More folks swearing off Starbucks
I already gave you my reasons for quitting Starbucks.
The ugly lady logo wasn’t one of them, but it’s apparently got one group worked up into a frothy lather:
Seems that one person’s smut is another person’s morning latte.
A Christian group based in San Diego found grounds for outrage over the new retro-style logo for Starbucks Coffee.
The Resistance says the new image “has a naked woman on it with her legs spread like a prostitute,” Mark Dice, founder of the group, said in a news release. “Need I say more? It’s extremely poor taste, and the company might as well call themselves Slutbucks.”
The group, which claims more than 3,000 members nationwide and has found a place on the fringe advancing various conspiracy theories, is calling for a national boycott of the coffee-selling giant.
“Slutbucks?!”
Crikey. It’s a mermaid.
Whatevs. I’m off to Dunkin’ for a quick mid-afternoon fix…
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It’s not a mermaid. It’s a Siren. FYI
Me too, but for different reasons probably…
Although I’m not a coffee drinker, I enjoy a nice mochaccino now and again — but I avoid Starbucks like the plague. But in my case, it has more to do with their relentless destruction of mom and pop coffee shops and contributions to all the worst aspects of globalization than anything else.
Relentless destruction of mom and pop coffee shops?? Whu ? there are over 17,000 independent coffee shops in America and only ~8,000 Starbucks. How is that “relentless destruction” ? I guess reducing substantially the number of stores opening every year is somehow relentless? http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/080430/starbucks.html?.v=2
Worst aspects of globalization? Maybe you could share some of these aspects with us ???? Your statements, made without any support what-so-ever, reduce your credibility to nearly zero. Maybe you are talking about all the things they do to help farmers around the world and promote sustainability? http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/pressdesc.asp?id=868
Burnt coffee? I hear that said about SB’s coffee all the time. I guess I like it burnt. I think I mentioned last time….there is a SB really really close to my house. I go there everyday. I never pay more than $1.76 for a cup of burnt joe. Yum!
If there was another place that close I would give them a try, but I have grown kind of fond of talking to the loony lefties that work at SB. They’re friendly enough and helpful, but wrong about a lot of things. I’ll get picture of one of the employees cars and try to get it posted somewhere. Uhhh, lets just say she hates Bush and it has a lot of stickers on it.
Not all Starbucks employees are Liberals. There happen to be quite a few conservatives working there.
I stopped going to SB about 1.5 yrs ago after seeing a quote by Randi Rhodes on the side of a cup. Pissed me off, I have not been to one since.
#103 wrote:
From the early to mid-’90s Starbucks (admittedly) developed a “cannibalization strategy” (their terminology — not mine) which involved (at least in urban areas) opening multiple stores within very limited areas (which is why in a place like San Francisco or NYC, still, you can find two or three Starbucks within two or three blocks of each other). And often, they did so in areas where a independent, smaller coffee house had already been successful. They had a tremendous amount of money at their disposal that those smaller outlets didn’t. The effect was to establish brand loyalty, and run those businesses…well, out of business. In some cases, once they’d done so, they then closed up the money losing shops and then left a sole, remaining store to take in the profits (that they no longer had to share).
They also literally took leases from smaller brands by going directly to landlords — even after deals were done — and offered to pay them higher rent. Landlords, as you might expect, went with the highest bidder. A number of competing (but far tinier) coffee houses have complained about this strategy where their leases were concerned (and lost).
I just don’t approve of the saturation strategy, is all. I’d rather get my (rare) coffee drinks somewhere else. Just my personal preference.
I think it was in a Simpsons episode where there was a big mall - and every store was a Starbuck’s.
Many a truth in that jest.
What a perfect summation of exactly what I mean.
I love that show.
Oh I did not mean to insinuate that they are all lefties. But I know of 2 at my local SB and the fact that I know that just does not seem right. I knew it before I even went in. I saw the car in the employee parking area and L’dMAO. Saw another youth working there with the disgusting “Mom I’m Home” T-shirt. The one with the flag covered coffins being off loaded from a plane back from Iraq I presume. He was not working at the time, just hanging out, but still.
I still go there as this has nothing to do with my coffee. Also there is the small fact that I used to be young and kind of stupid, so I just smile and go on.
Worse if you order a vanilla latte you pay through the nose and you can’t even taste the vanilla! its good they are going down to size.
