[Triskaidekaphobes look away now.] There are just 13 days left before Valentine’s Day, when both sides of the gun control debate square-off over lattes. On one side, the National Gun Victim’s Action Council is promoting a February 14th boycott of Starbucks; the Seattle coffeesmith allows firearms on its premises (where it is otherwise legal to do so). On the other side of the issue, gun blogger Sebastian devised Starbuck’s Appreciation Day on the same day. Thousands of gun owners have pledged their participation, promising to spend a $2 bill at Starbucks to show their support for the company’s common sense position. The $2 question: should the TJ go in the barristas’ tip jar or should we use it to pay for the coffee? Your thoughts?
Re starbucks not supporting the troops:
Urban legend, as debunked by Snopes -> http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/starbucks.asp
The reality: Operation Caffeination -> http://www.herotohero.us/OperationCaffeination.html
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I rarely go to Starbucks, but I will on 14 February wearing my NRA windbreaker and my H&K cap (also concealed carrying).
stay away from starbucks…why would you promote an ultra leftist agenda and over-hyped coffee. you don’t need their permission to carry anyway.
Because if you reward good behavior you tend to get more of it.
“Because if you reward good behavior you tend to get more of it.”
Thank you, Servious, pithy and to the point. If we treated public policy as simply as a good owner does training a dog, that would solve a lot of problems.
No one is asking for their permission. Legally they have every right to ban firearms or allow firearms in their private property.
We are rewarding them because they have chosen not to follow the anti-gun lies and have simply said “we will follow the law; please leave us out of this.”
We want companies to see that the economic loss of not respecting the 2A is much greater than the 15 minutes of fame from some anti-gun celebrity endorsing them.
I say put the $2 bill in the till, and regular money in the tip jar.
I’m not a starbucks fan anymore – once I passed 40, my system no longer tolerates the high acidity of their coffee, but I’ll be there on Feb 14 showing my support.
I’d argue for the tip jar, where it shows. Might prompt customers to ask why all the two-dollar bills and inquiring, and hearing the barrista explain Starbucks’ policy.
Why would you leave it in the tip jar? The baristas had nothing to do with the gun policy. In fact, I suspect that 95% of them would oppose it since Starbucks tends to attract left-leaning employees.
If we’re trying to send a message to the company, we should put the money in the cash register.
“The company” isn’t going to see those $2 bills. Corporate will just see the aggregate cashflow. It’s the front-line employees who will see actual currency in use.
I say, “both”.
Exactly.
A $2.00 tip is large enough to be memorable ( I think, I do not go to Starbucks normally) small enough not to hurt us, and leaves a positive, memorable impression. Also will hopefully surprise them that 2A types are nice reasonable people.
This is not an issue that responds to logic, reason, and rational thinking, if it was we would have “shall issue” in all 50 states and “Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms” would be a convenience store chain not a government agency. We have to do the silly, fuzzy, warm feelings thingies like letting people know that gun owners are nice normal human beings that are as proud to shoot as they are to vote.
NukemJim
The till.
Lets remember Starbucks stated it was only allowing our guns in thier stores because the law required it. Imagine if they announced, they only allowed African-Americans in their stores because the law required it…
Starbucks has said simply “We will honor the laws of the states we are in. We don’t want to be part of the debate.” This is a perfectly reasonable position, they are in the business of selling coffee.I will reward Starbucks for respecting the law.
And O2NBAZ; they are not required to. Almost every state has provisions that private business may ban firearms if they so choose.
This all started when the Open carry folks in California were meeting at some of the Starbucks. They were carrying legally, but there were folks that thought that they should make an issue of it and petitioned Starbucks to ban guns in their establishments. I think they expected Starbuck to fold, because they tend to be supportive of some of the leftist agenda. Starbucks knew that these gungrabbing activist are in reality small in number and are only able to exist because of a very few generous supporters. The RKBA bunch are organised and are a real force to be reckoned with. It is fair to say that Starbucks understands marketing. The Spurned group was offended that their buttocks remained unkissed so they decided to boycott.
The RKBA folks have an opportunity to show strength, by comparing our numbers to to panty peeing gunbanning boycotters. The Right to keep and bear arms is not just an issue for the right wing, rather it should be cause for anyone that truly cares about basic human rights, and preserving freedom and the fact is that some may adopt our cause.
Well said ‘liberty’ well said
Why not $2 bills in both the till and tip jar?
If you don’t usually visit Starbucks, then doing so on the 14th & buying a coffee(or whatever) shows support for their policy of not barring people for exercising their Constitutional Rights. An unforeseen jump in takings WILL be noted.
Put $2 in the tip jar too, with a little note saying why.
It’s going to confuse the heck out of them when I do just that here in the UK…
A Europe-based Mike that doesn’t hate guns…wow, you are refreshing.
No sarcasm or malice in that statement, I promise.
What can also be effective is saving your receipt; and sending a letter to Starbucks Corporate office thanking them for following the law, and enclose that receipt.
Great idea gregg, I will save the receipt and send the copy. Might take the co-workers with me, along with a Benjamin worth of $2 bills
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I would put it in the tip jar. Seeing $2 bills lets them know they are individual tips. If you give 2 $1 bills they will probably assume its 2 $1 tips. But a $2 tip shows our generosity and is visible to all visitors making a future statement. I doubt anyone will notice $2 bills in the till beyond, “hmm, that’s interesting, a lot of two dollar bills today in our deposit.”
I say buy a coffee, leave a tip, walk outside and calmly pour the coffee on the ground in front of the protesters.
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