I think most Americans *do* have a tremendous respect for our ancestral cultures, and that if anything, Scotland and Ireland get more attention than most because so many of us have Scottish and/or Irish ancestry. I'm something close to 75% British of one flavor or another myself, and I'm proud of it. And when I say that my name is an American name, I'm not denying that my married name is also English, nor that my maiden name is Scots-Irish. But they're equally American, because that's what *I* am, and they're *my* names.

Are we talking about the chain "McDonald's" suing them? Because corporations are just sue happy. It is really annoying. But American's with the actual name "McDonald" opening up a restaurant would get sued too.

I guess I have a problem with a foreign company challenging the right of an actual McDonald highlander to use their clan name.

What Susan Said.

Here in Scotland.

Ah. For using the name McDonalds to run a fast food restaurant? Well, if so, you'll have to take your beef to corporate America, I'm afraid that none of the Buffistas have much influence over McDonalds corp. But FWIW, I don't think their beef, if you'll pardon the pun, is that the name is American. They are concerned about preserving the brand name.

Of course, my last name really is "American" ecause I am pretty sure it was changed when my grandfather's family emigrated from Germany right before WWI. Unless there are a lot of German "Taylors" running around.

I guess I have a problem with a foreign company challenging the right of an actual McDonald highlander to use their clan name.

Well, if the foreign corporation was suing in your country, they would have been suing under that country's laws. If they were suing for trademark infringment, it was a trademark granted by that country.

They are concerned about preserving the brand name.

At the risk of going round in perpetual circles the name is not theirs to brand and yes I know that the Buffistas don't rule the world *yet* so the situation is unlikely to be fixed from this discussion.

I'm one of those. I tend to think it's been an attractive heritage to claim since WWII--it's got all that romantic mythology and persecution

USian persecution recently enough that it's still a factor in the Aggressive Celtic Pride seen in some USians of Irish Descent, in point of fact. (USians of Scottish Descent, in my experience, tend to only get aggressive about it if drinks are being selected, or if their name happens to be Ian Bruce (McRealLastName) and they happen to be my brother.)

Before making blanket assumptions about USian history, do a little research on it.

Hey, on that note, I'm going to go read The Gangs of New York, all about the Civil War draft riots and Irish gangs.

Or maybe Stanley Basic Wiring. hmmm.

Stanley Basic Wiring is more depressing.

-Signed, needs to rewire house ASAP.