Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

mahina

(19,734 posts)
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 11:48 AM Jan 2025

A note from Penzeyʻs spices. About Republicans. I need spices now.

https://www.penzeys.com

As we’ve now said on our first-ever About Us page on our website, there’s something unique about humankind’s relationship with spices that time and again have caused spices to be a driving force for change. We live in a time calling out for change and for solutions to the very real problems our country and our planet face. There’s two very different futures ahead for us totally dependent on whether we solve these problems or not. With so much at stake we feel obligated to use the unique position spices hold in our lives to try to help promote the solutions to these problems as best we can.

Watching the slow decline of the Republican Party over the last half century, and the steep decline/bottom falling out over the last decade, it can be easy to see the nonsense that has overtaken the party as pretty much random. Once you start seriously looking at the problems America and the world face and who and what are standing in the way of solving those problems, it quickly becomes clear there is nothing random to what the Republicans are promoting.

The Republican departure from conservative values and embrace of what, from a distance, looks a whole lot like insanity didn’t happen by chance. All of it has been intelligently crafted with the goal of preserving the position of those who profit from the inhumanity that is at the very roots of pretty much every problem we are facing. From the environment, to racism/discrimination, to health, to saving our democracy at home and growing it abroad, half the time Republicans are intentionally blocking the solution to the problems we face. The other half of the time they are the problem we face.

The truth of our time is we’ve arrived at the point where there’s no way to respect the nonsense the Republican Party is promoting and have any hope of overcoming the problems we as a nation and we as a planet face. Given the choice between saving America and planet Earth or saving the feelings of Republican voters, we are choosing to side with saving our country and our world. I’m sorry it’s come to this.

And no, there is no HATE!!! in any of this. There is a whole lot of propaganda at the heart of much of how Republican voters have been steered away from conservative values to what they now seem all too happy to vote for. The thing to remember about propaganda is that it doesn’t just misinform, it also works to make people immune from the truth by convincing them any facts that counter their propaganda are nothing more than HATE!!! But we really have no hate for Republican voters. None at all.

I actually like and respect most of you guys. Sure, there are a growing number that are there for the racism, but I still believe the majority of you have good hearts that want to help and do the right thing. I know you to be trustworthy, and honest, and funny, and caring, and good souls. The problem isn’t what you are, the problem is what you are now voting to support. You guys have been turned around.

Remember when your distrust of big city types, and your deep rooted beliefs in paying your debts, respecting your marriage, raising kids willing to serve, honoring your word, and going to church every week had you voting for Donald Trump over Joe Biden all because Biden’s son had a computer? Or how you couldn’t vote for Hillary because she was over-prepared and used emails? I know that to you your actions seem rational and in keeping with your values, but when it comes to voting you are now consistently voting in people who are the exact opposite of you and the values you hold dear.

What does any of this mean? Going forward we would still be glad to have you as customers, but we’re done pretending the Republican Party’s embrace of cruelty, racism, Covid lies, climate change denial, and threats to democracy are anything other than the risks they legitimately are. If you need us to pretend you are not creating the hurt you are creating in order for you to continue to be our customer, I’m sad to say you might be happier elsewhere.

If on the other hand you still want the best spices and don’t need us to respect what you now vote for to be our customer, Hooray! We are happy to have you here, but know that we will, on a regular basis, try to wake you up from this dream that has you believing there is anything conservative left at all to what the Republican Party has become. We can and will work without Republicans to solve the problems we face, but it sure would be nice to get back to a time where Republicans were equal defenders of equality, the environment, and democracy. We look forward to that day.


