Kirk Bangstad's Notoriety

The owner of the Minocqua Brewing Company in WI who mourned the shooter missing is running as a Democrat for State Assmebly. He also just pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct charges for harassing a local business owner

Voters, beware! Don’t let this maniac anywhere near office pic.twitter.com/Pa4umyprrk

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) April 26, 2026

HOLY CR*P 🚨 This brewery called Minocqua Brewing Company in Wisconsin upset that Donald Trump didn’t get assassinated tonight is owned by Kirk Bangstad

Kirk Bangstad is a Democrat who ran for Wisconsin State Assembly

He founded a Democrat Super PAC that raised millions to… pic.twitter.com/WFAZ2pZtkB

— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) April 26, 2026

Yes, it's a real Facebook post from Minocqua Brewing Company (their official page MBCBrews).

They own the company and have been posting merch/promises tied to "the day he [Trump] dies" since January 2026.

Owner: Kirk Bangstad, who bought the brewery in 2016 and runs a liberal…

— Grok (@grok) April 26, 2026

🚨The same Minocqua Brewing Company who mocked an attempted assassination of President Trump.

Has waged political war against the conservative moms in @Moms4Liberty.

The owner has specifically targeted us by publishing names, funding social media campaigns, organizing… pic.twitter.com/a8PTwvDiki

— Scarlett Johnson (@scarlett4kids) April 26, 2026

Kirk Bangstad is a disgrace to Wisconsin.

Speaking of disgraces, does Bill Penzey carry Bangstad's beer in his spice stores?

America Learns the Truth About Penzeys and Kamala

EXCLUSIVE:

🚨🚨🚨👇🏻@KamalaHarris’s Presidential campaign STAGED a fake emotional encounter with a woman on camera today at an event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that the campaign called “organic” and “spur of the moment” but I have uncovered the fact that the venue is actually… https://t.co/T0drCP5wDL pic.twitter.com/CGObq2z1rQ

— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) September 7, 2024

EXCLUSIVE:

Further evidence @KamalaHarris’s event was staged today.

I found Stephanie Moore’s instagram.

Not only has Stephanie Moore, the Pennsylvania Democrat Party volunteer @smoores1213 locked down her X account since I exposed her fake and staged encounter with… https://t.co/zUhsfFlNI6 pic.twitter.com/xV7C88gjNO

— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) September 7, 2024

Bill Penzey wrote the book on "How to Ruin Your Business (and a presidential campaign) Without Really Trying."

Lots of bad news for Kamala is good news for Americans.

Kamala Goes to Penzeys!

Kamala Harris took a break from Debate Boot Camp and went shopping at Penzeys yesterday, perhaps the business that is the most hateful, divisive, ugly operation in the country.

Penzeys is headquartered in Wisconsin. As a Wisconsin resident, I have had years of misfortune hearing Bill Penzey spew his unhinged hate throughout the land.

Kamala Harris: "I'm honored to have" Cheney endorsement ... "Them stepping up to make this public statement I think is courageous. .. .Time to turn the page on divisiveness."

-- Penzeys Spices in Pittsburgh pic.twitter.com/ZeoFOa9GZz

— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) September 8, 2024

Kamala and her puppet masters, in all their stunning incompetence, chose Penzeys to preach that it's "time to turn the page on the divisiveness. It's time to bring our country together. Chart a new way forward."

OH MY GOD!

That is remarkable, off-the-charts BS coming from Kamala, and delivered in PENZEYS!

I didn't know there was a Penzeys in Pittsburgh. I couldn't believe Kamala staged a little event there.

True, Kamala's choice of venue allowed Bill Penzey to make real his ultimate fantasy, but it was an idiotic move of epic proportion.

The Harris team chose one of the worst places to have Kamala surface after days and days of embarrassing debate prep.

I look forward to using my new seasonings from Penzeys Spices in Pittsburgh at our next Sunday family dinner. pic.twitter.com/qQibG7kTRR

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) September 8, 2024

Kamala will be cooking with the products of amazing hate, not a wholesome, family-friendly image at all. I don't think basting in hate speech is a good idea.

Penzeys website features a hate page, "About Republicans," right under "About Us."

Visit a few of the many past posts exposing the hateful, divisive philosophy of Bill Penzey. Keep in mind that Kamala and her puppet masters chose this business as the spot for her to highlight her message of alleged unity.

Penzeys Spices - Boycott

Penzey Calls Scott Walker and His Supporters Segregationists, Racists

Bill Penzey Note: Back to School 2014

Bill Penzey - Pi Day, Scott Walker, Evolution

Bill Penzey: "Cooking Trumps Racism"

Bill Penzey Email: Art of Hope - Cooking Trumps Racism

Bill Penzey's Letter to America's CEOs

Penzey Email: Women's March

Bill Penzey's Easter Message

Bill Penzey: Trump Voters Are Racists

Don't buy Penzeys spices.

Don't vote for Kamala Harris.

Don't endorse the divisive derangement of the Left.

Bill Penzey: 'Republicans Are Racists Weekend!'

Bill Penzey has always been a dick about politics. He ran my business off years ago. If you want to buy terrific spices w/o being insulted or harangued, Penzey's sister runs @thespicehouse. Try the Oktoberfest Bavarian rub; it's a miracle on chicken. https://t.co/v5icsIIXld pic.twitter.com/89eyFG9orI

— Rod Dreher (@roddreher) January 18, 2022

Remember when a conservative business owner ran a "Democrats are Racists" promotion and he was lauded by loons?

No, because only divisive, ugly, angry, deranged Leftists like Penzey do such divisive, ugly, angry, deranged things.

Bill Penzey, Planned Parenthood, and Memorial Day

On Memorial Day weekend, Bill Penzey decided it was appropriate to call the workers and volunteers at Planned Parenthood "real life heroes."

Penzey wants to make the holiday "more inclusive."

Here's his Saturday email:

In my college days, as someone who spent a good chunk of my time studying history while having friends minoring in women’s studies, more than once these friends pointed out that history is pretty much mostly just “his” story. They were, of course, right. One of the facts so clearly backing them up is that, in the history of America far more women have died in pregnancy than men have died in combat. And this is not just a statistic from our distant past, this has held true since the start of this century as well. Yet where is this incredible cost women have paid in the teaching of our history? Where is this in the holidays we observe?

As a fan of “there’s no time like the present” I’m thinking that along with rightfully remembering and honoring those who gave all in service to our nation, maybe it’s time to make this weekend more inclusive of all those who gave all. Maybe in these last weeks, where the Republican Party’s attack on our country’s humanity has led to laws seizing control of reproductive rights from women and placing them in the hands of the state, we’ve reached the time for a turning point. Are we really going back to a time where white male privilege can dictate your assault victim/pre-teen daughter’s pregnancy is a gift from God and must be treated as such? I say Nope, Nope, and Nope.

And this isn’t about when life begins, this is about being truthful about what leads to the ending of pregnancies and honestly working to minimize those causes. When 80% comes down to pregnancies being unwanted, the first step is to ask who is working to cause unwanted pregnancies and why? Mothers Against Drunk Driving are actually against drunk driving. They don’t demand classes that teach bartenders how not to over-serve be shut down. They don’t lobby to pass laws that ban taxis and Uber from operating at bar time. Yet this is exactly what the right-to-life is doing when they block age-appropriate sex education and work to prevent accessible, affordable birth control.

For churches no longer about Jesus, or a political party no longer for We the People, children born into homes where two people love each other very much are not going to be where they find new customers. For tax cuts for the very-very rich and corporate jets for church leaders, the broken lives unwed, impoverished, single teen pregnancies create are what’s needed. Take away the right-to-life’s blocking sex education and affordable, accessible birth control, and abortion rates will plummet overnight, but so would the broken lives they depend on. Their leaders know this, but it’s a price they are willing to pay to fill their pews and get their votes. It’s time to call them on their cruelty.

But do you know who works hard to make sure young women are not left with nothing but bad choices? Planned Parenthood that’s who, and now more than anytime ever they need good people to let them know how much we appreciate all they do. So much of so many of our happily-ever-afters only came to be because of everything Planned Parenthood does to support and protect the health of women. Recent news articles have said corporate America has been silent on this issue because it is a no-win scenario. Maybe — Probably — I guess I’m about to find out. But with such a huge loss being certain if no one speaks out, we are willing to take a stand.

