We can all laugh at Starbucks' typically popmpus token gesture of contrition. (Yeah, blame the barristas! Not whatever idiot designed all those weird factory-made collage panels on the walls of every Starbucks from Timbuktu to Taipei!)

But what really frightens me is that American 16 year olds are using words like "stigma" while lamenting the metaphysical condition of the chain-cafe that provides the fix to keep their caffeine addiction at bay.

Shouldn't they be busy drag racing hot rods around Dead-Man's-Curve? Or Rebelling without a Cause?

Is the "stigma of commercialism" now one of the many bewildering social concerns brought on by puberty?

I'd like to see 16-year-olds get outraged at "downer beef" being used in their cafeterias and fast-food outlets --- but I don't think that's going to happen.

[Steve Martin accent: ON]

I _could_ be wrong...

[Steve: OFF]

When you start complaining about the teenagers, you're old..

"DAMN KIDS! GET OFF MY LAWN!"