McWhatTheF*ck

Today, the Crazy Hip Blog Mamas posted a link to a news story that suggests the nation should boycott McDonalds. I was like, oh man, what have they done this time?

I read Fast Food Nation. I watched SuperSize Me. I’ve seen their bun-as-lactating boob ad. I’ve read about the lawsuit over the beef fat in their vegetarian fries. I’ve survived wicked McIndigestion on the New Jersey turnpike on long drives down to DC. Is there yet another reason to start weaning ourselves off the artery-clogging scrumptiousness (and magical hangover-helping properties) of Mickey D’s?

Allegedly McDonald’s is knowingly, willingly, joyously, hiring sex offenders to work the counters. At least according to Nashville’s WTVF.

(A hint to the NewsChannel 5 Investigative Team: If you have a real story about real pedophiles working the counters, don’t lead off with a quote from an employee who was convicted of having sex with a 17 year-old when he was 21. Lumping BS statutory rape charges in with actual sexual predators does your entire story a disservice.)

So while it seems that there are a whole lot of incidences around the country (holy crap, what is up with Indiana and Lousiana?) that support the allegation, it begs the question–what’s to be done about it?

Contacting McDonalds seems like a start, but is a full-out boycott of the company really going to fix the problem? Isn’t it easy for those convicts to just fill out applications over at Burger King or Chuck E Cheese or Toys R Us instead?

Perhaps what we need is stricter legislation about the employment of sex offenders, more specifics about where they can and can’t work, and how businesses that put employees in contact with children need to enact background checks on all applicants. I want to do something that goes beyond me just calling a complaint line, getting a “Thanks so much for your call! Have a McNice day!” on the other end, and feeling all peachy because I’ve “done something.” I’d rather figure out what might actually make some impact.

Hm.

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Edited to add: To be clear, I think low-risk ex cons deserve second chances if all signs point to “no worries with this guy.” I’d like to distinguish them from vile repeat offenders who demonstrate an inability to be rehabilitated.

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