So this Memorial Day weekend, with every regularly-priced, individually sold half-cup jar, Penzeys will be donating $1 to Planned Parenthood to thank them for all they do and all they give to protect the lives and the rights of women. In a time where it can seem we are too short on real life heroes, the workers and volunteers of Planned Parenthood are just the people we are in need of. If cooking teaches us anything, it’s the transformative power of giving respect where respect is due. This weekend let’s give voice to our respect for those standing up for the rights of women. Silent support is no longer enough. Too much is now at stake.

And in other news, it is grilling time again. Please don’t forget about our offer of a regularly $4.29 great-for-grilling Bicentennial Rub and $3.95 Hungarian Sweet Paprika for $2 each. Or a $6.49 value half-cup jar of Amazing Granulated Garlic, yours for just $1 with only a $5 purchase.

No coupons or codes are needed for any of these offers. $2 Hungarian Paprika and Bicentennial Rub, and $1 Granulated Garlic with $5 purchase are all automatic for everyone. Visit one of our stores or visit us online at penzeys.com now.

Thanks for taking time this weekend to give respect to all those who have given so much to make America a place of liberty and equality,

Bill
bill@penzeys.com

Just when I think Penzey couldn't sink any lower, he does.

Bill Penzey Attacks Republican Party

Bill Penzey continues to wage war on the Republican Party.

The focus of his Labor Day email was not spices or the products he sells. It was politics.

Penzey wrote:

And please take notice of the way America this weekend took notice of the life of Senator John McCain. As the reality of what the Republican Party has become gets exposed through our court system in the coming months, there will be the question of can the party even survive and should it even survive?

In the months to come it will become clear that all those elected leaders who supported, enabled and obstructed for this administration have to go. Some of them to jail. But what then? The Party’s future’s uncertain, but in its past there is a roadmap to a place where it was possible to be conservative without working hand in hand with our nation’s adversaries to undermine America’s values.

Today the Republican Party is undeniably the party of racism, environmental destruction, and of taking health care from those in need, all to funnel the nation’s wealth to the party’s already wealthy benefactors. What actually caused the Republican Party to rise up were values the very opposite of those it exhibits today.

There once was Abraham Lincoln fighting for the Republican Party’s founding principle that slavery was an abomination. There once was Teddy Roosevelt fighting to make environmental conservation the bedrock of this nation. And, too, there once was John McCain who, among his many battles, successfully fought to make the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) the law of the land.

From now until November 6, we all must do all we can to save our country from what the Republican Party has become. But come November 7 the struggle will still be far from over. Unraveling what unlimited political spending has done to our country is the battle of our time. As much as 11.6.18 must be our main focus, we are Cooks, we have proven we can multitask.

As we all sit down to dinner tonight it’s time again to start thinking of the way forward. As their Ronald Reagan said in his farewell address: “Let me offer lesson number one about America: All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” It is time again for Great Change.


Thanks for your support,

Bill

bill@penzeys.com

"Their Ronald Reagan"?

Penzey declares, "Today the Republican Party is undeniably the party of racism, environmental destruction, and of taking health care from those in need, all to funnel the nation’s wealth to the party’s already wealthy benefactors."

This guy really knows how to drive away customers.

Bill Penzey Exploits John McCain

How low will Bill Penzey go?

He exploits the death of John McCain to sell spices.

That's low.

Here's Penzey's email from yesterday:

To celebrate the way our times changed with last week’s outbreak of legal-based reality, through today we are giving away two 1/4-cup jars of our steadfast, rock solid, and very tasty French Thyme. A combined $5.90 value, the two 1/4-cup jars, one to keep, one to share are yours flat-out free if you can get to one of our stores today. Online at penzeys.com they are also free, but standard shipping and handling charges will apply. Starting Monday we will continue the two 1/4-cup offer through the following Monday, but the flat-out free will become free with $5 spending. If you’re on a budget, now’s the time to get your Thyme.

Today is also your last chance for both regularly $3.69 Ancho and regularly $4.29 Lemon Pepper for just $2! Chili season is right around the corner and Ancho is the heart of that and so many Texas, Mexican, and Southwest dishes. Lemon Pepper is a treat and may be our most at home blend wherever it goes. Fish, eggs, vegetables, salads, pretty much everything tastes better with a few shakes. Lemon Pepper is a cross-generational classic for good reason.

To get your two free Thymes, just bring in this email or the coupon above to one of our stores. Online at penzeys.com, just enter 34099C into the apply code box at checkout. No need to place the Thyme in your basket, the code will do that for you and for free. In our stores or online, there’s no codes or coupons needed for the $2 Ancho and Lemon Pepper, these offers are automatic for everyone.

In yesterday’s email I wrote: “In the last couple years we’ve all witnessed with heartbreak the destruction the Republican/Fox News/Russian propaganda has brought to the lives of too many people close to us. It’s been hard watching conservative friends manipulated by fear and anger to turn against their own decency.” One conservative that was in no way turned was John McCain. His principled stance against the corruption of the current President will be forever remembered in America’s history as one of the amazing acts of patriotism that has always made this country great.

John McCain was a hero not for the events that happened to him in his life, but for the way he responded to those events. We all like to imagine ourselves as being capable of turning the other cheek, but the reality is that those who are tortured become the torturers. Not John McCain. He fought the all too human urge for revenge and instead became a powerful voice for decency. And again after losing his 2000 bid for the presidency to a racist attack against his family, his refusal to stoke the flames of racism in 2008 in his campaign against Barack Obama showed so much of the man he was. Heroes in any party of politics are few and far between. We could sure use some conservative ones like John McCain right now.

There is a long way to go to set things right in this country. But as the events of last week show, the National Enquirer isn’t going to save this presidency now. The courts and the impeachment process will expose everything the modern Republican Party has become, and after that it will be hard for the party to continue on. At some point we all need to wake up to the fact that what Russia and Fox News have been attacking is not America’s liberalism. Look at any poll or any recent special election and you will see our liberal values are surging. What these forces have been so effective at virtually eliminating from our politics are our conservative values, the very values John McCain spent so much of his life upholding.

Though we are in for tough times, these times won’t last forever. In what comes next will be the opportunity for a new American conservatism for modern times to emerge. Imagine a conservatism that believes in conservation, and that leads in America’s historic fight for equality. A conservatism that knows capitalism only works when the playing field is even for all. And most importantly, a conservatism that demands the end to profiting off damaging the public good, while expecting the tax payers to pick up the cost of cleaning up. All this is possible, but only if we are willing to work towards it.

Now is not the time to get ahead of ourselves. As Cooks we know how to overcome all the little obstacles that stand in the way of bringing happiness to the table. Now is the time to focus those very same skills on helping to overcome all the little obstacles that hold back those around us from voting come November 6. Together we can make the very difference needed now.

Still, as Cooks we also have proven our ability to multitask. As we work towards November 6, let’s start imagining what the new modern American conservatism to come could be. Please remember John McCain in this, not just for the values he stood for, but in the incredible strength with which he stood for them. Going forward we will need many-many more women and men with as much of that strength as possible. As Cooks it’s up to us to build them.

Enjoy your Sunday,


Bill

bill@penzeys.com

This guy is a disgrace.

There is a long way to go to set things right in this country. But as the events of last week show, the National Enquirer isn’t going to save this presidency now. The courts and the impeachment process will expose everything the modern Republican Party has become, and after that it will be hard for the party to continue on. At some point we all need to wake up to the fact that what Russia and Fox News have been attacking is not America’s liberalism. Look at any poll or any recent special election and you will see our liberal values are surging. What these forces have been so effective at virtually eliminating from our politics are our conservative values, the very values John McCain spent so much of his life upholding.

Impeachment. Russia. FOX News. The modern Republican Party.

Good grief.

Penzey is trying to sell spices by spewing Leftist drivel.

He's actively limiting his customer base.

Not smart.

Penzey Wisconsin Primary Email

Bill Penzey continues to attack potential customers of his spice business.

Apparently, he thinks it's smart to bend over backwards to limit his clientele.

