The NRA and other Second Amendment groups may have just found the best friend they could have ever hoped for – a new rock & roll band based out of New York named Madison Rising.

According to the band’s website, “Madison Rising (www.madisonrising.com) promotes the principles of liberty, independence, smaller government and personal responsibility.”

The band’s latest cause is to help bring awareness to the relentless attacks on one of the most cherished rights granted in the Constitution: The right to keep and bear arms. On January 30^th, the band released a video for their single “Right To Bear.”

The song and video had already generated considerable controversy regarding the Second Amendment and the ongoing issues of open and concealed carry gun laws around the country. But the issue really came to the forefront last week when the band learned that a group called The National Gun Victim’s Action Council (NGAC) plans to lead a national boycott of Starbucks Coffee on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14th, to try to force a change in the company’s “open carry” gun policy at hundreds of its retail locations.

Apparently, Starbucks having the audacity to follow the law by allowing guns to be carried by patrons in the states where it is legal to do so doesn’t sit well with everyone. According to Elliot Fineman, CEO of the NGAC, “Starbucks allowing guns to be carried in thousands of their stores significantly increases everyone’s risk of being a victim of gun violence.” Fineman further claims,  “Open and conceal-and-carry are among the reasons there are 12,000 gun homicides each year in theU.S.”

However, Christopher Schreiner, Madison Rising’s guitarist vehemently disagrees.  “Mr. Fineman needs to realize that his position on this issue is flawed, and affected by his obvious naiveté,” said Schreiner who, along with his band mates openly showed their support for Starbucks by posing in front of a mural from their recent video with Starbucks coffees held proudly in hand.

Notably however, Schreiner’s passion and interest in the gun-rights issue extend far beyond his membership in the NRA and the band’s recent music video.  Last year, Schreiner’s 31-year-old cousin was shot and killed on his way home from work by a 16 year old with an illegal handgun. Yet Schreiner clearly understands the difference between rights and responsibilities: “Certain people blame guns, but the perpetrator wasn’t a responsible gun owner or an NRA member. He was a delinquent.  Madison Rising is fighting for the rights of law abiding citizens, and those rights should not be infringed upon, compromised or lost as a result of the egregious actions of criminals.”

“There’s a reason it’s the second amendment,” continued Dave Bray, the band’s lead singer. “It’s not the ninth, it’s not the fourth; it’s the second. And at the end of the day, it’s the only thing protecting the first. We’re talking last line of defense. The authors of the constitution knew exactly what they were doing and these rights are just as important now as they were two centuries ago. It doesn’t matter how technologically advanced a society may become. Human nature never changes.”

The band’s Right To Bear video prominently features several high profile anti-gun politicians such as Hillary Clinton, Eric Holder, John Kerry, and Nancy Pelosi, as well as key pro-gun advocates like NRA president David Keene. The band openly endorses national right to carry laws.

Patriotic Rock Band Stands With Starbucks Amidst Attack From Anti-Gun Lobby Group is a post from: The Inquisitr

Miley Cyrus has made the front pages again, but this time she didn’t lick a penis cake in public, nor did she go jogging with lack of proper chest support.  Nope this time she went to Starbucks wearing some lingerie says X17online.com.

Cyrus was seen going to Starbucks for some Joe and then heading over to Bed Bath and Beyond to do some shopping.  She was sporting some teeny tine shorts and a tee shirt with an army jacket.  The rub is she was wearing garters.  Now other than Dr. Frankenfurter from Rocky Horror I can’t imagine anyone saying it is ok to go out in garters.

Maybe Miley should save it for the stage?

Miley Cyrus is being slammed by a conservative watchdog group for her “disgusting and “sleazy behavior. The Culture and Media Institute, which claims to “preserve and help restore America’s culture, character, traditional values, and morals against the assault of the liberal media elite,” is having a fit against the pop star for suggestive photos released by TMZ last week showing Miley getting very friendly with a cake shaped like a penis.

The group has criticized Miley for her “disgusting behavior and has been quoted as saying,

“[Miley has]become the epitome of the anti-role model for young girls.”

The group also has coined a phrase named after Cyrus called the “Miley Cyrus  Effect”. They claim the “Miley Cyrus Effect” is when young girls try their hardest to act like trashy adults.

The group has also criticized Cyrus’ videos and her behavior at concerts.

