Speaking of hugely popular chain stores with a liberal reputation which are actually staunch enemies of unions: Starbucks! The Industrial Workers of the World have been trying, with little success, to organize Starbucks workers for years. This week, they're picketing select Starbucks locations in major cities, partly in sympathy with Chilean Starbucks workers who are already on strike. From an IWW press release:

A new study from Australia's La Trobe University has found that there is a connection between caffeine and auditory hallucinations. That is, drinking coffee, you might hear weird things.

Beyond happiness! Dangerous hospitals! Depressed moms! Tinnitus findings! Morgellon's disease! Skin cancer! Binge drinking! Horse herpes! And coffee men for good prostate love! It's your Tuesday Health Watch, where we watch your health—creepily!

Bubonic plague! Gay cancer! Autistic children! Chocolate milk! Head injuries! Newborn risk! Fat war! Sex aneurysm! And the very latest semen information! It's your Monday Health Watch, where we watch your health—to keep from crying!

As part of our ongoing coverage of Starbucks-related danger, we bring you the sad, sad tale of a tussle between one South Florida teen and his thirsty mom. O Starbucks, how your drinks are tearing this nation asunder!

Many people consider Starbucks to be their favorite hangout because of the soulful music. Others enjoy the cozy, one-of-a-kind atmosphere that each outlet has to offer. Sadly, criminals are maligning the popular caffeinated sanctuary franchise by stealing stuff from unsuspecting imbibers. It's like they don't even understand the whole point of the Starbucks experience!

Starbucks' "cater to hobos" strategy is succeeding! Makes sense, what with all the hobos out there these days. The caffeine-'n-CDs-of-artists-you-used-to-like-before-you-saw-their-albums-on-sale-at-Starbucks chain is now the third-largest fast food chain in America.

Starbucks has attracted its fair share of negative attention over the years. Here's another bit of bad news for detractors to feast on. Last week, a group of friends was socializing outside a Starbucks near Richmond, BC when they noticed a rat enjoying the coffee chain's delicious syrup dispensers. Naturally, they filmed the action. And now you're nauseous. [BCLocal via Eater]

Riffat Qureshi, a 36 year-old doctor and "professional model," is suing Starbucks, alleging that she was scalded on her belly when a barista slid a cup full of boiling water along a counter, shouting—perhaps unwisely—"Catch the cup."

God. The worst part about global warming is what it does to prices at your local yuppie coffee shop. Coffee yields are way down in drought-stricken Colombia. Sucks for us! Arabica coffee prices are at a 34-year high. Sucks for us! Global coffee prices are at a 14-year high. Sucks for us!

A hearty "Happy Anniversary—With Cream!" is in order for caffeine-'n-branding purveyor Starbucks, which is celebrating 40 years of not going out of business. On this blessed occasion, allow us to reflect on Starbucks' legacy of woe.

Starbucks' new "Trenta" size coffee cup can hold an entire bottle of wine. And already does, for some of you.

Finally, a reason for science to exist: A researcher in Philadelphia (of course!) has discovered the single most effective cure for a hangover. And it's really pretty simple.

You think your over-caffeinated coworkers are annoying now? Just wait for Starbucks' new "Trenta" super size, coming in May.

Starbucks has "no room for new stores in the U.S." They won't stop until China's full, too.

How to make $1.5 million dollars for 45 seconds of work, in three easy steps: One, become a world-famous, Oscar-winning actress (like Julia Roberts). Two, convince Italian coffeemakers Lavazza to pay out for an advertisement. Three, deposit your check.

Physicists have come up with a mathematical model to predict the formation coffee rings—their thickness and length. They've done this before, but maybe that other model didn't account for cream and/or sugar? [via Ars Technica]

Today we learned that you are not allowed to sue Starbucks if your drink is too hot. This sparked much commenting about the evil coffee empire, with one person providing perhaps the most intricate concoctions available from the menu. Fascinating!

Ohmigawd, the "Starbucks of the Future" is here! What distinguishes this futuristic utopian Starbucks from the hobo-sheltering Starbucks of today? More booze.

While in DC this week (he's there shooting Transformers 3), Shia LaBeouf relaxed outside of a cafe and read a book. Then, he left, chased a fleeing paparazzo, threw a cup of coffee at him, and ran away. Video inside.