Here's an email Penzey sent to customers on August 9, with the subject line, "Cooks Vote!":

(This is an email we are sending out in our home state of Wisconsin for our upcoming Tuesday primary election. Our plan is to do something like this on a national level come October. The offer is good for all.)

All of us who grew up in the state of Wisconsin grew up in a place we could be proud of. A strong economy based on quality public education, a university system that rivaled the nation’s best, a pro environmental voice heard around the country and around the world. And behind all this was the intentional kindness and caring of our state’s people. The Wisconsin of our youth was a gift given to us by all those who came before that we were obliged to pass on to all those who came after.

Then came the 2010 election. The Republican Party chose Wisconsin to be the test ground for all that unlimited political spending could do. The very same forces that paved the way for what happened nationally in 2016 first tested it all out here. Before the President grabbed the reins, it was our Governor testing out the attack on education, selling out the environment, and even testing the staged racism towards Native Americans. We must address what is happening in the White House, but just removing the tip of the iceberg changes pretty much nothing. For real change we must also address the source, and that’s up to us, the Wisconsin voters.

Penzeys is a Wisconsin business and a national business, too. As a 23-year-old, just starting Penzeys, I thought it would have been easier if my grandparents had chosen a city a little more in the spotlight. Today, I’m convinced if we had been planted anywhere else, finding our way to the business we’ve become would have only been harder. Human kindness really is universal, but growing up in my parents' Spice Store on 33rd & Galena, through our customers I was given the chance to witness a kindness that was also intentional. Through them I learned, when you take the time to care about others the world becomes a better place. That’s a very Milwaukee and very Wisconsin idea.

The fact is Wisconsin wasn’t randomly chosen out of a hat as the test ground for what unlimited political spending could do. We were chosen because of our history. Wisconsin created the Republican Party as a force against slavery. Milwaukee has long embraced compassionate capitalism. If unlimited media buys and the anger of the right wing echo machine could unravel a century of Wisconsin support for education and the environment here, it could be repeated everywhere. So they set off to vilify teachers and turn suburban voters against public education for a $23 property tax cut. Then they went after our state's proud history of environmental protection for nothing more than their own campaign contributions.

At first our desire to see goodness in everyone had us thinking this was just a brand-new governor in over his head. But as time went on and this all only escalated, we saw how incredibly organized the money behind all this was. In time we came to realize there was no goodness here at all, only the strip-mining of the public good to give more to those who were already the wealthiest of the wealthy. There was the thought in 2016 that our now President, with his lack of conscience and willingness to sell out all that is good for his own advancement, somehow surprised the Republican Party. We here in Wisconsin have learned the hard way these are the very leadership values they’ve built their new party model around.

January 21, 2017, the day after the inauguration, the day of the first Woman’s March, many nationally were pleasantly surprised that a Wisconsin Spice business had a symbol that so closely embraced the feelings that had them marching in our Kind Heart pin and in the words: “Kindness can’t sit down simply because anger has stood up.” Testing grounds work both ways. While Wisconsin was the trial run for what the Republicans have now become nationally, we were pushing back against their efforts.

Time and again we found when they go after education, minority rights, the environment, healthcare for those in need, or even now in their taking of children from parents legally seeking asylum, what they are really trying to do is erode our common decency and our shared humanity. For them to win they need us to stop caring. In studying their blueprints, what we’ve found is that their Death Star has no defense against human compassion. Our kindness is our strength. Please use this knowledge any way you can.

This Tuesday in Wisconsin, it’s this message of kindness we must share and continue to share across the nation through November 6 and onward to November 3, 2020. In Wisconsin, it is time for someone with the strength and courage to stand up to outside money no matter the size of the check to be voted the opportunity to govern. Thankfully there are many with this strength and courage on Tuesday’s ballot. If you are in Wisconsin and would like to know more about how and where to vote, please click here.

And Spices, too! It is our values that make us the business we are. It is our humanity that pushes us to reach out and connect and come back with the goodness this world has to offer. Those efforts have just now once again paid off with our brand new Granulated Shallots. I could spend another 900 words on why you should get them, but it would be a lot easier on both of us if you would just trust me and get a half cup $5.95 jar free with $5 purchase. Great for the harvest vegetables of the moment, but honestly there’s not a meat or fish that would not taste better with a few shakes. Start using the Shallots wherever you would use Garlic and see where you end up. A great replacement for Salt, too. Really Good Stuff.

$7.95 Kind Heart Pins, and through Sunday $6.95 value Cinnamon Sugar. Both are free with the same $5 in spending that qualifies you for the free Shallots. And $5.29 Smokey Garlicky Mitchell Street Seasoning, and the $3.95 great flavored reminder Aleppo Pepper, both just $2 each.

No coupon or code is needed for the great price on the Mitchell Street or Aleppo Pepper. Those prices are automatic for all. To get your $5.95 Shallots, $6.95 Cinnamon Sugar and $7.95 Kind Heart Pin, all free with just one $5 purchase in one of our stores just bring in this email, or the coupons above and below and spend $5.

Online at penzeys.com simply spend $5 and then enter 94046C into the apply code box at check out for the Kind Heart Pin, 49155C for the new Shallots and 11855C for the Cinnamon Sugar. No need to place any of these in your basket, the codes will do that for you for free. Shipping and handling will apply, but regular shipping is always free with $30 spending.

Unless I’m missing something, if you are trying to maximize your budget, your best play is to get one $2 Aleppo and two $2 Mitchell Streets to cover your $5 minimum giving you $35.38 worth of Spices and Kindness for just $6. Please share this with those you know who might enjoy a good deal.

Finally, if you are outside of Wisconsin but know of someone who lives here, it would make a difference for you to share this email as an encouragement to vote. From a practical standpoint, getting someone to vote this Tuesday who might otherwise have not almost guarantees their voting November 6. But beyond practical, on a human kindness level getting the chance to vote for an honest to goodness groundbreaking Wisconsin Hero like Tammy Baldwin, even though in the primary she is running unopposed, is just Pure Joy. Don’t ever miss chances for Pure Joy!

Thanks for being the kind of people that showed me the value in caring for others.


You are my heroes,

Bill

bill@penzeys.com

Oh, please.

Tammy Baldwin is not "an honest to goodness groundbreaking Wisconsin Hero."

That's just nauseating.

Penzey should accept that cooks vote for conservative candidates, too.

Why be so divisive and mean in his sales approach?

Here's a portion of his email sent on August 11:

A history of cooking day after day is proof of an honest commitment to empathy and compassion. Those really are the two values most missing in our President and Governor. On the campaign trail anyone can say anything, but I believe the proof is literally in the pudding. Or in this case, the Arizona Dreaming Avocado Toast. Not to say the others in the primary are not also Cooks, and we all need to agree, whoever wins the primary is very much the best candidate for all of us. That said, there’s a lot to also be said for a candidate that is both qualified and shares your values.

If you are in Wisconsin, please drag everyone around you to vote this Tuesday. If you aren’t in Wisconsin, but know of someone here, please encourage them to vote this Tuesday by forwarding them this email, or hopping on our Facebook page and sharing the post of this email. Thanks!

And if someone asks you why they should vote when this is only a primary, remind them of Tammy Baldwin. Not a lot of bright spots lately in Wisconsin politics. But still, even though she’s running unopposed in the primary, getting the chance to vote for an honest-to-goodness American hero like Senator Baldwin is a treat for us that those in the other 49 states can only imagine. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to feel good about yourself for doing what is right.


Thanks for caring enough to cook and caring enough to vote!


Bill

bill@penzeys.com

Penzey clearly has decided to limit his business by appealing to the hate Leftists have for Trump, Scott Walker, and the Republican candidates challenging Tammy Baldwin. He thinks he can make more money by trashing many good people.

That's messed up.

There's nothing kind about that, nothing healing.

Bill Penzey: Captain Boycott

It's very odd that Bill Penzey has been drawing attention to boycotts, since usually he whines about being victimized by the process. He keeps talking about "Captain Boycott" and his birthday on March 12.

Here's a portion of Penzey's email from March 9:

And [don't forget] Captain Boycott’s birthday this Monday, March 12. History has its lessons and it's looking more and more like we are on the way to relearning one of them. But it's a good one. In the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, and in the incredible bravery of its students since, there is hope that we may well be once again arriving at a time where those in charge come to see at whose will they serve. Older generations have inexplicably looked the other way as the same industries time and again have used unlimited political spending and lobbying to make windfall profits off the destruction of the public good. These kids are having none of this. Thank goodness for them.

