No coffee for the Marines this war

[BASS fisherman]

Heck I prefer Dunkin' Donuts personally but here it is: NO COFFEE FOR THE

MARINES

Their coffee is tasting more and more bitter.....

STARBUCKS DENIES COFFEE TO MARINES

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! As a war vet writing to fellow patriots, 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 for what they and I believe is

right.

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 know you'll

all be there again when I deploy once more.

"Semper Fidelis."

Sgt Howard C. Wright

1st Force Recon Co

1st Plt PLT

PLEASE DON'T DELETE THIS .. ALLOW IT TO BE PASSED TO ALL IN MEMORY OF

ALL THE TROOPS WHO HAVE DIED SO THAT WE MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE TO

SUPPORT THEM OR NOT!!!

It's too bad, I liked Starbucks, but no more for me.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

I like it too ..... if this is true ..... NO MORE FOR ME!!!!!!!!!

[BASS fisherman]

Another one, Target doesn't support Toys for Tots for the same reason.  I also believe they do not allow the Salvation Army to set up in front of their stores either.  Same with scout groups selling fundraising items.

[Guest avid]

Sorry, but I find this incredible.

I would like to see authentification on this from a responsible and well known  source.

I know of people and groups who do not support the war in Iraq.  I am among those who think it was a terribe mistake to invade.  

But disrespecting the troops?  That is unconscionable.  

I find it hard to believe that Starbucks would be so mean spirited and downright stupid.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/starbucks.asp

It looks like this rumor is false.  I got the above link from a Military forum and many of the members there confirmed it to be false.  I figure if anybody would know, it would be them.

[BASS fisherman]

Starbucks Statement on Refusal to Donate Coffee to U.S. Marines  

Response to Internet rumor  

Thank you for taking the time to contact Starbucks regarding coffee donations to those serving in our armed forces.

Starbucks has the deepest respect and admiration for U.S. military personnel. We are extremely grateful to the men and women who serve stateside or overseas. We sincerely appreciate that they are willing to risk their lives to protect Americans and our values of freedom and democracy. While Starbucks as a company cannot directly donate to military personnel, many of our partners (employees) show their support by donating coffee.

Recently, there was an e-mail circulating the internet that contained misinformation about Starbucks and our support of the military. Starbucks was able to locate the author who turned out to be a Marine Sergeant. He was very grateful that we contacted him and apologized for any misunderstanding, as he did not intend to spread the rumor. He subsequently sent an e-mail to his original distribution list correcting his mistake, which I've included at the end of this e-mail.

I would like to take this opportunity to clarify Starbucks policy regarding charitable contributions. We are able to donate to nonprofit organizations that are designated as public charities under Section 501© (3) of the IRS Code, including public libraries and schools. The U.S. military or individual military personnel do not qualify as a public charity.

However, on an individual level, many Starbucks partners have collected and shipped numerous pounds of Starbucks coffee overseas. Starbucks partners receive one pound of free coffee each week as an employee benefit (known as "partner mark-out"). Many of our partners have elected to send their weekly mark-out of coffee to members of the military or military families, and related organizations.

As an example of this generosity, our partners in our Atascadero, California store sent their weekly mark out coffee to troops in Afghanistan so they are able to enjoy a little piece of home. Our customer relations department in Seattle donated hundreds of pounds of coffee to the sailors in the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group. These are just a few examples of our partners supporting the troops. We recognize and appreciate the very personal connection that customers have with us and how they might miss their Starbucks Experience while overseas.

Thank you again for writing and ask you to accept our deepest appreciation to servicemen and women and hope you remain a valued Starbucks customer. If you have any additional feedback or would like to discuss this further, please feel free to contact us at (800) 235-2883 or email us at info@starbucks.com.

Sincerely,

David Campbell

Customer Relations

Starbucks Coffee Company

Text of Sgt. Wright's Email:

Dear Readers,

Almost 5 months ago I sent an e-mail to you my faithful friends. I did a wrong thing that needs to be cleared up. I heard by word of mouth about how Starbucks said they didn't support the war and all. I was having enough of that kind of talk and didn't do my research properly like I should have. This is not true. Starbucks supports men and women in uniform. They have personally contacted me and I have been sent many copies of their company's policy on this issue. So I apologize for this quick and wrong letter that I sent out to you.

Now I ask that you all pass this email around to everyone you passed the last one to. Thank you very much for understanding about this.

Howard C. Wright

Sgt USMC

1st Force Recon Co

1st Plt PLT RTO

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I would like to take this opportunity to clarify Starbucks policy regarding charitable contributions. We are able to donate to nonprofit organizations that are designated as public charities under Section 501© (3) of the IRS Code, including public libraries and schools. The U.S. military or individual military personnel do not qualify as a public charity.

They can donate to whoever they want, they just won't get the tax break. It's THEIR policy, not somthing imposed on them.

However, on an individual level, many Starbucks partners have collected and shipped numerous pounds of Starbucks coffee overseas. Starbucks partners receive one pound of free coffee each week as an employee benefit (known as "partner mark-out"). Many of our partners have elected to send their weekly mark-out of coffee to members of the military or military families, and related organizations.

Classic. So Starbucks says WE won't donate but our EMPLOYEES will. Well isn't that just classic big business. The troops get their coffee, the employees have to pay out of pocket for it, and STARBUCKS, who's name is on the bag that the soldier finally gets,....gets the credit.

FOLGERS FOR THE TROOPS!!!!!

Let's all tell Starbucks and Target what they can do with their products.

[Guest avid]

War is a very profitable business.

Always has been, always will be.

How many helicoptors, tanks, and machine guns are being donated?

Remember the body armour scandal?  Marines had to buy thier own.

Ok so it would be nice if they donated some coffee.

But's lets remember what got this post started.

A hysterical rumour shouting

and I quote

STARBUCKS DENIES COFFEE TO MARINES

'nuff said.

[Tom Bass]

Personally I prefer Folgers anyway.

[BASSMACHINE]

Starbucks are you kidding me? I could buy a lucky Craft Sammy for the price of two cups of Starbucks coffee, it ain't that good!!