Okay, I’m going to be honest: I absolutely did not have any idea what it was or how the outrage over Starbucks festive red cup got started this week. After looking into it, I was so horrified at the ridiculousness of it, I have created a new word: fauxtroversy. It is a pseudo-controversy. An imagined slight. A completely unnecessary reason to complain.

And if you don’t know why, then shame on you.

Starbucks has always been a secular company, this is not news. I personally stopped going there (not that I went there that often to begin with) two years ago when CEO Howard Schultz asked gun owners to not bring their firearms into their stores. If that didn’t deter people, there was the ludicrous idea of having their baristas discuss ‘race relations’ with customers. If people still chose to give Starbucks their business, Schultz sent a clear message to anyone who supports traditional marriage over gay marriage: we don’t want your business.

Yet we have outrage over a cup.

The allegation was that this year, Starbucks had “removed Christmas from their red cups”, opting instead for a plain red canvas for customers to design as they wish.

Twitter was ablaze! Facebook posts went viral! Everyone from E!News to Fox News have weighed in on the issue. The headlines and opinions ranged from supportive to hateful, sarcastic to factual. Among the most inflammatory was this little doozy from the Phoenix New Times:

Even Donald Trump addressed the issue at a campaign stop, lamenting “Maybe we should boycott Starbucks, I dunno.” after bragging that he ‘has one of the most successful Starbucks in Trump Tower’.

The only thing I do agree with is Trump’s closing words: “who cares”? Is anyone really going to say they were shocked Starbucks did this? I mean – don’t act like they’ve had a cross up in their stores since last week and suddenly there’s a pentagram in it’s place, you know who they are and if you didn’t before this red cup crap, then that’s on you.

Admittedly, I’ve flipped flopped a bit on this one a bit today. While I understand and respect fellow Christians’ feeling that our reason for the season is slowly being erased, that doesn’t mean it is erased.

Truth be told, I can’t understand why any Christian, gun owner, or American, for that matter, would still be going to Starbucks after their own CEO has made it clear that he doesn’t want us in their stores! However, there are still some who want everyone to stand up:

Here’s the thing: Starbucks has been erasing all trace of any holiday from their red cups for years. Their cup designs have featured a sledding dog, a snowman and ornaments, so where was your outrage then? If you need the phrase “Merry Christmas” or have your Christianity validated in your coffeehouse: DON’T GO TO STARBUCKS.

Go to your local coffee shop. Grab a cup of joe at the corner gas station. Starbucks does not have a monopoly on all things coffee, people! I live in the country, either I make my coffee myself or I have to drive 10 miles to Kwik Trip. Grow up.

We need to support those that still respect and value American traditions. Have you seen the numbers CNN or MSNBC compared to FOX News? Vote with your wallet, your time, your business – that’s how we win. Not by acting like petulant children and saying we won’t tolerate their intolerance. Leave that to them, it’s what they do best!

My two cents: let Starbucks have their liberal progressive customers. There are hard-working small business owners with better coffee shops who will appreciate you, your values, and your business.