Thanks for reading. Thanks for being here,

Bill

Penzeys Spices

47 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
A note from Penzeyʻs spices. About Republicans. I need spices now. (Original Post) mahina Jan 2025 OP
K&R onecaliberal Jan 2025 #1
say it loud and say it clear Stardust Mirror Jan 2025 #2
Brilliant. Timeflyer Jan 2025 #3
Also great spices to purchase. nt delisen Jan 2025 #4
Excellent! SheltieLover Jan 2025 #5
I need more Sunny Paris Botany Jan 2025 #6
Love Sunny Paris. niyad Jan 2025 #35
Penzey's spices are the best. arkielib Jan 2025 #7
Wow PCIntern Jan 2025 #8
Time to stock up on their Vietnamese Cinnamon (my fav which is lower in naturally occurring As) hlthe2b Jan 2025 #9
Love the Vietnamese cinnamon! niyad Jan 2025 #26
I love Penzeys. Great company, great philosophy, StarryNite Jan 2025 #10
A hero for our times Easterncedar Jan 2025 #11
He really is a hero for our times. Biophilic Jan 2025 #12
I went looking for saffon, read itʻs great for the brain. mahina Jan 2025 #14
This is one way to qiuetly, peacefully, resist fascism... Think. Again. Jan 2025 #13
I'll bet before the day is over I will get an email telling me that my wife has been shopping at OUR favorite.... usaf-vet Jan 2025 #15
Because of Kamala, I'm a customer now. Butterflylady Jan 2025 #20
We have been since a visit to a Penzey store 15-20 years ago. usaf-vet Jan 2025 #22
Great gift cleolew Jan 2025 #16
I feel an urge to buy spices. Vinca Jan 2025 #17
You should definitely heed that urge. He has a great sale this weekend. niyad Jan 2025 #27
Kick. MontanaMama Jan 2025 #18
The Shallot-Pepper seasoning will change your life. Uncle_Remus Jan 2025 #19
"over the last half century". Thanks for saying that. It didn't start at the escalator. JHB Jan 2025 #21
Perfect gifts SallyHemmings Jan 2025 #23
Mahalo for posting this. Bill Penzey's the best. Hekate Jan 2025 #24
I urge everyone to read Bill's email today, and take advantage of some niyad Jan 2025 #25
I gave Penzey's for gifts barbtries Jan 2025 #28
Yay! Everyone got Penzey's from me this year! Easterncedar Jan 2025 #32
Many months ago, when someone posted about Penzeys, slightlv Jan 2025 #29
You will absolutely LOVE IT!!! I used to have two Penzey's here. Alas, they niyad Jan 2025 #34
Wow. A tab atop their homepage says "about Republicans" with the message above. Liberty Belle Jan 2025 #30
We drive 16 miles round-trip just to shop at our local dobleremolque Jan 2025 #31
I am a big fan of sumac now Easterncedar Jan 2025 #33
i visited Penzeys last week Tetrachloride Jan 2025 #36
Sprinkle their Quebec Beef Spice on your avocado toast - you'll never go without again! chia Jan 2025 #37
A kick, and a shout out: SCantiGOP Jan 2025 #38
Oh Well... DET Jan 2025 #39
A very good gift anyway! Easterncedar Jan 2025 #41
A big fucking KandR from this old salt. Prairie_Seagull Jan 2025 #40
or we can, one by one mahina Jan 2025 #42
Forwarding to a greatly deminished circle Prairie_Seagull Jan 2025 #46
Hey Prairie seagull that is wonderful. Thank you. You did it! mahina Jan 2025 #47
Nothing has changed in millennia Icanthinkformyself Jan 2025 #43
Thanks for posting. Elessar Zappa Jan 2025 #44
It's a great statement, and pretty ballsy SpankMe Jan 2025 #45

Stardust Mirror

(644 posts)
2. say it loud and say it clear
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 11:52 AM
Jan 2025

".. half the time Republicans are intentionally blocking the solution to the problems we face. The other half of the time they are the problem we face."

(from the article above, emphasis added)

hlthe2b

(109,521 posts)
9. Time to stock up on their Vietnamese Cinnamon (my fav which is lower in naturally occurring As)
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 12:40 PM
Jan 2025

Spicey for my occasional lattes but great on just about anything.

I love Penzey's philosophy!

Easterncedar

(4,332 posts)
11. A hero for our times
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 12:55 PM
Jan 2025

And great spices! I just sent in an order for some saffron and vanilla, because I am old enough to deserve the good stuff, and it feels great to support Penzey’s loving, rational and dedicated progressive activism. (The whole ancho chilies are the best.)

