Java giant Starbucks finds itself entangled in yet another brewing controversy over its “The Way I See It” campaign. Starbucks has a history of placing liberal, pro-homosexual and anti-God statements submitted by customers, celebrities and other public figures on the side of its coffee cups for customers to contemplate while they wash down a muffin with a Frappe-Mocha-whatever.   Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz speaks to shareholders at the company's 2007 Annual Meeting in Seattle, March 21, 2007. REUTERS/Robert Sorbo (UNITED STATES)
Although the company has every right to do what it wants with its cups, one questions whether it makes good business sense to intentionally alienate a large percentage of the coffee drinking public with these inflammatory political musings. Many customers with traditional values find it quite offensive. Although the company has used some religion oriented statements in the past – such as one by Purpose Driven Life author Rick Warren – the preponderance of politically and spiritually themed quotes that make the “cup cut” seem to represent a hard-left ideology. I know… it’s difficult to believe that a company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, would labor under such a leftist bent, but sadly, such is the case. Again, that’s the company’s prerogative. But come on guys. How about some open mindedness – a little balance? Concerned Women for America (CWA) pulled the lid off Starbucks leftist corporate ideology a couple of years ago and stirred up controversy by pointing out that Starbucks had sponsored multiple “gay pride” events and had given monetary support to ultra-liberal abortion provider Planned Parenthood. For a while, the company seemed to back off a bit with the liberal activism, but they now appear to be warming things up again. Here are just a few of the “The Way I See It” statements in controversy: The Way I See It # 347 – “Why in moments of crisis do we ask God for strength and help? As cognitive beings, why would we ask something that may well be a figment of our imaginations for guidance? Why not search inside ourselves for the power to overcome? After all, we are strong enough to cause most of the catastrophes we need to endure.” – Bill Schell, Starbucks customer from London, Ontario, Canada The Way I See It # 230 – “Heaven is totally overrated. It seems boring. Clouds, listening to people play the harp. It should be somewhere you can’t wait to go, like a luxury hotel. Maybe blue skies and soft music were enough to keep people in line in the 17th century, but Heaven has to step it up a bit. They're basically getting by because they only have to be better than Hell” – Joel Stein, columnist for the Los Angeles Times. The Way I See It # 43 – “My only regret about being gay is that I repressed it for so long. I surrendered my youth to the people I feared when I could have been out there loving someone. Don’t make that mistake yourself. Life’s too d*mn short.” – Armistead Maupin, Homosexual Novelist So, in the interest of equal time, I’ve submitted the following “The Way I See It” quote from a Christian conservative perspective for Starbucks to consider. Other conservatives should also be encouraged to visit Starbucks’ website to submit their own statements: The Way I See It # ?? – “Why do so many in our fallen world revile God’s natural order when it comes to marriage, family and human sexuality? Why do we encourage wicked pride in a morally bankrupt, high-risk lifestyle that’s anything but “gay”? Why do we shake our fist with hate at perfect Love? Life is short – but it’s never too late for change.” |
Matt Barber is one of the "like-minded men" with Concerned Women for America and serves as CWA's policy director for cultural issues.
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