Jim, you did it again! ...fantastic job!

I liked it, Jim. The framing of the rally between

the before and after scenes was effective; it gives

a sense of the community atmosphere that people

are interested in preserving there.

On a side note, I'd like to add that the opposition

to Starbucks long predates the BIO convention, and

that, months before, Community Planning Group meetings

to address the Starbucks issue have regularly attracted

hundreds of citizens, overwhelmingly opposed to

Starbucks. Clearly, a significant sector of public

opinion in OB feels that Starbucks represents an

example of unwelcome corporate intrusion into their

community's economy.

fascinating video, i am sure this speaks for all the citizens of ob. NOT. Hey jerkoffs way to keep it local, bring in some more bio-tech idiots!111

you wrote

"i am sure this speaks for all the citizens of ob. NOT. "

No one can speak for everyone, not even within the different groups represented at the rally/march is there a

consensus, OB bikers along with ageing flower children allied with the peti-bourgoise (to mention a few) were at that and all the other rallies that have been held in OB for the last few months to protest Starbuck$intended invasion of that community.

The fact that this last rally was a little smaller than the others even with out of town guests speaks more to the gestapo like tactics employed by the police that whole week than it does to how much of the community the people at the rally represent.

If you ever belong (or do now) to a community so homogenious that one person or group of people can sum up their entire experience then you should probably look for another group. Because the one you're in is dieing.

Peace, Love and Class Struggle.

but it doesnt show the true consensus here in o.b the MAJORITY of us here in o.b support ANY BUSINESS THAT IS GOING TO SUPPORT THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY and i am a firm believer that starbucks will give greatly to this community possibly more than most locally owned business's as starbucks should...in passing why cant we get this large of aturn out at the beach clean ups have'nt seen kip there... come on people lets get our priorities and facts in order...thanks

These are my two emails to Starbuc$ . . . I found it amusing that both my friend and myself received the same exact response after the first email.

I am emailing you this message as a way of informing your

corporation that I am in full disapproval of your choice to open a Starbucks in Ocean Beach, CA. I personally love Starbucks and do patron your stores frequently. However, I love Ocean Beach and most of all I enjoy the small quaint community they posses. As a result of your corporation opening a branch there . . . at least three "Mom and Pop" coffee shops will more than likely not be able to stay open. Your corporation possesses the ability to pick and choose locations and these hardworking small businesses do not. Please do the humane and responsible thing and consider choosing a different location. I must admit that I will not patronize another Starbucks if this branch does open its doors. I am only one . . . but the voice and concern of one will echo to many. Please take this into consideration and thank you for your time. Have a Wonderful Day!! Sincerely, Susan

Then they emailed me a pregenerated response and this was my second reply . ..

Dear Courtney:

I would like to restate that I personally love Starbucks . . . as much as I love the small quaint community Ocean Beach has struggled to build, cleanup and

maintain. I realize that Starbucks is striving to also maintain a very reputable company. As a result of both of these points . . . I firmly believe that Starbucks is just a capable of opening a new branch east of Nimitz Blvd. The corner of Midway and West Point Loma Blvd. would be an ideal location considering traffic flow and the business of that area . . . which I might add is lacking a Starbucks. By moving your new store to this location, your volume would be much more profitable for the corporation and Ocean Beach could keep what they have worked so hard to build "small quaint community" . . . and I could still have my Starbucks with a Happy Heart and a Clear Conscience. Ocean Beach has gone through its ups and it very low downs. Now that property values begun to rise and the community pushed out the influx of drugs . . . "McDonaldization" has taken notice. This is both sad and unfair. Sad due to the fact that the community was not worth much to the Starbucks Corp. when it was a less trendy area. And unfair due to the fact that the three to four "Mom and Pop" hardworking, faithful companies who stood in and through these hard times hoping to cherish the good times will be forced out by a corporation that possesses the ability to pick and chose their location according to demographic studies. Please consider my points and more importantly consider

these hardworking lesser fortunate companies. One of these is owned and operated by an older couple who takes care of the wife's elderly mother. This woman works hard and supports two families. She is a true gem . . . has even

invited me to play card with her and her mother in the shop on a slower night . . . the type of "homy close knit feeling I love, long for and strive daily to return to others. I have visited Starbucks many times . . . the staff is efficient, educated and friendly. However . . . the feeling of going to Mother's House to get coffee in the morning has never been felt there. I have left Starbucks with a smile and a wonderful Venti Mocha . . . but not with the wonder feeling of being welcomed by a warm and generous motherly owner who reminds me of the one I dreamed to have growing up Motherless. I understand this is a small matter to Starbucks . . . demonstrations may fade and money may pick up. If the money does not roll in soon enough you may close your door and suffer a minor inconvenience and a little larger company ego blow. These small companies do not posses this ability. This is one of the two points I am trying to express. The second and most important to your company . . . the money would be bigger and better around Midway/West Point Loma Blvd. Better yet . . . no demonstration or low customer flow. Smiles All The Way Around . . . Simply Consider :-) Sincerely, Susan

AND GUESS WHAT . . .

A Voice Does Echo . . . As Long As We All Choose To Sing Together!! Smiles Always, Susan