Now is the time to support this new generation and join with them in taking on those corporations that are anything but good citizens, and the politicians who willingly accept their payments. Please let them know you admire their strength to walk out this coming Wednesday the 14th at 10:00am for 17 minutes in remembrance of those lives taken one month before. And if possible, march with them March 24 in Washington and in cities across the country. Now's the time to turn the tide. Help them seize the opportunity.

On March 12, Penzey was still yapping about Boycott, repeating some of his previous email:

And today is Captain Boycott’s 186th birthday which may go unnoticed by most, but is well worth taking note of. Just like in his time, we've once again arrived at a point where those in power are not there through the will of the people for the good of the people, but through the influence of privilege, money, corruption and quite possibly collusion for what appears to be no good at all. But what history shows us is that, just like in Captain Boycott’s time then, the power that can seem so firmly held can quite suddenly be exposed for nothing more than an illusion.

In the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, and in the incredible bravery of its students since, we may well be at the same turning point that has carried Captain Boycott’s name on through history. Where so many in previous generations were brought up to believe that corporations, lobbyists, and politicians should not be held responsible for the impact of their actions, these kids are having none of this. If history is any indicator, what's coming next will be very interesting.

What looks fairly certain thanks to these young people, is that for any organization that profits from damaging the public good through the use of their campaign contributions and lobbying, these next few years will be very different from the last. Now is the time for us all to support this new generation. Please let them know you admire their strength to walk out this coming Wednesday the 14th at 10:00am for 17 minutes in remembrance of those lives taken one month before. And if possible, march with them March 24 in Washington and in cities across the country. Now's the time to turn the tide. Help them seize the opportunity.

—Thanks.


And once again, because we have those wanting to boycott us to make up for, please don't forget free shipping with just $20 in spending ends at midnight. Just visit us online at penzeys.com where no code is needed for this offer. While there, please pick up a couple extra $1 reg. $3.45 Granulated Garlic and $1 reg. $3.95 Pie Spice to share. We have great Spices. You sharing them with those you know makes for the best word of mouth which we greatly appreciate. $2 IItalian Herb and Sandwich Sprinkle, too.

And once again, thanks for your continual support,

Bill
bill@penzeys.com

So, he encourages boycotts and stripping Republicans of influence because "those in power are not there through the will of the people for the good of the people, but through the influence of privilege, money, corruption and quite possibly collusion for what appears to be no good at all."

They most certainly are there because of the will of the people. Trump is president because the forgotten men and women of the country elected him to serve. And many of us couldn't bear the thought of Hillary as president of the United States.

Penzey falsely claims the will of the people wasn't expressed in the 2016 election. Clueless.

In the latter email, Penzey addresses "those wanting to boycott us."

He pleads for business because some customers have abandoned him due to his incessant politicking.

So, boycotts are noble if they don't impact him.

Spoken like a true believer Leftist.

Penzey Embraces Hate and Trump Leaving Office

Bill Penzey's latest email:

Midnight ends the chance for free regular shipping with just $20 in spending instead of the regular $30 and your chance for a free $9.95 Embrace Hope Pin. Shipping and handling still apply, but we have reduced the price of standard S&H to just $3.95 on orders under $20.

Much of how cooking works to create better futures is in times where others abandon all hope, Cooks embrace it. With the blatant obstruction and corruption of justice by the Republican leadership in this last week, the country needs the strength of Cooks as much as in any time of our history. Get your Embrace Hope Pin before midnight!

The chance for a $9.95 half-cup jar of the bright, light Fresh and French-flavored Sunny Paris with $5 spending ends tonight, too. Fish, salads, chicken, right on up to beef and root vegetables all become something much better with Sunny Paris. Also wonderful for all egg dishes and onion soup as well.

Midnight also ends great prices on our Penzeys Minced Garlic and Regular Chili Powder. Our Chili Powder is wonderful; our Garlic is life changing. For a few more hours this Garlic is only $1 for a quarter-cup jar. The best deal of the night would be buying 20 jars of the Garlic, a $49 value, use the codes for both the Sunny Paris and Embrace Hope pin, giving you a total value of $68.90 for just $20. Free shipping, too.

What to do with 19 extra jars of Penzeys Minced Garlic? Might I suggest spreading Penzeys Garlic good will? We rely on your support so much. Your word of mouth means so much, but this Garlic on people’s tastebuds probably means even more; it really is that good.

We get letters saying: “I don't know which I like better, your Spices or your world view.” To us they are so intertwined as to be inseparable. If you can't see the goodness in the world, how could you ever bring goodness back from it? Don't miss this chance to be a Garlic Hero to 19 people in your life. —Thanks.

No coupon or code is needed for free regular shipping with $20 in spending rather than the usual $30 or the great deals on Chili and Garlic. Just visit us online at penzeys.com where these offers are automatic for everyone. While there, be sure to enter 94056C into the apply code box at check out for your free Embrace Hope Pin, and if you spend $5 you can also use 15453C for the Sunny Paris. No need to place either in your basket, the codes will do that for you.

And email opt-out results for when you say: “This last week in the lies and in the corruption and obstruction of justice the reality of this administration was exposed for all to see. Nothing will get better if we look the other way. From here on in there isn't anything but a downward spiral ahead with the only real question being how much more damage to America has to happen before action is taken. The reality is for the sake of our country's future, the time has come for Americans of both parties to unite in the call for the President to leave office.”

For us, so far those exiting our email list equals 0.212%, or a little bit more than 2 out of every thousand customers. And of course your results may vary. I'm sure if we hadn't been losing 2 in a thousand customers on a regular basis with emails celebrating the diversity that makes America great there would have been more customers to lose. As humans it can be all too easy to mistake loud volume, anger, and rage for quantity. But as we said right from the beginning, this administration does not have much in the way of support. Thanks for sticking with us.

And get your Embrace Hope Pin, it really is a joy to have and hold. And don't not get it because it’s free. Though the strength of Cooks is immense, it is not limitless. Sometimes we all need to be recharged by a little recognition that what we do matters. For service in kindness and caring for others through cooking, you’ve earned this bright and joyful Embrace Hope Pin. There's a midnight deadline. Don't miss out.

Thanks,


Bill,
bill@penzeys.com

This guy is trying to make money by stoking anger. He wants buying minced garlic to be a political statement. Is embracing hate really a good business model? Demonizing others to sell a product is an ugly technique.

"[T]he time has come for Americans of both parties to unite in the call for the President to leave office."

Good grief.

Penzey is definitely appealing to a niche market. It doesn't make sense. Penzey is intentionally limiting his clientele. How much cinnamon can Maxine Waters and those of her ilk buy? Certainly not as much as Penzey could sell if he focused on cooking rather than hate-mongering.

Penzey really should not equate those remaining on his email list as an indication of support for his views or his products.

After all, I'm on it.

Penzey Calls Trump and Ryan 'Nazis'

Bill Penzey spends way too much of his time thinking up new ways to further alienate potential customers.

In a Wednesday email, he called President Trump and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan "Nazis." He also trashed Republican voters.

Penzey writes:

This week marks the 75th anniversary of the release of the motion picture Casablanca. And as promised, in that we’ll always have Paris spirit, we are giving away $9.95 half-cup jars of our very popular Sunny Paris with any $5 purchase. If you already are a Sunny Paris fan, here's your chance to save money, and if not, you are in for a treat. With its blending of Shallots and French herbs, this is a blend without salt because it does not need it. For me, I see Sunny Paris as a go-to for fish, chicken, eggs, leafy greens and salads, but I know from customer comments, others see it as perfect for the most robust vegetables or slow roasted beef. Give it a try.

We also have a new Featured Spice and Seasoning to introduce. This time around it's our Penzeys Minced Garlic and our Regular Chili Powder. We have great Chili Powders and the Regular, rich in flavor but without the heat of our other Chili Powders, is the best place to start. Great for Chili, but also wonderful on pretty much anything you would serve with tortillas. And for our Penzeys Minced Garlic, we've dropped the 1/4 cup price all the way down to just $1 because you have to give this Garlic a try. Life is too short for any other Garlic. This Garlic will make you very-very happy. Trust me, this will be the best $1 Spice you ever buy.

