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Are Starbucks coffee shops the safest on the planet?

Imagine you're a criminal intent on robbing a store. What kind of store? Well, for today's lesson let's make it a coffee shop. Now, coffee shop "A" refuses to allow guns of any kind by anyone on it's premises. While coffee shop "B" actually encourages law abiding individuals to enter and enjoy their beverages while armed. Even though you may have the intellect of a Moldavian Slime Rat, you would probably choose to rob coffee shop "A". With little or no resistance and zero chance of being confronted by an equally powered individual or individuals, you would rather avoid any confrontation that might land you injured, dead or in prison. Simple? You bet. But there are those out there who have the attitude that guns are bad no matter who has them. Better to be disarmed and at the mercy of those who have no qualms about using said gun for illegal and with potentially deadly results. If that's your stance, fine. It's not mine.

Starbucks Coffee is generally considered to be a Progressive leaning company. And I disagree with some of their stances. But there is one issue that I stand shoulder to shoulder with and that's Starbuck's decision to allow the legal carrying of guns into their establishments. This Saturday, there is a national movement by the anti-gun crowd to boycott and in some areas, protest Starbuck's policy.
Starbucks spokesman, Zach Hutson said, he doesn't want either side to use Starbucks as a staging ground for either side of the issue. But added, " our policy is not changing." Kudos all the way around, Zach.

Opponents of Starbucks policy have said they don't like being in an environment where a gun may be present. I've got news for you - you have been in such an environment many times and just didn't know it. And not only at Starbucks. Many states like mine (Pennsylvania) have Concealed Carry Weapons permits issued by your County Sheriff. This permits individuals who have had their backgrounds checked, to carry a concealed weapon on their person. I am one such person. And yes, I have visited Starbuck numerous times while carrying a weapon. Nobody ever knew it. They just enjoyed their lattes, keyed through their laptops and got on with their lives. I even clean up the counter where the cream and sugar are just before I leave. (What a right wing nut!)

There are horrific crimes being perpetrated out there. Some are being committed using guns. But almost none of them are being done by law abiding citizens. The idea of disarming the good guys while the bad guys ignore the laws, is an alien concept to me. I fail to see it's logic or merit. More people will be murdered this year by an assailant using a hammer. Yet I see no outpouring of contempt of hammers or proposals to require licensing hammer ownership. Perhaps we need "Hammer-Free" zones around schools. Maybe construction workers shouldn't be allowed to bring their hammers inside Starbucks.

We live in a free and potentially dangerous society. All one has to do is read the national and local news to see mindless violence rules the day. Recently a man was murdered by youths who were "bored". Yes, they used a gun. An illegal gun used by young men too young to legally obtain one. Yet, they possessed one. The gun control laws that make law abiding citizens jump through hoops, have no effect on those intent on mayhem. Starbucks is a privately owned company and they can make up their own rules regarding guns, hammers or G.I. Joe action figures on their premises. But you may feel a little more secure in knowing that a bad guy looking for a quick score, will probably pass the Starbucks you're enjoying you coffee in. I wonder what Dunkin' Donuts policy is?

Sorry, but Detroit got what it deserved.

Detroit is defaulting to which I say, "Boo Hoo".  What?  Not sensitive enough?
Well, how many times do you have to hit your thumb with a hammer before you recalculate your actions? Detroit hasn't had a Republican Mayor since 1962. And the city council has been in GOP control only once in that time. The city's population has dwindled from 1.8 million in 1950 to 1.2 million in 1980. Then it got much worse. Down to 1 million in 1990.  951,000 in 2000. Today, the population stands at 700,000 - lower than it was in 1920. Things got so bad, the city just starting razing abandoned homes. It you look at Google Maps, locate the Tiger's stadium. Next to the baseball field is the home of the NFL Detroit Lions. But across the street and for blocks to follow, are empty lots where homes once stood. We're not talking about an area at the edges of the city. We're talking about the edges of downtown. Sad. As with most tragedies like this, there are numerous villains. But with Detroit, it's easier to spot the responsible (or irresponsible) parties.
Detroit has over $3 billion in unfunded public employee pensions. In fact, even while the population declined, the number of city employees expanded - as did the generous pensions and benefit packages. Sadly, Detroit isn't alone. New York, San Francisco and Washington D.C. lead the way to financial disaster. Not surprisingly, the top 10 cities on the verge of default are headed by (drum roll please) Democrats! If you think a city on the brink of financial ruin is bad, what about a state? California will probably be the first state to go bankrupt. But that shouldn't come as a surprise when you realize that in Cali you can retire as a firefighter or policeman at age 52 with 80% of your salary and full health benefits. Teachers have it almost as good. Who do you think pays for all that sugar? THE STATE! Funded by personal and business taxes. That might explain why Californians are leaving the Golden State in droves. So are businesses. Gov. Jerry "Moonbeam" Brown wants to tax California to prosperity. Sounds like a plan! If you wanted to operate your business, where would you choose to locate? California with taxes a plenty? Or say, Texas with low taxes and a business friendly environment. By the way. Texas is doin' just great! Probably just a coincidence that California has been led by Democrats and Texas, Republicans. Also a coincidence that of the 20 most prosperous states, 18 are firmly in the hands of Republicans. But enough about them. Let's get back to Detroit. The motor city is an American tragedy. But it wont be our last. Detroit is just the canary in the mine. And the mine has been bored deep for decades. But like everywhere else, Detroit got what it voted for. Just like Texas.