Starbucks folds to antis

[The Annoyed Man]

That is why today we have a MLK day and not a Malcolm X day.....because people understand that it was the quiet dignity and tireless efforts, and above all the spiritual anointing that MLK had which gave the civil rights movement its legitimacy.......not because of thoughtless confrontationalism.

Dr. King advocated nonviolence but when somebody says his tactics weren't confrontational, I have to wonder if they weren't alive back then or just weren't paying attention. Protests, rallies, marches, etc. are confrontational, and intentionally so. MLK didn't change society by sitting at home and writing letters.

No, he changed society by writing them from the Birmingham Jail, after he was arrested when he announced that he would ignore the order of a racist federal judge who had issued an injunction against any expression of free speech in favor of civil rights. Being arrested gave MLK the opportunity to write one of the most eloquent and convicting letters in the history of the American Civil Rights movement. MLK's people marched peacefully in favor of something that was beyond an moral questioning. They were confronted by klansmen with dogs and firehouses, hiding behind uniforms and tin stars, in support of continuing a great evil. That is a FAR cry different than what happened with Starbucks. And yes, I was alive and paying attention when MLK was alive. My own family was directly involved as activists in the Civil Rights movement in California. I was paying attention.

[drumbdummer]

Good enough for me to not go there again.

And I love coffee... but hate Starbucks!

[drumbdummer]

A unique parallel exists here with the gay community. I don't care a person's orientation any more than I care their religion or whether they prefer Peter Pan vs. Jif peanut butter. Do what you want in your own room, and I don't care. In the business world I have hired and promoted both straight vs. gay people, and their orientation did not matter one bit, as long as they were the right person for the job.

But acceptance is not the same as embracing - and I'm not interested in embracing or celebrating alternative lifestyle choices. My wife and I have a much more conservative belief structure, and we're encouraging that in our daughter as well. So, if you force my hand on the subject, then you might not like my answer. Just be happy that I accept it, and will not use your personal choices against you in my business decisions.

The same thing happens with this latest generation of 'YouTube' open carry video makers. They're not content with easing people into the idea of being comfortable with guns - they need to make it 'in your face'. This does little to help our cause, and (as demonstrated by Mr. Schultz), can hurt us demonstrably. His letter was quite neutral - he supports the 2A, he refuses to ban, but openly requests that open carry stops in his stores. Antis perceive this as a victory, and many 2A supporters (as witnessed here) perceive this as a loss. Unfortunately, both are right, because perception is reality.

And by the way...Peter Pan is clearly better than Jif.

Very well stated.... but I have to disagree about the Jif....

[Oldgringo]

That is why today we have a MLK day and not a Malcolm X day.....because people understand that it was the quiet dignity and tireless efforts, and above all the spiritual anointing that MLK had which gave the civil rights movement its legitimacy.......not because of thoughtless confrontationalism.

Dr. King advocated nonviolence but when somebody says his tactics weren't confrontational, I have to wonder if they weren't alive back then or just weren't paying attention. Protests, rallies, marches, etc. are confrontational, and intentionally so. MLK didn't change society by sitting at home and writing letters.

I was alive and paying a great deal of attention. The marches and rallies as carried out by MLK were not confrontational at all. The attracted attention, but they were not confrontational unless the observers wanted to interpret them as such. Governor Wallace was confrontational, Malcolm X was confrontational, the New Black Panthers are confrontational, in-your-face open-carry folks who invade private businesses with rifles and shotguns in a doomed attempt to obtain a political goal are confrontational.

Chas.

I was very much there and awake back then and I agree 100% with you on this subject today.

[jerry_r60]

There was discussion here about the economic impact of the Starbucks decision. This is just a poll and probably just represents sentimate rather than an action change but I think sentiment is still relevant from Starbucks' perspective.

Poll from Quinnipiac University:

"And some good news for Starbucks, which was recently criticized by gun-rights proponents after asking customers to abstain from bringing guns into their stores: 66 percent of voters support Starbucks' request. Fifteen percent of voters say it makes them more likely to get coffee at Starbucks, while 11 percent say it makes them less likely to do so."

There were some other stats in the poll:

"By a margin of 54 to 41 percent, respondents voiced support for stricter gun control laws. And by an overwhelming margin (89 to 9 percent), voters support background checks for all gun buyers"

"when voters were asked whether stronger gun laws might have prevented the shooting at the Navy Yard, 61 percent said no."

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-576 ... -shooting/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Dragonfighter]

I was alive and paying a great deal of attention. The marches and rallies as carried out by MLK were not confrontational at all. The attracted attention, but they were not confrontational unless the observers wanted to interpret them as such. Governor Wallace was confrontational, Malcolm X was confrontational, the New Black Panthers are confrontational, in-your-face open-carry folks who invade private businesses with rifles and shotguns in a doomed attempt to obtain a political goal are confrontational.

Chas.

I would go further than just confrontational though. I think these guys are spoiling for a real fight and the bad part is, if they keep it up they may get it and it will be bad for all of us.

[bmwrdr]

I like coffee but I do not go there nor will I buy any product of their brand.
This policy shows their intolerance against those who carry in accordance to the state law.
It is their will to stay of their premise if I carry so it is my will to stay of their premise if I don't carry. Done deasl and it works for me.