Do you think Miley Cyrus Should have gone out of her house dressed like this?

Miley Cyrus Wears Lingerie To Starbucks [Photo] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Gay bashing at the church level is nothing new, most intelligent people ignore calls for boycotts and don’t listen when the church condemns their gay family members and friends to hell, but that doesn’t mean the church has stopped.

This week Steven Andrew, president of USA Chirstian Ministries called on all Christian’s to boycott Starbucks because of the company’s open policy on support gay rights.

You may recall that last week Starbucks voiced it’s support of gay rights in Washington State, at that time Kalen Holmes, Executive Vice President of Starbucks wrote:

“Starbucks is proud to join other leading Northwest employers in support of Washington State legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples … This important legislation is aligned with Starbucks business practices and upholds our belief in the equal treatment of partners. It is core to who we are and what we value as a company. We are deeply dedicated to embracing diversity and treating one another with respect and dignity, and remain committed to providing an inclusive, supportive and safe work environment for all of our partners. We look forward to seeing this legislation enacted into law.”

In response to that support Andrew says:

“Starbucks is no longer fashionable. If your church still uses Starbucks, then your pastor is a friend of the world,” and “God calls those who oppose Him ‘haters of God.’”

Andrew goes beyond calling people who drink Starbucks coffee “god haters” and states “Starbucks can follow Satan if they want to.”

Spreading his hate speech further Andrew believes that 80 percent of Starbucks customers are Christians and he notes

“This boycott is important because God blesses those who obey Him and judges those who don’t obey Him.”

So there you have it, god wants you to drink Folgers or you’re going straight hell.

Pastor Wants Starbucks Boycott Because Of Gay Rights Support is a post from: The Inquisitr

Starbucks will open its first store in India this August, more than five years after it announced plans to move into the world’s second most populous country. Between September and December this year, the coffee giant expects to open around 50 stores in Mumbai and New Delhi.

It was never meant to be this late, however. Back in 2007, the company said it wanted to reach 40,000 worldwide stores by the end of 2012. However, the recession and overly aggressive expansion put paid to that. Currently, there are ‘only’ 17,250 stores worldwide. According to John Culver, president of Starbucks’ Asian Pacific region:

“We’re going to be very disciplined in how we grow. The rate at which India is growing, the size of the emerging middle class and the growth of disposable income lead us to believe it’s going to be a very large market for Starbucks over time.”

Perhaps the biggest question mark hovering over the move to India concerns local tastes. India is a nation of tea-drinkers, and the world’s biggest tea exporter. It has coffee farms in the south of the country, but an overwhelming majority of Indians prefer tea. However, Culver claims coffee is becoming more popular, especially with young people and a rapidly emerging middle-class.

Also, Starbucks has already performed well in another vast, tea-drinking nation. In October 2011, Starbucks opened its 500th store in mainland China, and the brand has enjoyed massive success. The appeal of Starbucks in such places is down to it being – and here’s a term to make one’s stomach turn like month-old latte – an aspirational brand. Sharon Zackfia, analyst at William Blair & Co, explains:

“It’s probably less what you’re selling than what the brand represents, which is a certain level of status. It’s the first luxury item most people can afford.”

We’ll find out just how aspirational Indians are a few months from now.

First Starbucks in India Opening in August is a post from: The Inquisitr

Marriage Equality has gotten a big boost in Washington State.  In addition to Group Health, Nike and Microsoft now Starbucks has added its name to a list of corporate powerhouses that support same sex marriage.

The Seattle Times has published a statement from Kalen Holmes, Executive Vice President of Starbucks. the statement read,

“Starbucks is proud to join other leading Northwest employers in support of Washington State legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples … This important legislation is aligned with Starbucks business practices and upholds our belief in the equal treatment of partners. It is core to who we are and what we value as a company. We are deeply dedicated to embracing diversity and treating one another with respect and dignity, and remain committed to providing an inclusive, supportive and safe work environment for all of our partners. We look forward to seeing this legislation enacted into law.”

Microsoft is another Washington State mega corporation that has lent its own support to the cause.   Microsoft issued a statement this month on its own blog titled “Marriage Equality in Washington State Would Be Good for Business”.

An excerpt from the statement reads as follows,

“Marriage equality in Washington would put employers here on an equal footing with employers in the six other states that already recognize the committed relationships of same-sex couples – Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. This in turn will help us continue to compete for talent.”

