Screw Starbucks?

OK let's get the record strait shall we?

A good nameless buddy of mine posted this bulletin on MySpace:

Guess I will not be drinking Starbucks any more. 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 ever know. Thanks very much for your support.

I quickly corrected him that this was in fact FALSE information and is just the usual company bashing chain mail filled with misinformation.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/starbucks.asp

After reading this, he posted this as an amendment:

I would like to ammend my posting of Starbucks refusing the US Marines coffee. The company itself has refused an outright open donation of the company sending coffee to our military overseas. The employees themselves have been sending their own "partner mark-out" weekly free supply to our men and women serving. While Starbucks writes "Starbucks has the deepest respect and admiration for U.S. military personnel", they do not make a donation as a company, they let their employees do it of their own free will and then the company takes credit. The employees sending coffee and Starbucks sending coffee is two completely different things. To the employees I say Thank You for showing your outright and open sincere appreciation to our fighting men and women and thank you for having enough guts (unlike your company) to support our military without hesitation.
And once again "SCREW STARBUCKS!!!"

this is the mail i sent back to my friend regarding his amendment:

wait wut?!

Should we boycott McDonnalds for not giving free burgers?

Should we boycott Barnes and Noble for not giving away free books?

Should we boycott me for not giving free land away to the military in SL?

Really, Solders need essentials that are supplied to them by the federal government. Gourmet coffee is a luxury, not a necessity. I think solders can handle using the government issue Folgers they get for free.

I find any person using their social status (being a head of a charitable organization, or member of a military) to demand free goods and services and sending chain e-mails about how they are evil for not giving their goods or services away for free a very callous person.

Starbucks has a company policy on donations that they must adhere to or they face a serious problem with shareholders. Starbucks is not acting unethically in any way. Rather, sticking to their own words I find very admirable.

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Not "How dare they not give me stuff for protecting this country you live in!" rather "how dare you use your status in the military to demand free goods from us only to slander our company when we refuse because of company policy"

OK since we're gonna play the "I do stuff for you now do stuff for me" card. I pay federal income tax which pays your salary, give me a free M-16 NOW! It goes both ways.

I commend anyone who is willing to risk life and limb for what they think is right, however I will donate (and I do) on my own will and fruition. Do not throw your job in my face to demand services or goods for free. Mind you Mr. Solder, you fought for my freedom FROM you as well.