The Greed of Men: The Starbucks Scandal of Sept. 11
Robert Vaughn
Issue date: 10/28/02 Section: View
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George Bush once remarked, when considering the heroic and selfless deeds of Americans on Sept. 11, that "It was as if we looked into a mirror and saw our better half."
But what if our reflection caste an image of a sadistic, selfish CEO that, when faced with catastrophe, looks for a way to profit from it?
Or what if, when controversy erupts over our ethical standards, we throw money at it in an attempt to appease the mob?
President Orin Smith of Starbucks saw this reflection, and he smiled.
On the brink of national disaster, rescue workers strove frantically, sometimes futility, to provide proper medical treatment to those injured. They were all too aware of the dangers of smoke inhalation and the air being filled with a mixture of smoke, ash and cement dust. The rescue workers knew how vital water would be to their efforts.
Midwood Ambulance Service knew this as well, so in a heroic quest to find a sufficient supply of water, they turned to Starbucks.
Unfortunately, even in the midst of tragedy, there is still the underlying desire of companies to make a dollar; so was the case with Starbucks.
The Midwood Ambulance Service soon learned the bitter truth about Starbucks generous "donation"; they were faced with a $130 water bill! Midwood Ambulance Service paid the bill, but the country was outraged.
Starbucks President Orin Smith apologized for his company's inappropriate actions, in light of the inevitable truth that he could lose money over this decision.
He reimbursed Midwood Ambulance Service, while providing the rescue workers with free coffee and other gifts, in a supposed attempt to smooth over the situation and appease the country.
Was he truly sorry though, or were his actions merely a response to a hole in his wallet? What if no one had learned of the situation, would he have still provided such elaborate apologies? We can only hope he's never provided the opportunity.
But what if our reflection caste an image of a sadistic, selfish CEO that, when faced with catastrophe, looks for a way to profit from it?
Or what if, when controversy erupts over our ethical standards, we throw money at it in an attempt to appease the mob?
President Orin Smith of Starbucks saw this reflection, and he smiled.
On the brink of national disaster, rescue workers strove frantically, sometimes futility, to provide proper medical treatment to those injured. They were all too aware of the dangers of smoke inhalation and the air being filled with a mixture of smoke, ash and cement dust. The rescue workers knew how vital water would be to their efforts.
Midwood Ambulance Service knew this as well, so in a heroic quest to find a sufficient supply of water, they turned to Starbucks.
Unfortunately, even in the midst of tragedy, there is still the underlying desire of companies to make a dollar; so was the case with Starbucks.
The Midwood Ambulance Service soon learned the bitter truth about Starbucks generous "donation"; they were faced with a $130 water bill! Midwood Ambulance Service paid the bill, but the country was outraged.
Starbucks President Orin Smith apologized for his company's inappropriate actions, in light of the inevitable truth that he could lose money over this decision.
He reimbursed Midwood Ambulance Service, while providing the rescue workers with free coffee and other gifts, in a supposed attempt to smooth over the situation and appease the country.
Was he truly sorry though, or were his actions merely a response to a hole in his wallet? What if no one had learned of the situation, would he have still provided such elaborate apologies? We can only hope he's never provided the opportunity.