Wishing Ill Will, Thoughts?

http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10490218

Little less than a year ago, I sent a letter to Starbuck’s concerned about the ghastly experience I had in the branch at the Sear’s Tower. The branch consistently bustled, but its baristas’ attitudes were shit.

Coffee at Starbucks or Caribou isn’t particularly cheap, but provided an option for that kind of coffee, Caribou, allowed me to send a rather nasty letter to Starbucks. Of course, they apologized, and sent me a coupon for a reduced price for a few servings and a free coffee. In the correspondence, I scoffed at the pat response, and casually expressed my delight in now having the opportunity to take my money to a competitor with nicer staff. That is no joke, Caribou had substantially nicer staff.

In the process of scoffing, I noted that the Starbuck’s experience had been reduced to that of a McDonalds. Now I see the story in the link above I posted. Starbucks is in trouble for lots of reasons. I don’t think it is right to “hate on” people, or wish them ill-will, but this begs the question, I would like to see Starbucks crippled.

Provided that the law treats corporations as a “person” is it metaphysically wrong to wish ill will upon a corporation? I don’t think so, as I think it is safe to wish ill will upon Halliburton and Blackstone for what they have done in Iraq or Cigna for their life-sacrificing denial to Nataline Sarkisyan (http://www.forbes.com/business/2008/01/08/sarkisyan-cancer-insurance-biz-healthcare-cz_dw_0107cigna.html).

While my gripe against Starbucks is non-existent compared to the link above I just cited. Bad experience and bad actions makes me wish ill will upon these corporations. Of course, that is for what the legal system we have is. That’s an extreme example, but for me, Starbuck’s could use a good corporate reckoning. I am just glad I now have my Java.

Like I would have said forty years ago, “it’s just The Man trying to keep us down!”