AP Headline writing at its purest

Here’s a good one: “Chinese Lawmaker Wants Starbucks Ousted“. I saw this copied verbatim on Drudge (not surprisingly) and rushed over to read, assuming this meant a massive attack on an American business throughout China.

Not at all. It should read “Chinese Lawmaker Wants Starbucks Ousted from the Forbidden City.” This is a totally different thing. Having visited the Forbidden City in the late Seventies, I was astonished they would have one there. It would be like planting a Starbucks in the middle of the Roman Coliseum. Tacky in the extreme. Frankly, I’m with the lawmaker on this one. People can walk across the street for their lattes. I’m sure there are plenty available.