Role-Play Debate for course EngC 1015

You make a good point Dain. Why is it that so many people feel that they have to be hostile or do something violent to get a point across. I believe that if there is something that you don't agree with, don't make any rash decisions and go burn down a building. Dain makes a good point when he says that they are attacking their own countrymen. If you don't like what McDonald's is doing, then don't eat there. Don't support them. But don't go ruin a building or hurt others, because even though it is cliche, violence is not the answer. Go complain to the company or some government official. I don't know who they could complain to, but yeah. Write a letter.

It sure is sad that people would do such horrible things to someone in their own city. They think that McDonald's is this big image of America and they forget that really it is just an American idea. In the article, the author mentions how "McDonald's isn't an American company, but a global one owned and run by local people around the world. [McDonald's] is a confederation of very local companies." I like this idea because I don't think that I have ever thought of it like this. The truth is exactly what the quote says. So many people, including Americans, only see McDonald's as strictly American, but really, it has grown into a global chain. Once again, all of this hatred toward McDonald's isn't so much hurting America, but rather the people in our own communities.

I don't understand why all of the McDonalds are such prime targets for terrorism but I do think it's because of this one quote in the article "When Golden Arches Are Too Red, White, and Blue". The quote states this "Most of the world is attracted to our brands, but they're angry about being seduced by them." I wouldn't want the feeling of being seduced by food either- that's weird!! McDonalds portryas kinda "in your face" advertisement as well and you can see them from a mile away! It breaks up the history of a country by placing a McDonalds next to the Louvre or something. They're almost out of place. It has to be the large amounts of fat and intense flavor that keeps McDonalds going. Other cultures love our food so much since it's high in calories/fat/carbs, everything! Most other cultures cook very simplistic and healthy meals. McDonalds and all of the other fast food chains that are popping up all of the world are very successful since it's new food with new flavors that are intriguing to foreigners, but I understand why these people may become upset. I suppose if I lived in an undeveloped nation with poor living standards and an "okay" government with limits, I would tend to be very jealous of the US. We literally have everything and anything compared to many countries. Everybody knows McDonalds is bad for your health but it's the consumers duty to regulate what and how much they eat. Other than being unhealthy, McDonalds standards of keeping a clean bathroom and service with a smile is great and keeps people coming back for more! :) McDonalds may have too many stores that cram the streets but they're at least being a respectable company and applying other cultures food traditions into mind.

McDonalds by itself is a restaurant, a franchise one at that. It is the idea of a restaurant started in the US that has covered the globe with its fast food dominance. The point is well taken that the owners of particular McDonalds are fellow country men, but their money is going to the "American" pocket. This idea they abhore.

I'm no terrorsit and don't plan on attacking a McDonalds ever, but I could see why some people think it is bad. It is America all over the world, where some think we are not welcome.

I think the reasons people associate McDonalds, Coca-Cola, and other multination companies as solely American is because they started in America. One of the reason why some extremists attack McDonald’s restaurants is the same reason why they burn American flags and hand made dummies of President Bush. Its away for them to destroy something they think is or represents something they hate, American culture. Something that should be realized is these groups aren’t high powered terrorists like al-Qaeda, but instead its either a single person or a small fringe group who carries out these attacks. These people already have a deeply rooted hatred towards America, that anything they see as American is a suitable target for their rage.

I am just amazed at the amount of politics and moral debate that can come out of a low quality food restaurant. I think it is a shame that McDonalds is a such a large symbol for American culture. When you think about it, it is actually quite embarrasing. In a country where many cultures coexist the idea of "McWorld" dominates all opinions of the United States. If there is going to be a large generalization of American culture that represents the fast paced and downsides of American culture, I would argue that the internet is an enterprise far more impacting than McDonalds. As much as American culture is based on the fast food mindset, minds are being shifted to doing everything online and vias the internet. The internet has the ability to bring the world close together without human contact. The disappearance of contact could cause greater problems in the future.But I guess if you are looking to attack something to make a point, attacking a McDonalds could be more successful than attacking a computer.

The attacks on McDonalds overseas has not seemed to affect us at all here at home. I believe they are attacking McDonalds because it is an American idea and it is invading their lifestyle. They don't like the idea of their society changing into a more western-like nation. They see it as the enemy and they attack it as their enemy.

Luke Buechs and Jon Martin have it right.

They attack McDonalds because, to them, it's a symbol of American influence in their country. Why do we dye the Chicago river green on St. Patrick's day? It makes no sense, it's a symbol. Plus, when you're in "attack" mode, you're not really thinking logically.

It does seem rather pointless to attack something in this manner. But i guess if i was a raging lunatic i would probably do the same.

First, people that attack McDonald's restaurants are not “raging lunatics.” The same can be said about American's when they are watching Sunday Football—passions rage over an insignificant game. Second, the reason that they act so violently is because, unlike some have suggested, they don't have a reliable, coherent government that does anything for them. The rest of the world is not like the United State, in which if you have a problem and you voice your concerns you can make a change, it doesn’t work like that in weak governments. Also, even if the government would want to do something, it just couldn't challenge McDonald's or any other transnational companies’ economic dominance. So, in frustration of an incompetent government and an overbearing foreign company, these people react the way the do. Also, violent reaction against American companies is not a particular Asian or Middle Eastern phenomenon, people across the world react violently against international business, some just get more press coverage.