Starbucks is "running scared"?

[HarryKeogh]

I think sometimes we, as skeptics, tend to exaggerate items out of frustration because so often we see how things are not dealt with in a rational manner. In Randi's commentary he rails against Starbucks for putting a disclaimer on a cup that has a quote (pro-evolution) from Mary Leakey (in Randi's opinion the disclaimer was "obviously from Starbucks' lawyers and spin-doctors") that reads:"This is the author's opinion, not necessarily that of Starbucks. To read more or respond, go to www.starbucks.com/wayiseeit."

So Randi sent a message to Starbucks which included the following:

"In reference to The Way I See It #14, I find it depressing that Starbucks has to be politically correct by assuring the customer that the company does not necessarily embrace the findings of science and research rather than the mythology of religion. Or perhaps I've interpreted this incorrectly: did you mean to pacify the racists, who might be offended that Dr. Leakey suggests that homo sapiens began in Africa....?"

And he closes this portion of his commentary with the following:
Is EVERYONE running scared of the Religious Right and/or the rednecks...?

The only problem is Starbucks is putting the same exact disclaimer on this entire series of cups, whether the quote is "controversial" or completely light-hearted or comical.

According to their website:

Sparking conversation In the tradition of coffee houses everywhere, Starbucks has always supported a good, healthy discussion. To get people talking, “The Way I See It” is a collection of thoughts, opinions and expressions provided by notable figures that now appear on our widely shared cups.

A range of voices We invited a group of people who brought both diversity and life experiences to the mix. Those who accepted, offered pearls of their life experiences to entertain, engage and hopefully get us all thinking.


I think for Randi to classify Starbucks as "running scared" is uncalled for and very reactionary. If they were running scared I doubt they would have put that quote on the cup at all.

And to suggest Starbucks is pacifying the racists when he then asks why is everyone running scared of the "rednecks" is borderline hypocritical.

 

[Phil]

Good point.

Have you sent Randi an email? Perhaps he's simply unaware of the blanket statement on all the cups. He's usually very good about correcting himself when shown to be mistaken or out of line.

 

[Beady]

Good point.

Have you sent Randi an email? Perhaps he's simply unaware of the blanket statement on all the cups. He's usually very good about correcting himself when shown to be mistaken or out of line.

I sent him an email regarding his scoff that water is called "the universal solvent," and provided a quote from the encyclopedia. His response was, 'But "universal"? Never....' No indication of whether this might have been tongue-in-cheek.

 

[Rolfe]

I remember that one of our chemistry text-books when I was at school had a chapter entitled "Water - the universal solvent".

I did get the impression that Randi was a bit confused about the difference between the covalent O-H bons in the water molecule and the weak hydrogen bonding properties of the polar molecule. Probably not as confused as the advertisers of the product he was criticising though.

Rolfe.

 

[HarryKeogh]

Good point.

Have you sent Randi an email? Perhaps he's simply unaware of the blanket statement on all the cups. He's usually very good about correcting himself when shown to be mistaken or out of line.

I sent him an e-mail (pretty much verbatim my original post) this morning and he just responded by saying I may have a point. I'm glad he not only took the time to read my e-mail but to consider what I had to say.

cool deal. my first communication with Randi...neat

 

[valis]

cool deal. my first communication with Randi...neat

Huh, it's no big deal after a while. I have been communicating with him psychically for years.

 

[Metullus]

Huh, it's no big deal after a while. I have been communicating with him psychically for years.

Me too. But he keeps hanging up.

("Ringing off" to the heathen among us)