And Casablanca at 75. Buy it. Watch it. Fall in love with all that motion pictures have the power to achieve. If you haven't seen Casablanca before, you are so lucky, because one of life’s great experiences still awaits you; it's that good. And if you've seen it before, it's time to see it again. Where once it was a telling of our past, history has turned full circle to the point where Casablanca is now ripped from today’s headlines. We've let totalitarian nationalism take hold of the Republican Party. To set it free will take a specialized set of skills. Casablanca has just those skills.

And I know some of you are thinking, old films, ugh. But what if I told you Casablanca is far more than one of a handful of films worthy of debate to wear the crown of best film ever? What if I told you that, hidden inside its stunningly-lit 1 hour and 43 black and white minutes is a map leading to the greatest treasure humankind has ever managed to assemble? Would you then watch it? You should, because it is. And (spoiler alert) the treasure it leads us to is the compassion at the heart of the American spirit.

At the core of Casablanca is love, just love. This is a film you can come back to through your life and each time find something new and valuable that before you missed. For me, viewing it against the backdrop of the events of the past year, for the first time I understood this notion of how Ilsa and Rick had lost Paris, but by chance bringing them together again they got Paris back. I always thought that they were speaking of Paris as a symbol of their love, but no, with all that had happened, they had given up on the dream that is Paris. In their chance reunion they were given their dream back.

Our language is lacking. For some things there is not the right word. But for lack of a better word, Paris was, to those who experienced it in the ‘30s, a sacred city, much like how, to those who experienced it before this time of unlimited corporate political spending, America is a sacred country. Both were about goodness and ideas and equality. To see places like these overrun by such brutality is just soul crushing and risks making it seem like the goodness was never there at all, that goodness itself is not real. Once people doubt goodness, bad things happen.

If there is anything positive about Nazis it's that nature does not produce many of them. There really are not that many Trumps and Ryans out there who, after a lifetime of having others do so much to help them, turn around and use the power they've been given to hurt those in need. The good news is, there are simply not enough of them to take and hold the world unless the world loses the will to resist. The bad news is that Nazis are pretty good at making the world give up hope. And here is where Casablanca shines brightest, because it knows that the cure for hopelessness is love.

I wish you all love, if even for a moment. On good days love is wonderful, but on the bad days love is everything. How Casablanca brings you into its love and makes you a part of it is close to magical. The acting, and the script, yes, but so much of how that love comes through is in the filming, lighting and staging. Those making Casablanca knew love is in the eyes and in embraces and in the way heads cradle between necks and shoulders. And I'm pretty sure we’re not supposed to take Sam at face value when he sings a sigh is just a sigh. I think with that sigh we are letting go of all that's overwhelming us, all that's holding us back from facing whatever the future brings.

And for me this brings it all back to cooking. As much as we know cooking and sharing food creates positive outcomes in life, we are still not entirely sure how. I'm more and more convinced it's the daily layering on of the love at the heart of cooking that gives us the strength to last that much longer before we give up or give in. In times, then and now, it's those with love in their lives that have the strength to resist. To see our community of Cooks so well represented in last weekend's record-breaking Women's Marches makes me hugely proud. We get to be what we are because we have people like you for customers. You are greatly appreciated.

Goodness is real and America is good. How much farther does this all have to sink before republican voters wake up from their trance and realize they are no longer republicans? Seriously, right after your third wife’s given birth to your child, cheating on her with a porn star? When the time comes, will anyone truly be “shocked, shocked to find” he’s cheated on America with Russia as well?

For those who believe in the treasure of America’s goodness, these are hard times. Rick at the start of Casablanca is broken, playing chess alone. He sticks his neck out for no one. But with Ilsa’s love, and with his love for her, he breaks free and once again rises up to be the American the world needs him to be. Many now are exhausted, many are close to giving up. Don't let them. Cook them meals full of the love that keeps us from breaking. Now is the time of Cooks.

To get your free $9.95 Sunny Paris in one of our Stores, just bring in this email or the coupon above and spend $5. Online at penzeys.com, simply enter 15453C into the apply code box while checking out after spending $5. No need to place the Paris in your basket, the code will do that for you. And no codes or coupons needed in stores or online for the good prices on the Chili or Garlic, those are automatic for everyone. And try that Minced Garlic, there aren't many better ways to spend a dollar.

Please find time to buy and watch Casablanca. It’s that good.

Bill
bill@penzeys.com

I wonder how many of Penzey's customers know how much rot he spews.

I can't imagine why any conservative or anyone who loves a conservative would consider doing business with this man.

Bill Penzey: Trump Voters Are Racists

Bill Penzey has chosen to spread hate in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

He viciously, unfairly attacks half the country, not a winning strategy for selling spices and growing his customer base.

Do not support this guy's business.

Here's his Sunday email:

We've always been about the kindness of Cooks, the goodness they set in motion each time they care enough to make good food for those around them. What happened to our nation in 2016 was first tested in our home state of Wisconsin along with Missouri and North Carolina. From our experience, we knew what was coming in the aftermath of the election, so we got out in front of it with an email and a Facebook post titled “Cooking trumps Racism.” It caught a wind.

Part of what I said in that email/Facebook post was that voting for an openly racist candidate for President of the United States of America is an act of racism. This idea caused me to get emails. Lots of emails. Tens of thousands of emails. I read them. More were positive than negative. But in the day after day, reading hour after hour, I came to understand, for those angry at me I had broken the unwritten rule of American racism which is that those who do, support, promote, or vote for racism are never to bear any of its costs; the costs of racism should be paid entirely by those on the receiving end. This is of course not sane.

In this year that marks the 50th anniversary of Dr. King being taken from us, the time’s come to change who pays for racism. In many ways racism in America is played like a game of schoolyard keep away. No one group is by itself entirely responsible, but each has its roll in keeping the game alive.

There are the flat-out white supremacists. This group leads the way, but by itself has minimal impact because their message is so outside everything America values. Next there are the politicians who usually speak in what's called dog whistles, words the supremacists know show support for their beliefs, but to others just sounds like normal speech. And then there are the voters who vote for these politicians knowing full well they are saying what the supremacists need to hear, but pretending there is some other more important issue, like doing with your emails the exact same thing previous Secretaries of State had done with their emails.

Usually this keep away process of tossing the hat between supremacists, dog-whistling politicians and voters with the excuse of being concerned with “bigger issues” works in a way where those voters can claim to not be racists themselves. This time around that excuse no longer works because this time around they voted for a candidate who was, and is, a flat-out white supremacist. From Americans born to Hispanic heritage not being capable of being judges, to banning the darker skinned from immigration, there is no doubt who this man is, or what he stands for. This time, voting for the Republican’s openly racist candidate was itself an act of racism. This time there's no excuse.

From all the emails I read, there is hope to be had in that the vast majority of Republican voters don't want to be seen as racists. For those who openly believe that America is not about ideas and principles but instead about skin color, with the way they've been emboldened by this administration, I don't see much change coming. But for the actual conservatives who voted with the Republicans in spite of the party’s racism, these are interesting times. Actual conservatives really do believe in taking responsibility for their actions. Those that voted for this administration committed an act of open racism. What will they do next?

My advice has always been admit you made a mistake, make amends, move on. Each will have to find the way to make amends that is right for them. But as a nation, can we all be done with holding those responsible for racism blameless and expecting those on the receiving end to pay racism’s costs? Conservative or liberal, a big part of why America works is whoever makes the mess is expected to pick up after themselves. Voting for racism is racism. If you don't want to be publicly seen as a racist, don't vote for it.

And so because America doesn't like racism but loves free stuff, if you can get to one of our stores today or tomorrow we have a flat-out free $14.95 mini Soul box for you! Online at penzeys.com they are also free, but shipping and handling will apply. The good news is, we've dropped our usual $7.95 S&H charge on orders under $30 to just $3.95. On orders over $30 regular shipping is free.