Several states over the last few years have legalized same sex marriage. Some have had it legalized through the courts and others through legislation.  The issue is taking center stage in the presidential elections coming up in 2012 elections also.

How do you feel about marriage equality?  Do you support same sex marriage?

Starbucks Supports Same Sex Marriage in Washington State is a post from: The Inquisitr

Get ready to clarify what you mean by “double shot”- alcohol is coming to more Starbucks locations!

Before you start picturing mochatinis, you should know that booze is a whole separate menu for Starbucks. And that the program has been piloted on a very small scale. The idea of adding booze to Starbucks came as the company tried to think of ways to combat the afternoon slump- business still booms in the morning, when everyone feels like death and looks like a zombie.

But in the afternoon hours, coffee is less of a draw, as everyone is either at work or napping. The company has used “treat receipts” to lure addicts back, and has expanded its food menu to get people in the afternoon, but Starbucks hopes alcohol is compelling enough to cement a more loyal base of late-day customers.

BusinessWeek spoke to Starbucks’ US VP, who said that the program is slowly expanding in a handful of states. The site explains:

The specific stores have been “carefully selected” and are larger and have more seating than regular Starbucks sites, Clarice Turner, senior vice president of U.S. operations, said in an interview today. Starbucks also is selling fruit-and- cheese plates and focaccia with olive oil at the stores that serve alcohol, she said. The company isn’t considering the concept for the whole chain, Turner said.

Pricing is in line with that of regular bar pricing here, with beers at about $5 a unit and wine at about $7-9 a glass in Oregon. The program is expanding to Southern California, Atlanta and Chicago. Would you go to Starbucks for a beer?

Starbucks, Now With More Alcohol! is a post from: The Inquisitr

NEW DELHI – Tata Coffee LTD. is looking to finalize a deal with Starbucks Corp. by the end of January, allowing the now-international coffee chain to finally enter into India, with the first store opening in 2012.

The deal has been in the works for over a year now, with Starbucks signing an initial agreement with Tata Coffee in January last year to source premium coffee beans from the Indian company. During these arrangements, both companies expressed interest in the possibility of opening Starbucks stores in India.

Hameed Huq, managing director of Tata Coffee told reporters Thursday that “Final formalities are being completed and we are on the verge of signing the agreement,” without elaborating any further on specific contract details.

Though traditionally drinkers of tea, there has been a recent surging interest in coffee among Indians, and the middle-class of the country is beginning to adapt to Western tastes. As the popularity of coffee shops in India increases, so does the demand for Starbucks’ belated entry into one of the company’s largest un-tapped markets.

The core deal is between Starbucks and Tata Coffee, but the new partnership would also utilize the strengths of other Tata companies. Starbucks outlets would offer their own coffees and foods, and could potentially be located in retail stores and hotels owned by or associated with Tata.

Tata Coffee plans to increase output of instant coffee in India to around 8,500 tons from about 6,600 tons by the end of this year.

Is it just me, or is Starbucks taking over the world?

Starbucks Coffee Moves to India, Closes Deal with Tata Coffee is a post from: The Inquisitr

Starbucks never has been known for their exceptionally low prices, to put it one way. Don’t look for that to change anytime soon, either; the company announced today that it plans on raising prices in the U.S., primarily in the Northeast and Southeast regions.

Starbucks says that prices in the regions will only see an increase of about one percent, but that’s not a one percent price increase on all items on the company’s menu. The price of some items on Starbucks’ menu will stay the same while in New York City, for example, the price of a 12-ounce “tall” latte will go up by 10 cents. The 16-ounce grande, which Starbucks says is its most popular beverage, will not be effected by the latest price hike in any region.

The price hike in several of its busiest markets is in response to increased prices on commodities such as coffee and milk cutting into the company’s projected fiscal 2012 earnings by roughly 21 cents per share, Starbucks spokesman Jim Olson told Reuters. “These adjustments are the result of balancing the cost of doing business with competitive dynamics in these markets,” Olson explained.

How do you feel about Starbucks’ latest price hike? Let us know in the comment section below.

via Reuters

[Image credit: AP]

Starbucks raising prices in U.S. Northeast, Southeast regions is a post from: The Inquisitr

Actually, I’m kind of surprised this doesn’t happen to this dude all the time.

