The Washington Post just carried an article in which Montgomery County Council Member George Leventhal complained about a school fundraiser at McDonald’s. I’ve got news for you, George: given what’s already going on, it’s just not that strange!
According to the Post, the “McTeachers Night” fundraisers feature teachers serving students at McDonald’s with the schools getting a cut of the proceeds. Upon hearing about this at a council meeting, Leventhal reacted with disbelief:
“Teachers are enlisted by McDonald’s to work behind the cash register at McDonald’s, and students are recruited to go to McDonald’s that night to see their teacher dishing out the Big Macs?” he asked with horror. “I never heard of that.”
About 20 minutes later, Leventhal spoke up again. “The McDonald’s thing really bothers me a lot,” he said, his sentiment partly fueled by a concern about childhood obesity. “I mean, I don’t know if we’d have a fundraiser at the local cigarette store.”
Now look, George. It’s seventy degrees out and it’s February, and that’s causing some odd behavior. Governor O’Malley and State Superintendent of Schools Nancy Grasmick kissed and made up. Immigrant-baiting Republicans are voting for John McCain for President. And even you and Marc Elrich are cooperating(!) on a bill to protect domestic workers. So maybe it’s not so strange that among these oddball alliances, the teachers are teaming up with McDonald’s.
And that’s not all! Looking through my inbox, I see a lot more weird things going on. Hmmm, let’s go through the list of upcoming events:
March 8
Fundraiser for County Council Member Marc Elrich, Federal Realty Headquarters, Rockville, MD. Special guests: Neighborspac Executive Director Drew Powell and Doug Duncan.
March 29
Fundraiser for _______________ at Georgia Avenue/Forest Glen Road intersection, Silver Spring. (Errr, one problem with this. We can’t get any politicians to appear for fear of endangering their lives at the Intersection of Death.)
April 17
Casa de Maryland hosts rally for County Executive Candidate Chuck Floyd, Wheaton. Special guests: District 18 Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez and Help Save Maryland Founder Brad Botwin. Start of petition drive calling for removal of MCPD Chief Tom Manger.
April 26
Joint Fundraiser, District 39 Senator Nancy King and Delegate Saqib Ali, Montgomery Village. Special guests: Governor O’Malley and Comptroller Franchot. Also appearing: Abraham Van Helsing and Dracula.
May 10
Reverend Donald Wildmon hosts fundraiser for District 18 Delegate Candidate Dana Beyer, Chevy Chase. Special guests: District 31 Delegate Donald Dwyer and District 18 Delegate Jeff Waldstreicher. Also appearing: Itchy and Scratchy.