Biophilic

(5,580 posts)
12. He really is a hero for our times.
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 01:09 PM
Jan 2025

He appears to be fearless and willing to stand up for what he believes. I think Bill Penney is a truly good man. I’m sure there is something I need from Penzeys Spices.

Think. Again.

(22,330 posts)
13. This is one way to qiuetly, peacefully, resist fascism...
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 01:24 PM
Jan 2025

...if you need to buy anything, look for those who offer great product and reasonable prices and, most importantly, stand proudly behind their ideals and principles and are not afraid to promote the common good.

I'm gonna go order some Penzeys Spices now.

https://www.penzeys.com/

Edit to add: I'm getting myself this little gift: https://www.penzeys.com/online-catalog/international-salt-free-8-jar-gift-box/c-24/p-1564/pd-gb

usaf-vet

(7,480 posts)
15. I'll bet before the day is over I will get an email telling me that my wife has been shopping at OUR favorite....
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 01:28 PM
Jan 2025

..... gifting store. Some lucky family members or young married couples will be getting acquainted with Penzeys Spices.

https://www.penzeys.com/


Butterflylady

(4,386 posts)
20. Because of Kamala, I'm a customer now.
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 01:51 PM
Jan 2025

Got 3 gift boxes for my kids for Christmas 🎄.
Have a wedding coming up and guess who's getting spices.

cleolew

(18 posts)
16. Great gift
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 01:29 PM
Jan 2025

A friend sent me a Penzeys Baking spice set years ago. I loved the spices before I knew their message. I bought gift cards for holiday gifts this year. Everyone was thrilled, especially my nieces. She discovered the Penzeys store in Paradise Valley, Az. Thanks for posting the message and keep cooking!!

JHB

(37,662 posts)
21. "over the last half century". Thanks for saying that. It didn't start at the escalator.
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 01:52 PM
Jan 2025

It's been happening since Movement Conservatives took over the GOP. Don't even look to Reagan. Look to William F. Buckley. Today's Republican Party is the monster he bred.

SallyHemmings

(1,931 posts)
23. Perfect gifts
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 02:13 PM
Jan 2025

Their spices made my holiday shopping real easy. The response was so good, I will use them as Birthday gifts.

niyad

(123,587 posts)
25. I urge everyone to read Bill's email today, and take advantage of some
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 02:19 PM
Jan 2025

great sales, including his new spice mix, RESIST, and $50 gift cards for $35. I am still giving various boxes that I bought over the holidays to friends who have birthdays this week.

barbtries

(30,377 posts)
28. I gave Penzey's for gifts
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 02:37 PM
Jan 2025

my niece's wedding and my son's and granddaughter's Christmas.

Love Penzey's and happy to support their continued success.

Easterncedar

(4,332 posts)
32. Yay! Everyone got Penzey's from me this year!
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 04:40 PM
Jan 2025

It felt good to opt out of the mad consumerism this year, too.

slightlv

(5,456 posts)
29. Many months ago, when someone posted about Penzeys,
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 02:46 PM
Jan 2025

I checked them out and immediately bought some spices from them. This year, tho Xmas was bleak on the present front, I pulled a gift in July by ordering their Teacher sample for my Sis as a present. I also ordered a couple of spice mixes to try for myself. I don't really have much discretionary income, but as I cook almost everything from scratch anymore, good herbs, oils, and spices are important to me. Penzey's has gotten more of my meager discretionary income than anyone else. And I give it willingly and lovingly for what they stand for... to stand by them in their steadfast belief in the inherent goodness of people, and the refusal to give in to the bullying techniques of Maga.

Just found out on NYE that there's a Penzeys store in KC, about 30 minutes from me. The friend who told me said he'd come get me and we'd go shopping together. Oh, lordy... don't turn me loose in that store. I'll spend the next car insurance payment! (LOL)

niyad

(123,587 posts)
34. You will absolutely LOVE IT!!! I used to have two Penzey's here. Alas, they
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 05:55 PM
Jan 2025

are no more. My mail carrier hates me, I think!

