds answer their questions by February 17th, or Ronald would die.
The Food Liberation Army jumped the gun a bit when they lost patience with McDonalds lack of response. The execution of Ronald McDonald went forward on February 11th at 6:30 P.M.
The video is staged much like the gruesome execution videos by al-Qaida. Ronald is lying tied to a slab under a guillotine. The kidnappers, dressed from head to toe in black, disguise their voices with a synthesizer. The scene has a dramatic flair. You hold your breath waiting for the inevitable while staring at the basket that sits under the head of Ronald McDonald. With deliberate effort and forethought, the kidnappers beheaded this beloved icon for the entire world to see.
Okay, so it is probably in poor taste. I can’t help it. I laughed all the way through, from the kidnapper’s politically motivated statement to watching Ronald’s head drop. The best part is the mixed reactions from those who witnessed the incident on video. They range from outrage to anguish. I’m not clear on the purpose of this organization, but if they wanted to point out that obesity is on the rise, you have them credit for creativity. Sometimes it takes a horrific act for people to see the light.
Whatever their reason, I found the video well deserving of a place in Brilliance off the Beaten Path. My favorite comment is by a poster named Kathy.
“He smiled right up to the very end. He was the innocent victim of his employer’s greed. I’ll always remember him.” Well said Kathy, well said.
Ronald McDonald
1963 – 2011
The Food Liberation Army: We Have Kidnapped Ronald McDonald