As for the logo and its meaning…let’s not turn this into a literature class at UW…or we would be at the coffee shop speculating all night long about the hidden motif
/sarc
RE: #99 “…legs like a prostitute…”
Well i suppose you could try that as a pickup line…it looks more to me you say that after you already got the girl and you are serious with her now….
RE: #105
Could it be (drum rolling) that your neighborhood Starbucks is in reality….
A LIBERAL PETTING ZOO?
Gasp! Perish the thought…I guess i’m low on caffeine and hallucinating…
First of all it’s not a mermaid, but a Siren.
Second Sirens DO HAVE LEGS, they were later modified to be only tails.
The Norse Siren that the logo is based upon, does indeed have a “split” in the original carving. No doubt modified to avoid just such a reaction.
Whew-
Guerro - thanks - I thought that I was the only one still going to SBs
OH WAIT - there always seems to be a line when I go…
Double expresso -anyone.?
Drumroll, please…
“And the winner of the Starbucks logo contest is:”
(opens envelope)
“The Republican National Campaign Committee!
That mermaid offends these pinheads? Sounds like an outbreak of Offendeditis
In the entire history of Starbucks Coffee they have closed one store. 1. So I do not know where you got this idea.
Our town has a Starbucks, but I’ve never been in it or any other.
What really, really, really, put me off was seeing an ad where Starbucks coffee drinkers clutched their styrofoam cups with both hands and issued little broken cries of delight as they lovingly lapped up their potions.
God help me, but the only image that came to mind involved oral sex: there they were, having a nice Warm Slurpy!!
And oh yes: the effete males who frequent such places obviously had their beans burnt a long time ago.
I see hard working young people who go to school- and WORK!!
Starbucks offers benefits -health-401K-stock options etc etc etc. to its employees.
There is no “down time” when one works at Starbucks-trust me on that.
This is obviously a made up story since Starbucks has never had any kind of advertisement until last Christmas when they, for the first time in their history, had an advertisement for their stores. Nor have they ever had styrofoam cups. I guess you have proven that you know NOTHING about Starbucks.
While I don’t frequent Starbucks shops, I do love their French Roast coffee beans. Coffee tastes best when made from freshly ground beans!
I think the new image/logo was unnecessary on Starbucks’ part. I liked their original logo and I think this new mermaid image is a cheap attempt at drumming up a “controversy.”
I do think their on-site coffee is not only overpriced but overhyped. There are great Mom and Pop places, small cafes, as well as competitors like Dunkin Donuts.
fulldroolcup:
What really, really, really, put me off was seeing an ad where Starbucks coffee drinkers clutched their styrofoam cups with both hands and issued little broken cries of delight as they lovingly lapped up their potions.
So ypu mean it’s not true that they’ve signed on Monica Lewinski for a celebrity endorsement?
But all I know is that if someone expects me to fork over a fiver for a cup o’ java they better include a burger or a couple slices of blueberry pie, at the least.
On May 16th, 2008 at 4:01 pm, mattymatt10 said:
More than 3,000 members nationwide!?!?!? Wow, that’s like 60 members per state.
Mattymatt10, check your math again. 3000/57=52.63
A little story about my recent visit to the local Starbucks (Yucca Valley, CA)…Went in to order a Carmel Machiatto and what do I see happening behind the counter - the assistant manager on a ladder cleaning the lights on the ceiling in the prep area (at 10:00 am, no less). Years ago, when I worked in the fast food industry, we usually did the “deep cleaning” of the store after working hours.
Guess she wanted to get it done during the day so she wouldn’t miss out on a rekki session or clubbing in Palm Springs after work…
Starbucks makes me uncomfortable. I always feel like I’m the most Conservative one there, and to be honest that scares me.
People should get a life. Everyone is offended by every little thing.
I’m offended by homosexuals wanting destroy the nuclear family and force people to believe their behavior is normal and good.
I’m offended by pandering politicians taxing me to death in order to buy votes from a-holes who won’t work or work as hard as I do.
I’m offended by judges who blatantly disregard the will of the people and force their own offensive views on them.
I’m offended by muslims who think I have to submit to their barbaric cult.
I’m offended by the media who can’t be objective in any story.
I’m offended by AlGore who is getting rich off his global warming scam while idiots just nod their heads in agreement when facts prove otherwise.
I’m offended by fricking tree huggers who have caused $4 a gallon gasoline by putting 90% of our own oil off limits and killing any new refineries or nucular power plants.
I’m offended by a-holes who think the polar bear is endangered.