Liberty Belle

(9,660 posts)
30. Wow. A tab atop their homepage says "about Republicans" with the message above.
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 03:20 PM
Jan 2025

Courageous action -- my new favorite company!

dobleremolque

(1,004 posts)
31. We drive 16 miles round-trip just to shop at our local
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 03:54 PM
Jan 2025

Penzeys retail outlet. It's the only place in town you can get chervil. And occasionally, we just buy stuff to do our part to keep the store in business. That's the way we discovered Turkish sumac and have added it to our kitchen repertoire.

Easterncedar

(4,332 posts)
33. I am a big fan of sumac now
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 04:43 PM
Jan 2025

I used to find it in some zatar mixes, but getting straight sumac from Penzey's has let me really play with it. I just love the lemony brightness.

chia

(2,548 posts)
37. Sprinkle their Quebec Beef Spice on your avocado toast - you'll never go without again!
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 08:41 PM
Jan 2025

The label says it can be used for "so much more" than beef, and yes it can!

Love my Penzey's spices.

https://www.penzeys.com/online-catalog/quebec-beef-spice/c-24/p-3104/pd-s

SCantiGOP

(14,446 posts)
38. A kick, and a shout out:
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 11:20 PM
Jan 2025

I buy Penzeys several times a year for me and my extended family. Great spices and part of the $$ goes to great causes.

DET

(1,984 posts)
39. Oh Well...
Sun Jan 5, 2025, 11:30 PM
Jan 2025

I bought a bunch of Penzey’s spices for my SIL this year for Xmas, only to find that she has a Penzys right around the corner. At least it went to a good company.

Easterncedar

(4,332 posts)
41. A very good gift anyway!
Mon Jan 6, 2025, 01:17 AM
Jan 2025

When my then new partner’s daughters first came to my house to meet me, they brought a jar of Penzey’s prime rib rub as a guest gift, then laughed when they saw my spice shelf full of Penzey’s. We all agreed it proved the gift was perfectly chosen!

Prairie_Seagull

(4,174 posts)
40. A big fucking KandR from this old salt.
Mon Jan 6, 2025, 12:59 AM
Jan 2025

BO or MO or...
need to turn this into a short speech for all to hear.
IMO

Prairie_Seagull

(4,174 posts)
46. Forwarding to a greatly deminished circle
Mon Jan 6, 2025, 02:07 PM
Jan 2025

of friends/acquaintances I used to correspond with. I don't usually do this sort of thing so thanks for the kick in the ass. I curse to much to get up on my own soap box dammit. Others have told me however I do have a good speaking voice. Funny that.

Back in the day, I was home ported at Pearl.

Again mahalo mahina.

mahina

(19,734 posts)
47. Hey Prairie seagull that is wonderful. Thank you. You did it!
Mon Jan 6, 2025, 02:11 PM
Jan 2025

We’ll have to do something, as much and safely and Kindly as possible.

I will too.

Aloha

Icanthinkformyself

(327 posts)
43. Nothing has changed in millennia
Mon Jan 6, 2025, 10:55 AM
Jan 2025

except our ability to kill each other more efficiently and in greater numbers.
"All of it has been intelligently crafted with the goal of preserving the position of those who profit from the inhumanity that is at the very roots of pretty much every problem we are facing."
Said by generations many times to be repeated many more times in humanity's future, if we have one.

Elessar Zappa

(16,330 posts)
44. Thanks for posting.
Mon Jan 6, 2025, 11:05 AM
Jan 2025

I had never heard of them! They’ll be getting my spice business from now on.

SpankMe

(3,450 posts)
45. It's a great statement, and pretty ballsy
Mon Jan 6, 2025, 12:24 PM
Jan 2025

I like that Penzeys is making such a bold political statement. The conventional wisdom is to avoid partisan political subjects in the conduct of business - especially a business (spices) that has very little intersection with left-right political discussion. I hope Penzeys doesn't suffer any of the violent retribution from the right that can happen in these fraught times.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»A note from Penzeyʻs...