And yes, if you are willing to spend $5 you can get a free half-cup jar Spice or Seasoning of your choice, up to a $9.95 value, while at the same time getting a free $14.95 mini Soul box. And if you're not sure how to spend your $5, why not spend $6 and get the quarter-cup of the very tasty and easily useful Minced Toasted Onions and the half-cup of the wonderfully all-purpose and equally tasty Northwoods Seasoning? All combined this is a $35 value for just $6 in one of our stores or just $9.95 online at penzeys.com with the reduced $3.95 shipping.

In stores just show this email or the coupons below and above for the free mini Soul box and half-cup jar of your choice up to $9.95 in value with $5 purchase. No coupon is needed for the Minced Toasted Onions or for the Northwoods Seasoning? All those prices are already reduced.

Online at penzeys.com simply enter 82452C into the apply code box at checkout. No need to place the box in your basket, the code will do that for you. For the half-cup Spice or Seasoning of your choice up to $9.95 in value, just enter the five digit code of your choice plus a “C” like 15653C for Hot Chocolate mix. It's easy, but do it now before tomorrow flies by and you miss this honestly amazing offer.

And this Monday, and every day, it's time to honor Dr. King by taking the big next step. America is the land of the free; let's give up on it being a home for racism. The time has come to stop expecting those on the receiving end to pay the costs of racism; it's time to admit it's only fair and right for those creating it to pay its costs. Voting for racism is racism. No more racist votes.

Thanks for being a Cook,

Bill
bill@penzeys.com

Disgraceful.

Bill Penzey and the GOP Tax Bill

It seemed that Bill Penzey was veering away from divisive political statements in his promotional emails for his spice business.

The lull in his political yapping was apparently just a temporary thing.

Excerpt from Penzey's Sunday email:

And seriously, if it's not with our Choose Love Box, please find some other way to reach those in your life that a year ago thought voting for this administration or for the Republicans in congress was the right thing to do. The story of both Cooking and the Holiday Season are the good things set in motion when you take the time to care for others, especially those most in need. Praising Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards Humankind is a message we all need all year long.

This new “tax cut," taking health care from 13 million Americans and running up the deficit by a trillion dollars, all to give even more to already profitable corporations, is every bit the opposite of everything at the heart of what Cooking and the Holidays are all about. If you know of someone still supporting the signers of this theft from the American people to give to those who already have so much, please find a way to bring the love to their lives that they are so desperately in need of. Time is short.


Heal the world — Cook dinner tonight,


Bill
bill@penzeys.com

BILL PENZEY: If you know of someone still supporting the signers of this theft from the American people to give to those who already have so much, please find a way to bring the love to their lives that they are so desperately in need of. Time is short.

Good grief.

When did offending current or potential customers become a smart business practice?

Bill Penzey - Republicans, FOX News, and Russia

Bill Penzey refuses to give it a rest.

From his Sunday email:

I'm proud of America's response since the election, but it's clear we were caught off guard by the impact of Republican leadership, Fox News and Russia all working to undermine our nation's values. Did they collude? Does it matter? Isn't it enough to know that Fox, the Republican leadership, and the leaders of Russia all wanted the very same thing for America? I understand how, for many, this is a moment of great despair, but it's important to see the unparalleled opportunity in this moment as well.

Those who pushed this leadership upon us have stretched the rubber band of American equality so far back in time to where it's now in a place where it simply can't hold. When it lets go, if history is any guide, we will be seeing opportunities for equality unlike America has seen for generations. We need to recognize that the forces we are facing today are the very same forces that set in motion the Civil War in the 1860s, were responsible in the 1960s for the death of Dr. King, and in the teens and twenties of last century were responsible for America's racist statues and racist immigration laws.

And just as we are now finally taking down those statues, maybe in this rapidly approaching time of opportunity it's time to look at taking down the racist immigration laws, too. Imagine where we would be as a nation if our rightful growth had continued. If only we had opened our doors and our hearts to those facing the Holocaust in Europe, and genocide in Asia and Africa, think of the millions of lives we could have saved, and of the great Americans their children and grandchildren would have become. And maybe the time has come to really apologize for years earlier banning those in China from participating in the American dream.

If we hadn't let racism get the best of us, imagine where the world would now be. Would it be so bad if, west of the Mississippi, great American cities were just 250 miles apart instead of 500, or if the company you worked for had 30% more customers and was able to easily hire the skilled workers it needs? As cooks we set the table for those who are hungry. The time has come to do the same thing as a country. Let's be America again.

Thanks for reading,

Bill
bill@penzeys.com

It's hard to believe this guy is trying to sell spices.

Penzey really goes off the rails with this screed, summoning up the Civil War, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., "America's racist statues," and the Holocaust.

He says, "[I]t's clear we were caught off guard by the impact of Republican leadership, Fox News and Russia all working to undermine our nation's values.

Good grief.

Clearly, Penzey doesn't want your business if you watch FOX News or support Republicans.

Don't give it to him.

Bill Penzey and 'White' FOX News Viewers

I thought maybe Bill Penzey had decided to tone down his Penzeys Spices emails a bit and stick to pushing seasonings rather than political propaganda.

Not the case.

His email yesterday highlighted Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss and "white people of a certain age."

Today's the last day of our special introductory offer on our brand new Pico Fruta Seasoning of a free half-cup jar with any $5 purchase. And on this the last day of our offer, I would like to point out Dr. Seuss understood what it is to be human really well. His book Green Eggs and Ham is one you should purchase and take turns reading with the young people you know. Part of the beauty of life is that it evolves, ever becoming something new, something more. Yet it is in our human nature to not just hold on to the past, but to elevate it in our minds to maybe something far more ideal than it could have ever been, and this is not always healthy for us

In Green Eggs and Ham the Dr. summed up well our resistance to the new, but other writers have done that too. But what makes Dr. Seuss for the ages is his understanding of the incredible transformation that takes place when someone lets go of their pre-judging and allows themself to experience what is right in front of all of us. The book itself was first published in 1960, so the unnamed main character is still reading the newspaper. Today I would guess it would start with him watching Fox News. Still, Sam-I-am never gives up on him, never stops trying to break through. And where in 1960 the issue was just flat-out color, these days it's disguised as one of culture, though we all know it's still the very same issue.

So Pico Fruta. Like Sam-I-am, we must never give up on trying to pull Fox viewers out of the sweet self-satisfaction the propaganda Fox broadcasts gives to a segment of white people of a certain age. But equally important is we must all try, no matter what our backgrounds, to resist becoming the next segment that the self-righteous lure of intolerance takes hold of. There's only so much we can do inside other people's minds, so that's why I'm encouraging you to keep trying new things and embracing cultures new to us. And for so many of us, Pico Fruta is exactly that.

Give Pico Fruta a try. It is different, and it will take you a couple bites for your mind to wrap itself around its tastiness, but with that third bite—happiness, that same happiness that Sam-I-am worked so very-very hard to achieve. As Americans we must never forget different isn't just good, different is a huge part of what has always made America great. Pico Fruta is very much an acknowledgement of all the goodness that comes with being the nation of immigration including the goodness Americans of Central American and Mexican ancestry have added to this country we now share.

Bill Penzey is incredibly close-minded and intolerant and amazingly pompous.

Like Sam-I-am, we must never give up on trying to pull Fox viewers out of the sweet self-satisfaction the propaganda Fox broadcasts gives to a segment of white people of a certain age. But equally important is we must all try, no matter what our backgrounds, to resist becoming the next segment that the self-righteous lure of intolerance takes hold of. There's only so much we can do inside other people's minds, so that's why I'm encouraging you to keep trying new things and embracing cultures new to us.

Penzey declares FOX News viewers, particularly "white people of a certain age," to be a problem.

He believes "we must never give up on trying to pull Fox viewers out of the sweet self-satisfaction the propaganda Fox broadcasts gives to a segment of white people of a certain age."

Penzey is a businessman, yet, clearly, he doesn't want to appeal to "white people of a certain age." He prefers to trash them rather than try to get them to be his customers.

Not smart.

Not smart at all.

Penzey apparently thinks using such divisive tactics is a good way to promote his business.

So many things Leftists do are not smart.

Bill Penzey: Vegas Shooting and the NRA

Naturally, Leftist Bill Penzey chose to exploit the massacre in Las Vegas to boost his spice business.