Now Starbucks little drawing does not offend me, but a-holes who order a triple Venti nonfat half-caff soy latte with 1 pump mocha, 1 pump caramel and 1 pump peppermint (it’s the holiday season), low foam, non-fat whip, steamed milk at 185 degrees, 2 packets of Splenda (shaken, not stirred), 3 drops of half & half and an extra protective sleeve instead of a freeking large cup of Joe really offend me.
I love Starbucks, most of the local places around here can’t make a good cup to save their lives. Plus, the new honey fraps are amazing. Either way, I could care less about a few badly drawn boobs on a mermaid.
Well, as I said once before, the folks who work at Starbucks are young, so there’s a slight liberal bias to be expected. Still, the employees of privately owned shops around here make them look like dyed-in-the-wool conservatives by comparison.
We have more privately owned coffee shops in Stockton now, than we had before the first Starbucks ever went in. . .so the ‘closing down mom & pop’ shops just doesn’t carry any water with me. Before Starbucks came, there was one in town. . . now there are five.
I sometimes feel like the most conservative person at my local Starbucks too. . .but then it’s California, so I can say that about quite a few social situations I find myself in
This Californian has 3 SBs within walking distance-I can ALWAYS count on the coffee being fresh and not served from a pot that has been sitting around all day like some “mom and pops” of yesteryear. They will always make an order again if the customer is not satisfied.
Thanks to the SBs standards-I do not have to suffer coffee surprises. I hate surprises in the morning!
Are these the same people who said years ago that Procter and Gamble’s logo (man in the moon and stars) was satanic?
Dumber than dumb.
Although I agree, not those cups for our soldiers in the Middle East. Bad logo for that!
I’ll go to S’bucks even if the cup cackled like the Hilda-best when I sipped a drink. I can drink a cup almost anytime. I’ll give up almost everything for a good cup, except my religious convictions!!!
I drink Starbucks lattes on a semi-regular basis and didn’t even notice the ugly a$$ picture on the cup until this article.
To which I say, YAWNNNNN!!! Of all the things to be offended by, this is the lamest. Perhaps the group should turn on the soul-sucking “reality” shows on vh1 and get outraged by that…..
I’ve managed to avoid walking into Starbucks ever since they invaded Boston. I can easily not have to worry about their overpriced crappy coffee.
Dunkies is where I get my caffeine fix, it is cheaper and I don’t have to deal with the personality cult which follows Starbucks.
What Starbucks charges $5 for a cup of coffee? The largest cup here is just $2. If you want a latte that has milk and flavor and requires WORK to make, then that will cost you more. I love the blanket accusation that coffee at Starbucks costs $5. funny stuff.
Who cares!
It’s not Pompeii, yet.
Save your outrage for the outrageous. Otherwise you will be much like the boy who cried wolf.
I sez, in part:
“But all I know is that if someone expects me to fork over a fiver for a cup o’ java they better include a burger or a couple slices of blueberry pie, at the least.”
True, I really hadn’r taken into consideration the many man-hours, the leasing of heavy equipment and the combined years of schooling to get the doctorates (and then those grueling years in internships!) required to push the “froth tap” and stir in some M&Ms or whatever.
With that in mind, next time I drop into a fast food joint, buy the empty cup and go through all the effort of mixing up one of my special suicide soft-drinks - you gotta hit all the diff sodas taps (Orange Crush, Coke, Root Beer, Sprite, Grape, Dr.Pepper, etc) - I’ll have to remember to go back to the counter where I paid the buck & 1/2 and demand $3.50 from them to make things even. I can’t be expected to do all that heavy lifting for free , y’know.
And I won’t even expect even more $$$ from ‘em in my “tip jar”. Now they can’t beat a deal like that!
It’s not just some “Christian fringe group” who says the Starbucks logo has occult meaning. One of the sources Dan Brown used for his “Da Vinci Code” says it, along with a few other New Age kooks.
Never mind the logo - I find the prices offensive.
A homemade cigarette with 100% real tobacco and a Pepsi works for me.
That was the Heaven’s Gate cult. They were located in Rancho Sante Fe. A very exclusive community about 20 miles north of S.D. But San Diego in general is very conservative. A “red county” in 2000 and 2004.
As far as the Starbucks label goes, it makes sense that the logo is a mermaid. The name Starbuck is derived from a character in Moby Dick.
CS #120
There is no “down time” when one works at Starbucks-trust me on that.
