Essay 1127

Adjusting the contrast with a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• Mickey D’s will contribute $2 million to the La Jolla, California-based Scripps Institute for funding research and programs targeting child obesity. “Everything that we keep on seeing is the whole issue of childhood obesity and the early onset of Type 2 diabetes has grown exponentially,” said President and Chief Operating Officer Ralph Alvarez. “We felt we needed to get greater education in this area.” Alvarez is aware of the irony of the company’s donation. “Ironic or not we’re going to make a difference. … You won’t see those benefits short-term, in one to three years, because habits change over time. But as a major restaurant company, we need to be on the cutting edge of what’s happening.” So for now, keep feeding your kiddies Happy Meals to give the researchers plenty of scientific data to work with. And the Scripps Institute can probably expect to receive the $2 million in the form of McDonald’s Gift Certificates.

• Oprah is launching her own XM Satellite Radio channel called Oprah and Friends. The station will broadcast 24/7, featuring personalities from her TV show. Let’s see, Oprah’s got TV, radio, Internet and magazines covered. Look for the woman to fund inventing a new media outlet to dominate soon. And to contrast Oprah’s XM Satellite Radio offerings, Snoop is hitting the scene in November.