What Happened to Ronald McDonald?

Justin and Justina are two (fictional) similarly-named and unusual friends who live in New York City. Together, the make up The New Leaf Journal’s resident dialogue duo, bringing readers their conversations since October 2020. In today’s dialogue, Justin offers his thoughts on the recent disruptive protests at New York City’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. However, being Justin, this thoughts quickly move from troubling anti-Israel and terror-curious sentiments to an issue that has been bothering him for a long time: What in the world happened to that Ronald McDonald guy?

Justin and Justina have been providing The New Leaf Journal with dialogues since October 2020. You can see the whole list in their dialogue collection archive.

Dialogue Introduction

Justina happened upon New York City’s Thanksgiving Day Parade while she was out on Thanksgiving in Manhattan. She noted protest activity. Against her better instincts, she shared the news via text message with Justin.

Dialogue: The Fate of Ronald McDonald

Justina: I just walked past this parade in Manhattan.
Justin: The Thanksgiving one?
Justina: Yeah.
Justin: It's slightly less offensive than the New Years Eve Ball Drop.
Justina:  Why is that offensive?
Justin:  It's too upsetting to talk about. Remind me on New Years Eve since it can't be avoided at that point.
Justina: Ok I'll remember to forget.
Justin: Thanks.
Justina: There was something happening at the Thanksgiving thing. I think it was some protest. Here: https://nypost.com/2023/11/23/metro/pro-palestinian-protesters-glue-their-hands-to-street-disrupting-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade/
Justin: Interesting. The terrorism sympathizers are culturally appropriating the gluing thing from the tree-huggers. I'm just a bit "hashtag" triggered.
Justina: I think they were saying they wanted a ceasefire or something.
Justin: Right right. The "experts" always try to contextualize why the friends of terror do what they do. It's strange how these people were not activated for the massacre that caused Israel's response other than to try to prevent Israel from responding.
Justina: I see.
Justin: Wait, I see something big here.
Justina: About the protesters?
Justin: They taught me us elementary school not to make fun of Tommy when he accidentally glued himself to the table. That lesson stayed with me. 
Justina: Then what?
Justin: Look at this picture: https://web.archive.org/web/20231127165201if_/https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/2023-11-23T150945Z_718798194_RC22J4AZGU7Q_RTRMADP_3_USA-THANKSGIVING-PARADE.jpg
Justina: What is there to look at besides the protesters? The purple guy?
Justin: Oh right, the purple guy. Look at him. He looks like he's having an epiphany as he witnesses the decline and fall of the West. What was his name again?
Justina: I think I knew before...
Justin: But anyway, while I understand how he feels, that's not what I'm talking about.
Justina: Right.
Justin: See the people behind the purple guy?
Justina: I do.
Justin: What are they all dressed up as?
Justina: Waldo? From Where's Waldo?
Justin: ...
Justina: What, that wasn't right?
Justin: It wasn't but now I can't unsee it.
Justina: I guess Waldo wouldn't have much to do with McDonald's.
Justin: They're dressed as a certain Ronald McDonald.
Justina: Oh right, that guy.
Justin: You made my point for me though.
Justina: I did?
Justin: Thanks.
Justina: What was the point?
Justin: Do you really want to know?
Justina: On second thought.
Justin: Are you sure you're ready for this truth?
Justina: I already changed my mind.
Justin: What ever happened to that Ronald McDonald guy?
Justina: I didn't ask but I guess that could have been worse.
Justin: He used to be everywhere. Couldn't go outside without seeing Ronald McDonald somewhere.
Justina: Are you sure you're also from Brooklyn?
Justin: Turn on the TV? Ronald. Walk past McDonald's? Ronald. Close your eyes to go to sleep? 'Ole McDonald.
Justina: Wait what was that last one?
Justin: But now the guy has gone quiet. Incognito. Is he under cover? Maybe what's going on there is a Ronald McDonald solidarity march, everyone dressed as him. "I am Spartacus" became "I am Ronald McDonald." Whoa.
Justina: I knew I shouldn't have asked.
Justin: Do you think they have reason to believe that Ronald McDonald is uniquely threatened by the Hamas-curious types?