Annie, I am fairly familiar with the case. British law on such things is different than American law, and I won't enter into all that except to say that under the British system, the burden of truth regarding public accusations against another is on the accuser. Like it or not, that is their law. I also am not even going to try and defend the actions of a howmanybillion dollar company, or pretend to know the truth behind the allegations of both sides. However, it was enlightening to me to know that the defendants were members of a fringe environmentalist organization that didn't want to affiliate itself with Greenpeace because it was "too mainstream" (Jeepers!) Also, that the fliers they were distributing made the claims that: McDonald's: * is complicit in Third World starvation; * buys from greedy rulers and elites and practices economic imperialism; * wastes vast quantities of grain and water; * destroys rainforests with poisons and colonial invasions; * sells unhealthy, addictive junk food; * alters its food with artificial chemistry; * exploits children with its advertising; * is responsible for torture and murder of animals; * poisons customers with contaminated meat; * exploits its workers and bans unions; * destroys rainforests; * hides its malfeasance.* Now. Did McDonalds overreact? React too harshly? Was McDonalds mean? I don't know. But here we are, 20 years after the fact, hearing from people who were influenced against the company by the case to the point of boycotting their products. I've never owned or had any significant financial interest in a company as big as McDonalds. But if I found out that someone here in town was distributing fliers that accused me of committing horrendous and possibly criminal practices in the course of my daily business, I would fight it. That someone not particularly educated in either law or experienced in any field related to the case made a film, apparently portraying the defendants as puny, helpless victims bullied by an Evil Mega Corp does not impress me. Biased, slanted "documentaries" are produced every day. As for being partially correct in the allegations, I suppose I could be accused of some of those things with equal accuracy. I could well be accused of being, "complicit in Third World starvation" because I eat beef on a regular basis...if I ate lentils instead, I could feed any number of starving people by sending them the money I would save. I expect that I buy from what some would consider "greedy rulers and elites" as well. I would have no defense to the charge that I waste grain and water, depending on the accuser's perspective. I water my roses...frivolous things, and shower far more often than absolutely needed. I don't know how poisons, "colonial invasions" and rainforests could be attributed to me, but then, I don't know how they could be attributed to McDonald's either. Are my contributions to church bake sales selling "unhealthy, addictive junk food?" Okay, okay, I'll quit...but you get my point, right? Likely, I'm far too sensitive on these subjects. I get itchy over attacks on "Big Evil Corporate America" because so often, we jump on the band wagon before we look into it, and so very often, the attacks have less to do with actual facts and more to do with the agendas of the attackers. This is funny, really. Here I am, speaking up for a restaurant I don't even frequent! Once every couple of years or so I drive through to grab something because I'm in a huge rush, on a road trip, whatever...and I ALWAYS regret it! The first two bites taste good because I'm hungry and after that I'm increasingly grossed out. Inevitably, I end up throwing out half my food and wonder what the heck I was thinking!

BLT's here too...well not so much the B but lot's of T and L ! Sweet corn and potato salad too ....as a matter of fact tonight is sweet corn, potato salad and grilled hot dogs! HOT DOGS.....who does hot dogs! I love summer and overdose on those things that we don't see the other 10 months of a year ! I'm also overdosing on cucumber and sweet onion rings in sour cream and vinegar.

Thanks everybody you're very nice and kind ;o) Thanks Lydia, Ever since Moni suggested wearing red for support to our Kt friends on Thursdays I've tried to make sure I follow through, and Moni looks fantastic in Red! Aw that so sweet Marilyn, thanks and someday I'd like to meet you too! Silly Flamey, of course we talked about you ;o) As soon as Moni pulled that thumb pincushion out of the bag she said "Did you get that from the link Flamey posted?" heheheh you were sweet to post it and I'm really grateful thanks again! Missindia, that's the nicest compliment for me, I'd love to have Moni as a sister ;o) Ont_gal, DH fixed it for me, he didn't want me to pull any of the knobs - turns out on a Ford you push and hold the clock button while mashing the seek button, who knew you don't punch and poke lol. Thank you Shirley that's a nice compliment too! Aw thanks Jel very sweet of you to say so! Thanks Alisande, we had a great time, Moni is so much fun to be around! Ruthie Hugs! It's a little part but we hope it somehow makes you feel we're holding your hand when you need us. Leslie teehee! Yup it's cold in Texas today and it was yesterday but the day before that it was a nice warm 78 degrees......I miss Tuesday lol. YaYa, we both wished All of you had been there with us! I'm sorry you missed it but hey there's always next time ;o) Thanks Glenda! Thank you Nodakgal, I wish you could have been there too ;o) I wish you could have been here too Coral, and Moni is great fun! We had a really good time today. Thank you Moni I'm so thrilled we were able to have lunch together today. P.S. I had an email from Moni a bit ago saying she got back home safely so nite nite and see ya'll all in the morning!

I suggested ribs to Glenda, but she talked the waiter into getting her a sample of the bbq beef brisket and decided right then that's what she wanted. I just ate some ribs the other day and didn't want anymore right now. Lydia, I made some peanut butter fudge for Glenda for a b'day gift. I didn't know what to get her, but I figured if I made something with peanut butter in it she would like it. Linda