Here's relevant portions of his Tuesday email:

A note on Las Vegas:

We were planning to start this free shipping with just $20 spending instead of the usual $30 in an emailing yesterday, but with the news out of Las Vegas it seemed right to hold off. Visiting family out that way over the years we've stayed at that very location a half dozen times. Just this past July, looking out those windows down onto the Strip, I never imagined... For those that forever lost loved ones, for those forced to witness that loss, for everyone who makes up the greater community of the southern end of the Strip, there will be an extra weight to be carried for years to come; for many for the rest of their lives. And for what? It really is something right out of the Bridge on the River Kwai. It really is "Madness."

I think we were all ready for the prepared, well-rehearsed NRA talking points that this is not the place—that now is not the time—to talk about why so many lives must be lost time after time. And those well-rehearsed words were indeed delivered by so many of our elected officials beholden to today's NRA. But where in the past their unified repeating of these words had somehow created a sense of unified defense, this time they just ring hollow. Yesterday so many across so many platforms were already willing to challenge the gun lobby and say of course directly in the wake of a shooting like Las Vegas it is absolutely both the place and time to talk sense about guns. This is something very different, something very hopeful.

Yes, to swear to uphold the Constitution is to swear to uphold its Second Amendment, and with it Americans' right to keep and bear arms. But it's also equally a pledge to regulate militias well. As much as it seems today we are willing to accept individuals as militias, clearly in the quantity and types of weapons possessed by Sunday night's shooter we've failed to uphold the half of the second amendment that its writers felt came first. The right to keep and bear arms is undeniable, but there is no right to self regulate the type or quantity of arms and ammunition that can be kept. That job falls to Congress.

The time has come for our leaders in Washington to take inspiration from the heroes in Las Vegas who had the courage to time and again place themselves in harm's way to save those who fell around them. It's time for our representatives in government to stop doing the job the gun lobby is paying them to do, and start doing the job they were elected to do. If only after Sandy Hook Congress would have shown a tiny fraction of the courage the heroes of Sunday night displayed, thousands less would be grieving today.

At the heart of cooking is the notion of when we look out for and take care of each other the world becomes a better place. Letting the gun industry write our gun laws is pretty much the opposite of taking care of each other. All it takes is a bit of backbone to cast the simple common sense votes that each year could save hundreds of thousands of Americans from losing loved ones to senseless gun violence. No one should have to witness what so many in Las Vegas witnessed Sunday night. Please speak out, and please don't wait. Now is always the time.

Thanks again,

Bill

Penzey sells spices, yet he is bent on trashing many potential customers.

He has decided to make cooking and the use of his products into a political statement.

Clearly, if you don't agree with Penzey's political views, he doesn't want your business.

Penzey's Open Letter to CEOs

Facebook post from Penzeys Spices:

Please forward and share this to those in decision making positions.

Dear CEO,

In the wake of last weekend's NFL events, we have a few practical ideas from our own experience with boycotts since last November's election that I would like to share. In theses days where issues can engulf a business seemingly out of nowhere, there really is great value in planning ahead. As the NFL found, as much as they tried to stay on the sidelines, they could not keep the reality of politics being everywhere today from overwhelming events on the field.

It's important to recognize that for America, today's culture of politics being everywhere is not a passing fad or a trend that came out of nowhere. It is instead the outcome of our long-standing past colliding with what is hopefully our temporary present. America, though not yet perfect, is a pretty unique and amazing country, well crafted with realism by our founders to be forever seeking a more perfect union through greater equality for all. After 241 years of progress, this is who we are and something that can't be changed overnight. What has changed is the Republican Party.

As business leaders it's our job to look past our own party affiliations and previous political traditions and see the bigger picture. The fact is, and there's not much point in sugarcoating this, the moment the Republican Party chose to bring racism and the fear of "others" to the forefront of its election strategy is the moment being able to keep politics at a distance became a thing of the past. Like it or not, the moment the the Republican Party turned away from the drive for equality and began to instead promote inequality is the moment politics entered every facet of American life.

Last weekend, in what may well be a turning point, while the players did the right thing in kneeling in support of equality, the owners did the math and the right thing. A big part of why so few until now have chosen to stand up to this administration on racism is that they've been very successful in creating an inflated sense that their support is much larger and far deeper than it truly is. Until last Sunday, they had pretty much succeeded in creating the sense that if you stood up to their racist bullying you would lose half your business. This past Sunday the owners called the administration's bluff.

When it comes to calls for boycotts from the right, we have some experience. And even if you didn't believe us before when we said those few that actually follow this president have almost no economic impact, the math is not hard to do for yourself. Most Americans simply don't vote. Even among voters, the president came in at well less than 50% and that was back in November when there still was the perception that he was a successful businessman and skilled negotiator. Factor in those just voting party lines, and the reality of who the NFL risks losing now that the president has called for a boycott by his supporters, and it's high single digits at most and it's not in the groups their advertisers most want to reach. In our experience, that loss will be more than offset by the bonus that comes with doing the right thing.

Here's the important part—if the NFL can keep their resolve, if they can hold their ground, they will push open a previously rapidly closing door to a whole new generation of viewers who, until Sunday, never saw the NFL as reflecting their values. The league has made missteps in recent years, leaving many who were their fans a decade to find other things to do on their Sunday afternoons. Standing up to the president in support of their players' drive to bring awareness to America's need for greater equality is something worthy of all our respect and a big step in bringing those lost fans back to the fold. Well done.

But for all that's good about what's come from the NFL's response to this issue, there's also something bigger in all this that we need to come to grips with. As much as the Republican Party cynically nurtured racism to elect the majority they needed to cut the Affordable Care Act and fund tax cuts for the wealthy, the reality is they can't control it anymore. Many of the NFL owners donated large sums to the Republican Party but still could not be shielded from what they set in motion.

To put racism back into its box won't be an easy task, or happen quickly, and it's going to take all of us acknowledging that this is a very real problem. That the very same people, who seem totally at ease giving a free pass to a white president for saying POWs are not heroes because they where captured, see a grave affront to our veterans that can't go unchallenged in African American athletes taking a knee to protest inequality, is an undeniable sign we have issues. Issues that won't go away by themselves.

One of the things we learned on our path is that giving visible support to those on the front lines of this struggle really means a lot, as does challenging behavior that crosses the line. From my emails it's pretty clear this president has emboldened many to share ideas and use words that have not been a part of public dialogue in a long time. As business leaders, we must not step back from calling out all that is at odds with the fundamental American belief in equality. This country is just too important to let fade on our watch.

Thanks for reading, and please pass along to wherever you think this can help,

Bill Penzey

Does Penzey know that Colin Kaepernick began his protests while Obama was in the White House?

Kaepernick was protesting and wearing socks with images of police officers as pigs while Obama was the sitting president.

Apparently, Penzey supports anti-police protests.

That's not a smart business move.

Penzey is not smart.

Bill Penzey and National Anthem Protests

Nearly every day, Bill Penzey uses his spice business email to spew Leftist drivel and insult at least half the country.

The latest:

This Sunday was a day well worth long remembering. Maybe the best day this country has seen since the Women's March January 21st. That so many of those who took a knee for America had previously believed themselves to be aligned with the administration is worth taking note of. And that Sunday, when push came to shove, they cared more about America's core belief in the pursuit for equality than they cared about their own economic security is the best reason in a long time for renewed hope in our country's future. Sunday was a very good day.

And in what may well be a turning point, while the players did the right thing, the owners did the math and the right thing. As we at Penzeys have experienced firsthand, a big part of how this administration gets away with its racism is by creating the sense that their support is much larger and far deeper than it truly is. Until now, they had pretty much succeeded in creating the sense that if you stood up to their racist bullying, you would lose half your business. Sunday, the owners called the administration's bluff.

The NFL did its best to stay out of the fray, but in the end they could not. This is America, and though we are not near perfect, this is the one country, more so than any other, created to be dedicated to the advancement of equality. As much as we may all wish to avoid the conflicts politics bring to life, each week it becomes more clear that the moment the Republican Party chose to make racism a part of its election strategy is the moment conflict became unavoidable. Like it or not, the moment the Republican Party turned its back on equality and began to instead promote inequality is the moment politics became front and center to everything all of us do.

