I blame it on the non-conformist within me. I’ve never liked Starbucks. Their just too trendy. Too snobby. (Are “small”, “medium”, and “large” beneath your “grande” dignity?) Besides, I really do hate the taste and smell of coffee.

Still, I have to chuckle at the latest media scandal surrounding the burnt-bean-juice vendor. For the third time in the company’s 37 year history, they’re redesigning their logo. The original logo “gave the impression of an authentic 15th century European woodcut” and featured a “”twin-tailed siren” (according to wikipedia). In the original logo, the siren’s breast and navel were exposed, again, much like the European art on which it was based. Through the years their java girl has become increasingly modest. I think you you can guess where this is going.

The new Starbucks logo is a throwback to their original, except that the new version obscures the nipples. Still, the ink was barely dry before the boycotts began. Several groups are decrying the artwork as obscene.

“[The logo] has a naked woman on it with her legs spread like a prostitute … The company might as well call themselves Slutbucks.”

(Heh heh… Slutbucks…) Seriously though. It’s a mermaid, people! Mermaids don’t even have legs and unless your only exposure to mermaids has been the Disney variety, you aught to know that mermaids prefer to air out their mommy parts. Besides we’re not talking about high definition boobage. It’s a woodcut for goodness sake. You can get more titillation from your favorite PG-13 stupid-teen move.

Is it any wonder that the world has a disparaging view of “puritanical” Christians? *sigh* Just drink your devil bean juice and shut up, okay?

Clicky for the news article with all the logo goodness, new and old.