Starbucks wrong to initiate conversation

To the editor:

I take (and read) The Cedar Rapids Gazette on a daily basis. It is the only local paper. As I've said before, and say again, it's bias to the left. However, what is one to do, as there is no other choice, if you want to know what is going on in the neighborhood.

I don't drink coffee, and if I did, it wouldn't be Starbucks. On March 3, The Gazette placed a cartoon in the middle of the Insight section that really stirred me up. Subject of the cartoon on a Starbucks' cup (left side) states 'Let's talk about race.” Immediately, there is no conversation (dialogue), but a statement showing a cup on the right side with a Republican elephant saying 'Let's Not.” The owner of Starbucks, if you want to know, made a stupid play by setting up the premise all people are racist.

I believe the original intent of Starbucks was to have a conversation, but the left couldn't help themselves, jumped in, and turned it into a hit list. Starbucks immediately saw they were not to be the great educators when a serious amount of their customers thought who gave them this authoritarian role, and quickly stopped it after one week.

The Gazette should try to be even handed in what they display and write about. This is being a good neighbor and benefits all its citizens, who read the paper.

David H. Burke

Cedar Rapids