P.O. Box 1528 McDonald's Corporation To Whom it May Concern: Recently McDonald's has been running a series of commercials wherein the concept is people who are so enthralled with your food products that they actually talk to themselves, even though it is obvious in the commercials that no one else is around! Now, I love McDonald's. I always have! Your French Fries are simply marvelous (or are we still, as a country, referring to them as Freedom Fries? I don't keep myself too up-to-date in the news world)! But, my burger-flippin' buddies, as a recovering Schizophrenic, I am very offended by these commercials. I suffered from Schizophrenia for some-odd thirteen years before seeking professional help and eventually being referred to the New York State Psychiatric Institute, which proved to be a real turning point for me. My life has improved in many ways ever since my treatment, and I am very thankful. In case any of you are unaware of the mental disorder Schizophrenia, here is a general definition that you might find informative: "A mental disorder or heterogeneous group of disorders (the schizophrenias or schizophrenic disorders) comprising most major psychotic disorders and characterized by disturbances in form and content of thought (loosening of associations, delusions and hallucinations) mood (blunted, flattened or inappropriate affect), sense of self and relationship to the external world (loss of ego boundaries, dereistic thinking and autistic withdrawal) and behavior (bizarre, apparently purposeless and stereotyped activity or inactivity)." Perhaps now you are beginning to understand what I am getting at. Do you believe Schizophrenia is funny? A hilarious marketing scheme? Or perhaps, even more terrifying, are you implying that McDonald's food is so good, it will give you Schizophrenia? Either way, I am not amused and am very disturbed. I ask you to use better common sense in your next marketing campaign, and more attractive actors and actresses. Please get back to me on this matter as soon as possible (or "ASAP," if you will) in order to clarify your negative view of individuals like myself. I have suffered a great deal in my lifetime due to this disorder, but I'm a proud man, damn it. Sincerely, Q. Lamaar Richelieu P.S. -- What ever happened to your "We love to see you smile!" campaign? Is McDonald's no longer concerned with making me smile? Does this help to explain McDonald's blatant mockery of mental disorders? Please tell me I'm wrong, I don't want to lose faith in a company that has certainly become an outstanding example of American excellence! |