It's tough being an international icon, but doesn't McDonald's deserve better than to be the brunt of criticism from Prince Charles?   Leftists, like France's Bove, have used McDonald's stores for at least a decade to express their contempt for globalization and bad food.

Now, leftwing nuts can buy a hamburger, call their cohorts to riot, and do this all from the clean confines of a McDonald's restaurant, at least in Japan. NTT DoCoMo and McDonald's have teamed up to extend NTT DoCoMo's e-cash system to McDonald's purchases.  For some, it's a rotten mouthful; for others, it's a cyber-dream all too passe, but thanks for the convenience.  I just shudder about the implications for security and legal protection.

It's not that I'm a dinosaur or an organic farmer, like Prince Charles.  I might still wear a wristwatch, but my cellphone keeps the time correct.  My wife would say I'm very connected to my computer, almost bigamously.  I hate loose change.  But, seriously, I wonder if Japan's, or any less developed country's legal and regulatory system is ready for these cyber-conveniences.  I worry about health inspections in McDonald's as it is, now I have to worry that some computer glitch won't charge me for more Happy Meals than any grown man should admit to.  That might excite angry mothers to boycott McDonald's.