Starbucks Cup Name Rage is a post from: The Inquisitr

Looking at this pic totally makes you realize that this is absolutely true, regardless of what you get, even if it is black coffee, because you have to call it “drip.”

[Source]

Holiday Starbucks Lattes is a post from: The Inquisitr

It was a good fiscal Q4 for Starbucks Corp. with the beverage retailer posting a 29% increase in overall profits.

In it’s report the company says U.S. based Starbucks locations customers were spending more money per visit and were trafficking Starbucks locations on a more regular basis which helped same-store sales increase by 10%.

Starbucks cites their new loyalty program as a large part of their success, the program allows customers to load money onto a Starbucks card and use it as a debit card. According to Starbucks the card is now used one out of every four purchases.

After the company announced their increases earnings Starbucks shares were up in after-hours trading by 3.1% to $42.67.

Speaking about the rising costs of coffee and a down economy Chief Financial Officer Troy Alstead told the Wall Street Journal:

“We have been able to offset most of the commodities costs problem, not with pricing, but with a more efficient cost structure and strong traffic growth, which has given us a lot of leverage on our bottom line.”

The company is expected to see higher costs in 2012 and Alstead says if needed he believes the company can raise prices without hurting sales.

For the just-started fiscal year, the company forecasts earnings of $1.75 to $1.82 a share, while analysts polled by Thomson Reuters are looking for $1.82. It reaffirmed its revenue-growth view.

In the fourth quarter Starbucks posted earnings of $358.5 million, or 47 cents a share, up from $278.9 million, or 37 cents a share during the same quarter year-over-year.

Do you think Starbucks can raise prices and still maintain solid sales?

[Image via arindambanerjee / Shutterstock.com]

Starbucks Profits Soar By 29% During Fourth-Quarter is a post from: The Inquisitr

Starbucks has a new plan to stimulate job growth. The Seattle coffee company is going to start asking for donations after they ring you up for its new jobs creation program, “Jobs for USA.”

The “Jobs for USA” program will begin on November 1st. Starbucks will be collecting donations of $5 or more in order to help stimulate job growth in the United States. Starbucks said that 100% of the money raised will go to firms and organizations that can create jobs.

According to ABC, Starbucks Foundation will be giving $5 million to get the fund started. Starbucks didn’t say how much they expect to raise, but with 7,000 stores nationwide, their collection bucket will be put in front of thousands of people everyday.

Starbucks will be working with the Opportunity Finance Network in order to create more jobs around the United States. The Opportunity Finance Network works with hundreds of financial institutions that give loans to low-income communities. ABC reports that the organization, which was created 27 years ago, has created nearly 300,000 jobs through 2009.

Starbucks will be covering the administrative costs of the Opportunity Finance Network so that all of the money donated will go toward job creation.

Howard Schultz, Starbucks Corp.’s CEO, has expressed his disappointment with the US economy frequently over the last several years, and says that he feels responsible to do all he can to stimulate job growth. Starbucks is currently hiring a bout 200 employees a day as they hope to add 200 more locations in the next year.

Do you think Starbucks job creation fund will make a difference?

Starbucks Stimulating Job Growth With Customer Donations is a post from: The Inquisitr

If you are not part of the Starbucks pumpkin coffee cult, you can probably identify with this sentiment.

[via]

Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Pumpkin Muffins… is a post from: The Inquisitr

Next time you pop into Starbucks for your daily dose of overpriced, over sugared caffeine, you may want to think twice before using the bathroom. One five-year-old girl recently uncovered a hidden video camera in the restroom of the coffee chain’s Washington branch, and her father is now suing Starbucks.

William Yockey of Virginia said he instantly reported the “humiliating and disgusting matter” to the cafe’s manager (who was completely unaware of the camera), but is taking his outrage further than a simple cross word.

Yockey says his daughter found the camera concealed inside the U-shaped drain beneath the bathroom sink. While washing her hands, the girl spied the camera, pointed directly at the toilet. The bathroom was cordoned off as police checked for fingerprints and confiscated the camera as evidence.

‘It’s embarrassing, humiliating, even today,’ an outraged Mr Yockey told ABC News. He added that video footage of his child, “could have been all over the internet… she could have been violated.”

Yockey was sightseeing with his family in Washington in April when their daughter asked to use the restroom. They chose to enter the Starbucks in Penn Quarter, not all that far from the White House and the National Mall.