CLEAN !!!! is what the company demands and ALL the employees that you see also :
move the heavy mats to scrub them and the floors beneath-have any you ever moved on of those?
take the kitchen area apart and scrub - have any of you criticizers ever been back there to observe that?
etc. etc.
The Baristas deserve their tips—
No-on likes a cheapskate.
From:
A Total Conservative Who Believes in Rewarding Those Who WORK!
one…..
NO one….
Right! Word is that their employees are leaving and joining the Marines in droves just for a less demanding & stressful vocation.
And I also one commend all the longshoremen, neurosurgeons, ditch diggers and NASA-space shuttle engineer techs who dropped their cushy, mindless “occpations” in order to follow the ony difficult and physically demanding real work; trying to remember if a customer actually ordered de-caf, while at the same time , holding down the froth tap over a trendy hyper-priced cup of “coffee” .
Godspeed to such hardy men and women, I say!
I just want to point out that this isn’t some “new” “old” logo. It’s actually their original logo and is still up at their original store. It’s also the basis for the most recent logo (which is just a zoomed in and modernized version of the original one).
Thank you voteprime for pointing that out. I quit patronizing “Fivebucks” years ago. But any bluenoses who think this is reason for outrage have waaaaay too much time on their hands.
Wow, I like how my responses have been censored here yet purple can go on with her derogatory remarks.
I would like for you to tell us all what exactly it is that you do that is so demanding? And, for the record, its not a “Froth button”. I can see now there is no difference between the liberal trolls at other message boards and the conservative trolls here. Well done purple, you have arrived.
I never like $tarBucks for a whole nother reason.
Fritalian.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2y_GwKzxck
Ahh….. Why is this just now becoming a issue. The Starbucks Mermaid has always been a symbol for prostitution. The twin tailed mermaid was a sign of prostitution since Elizabethan times. The Starbucks logo has been around since the 70’s, and the new symbol is just now getting the attention.
Just a few observations here, guerro:
You’re not not quite (how shall we say it?) “overstocked in the humor aisle”?
As with others who’s comments need to be routinely “censored” - with the person usually having to be booted altogether at some later point - you may tend to take yourself a bit more seriously than you ought?
Trust me - Michelle and her good helpers here know what is an issue to sweat and what isn’t.
If a person finds him/herself reguarly being made a regular example of via “censoring” , there’s a good reason. And it’s a PITA for the powers that be to have to do that constant babysitting.
Now, it may enrage you that some folks find the whole Starbucks-centered scene/lifestyle humorous, but I believe it would be more wise to learn to - as they say - learn to “chill” and “deal”.
Besides, I’m agreeing with you.
Why, just the other day at her graduation a niece told me she wanted to follow in the footsteps of Mother Teresa. But I talked her out of it, telling her: “Sure, lots of kids want to just slide, expect the world to revolve around them & just live that kind of “life of Riley” - but if you want to show your devotion to humanity and truly get dirt under your nails, you’ll put on the Starbuck’s apron and whip up a venti 6-pump cinnamon dolce latte!”.
Well, that still doesn’t do much for me, Jadotdh; sure, their employees have long blonde hair, big chests and wear lovely earrings, but I’m not into guys.
(a variation on a classic Bob Hope line there.)
Wow, all that blather and you still haven’t told us what it is you do that is so difficult, demanding and stressful. Tell us what a real job is. Please.
what bob jones 77 said - roger that…
I am offended by a bunch of stuff so I adjust accordingly I don’t need anyone telling me what to be offended about. I’m cranky. I’m old. and tired of poop-heads with a cause.
I’m on board with you Bob
I also got to back up Christian Soldier about tipping baristas. I tip a lot. I make a bunch of money and hate bums, so when I see somebody working in a coffee shop, a kid sacking groceries, waiting tables, delivering pizzas, or just contributing to the economy, I give them a good tip. I never give money to bums standing on the street. To many people work hard to keep their boss’s business squared away, and pleasant and I respect them.
Let’s not spend so much energy fuming over what amounts to be a drawing on a paper cup. I really don’t see what’s offensive about it.
My buddy is a frycook at our local waffle house, he told me that of everything they have on the menu, the biggest moneymaker is the coffee.
It costs them only 5¢ a cup!
I think “Slutbucks” fits!
Ahhhhhhhhhh! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! PC apparently runs to the right as well as the left. Pity. I thought conservatives were more open-minded.