If you are a business leader, sooner or later, like the NFL, you will be forced to choose a side. For a league that has made so many missteps in the recent past, their response has been remarkable. Will the NFL experience some temporary loss in viewership? Absolutely, but will it be anywhere near 50%, or in the groups their advertisers want to reach most? Goodness no. And here's the important part—if they can keep their resolve, if they can hold their ground, they will push open a previously rapidly closing door to a whole new generation of viewers.

As we said this weekend in support of teachers, while the President's open racism wins him support from his base, it's in our schools, with our young, that the price for this open racism is being paid. For his base there is applause for pardoning the white sheriff who illegally profiled and arrested innocent people based on race, saying there were "very fine people" among those with a history of genocide against minorities, and insulting the mothers of athletes brave enough to suffer the consequences of taking a knee to bring awareness to racism in America. But for the "minority" kids that now make up the majority of our schools, as they try to figure out what future is possible for them in this country, these messages are incredibly disheartening.

So until midnight tonight, one more chance for $5 Teacher gift boxes and $50 Penzeys gift cards for $35. No coupon or code needed for those in our stores or online. Right now we also have the offer going for a free $9.95 Fox Point with $5 purchase. To get yours, just bring in this email or the coupon below to one of our stores and spend $5. Or online at penzeys.com, enter 21553C into the apply code box after reaching $5 in spending. It's easy and there's no need to add it to your basket, the code will do that for you.

Thanks for supporting us through these times,


Bill

bill@penzeys.com

What a load!

Penzey is saying if you support or supported Trump, then you are a racist.

It's awful that he's such a horrible, horrible person.

Bill Penzey's Easter Message

Bill Penzey has continued to spew his politics and attack his political opponents while hawking his spices.

I don't waste my time drawing attention to every goofy thing Penzey says.

However, Penzey really goes off the rails with his "Easter" message.

Here it is:

Easter, the Now Holiday!


$14.70 value Embrace Hope Spring/Easter Mini Gift Box just $5 with any $10 purchase +Recipes for a Good Sunday

For a while now, Penzeys has stayed away from religion, because let's face it, religion is tricky. Just like pretty much anything that tries and succeeds in promoting good, religion is constantly under assault from those who would undermine the public good for their own gain. In Jesus's time, it was the money changers, and in many ways it was Jesus driving them out of the temple that put the events of Easter in motion. These days, from the number of churches that cloak themselves in the symbols of Christ, but use their pulpit to preach tax cuts for the rich funded by denying health care for the poor, it's clear that at least in some branches, it's the money changers who have driven out the teachings of Jesus.

Over the centuries, of all the religious holidays, Easter somehow seems to be the easiest to misuse. The "Let's all pound Cloves into hams and blame the Jewish people for Jesus" approach to Easter has always seemed totally at odds to me with the life of Jesus, the heart of religion, and the kindness that is cooking. It does appear to be a regularly recurring theme that those who seek to use religion to undermine goodness, constantly divide and dehumanize. And as great as it would be if those who work to corrupt the love and kindness at the heart of religion would simply go away if we continued to ignore them, ignoring them isn't going to solve the problem, not in our lifetimes anyway. The time has come to roll up our sleeves and get involved.

So Easter—The Now Holiday! Each year as winter gives way to spring there is the hope that comes as the past gives birth to the future. In nature, the past fading to make way for the future is a gradual, natural process. For us humans it's a little bit more complex. For us, so much of creating an ever better future is choosing the right pieces to leave behind. And as much as this process has always been a debate, these days the question of what to leave behind seems so much more confrontational. This divide now seems to be very much along that same political divide that's been fueled by unlimited corporate spending in American elections. I don't think this is a coincidence.

Where do we look for advice on the path forward? I believe some of the most sane voices in these last few months have come from interfaith councils. Maybe the time has come to reach out and build bridges with, and between, all the religions around us. And yes, those who seek to misuse religion will say that having faith means preserving the institutions of inequality from centuries past. But for honest leaders of faith, there is the belief that faith itself is a path to equality. These leaders have always been at the front of the march for bringing to an end discrimination by gender, by orientation, by race, by gender identity, and for tolerance of religion and respect for immigrants and refugees as well.

This Easter it's time for all of us who believe in fairness and equality to join the struggle to leave inequality in the past to make way for a better future where opportunity is open to all. It's time to respect everyone's choices when it comes to faith, and stand together in the effort to drive out those forces that seek to divide us. We are allies. This spring let's come together and make a difference.

Penzey's ramblings are embarrassing.

This paragraph is really nuts:

Over the centuries, of all the religious holidays, Easter somehow seems to be the easiest to misuse. The "Let's all pound Cloves into hams and blame the Jewish people for Jesus" approach to Easter has always seemed totally at odds to me with the life of Jesus, the heart of religion, and the kindness that is cooking. It does appear to be a regularly recurring theme that those who seek to use religion to undermine goodness, constantly divide and dehumanize. And as great as it would be if those who work to corrupt the love and kindness at the heart of religion would simply go away if we continued to ignore them, ignoring them isn't going to solve the problem, not in our lifetimes anyway. The time has come to roll up our sleeves and get involved.

"Let's all pound Cloves into hams and blame the Jewish people for Jesus."

Yes, that's how Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Bill.

Penzey claims to be all about getting along and tolerance and coming together while he goes on the attack and speaks divisively. Penzey divides and dehumanizes while accusing others of doing exactly that.

It's an approach some Leftists apparently believe effectively promotes their agenda.

They're wrong.

Penzey Email: Women's March

Bill Penzey wants to send his pins to Washington.

Here's his January 10, 2017, email:

Subject line: Heading to Women's March in DC?

Bussing it to The Women's March? Let us send some Kind Heart pins with you.




I received a nice email last week from one of our customers who is heading to the Washington Women's March on January 21st. She was hoping to purchase some of our Embrace Hope stickers to hand out to her fellow bus passengers. We sent the stickers at no charge, and thought it would be nice to send along some Kind Heart pins as well.

We learned in Wisconsin that protests really are an important piece of limiting what damage is done. The forces of open racism and open sexism have been intentionally set free by the rhetoric of this presidential election, and by the leadership proposed for the incoming administration. We believe that Kindness cannot sit down simply because anger has stood up. Without the spotlight and awareness protest brings, open sexism and racism will not be reined in. We all must work to support those with the strength and skills to successfully protest. They really are the front line in defending the goodness that makes America something special in the eyes of the world.

But as much as protest is key to maintaining the hard-won rights of so many that are very much at risk right now, protest alone will only take things so far. It's simply not enough to point and say "Can't you see what they’re doing here?" In the long run you have to offer people a better vision of the future, a vision they want more. This is where I think our Kind Heart pins can help.

If you are one of the many who have made plans to bus it on out to our Capitol for the Women's March, we would like to send some Kind Heart pins with you. Our supply at the moment is not unlimited, but while they last we would like to send three for each person on your bus—one to keep, and two to pass out as a thanks for kindness found along the road or in the capital. In the short term protest is key, but in the long run our compassion is our greatest strength.

If the idea of sharing Kind Heart pins with your fellow bus passengers appeals to you, please contact us at editor@penzeys.com. We could use an address to send them to, a head count of those going along, and what day you are planning to leave. And since we've created a bit of an angry buzz in the right wing media world recently, if you could add a couple of sentences about why you believe it's important to take the time and effort to attend the march, it would help us make sure our pins get to those actually taking part.

And even if our pins run out before we can meet all that are requested, I do want to thank everyone taking the time to travel to our capital and to all the other cities across the country where people are gathering to stand up for the rights of women, and to make it known that the majority of Americans do not want or accept the sexism at the heart of this last election. Your voices are so important right now. Thank you for standing up for the values of America.


Bill
bill@penzeys.com

This is funny: "We learned in Wisconsin that protests really are an important piece of limiting what damage is done."

No, Bill, you didn't learn.

The protests in Madison over Act 10 only served to elevate the status of Governor Scott Walker and Wisconsin Republicans. The country was disgusted by the outrageous behavior of the Leftists and the runaway Democrat Wisconsin state senators.

Penzey's accusation that the "forces of open racism and open sexism have been intentionally set free by the rhetoric of this presidential election, and by the leadership proposed for the incoming administration" may play well with his fellow Leftists, but it's not helping their cause overall.

The Leftists never learn.