Java Blues

For thirty years 60 Minutes' Andy Rooney has had it in for the coffee companies. Even today he'll rail about the price of a can of coffee versus the amount inside. It seems to be ever changing. Now word comes that Starbucks is raising the price of their brewed beverages for the second time this year. This time it's not because of the price of coffee itself which is traded as a commodity, no, not that tired argument again. This time it's because of the price of dairy products. What? You mean the cream in my coffee? You've got to be kidding. It seems that there's an increase in dairy because of the increase in corn used for feed for dairy cows because of an increase in ethanol production which is causing an increase in the pain in my neck. But it's not just Starbucks. No. My favorite coffee shop Dunkin' Donuts, has also gone up on their prices too. Now before you start to think I'm taking this coffee thing a little too serious let me explain. I order my coffee black. If I want it sweetened I'll add a Sweet N' Low sometimes, but none of that triple, grande, soy, blah-blah, blah for me. No sir! Black. That means no cream! My coffee just went up nine cents anyway. I can see it now one day: Coffee--$6.29, with cream--$6.79. Andy's gonna love this.