For what it’s worth, Starbucks spokesman Alan Hilowitz had this to say:

“We, as a company, take our obligation to provide a safe environment very seriously. When we were alerted, we called the police.”

Maybe hold it in for future Starbucks visits, folks.

Starbucks Sued Over Hidden Bathroom Camera is a post from: The Inquisitr

Katy Perry tagged Starbucks on Twitter, and their reply was pretty hilarious. Good job, Starbucks Social Media coordinator!

[via]

Katy Perry Vs. Starbucks is a post from: The Inquisitr

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz isn’t happy with the state of politics in America at this time and to prove his discontent he has announced that his company will not donate another single penny to politicians until they smarten up and actually start working for the American people, starting with the budget deficit.

Schultz told Politico of his motivations:

“This is a time for citizenship, not partisanship,” he wrote. “We just believe that in this moment of great uncertainty, the government needs discipline, the people need jobs—and leaders need to lead.”

Before making his announcement he sent out a memo to employees in which he vented about ”the lack of cooperation and irresponsibility among elected officials as they have put partisan agendas before the people’s agenda.”

After Schultz received positive reactions to his letter he decided to make the same call to action to other CEO’s, noting:

“The fundamental problem is that the lens through which Congress approaches issues is reelection. The lifeblood of their reelection campaigns is political contributions.”

Schultz went on to add with the New York Times:

“Whether big donors or small ones, Americans should stop giving and see if it galvanizes Washington to act.”

Schultz isn’t the only rich businessman to rail against Washington today, during an op-ed piece for the New York Times billionaire Warren Buffet practically begged Washington lawmakers to raise taxes on the rich, a move that would cost Buffet and his rich friends billions of dollars each year.

Hopefully more CEO’s will join in the political fundraising ban and send a strong message to Washington lawmakers that the American people and businesses won’t work for them until they work for us.

Starbucks CEO: No Money For Politicians is a post from: The Inquisitr

Seeking out other Potter geeks in public: you’re doing it right.

Starbucks Coffee Name Win is a post from: The Inquisitr

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[Pic] What’s In a Latte? is a post from: The Inquisitr

Not everywhere, but the trend of combining alcohol with fast food is on a steady increase.

Some locations of Sonic, Burger King and even Starbucks are getting in on the concept, shilling beer and wine alongside their value combos, coffees and lattes. One restaurant consultant familiar with dining trends and patterns says the push helps fast food joints compete with the “casual dining” sector that is becoming rapidly popular:

In a tough economy, the move towards alcohol is a way to compete with casual dining — and can help boost typically slow evening business, says Ron Paul, president at Technomic, a restaurant consulting firm. “For consumers, it’s basically about having it your way — even if it’s having a beer with your burger.”

Two locations of Sonic in Florida- Miami and Fort Lauderdale- are adding extensive beer options to their menu. Burger King’s Whopper Bar locations serve beer as well, and four Seattle locations of Starbucks offer beer and wine with a fifth being added soon.

Do you think this trend should be adopted nationwide? Would you like beer with that?

Alcohol Coming to Sonic, Burger King, Starbucks? is a post from: The Inquisitr

The café concept started from an office building located in Alexandria, Va., and has since expanded to 15 other locations. Beyond serving to satisfy your caffeine cravings for the day, the Subway Café will be designed to keep you there after you’ve had your cup of coffee. The company appears to be shooting for Starbucks’ relaxing lounge atmosphere. Here’s a description of the décor, courtesy of Nation’s Restaurant News:

“The décor and signage for the café would be standardized, and would feature brick or wood paneled walls, more lounge-style seating with comfortable armchairs, and in some cases a fireplace. Lighting also would be different from standard Subway operations. (A spokesman) noted, however, that the design would remain flexible to allow for the development of the cafes in a variety of locations.”

The coffee is reported to come from Seattle’s Best, the same company that provides the coffee already available at Subway. Interestingly enough, Seattle’s Best’s parent company is Starbucks.
This isn’t the first time a company has taken aim at Starbucks’ highly lucrative market. Earlier this year McDonald’s announced plans to spruce up the restaurant chain’s look, attempting to steal the show from Starbucks as the go-to hangout spot. Whether Subway’s plan takes off or not remains to be seen, but it’s nonetheless interesting to see a little competition in that market.

Subway Cafés a Possible Threat to Starbucks? is a post from: The Inquisitr