The Flavor of Smugness
I just learned I've taken sides in the great Arizona illegal immigration debate of 2010. Unwittingly.
It all happened a few weeks ago when I visited the Penzey Spice store in Northern Virginia. I'm a fan of their spices and in addition to stocking up on our regulars, we purchased something called Arizona Dreaming. It was billed in this cheesy way as "The flavors of South of the Border combined in ways that Americans love so much!" Having grown up out West, it just sounded so tone-deaf. I actually decided to look and see where the company was based -- Wauwatosa, WI.
Anyway, it's a nice salt-free spice and it really is good on scrambled eggs.
Apparently it's also supposed to be a political statement against Arizona's new immigration law. From the Arizona Republic:
Penzey wrote a letter to go with the launch, saying: "In our need to restore our sense of self-control, are we actually going to reward our politicians who are not working to bring us together, but instead forsaking America's beautiful 234-year-old history of diversity? . . . The Arizona I know has plenty of happy feelings to spread."..
Come on! Can't a girl just buy some spices without getting embroiled in politics?
The other thing I find funny about Penzey's call to arms against the "anger and fear" surrounding the Arizona law is that a few years ago a Greek friend of mine was outraged at the gross stereotypes Penzeys used in a "Greek diner" themed catalogue.
(Headline stolen from Exurban John)
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Comments :
May '10
Re: The Flavor of Smugness
The desire of liberals to insert moral rectitude into buying spices is definitely a sign of bland thinking. I savor the idea of a lefty who seeks my business without trying to flatter me. They're spices for goodness sakes. Inking them with so much meaning makes you look like a wide eyed 12 year old. Besides, my seasoning of choice for eggs is Bacon Salt.
May '10
Re: The Flavor of Smugness
There is something so insular about liberals that they will needlessly alienate potential customers without realizing it. I'm sure whoever did this thought that nobody could ever disagree.
Jul '10
Re: The Flavor of Smugness
".... America's beautiful 234-year-old history of diversity?[!]"
Shoot, I thought it was 234-year-old history of "oppressing minorities." This must be a step in the right direction.
Sep '10
Re: The Flavor of Smugness
Its pretty random that you mention this today.
There was an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel today about a hearse that received a parking ticket while at a funeral service. Granted, the service took place at a bar and the hearse was in a no parking zone, but c'mon. But who was it that died? The one and only Mr. Bill Penzey Sr., the patriach of the spice company.
No word on whether or not the parking checker was for or against the Arizona law..
Jul '10
Re: The Flavor of Smugness
Mollie,
Aside from the unnecessary helping of smug, what were the elements of your spice mix?
Re: The Flavor of Smugness
Sorry for the delay, Palaeologus:
INGREDIENTS: spices, ground ancho, onion, garlic, paprika, citric acid, lemon peel, chipotle pepper, red pepper, jalapeno, cocoa, natural smoke flavoring.