Is there any group Starbucks hasn't upset?

[The Large One]

If they're not busy enough already pissing off the Fair Trade people, they have now pissed off the US army. I received this circular email this morning. Sorry if it's fixtures...

=====================

JUST A NOTE TO THIS. STARBUCKS HAD STORE ON SEVERAL MILITARY BASES IN THE UNITED STATES THEY ARE NOW BEING REMOVED BECAUSE OF THIS. GO GETTUM AMERICA. STAND-UP FOR OURSELVES!


Recently Marines in Iraq wrote to Starbucks because they wanted to let them know how much they liked their coffees and to request that they send some of it to the troops there. Starbucks replied, telling the Marines thank you for their support of their business, but that Starbucks does not support the war, nor anyone in it, and that they would not send the troops their brand of coffee.

So as not to offend Starbucks, maybe we should not support them by
buying any of their products! I feel we should get this out in the open. I
know this war might not be very popular with some folks, but that doesn't
mean we don't support the boys on the ground fighting street -to-street and
house-to-house.

If you feel the same as I do then pass this along, or you can discard it and no one will never know.

Thanks very much for your support. I know you'll all be there again when I deploy once more.

Semper Fidelis.
Sgt. Howard C. Wright
1st Force Recon Co
1st Plt PLT

PLEASE DON'T DELETE THIS... ALLOW IT TO BE PASSED TO ALL IN MEMORY OF ALL THE TROOPS WHO HAVE DIED SO THAT WE MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE TO SUPPORT THEM OR NOT! ! !

Also, don't forget that when the Twin Trade Towers were hit the fire fighters and rescue workers went to Starbucks because it was close by for water for the survivors and workers and Starbucks charged them! ! !

=================

In other words, boycott Starbucks because as a corporate entity, it doesn't support the war. Funnily enough, I won't be supporting the military on this one. In fact, they can blow this one out of their arses. FWIW I already have a self-imposed boycott of Starbucks anyway, if not only for their Fair Trade practices (or lack of them), but also for the fact I find the coffee unnecessarily expensive and fundamentally undrinkable.

 

[Normal Rob]

probably the only good thing Starbucks have ever done.

 

[beorhthelm]

oh the irony. big corporate US corporate with questionable ethics disapproves of the war? where the f*** do they think all the plactics they use come from, the polymer tree?

 

[Grendel]

Not true: http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/starbucks.asp

 

[The Large One]

Looks like I was suckered there.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

So in answer to the question.

The US Military, although I wouldn't necessarily call them a 'group'.

 

[tedebear]

I simply cannot fathom some of the anger pointed at Starbucks...

 

[Barrel of Fun]

I simply cannot fathom some of the anger pointed at Starbucks...

One of many examples...

"Ethiopia had applied to trademark its most famous coffee names, Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe, to enable it to capture more value from trade, control their use and allow farmers to receive a greater share of the retail price.

Last month charity group Oxfam said that Starbucks’ attempts to derail the application, by asking the National Coffee Association of USA Inc. to oppose approval of the trademarks, could deny producers an estimated £47mn (about $88.5mn) a year. It added that Ethiopian farmers earn as little as $0.75 for a pound of beans, which Starbucks earned up to $26 a pound for."

 

[tedebear]

One of many examples...

"Ethiopia had applied to trademark its most famous coffee names, Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe, to enable it to capture more value from trade, control their use and allow farmers to receive a greater share of the retail price.

Last month charity group Oxfam said that Starbucks’ attempts to derail the application, by asking the National Coffee Association of USA Inc. to oppose approval of the trademarks, could deny producers an estimated £47mn (about $88.5mn) a year. It added that Ethiopian farmers earn as little as $0.75 for a pound of beans, which Starbucks earned up to $26 a pound for."

I said "some" of them - however since you've picked on that one the Ethiopian government aren't completely blameless either!

 

[Gwylan]

I simply cannot fathom some of the anger pointed at Starbucks...

Do you mean apart from serving crap, over-priced coffee?

 

[tedebear]

Do you mean apart from serving crap, over-priced coffee?

To be fair thats your opinion, I like their coffee and I don't mind paying over the odds for it.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

I said "some" of them - however since you've picked on that one the Ethiopian government aren't completely blameless either!

Whilst that is true, a large company such as Starbucks has the ability to aid whilst not crippling itself financially. Their revenue is something like $8bn, only $3bn less than the Ethiopian GDP!! I don't think a 'sweat shop' type scenario is acceptable at any level, even if none of the parties involved are blameless.

I also find them a blight on the highstreet and would much rather support an independant retailer.

 

[tedebear]

Whilst that is true, a large company such as Starbucks has the ability to aid whilst not crippling itself financially. Their revenue is something like $8bn, only $3bn less than the Ethiopian GDP!! I don't think a 'sweat shop' type scenario is acceptable at any level, even if none of the parties involved are blameless.

I also find them a blight on the highstreet and would much rather support an independant retailer.

It does have the ability to aid, however it only sources 2% of its coffee from Ethiopia. The Ethiopian government creates its own sweatshop environment by not allowing its farmers to own their land, and charging them ridiculous rates and leases for farming it. Seizing the land back at will and keeping the farmers poor!

Starbucks are not perfect, and their attempts to block the trademarking of some of these coffees was stupid and they have backtracked somewhat - but the fact of the matter is the money still isn't getting to the farmers, no matter who we chose to make the scapegoat, until the Ethiopian Government sorts it out internally then trademarking it won't matter a dot.

Starbucks do do some good around the world, and I admit they could do more, but what good they do do is overlooked as people are hell bent on cropping the tall poppy that starbucks is.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

I like Starbucks coffee, and am partial to the odd Cinnamon Swirl. The Polish girl who works in the Southampton one is also gorgeous.

Hope this helps.

 

[Tesco in Disguise]

Starbucks are not perfect, and their attempts to block the trademarking of some of these coffees was stupid

stupid? it's morally reprehensible. what do you need starbucks to do before you make the tiny personal sacrifice of not buying their coffee?

 

[Tubby Mondays]

Yes there is: the JBRA. Never been in a Starbucks. Never drank coffee. Dont know what coffee is. If they did wouldnt drink it.

Answer your question?

 

[tedebear]

stupid? it's morally reprehensible. what do you need starbucks to do before you make the tiny personal sacrifice of not buying their coffee?

I think the problem is more that the farmers don't get the money no matter what Starbucks do or don't do?

 

[JJ McClure]

I don't like Starbucks because they don't do Cinnamon latte. The buggers.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

what do you need starbucks to do before you make the tiny personal sacrifice of not buying their coffee?

Stop serving nice coffee and cinnamon swirls, and sack the cute blonde girl.

 

[Tesco in Disguise]

I think the problem is more that the farmers don't get the money no matter what Starbucks do or don't do?

that's a separate issue. you know what the company has done. you either condone it (keep buying), or don't. simple.