JASON RANTZ

Rantz: Ballard’s ‘Dump Trump’ cookies fueling hate

Jan 23, 2018, 6:57 AM | Updated: 10:01 am

The sign outside of Porkchop and Co. (Jason Rantz, KTTH) The sign outside of Porkchop and Co. (Jason Rantz, KTTH)

A sign outside Ballard’s Porkchop & Co. restaurant caught my attention.

Bad parenting on display at Women’s March

It promoted a $3 “Dump Trump” cookie that would donate $2 dollars to Emily’s List for each one sold. They want the money to be used “…to support women running to throw the GOP out of office.” Oh how brave, calling out conservatives in Ballard.

This is an awfully sweet virtue signal, but let’s be clear: it’s a sign meant to keep conservatives out. Like an annoying Instagram post of your delicious dinner, this sign is meant to tell the neighborhood how woke they are, while simultaneously telling people who may not think like them that they’re not welcome.

On a Facebook post, Porkchop & Co. went a step further than simply calling on us to “Dump Trump” writing:

In response to the brazen corruption of the Republican tax plan, we’re introducing the #dumptrump cookie. For each sold, we’re donating $2 to Emily’s List to support Democratic women running for office.

I mean, they’re certainly entitled to their opinion on the GOP tax plan, but to call this “brazen corruption” details a stunning amount of ideological bigotry. What was the corruption? Passing a bill you dislike? Certainly, we can disagree on policies without calling the other side corrupt, right?

Can we keep politics out of these businesses? Now, I assume this restaurant thinks all Republicans (or Trump supporters) are evil and they would rather not serve them, but this kind of bigotry is no less disturbing than a restaurant wanting to keep me out for being Jewish or gay. You’re still judging someone based on your own prejudices. Though perhaps those behind the sign don’t want to come to terms with this reality but being a conservative or a Republican – or a Trump supporter – is very much within the mainstream of political thought. That should have been evident by the fact that, you know, Trump was elected President.

Porkchop & Co. use the f-word in the post: fascists. Indeed, I’m sure they’ve convinced themselves that Trump supporters — or tax plan supporters — are fascists but their irrational and unreasonable feelings do not magically evolve into truth. They tell us they love and support women with this sign – so long as they’re Democrats trying to “dump Trump.” all those other women are just part of the problem, I guess. And while I’m hardly a Trump supporter, I am a Republican and supported the GOP tax plan. I’d never want to eat at a restaurant like this.

Does this kind of sign have an impact on clientele? Probably not. Sure, some dude in the comments section from Sumner will say he’ll never go to this restaurant or someone from Bainbridge Island will claim she’ll take the ferry over three times a week just to eat here — all citing the sign as their reason. But both are posturing. And my goal in writing this isn’t to flood their Facebook page with bad reviews or to get them to take the sign down. But it seems like they’re helping to create an Us vs. Them political mentality which does the opposite of what they ought to be doing.

A good meal can bring to the table all sides for some great conversations that lead to common ground. I remember a recent meal with an old college friend who currently works for a Seattle union that I’m quite critical of. We got together over tapas and debated a host of issues. I agreed with him from time to time and he agreed with me. We found common ground as well as solidified where we each disagree. This was a benefit to us both.

Don’t we want people to come together, particularly if you’re passionate about politics? Shouldn’t Porkchop & Co. want to convince the other side to see things differently, not simply demonize them as fascists? Maybe. But for this to happen, we have to be willing to invite the other side to break bread (or pork, I guess) with us.

It’s too bad this restaurant seems unwilling to do that, influenced too much by their blind hatred of the other side.

Jason Rantz on AM 770 KTTH
  • listen to jason rantzTune in to AM 770 KTTH weekdays at 3-7pm toThe Jason Rantz Show.

Jason Rantz Show

Jason Rantz

Image: Seattle Police Department officers arrest a woman caught driving a stolen car full of stolen...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: Activists to harass cops with Seattle Police complaint campaign

A Seattle Police complaint campaign by activists amounts to little more than harassment. But it could backfire, generating sympathy for cops.

2 hours ago

Image: A Boeing 737 Max 10 airliner taxis past a hanger on the flight line before its first flight ...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: It’s time for Washington to worry about Boeing surviving

Boeing controversy after controversy, plus bad press, threatens the company's future. Washington should be very worried right now.

1 day ago

Image: Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump speaks to supporters dur...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: Trump ‘bloodbath’ controversy is the latest media invention

When President Donald Trump used the term "bloodbath," the media became unhinged. He wasn't talking about violence, but the auto industry.

1 day ago

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: KTTH Roundtable: Will TikTok Be Banned?

A local mystery was solved in Los Angeles (with a surprising end result) and Jason Rantz and Bryan Suits tackle the arguments behind the TikTok ban. Listen to The Bryan Suits Show weekdays from 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. on AM 770 KTTH or on-demand wherever you listen to podcasts. Listen to The Jason Rantz […]

3 days ago

Inset: Headshot of Seattle Police Department (SPD) Captain Deanna Nollette; Primary photo: An SPD v...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: Officer suing Seattle police for gender discrimination accused of gender bias

Seattle police officers said Captain Deanna Nollette, who sued the department for gender bias, is "notorious" for mistreating female officers.

5 days ago

Kim Wyman...

Bill Kaczaraba

Is ex-Secretary of State Kim Wyman running for that office again?

Rumors are spreading that former Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman is running for that office again.

5 days ago

Rantz: Ballard’s ‘Dump Trump’ cookies fueling hate