Just curious what you think - Starbucks vs. the Military

luvmykids wrote: I was talking to a friend tonight who is active in the military, he was telling me that some soldiers in Iraq made a request to Starbucks to send them some of their ground coffee and that Starbucks not only declined but sent a really nasty letter regarding their views on the war and that therefore, they would not show any support of the troops.

This is what bothers me and what I'm curious to hear from others about:

I can understand 100% being against the war. I also understand that when someone signs up for the military going to war is a risk they take. HOWEVER they do not choose their assignments and they do not choose which war to participate in. They are duty bound and IMHO regardless of how I feel about the war itself, I absolutely stand by the men and women fighting it. Even on principle alone, I could never be disrespectful of a member of our military for the simple fact that whether I like the way its done or not, they are the people working and sacrificing for my personal freedom.

For some reason it just really bothered me, I am truly floored that anyone would make such a blatant display of disrespect to the very same people who do their best to guarantee all of us our freedom.

If Starbucks, as a whole, is so against the war, fine, and say so, but why take it out on the soldiers who are away from home in miserable conditions when they have the ability to do something so small to make it a teeny tiny bit better?

It irks me a lot and I think I'll have to find another coffee house.

jaytrevjax replied: This is very disturbing! Not only are they at least a multi-MILLION dollar company, but they shouldn't, as a company, have political views on this kind of stuff. Like you said, you may not agree on the war going on right now, but EVERYONE should at least support the troops fighting wherever it is for our country! They are heros and should be treated as such! Just my opinion!

Jackie012007 replied: ugh that just irritates me... I agree whole-heartedly with you, you can oppose the war, but you don't have to be complete jack#$%^$#@# to the people who are defending our comfortable selves, over in Iraq or wherever else. I have a penpal in Iraq and of course he can't tell me specifics, but let me tell you, they are so miserable over there. These are the people who bravely fight and DIE so that our quality of life is maintained. That makes me sick, screw Starbucks!

gr33n3y3z replied: over lousy coffee they wont send
very sad it makes me sick

Mommy2Isabella replied: Being from a military family ( my father was in the Navy for 28 years) and then Marrying a man in the Navy, and having my best friend join the marines, and My brother in the Army.

I am the WRONG person to talk about NOT SUPPORTING THE TROOPS. I have magnents all over my car and I am the one who can hardley sleep at night knowing my brother is over there fighting for everyones freedom when they are like I HATE AMERICA ... well LEAVE!

WOO ... alright, let me stop before I get to into this. Obviously my personal opinion of Starbucks is changed after this incident which I heard about, but there are also many PEOPLE < famous people) that are protesting and what not. Just a lot of things that people have said and done, many people don't hear about because it isn't a big company.

Do I support the WAR? Not so much, but the troops ... YOU BETCHA!!

luvmykids replied: Someone just sent me the snoops.com page on this, apparantley it is untrue. I don't know if my friend is aware of it and just wanted to rile some folks up,or just took someoone elses word for it, but according to snoops, a letter was truly circulated by a Marine who falsely heard the story, so I guess that part is true but Starbucks issued a statement about it as well and that part of it (them not supporting the troops) is untrue.

Snoops

Anyhoo, I guess I'm an easy target for riling up And still mean what I said about the troops.

Mommy2Isabella replied: You are a blessing to those troops !! Trust me, my brother is over there and knowing what he is fighting for ( everyone's freedom ) it feels good to know they are supported!!

Nina J replied: You can't blame soldiers for the desicions there Government make. I'm against war, but I'm not against supporting people who risk there lives for others.

paradisemommy replied: this has been going on for a couple years now...here's another disclaiming the story..

http://www.shortfamilyonline.com/life/archives/000337.php

CantWait replied: WE had a similar situation with Tim Horton's here. They didn't want to set up a trailer there because of the cost involved. Well our soldier's got their Timmy's now. I hope Starbucks smartens up. I'm on the same opinion as yourself, I don't agree with the "war" in Iraq, however I wish those soldiers all the best because God knows it wasn't their choice to be there right now.

C&K*s Mommie replied: Not that I am a know-it-all by any means , but that was my initial thought about Starbucks.... why would they put a multi-million dollar business and franchises on the line over making such an inappropiate statement that surely would have heads spinning! Their PR department would have to be all on vacation, and an intern would have had to written that letter. I read what was later deemed the truth on Snopes, and that makes much more sense. And I can see how Starbucks was to blame for the $130/case of water on 9/11, since it was an employee of thiers, it is easier to point fingers at a business than it is at one person. But again it was proven that they, as the company, were not to blame, except for the handling of the refunds, that took some time and attention for them to step up to the plate.

I appreciate how neutral they stay when it comes to political stances, or religious charities. I could not see being a patron of a business if I knew that a portion of every dollar went to a cause/organization that I did not support, or was completely against.

ashtonsmama replied:

As much as I love Starbucks, that is really messed up!

ashtonsmama replied:

Amen. Having worked in PR departments for different types of companies, I can tell you that that type of letter NEVER would have been sent had it been an exec. or pres. of the company, for sure. I would hate to do damage control for them right now.