thedrifter
12-27-07, 09:00 AM
Mythbusters: Starbucks fable involving Marines untrue
The Bakersfield Californian | Wednesday, Dec 26 2007 9:05 PM
Last Updated: Wednesday, Dec 26 2007 9:25 PM
Myth: A reader wrote to The Californian this week asking us to check out what he considered a "very upsetting" claim, especially to folks with family members and friends serving in Iraq.
The claim was that Marines in Iraq wrote to Starbucks saying how much they liked their coffee and requesting they send some to the troops there. Starbucks allegedly replied saying it doesn't support the war nor those fighting in it and wouldn't send the coffee.
Truth: According to the myth-busting Web site Snopes.com, this long-circulated and false claim was the second hottest urban legend Wednesday in terms of searches, reader e-mail and media attention. In April of this year, the site says, a new variation was going around involving Oscar Mayer and hot dogs.
Snopes postings say they tracked down the Marine sergeant who got the Starbucks story going via an e-mail and after some investigation was done, the sergeant admitted he made an error and issued a retraction.
Starbucks didn't directly refute the rumor but on its Web site, Snopes says, as the company issued a statement saying it respects and admires service members but per its donation policy, it would have had to decline the Marines' request. The company said it directs charity within communities where its stores are located and limits funding to nonprofit organizations.
A fuller explanation can be found atSnopes.com/politics/military/starbucks.asp.
Ellie
The Bakersfield Californian | Wednesday, Dec 26 2007 9:05 PM
Last Updated: Wednesday, Dec 26 2007 9:25 PM
Myth: A reader wrote to The Californian this week asking us to check out what he considered a "very upsetting" claim, especially to folks with family members and friends serving in Iraq.
The claim was that Marines in Iraq wrote to Starbucks saying how much they liked their coffee and requesting they send some to the troops there. Starbucks allegedly replied saying it doesn't support the war nor those fighting in it and wouldn't send the coffee.
Truth: According to the myth-busting Web site Snopes.com, this long-circulated and false claim was the second hottest urban legend Wednesday in terms of searches, reader e-mail and media attention. In April of this year, the site says, a new variation was going around involving Oscar Mayer and hot dogs.
Snopes postings say they tracked down the Marine sergeant who got the Starbucks story going via an e-mail and after some investigation was done, the sergeant admitted he made an error and issued a retraction.
Starbucks didn't directly refute the rumor but on its Web site, Snopes says, as the company issued a statement saying it respects and admires service members but per its donation policy, it would have had to decline the Marines' request. The company said it directs charity within communities where its stores are located and limits funding to nonprofit organizations.
A fuller explanation can be found atSnopes.com/politics/military/starbucks.asp.
Ellie