On the evening of August 31, 1999, a bomb went off in Moscow's Western-style Manezh shopping mall, showering nearby fast food restaurants and patrons with glass and metal. 

     A self-proclaimed revolutionary group protesting growing consumerism in Russia claimed responsibility for the bomb. The Russian Federal Security Service found a note claiming that a 'union of revolutionary writers' had begun a war against consumerism: 
 

Acts like those taken today create a social engine which is still experimental, but is gradually becoming a real social factor... A hamburger not eaten to the end by the dead consumer is a  revolutionary hamburger. Consumers: We don't like your way of life and it's unsafe for you.

    Police arrested Dmitry Pimenov, who was traced him from a photograph on the group's web site.  Dmitry denied the charge on Moscow television.    Meanwhile, the Islamic Army for the Liberation of Dagestan has also claimed responsibility.

     Unfortunately, recent events indicate that the Chechnya-based Dagestani's are more likely culprits than the self-proclaimed anticonsumerists.  But, even if theirs is a false confession, their "revolutionary hamburger" concept reinforces my belief that the burger is a quintessential American icon (see my thoughts on this point as written up in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune).  Yes, burger equals America in the minds of many.

Paris

     Meanwhile, a war is being fought between McDonald's and French nationalists concerned over what they call "American hegemony over France's eating habits."  Jose Bove leads a group of peasant farmers in its war against Mickey D's.  Mr. Bove has jailed for the past two weeks since leading a raid which demolished a McDonald's restaurant. 

     Denis Hennequin, chairman of McDonald's France, said he was "a little fed up with being the symbol [of American hegemony]."  Well, sorry Denis, but it will remain that way as long as billions and billions are served.  That's the price you pay for being #1.  Hmm, snooty French fascists verses American capitalist pigs.  How does one  pick a side here?