Ronald shouldn’t reach out
Published 12:01 am Monday, April 4, 2011
With April showers like this, May should bring fresh bouquets to everyone, every day. Let’s rain on the headlines:
•”Ronald McDonald is reaching out to kids online“: A new TV campaign asks kids to download their photos to his website and create photos of themselves with him, USA Today reports. In the ads, the iconic McDonald’s pitchman is a vigorous clown — he dances, plays soccer, shoots hoops — and encourages kids to visit his website and download photos and videos — Ronaldgrams — to share with friends, USA Today reports.
People concerned about child obesity and the influence of advertising on children object to this pseudo social-networking around fast food. Equally objectionable, or more so, is the fact that parents are struggling to teach their children not to send their pictures to friendly strangers on the internet.
Someone dressed as a clown requesting a child’s photograph is always creepy, with or without the McNuggets. Without a lot of prompting, and promises of toys, would a child ever want to “create” a photo of him or herself with Ronald McDonald? What would Big Bird say?
•”CEO pay soars while workers’ pay stalls“: With so much uncertainty in the world, isn’t it reassuring that some things remain constant? “At a time most employees can barely remember their last substantial raise, median CEO pay jumped 27 percent in 2010 as the executives’ compensation” made its way back to prerecession levels, a USA Today analysis found. Ah, all is right with the universe.
•”Catholic parents, students march in favor of paddling“: More than 500 students, parents and other supporters of St. Augustine High School in New Orleans marched on the offices of Archbishop Gregory Aymond to oppose his call to end the school’s use of corporal punishment, the Times-Picayune reported.
Even if unfair, sometimes it makes sense to guage how taking a stand might come across public-relations wise. Catholics clamoring for the right to spank students manages to sound … wrong.
•”Romantic rejection causes physical pain“: Indeed. It can also cause outbreaks of bad poetry, country songs and a high rate of regretful late night phone messages and cliche-filled Tweets.
Of course romantic rejection is just one cause of pain, researchers found. Other rejections causing physical discomfort: Not making the team, the sorority, or the clique. Not getting the job, being “defriended,” or just hearing the word “defriended” can cause aches and odd rashes.
•”Good grief, another Issaquah couple caught having sex in their car“: It’s called keeping up with the Joneses. And its given the Legislature another great idea for a vehicle fee…
