Last Wednesday, in the forums, I took the “anti-Starbucks” line in our weekly edition of “Crossfire.” By the way, I don’t feel so bad using the name Crossfire since it is no longer on CNN. Anyway, I thought I would share with you some of the reasons why Starbucks should go far, far away.

Warning, the following is random irritations with Starbucks in greater Houston area, your mileage may vary.

- Bathrooms are dirty; vandalized
- Cream is improperly scalded; taste suffers
- Coffee-flavored coffee? Where the hell is it?
- Open at lunch, but they close at 10! Who the hell needs coffee in the middle of the afternoon?
- Actual quote from a barista, “I’m sorry, but we don’t have any more coffee.” This was at 9:45pm!
- Overpriced, anyone?
- Coffee is better at Luby’s and Outback. Seriously. Go try a cup there sometime.
- No smoking section (also a reason to drink your coffee at Luby’s or Outback…)
- Pretentious
- Fake Italian ordering system
- Frappacino is a mix
- Good desserts? Nowhere to be found.
- Coffee goes with desert and breakfast. Where is the breakfast? The GOOD breakfast, anyway…
- Rather have a Tim Horton’s
- Not conducive to socialization: inside issue: “library-voice,” outside issue: weather
- Gloria Jean’s is a better cup of coffee (or better beans) for the same money
- Seattle’s Best? Where does that put Starbucks?
- Run by Dr. Evil’s assistant, Number 2.
- No service, but tip jar?
- Where are my free refills?
- You should never have to whip out your credit card just to get a cup of coffee.
- No Starbucks in the hood.
- Did they really create that many jobs?
- Small, medium, large, supersize, folks, this is America!

If you need me, I’ll be at Dunkin’ Donuts; open 24 hours, the coffee is awesome, and the donuts are pretty good too.