# What's sillier than Freedom Fries? W Ketchup! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 19, 2004, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780 "2004-07-19T04:47:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780/1 "2004-07-19T04:47:08Z")
I just saw on Fox News that an entrepeneur in New York has come out with a new brand of ketchup – “W,” which according to him could stand for George W. Bush or George Washington – for Republicans who like ketchup but don’t want to further enrich Teresa Heinz-Kerry. WTF? I read in _Mother Jones_ recently that Kerry’s wife was far from thrilled about John running for president, and now I can see at least one reason why. I wonder if this will really make any serious dent in the Heinz Co.'s profits? ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780/2 "2004-07-19T04:57:44Z")
**Moderator’s Note:** Surely there’s nothing really to _debate_ here, right? I’m sending this one down to the BBQ Pit. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780/3 "2004-07-19T05:03:24Z")
we Could debate whether to spell it ketchup or catsup. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780/4 "2004-07-19T05:16:46Z")
Oh, relax. It’s a bit of a lark. Humorous. And tasty, as far as ketchup goes. But hey, you should [try](http://www.wketchup.com/) it for yourself! ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780/5 "2004-07-19T05:19:44Z")
Political ketchup. Hey, if he makes a buck with it, more power to him. He’s certainly not goimg to put a crimp in Heinz’s earnings. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780/6 "2004-07-19T05:30:26Z")
> [@Brutus](#): > > Oh, relax. It’s a bit of a lark. Humorous. And tasty, as far as ketchup goes. But hey, you should [try](http://www.wketchup.com/) it for yourself! At three dollars a bottle? I think not. Besides, I’m from Pittsburgh. You’ll get my Heinz ketchup when you pry it from my cold, salty, greasy fingers. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780/7 "2004-07-19T05:32:55Z")
After a hearty meal of conservative catsup, treat yourself to some [inane ice cream](http://www.starspangledicecream.com/) I mean, you don’t want to miss out on such flavors as “I Hate the French Vanilla” and “Choc and Awe,” do you? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780/8 "2004-07-19T05:36:57Z")
“Choc and Awe” _Choc and Awe!!_ OK, that fucking tears it! How much does a hit man cost? Will they take a check? Can we, like, start some kind of fund, maybe internet bake sales, or something? ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780/9 "2004-07-19T05:38:04Z")
OK, I know I moved this from Great Debates, but I just can’t resist: [Heinz Co. has donated thousands to GOP, nothing to Kerry](http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040421/news_1n21heinz.html). So in other words, yes, it’s a completely inane dumb marketing stunt by some guy who wants to sell overpriced ketchup to gullible Republicans. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780/10 "2004-07-19T05:48:40Z")
> [@MEBuckner](#): > > OK, I know I moved this from Great Debates, but I just can’t resist: [Heinz Co. has donated thousands to GOP, nothing to Kerry](http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040421/news_1n21heinz.html). > > So in other words, yes, it’s a completely inane dumb marketing stunt by some guy who wants to sell overpriced ketchup to gullible Republicans. Well, naturally, since the Heinz family was originally Republican. Of course, the article seems to be repeating the old canard about Heinz shipping jobs overseas. (Of course they do-Heinz is a global corporation, and sells its products on probably every populated continent. Not EVERYTHING can be produced in Pittsburgh) ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780/11 "2004-07-19T05:49:57Z")
> [@MEBuckner](#): > > OK, I know I moved this from Great Debates, but I just can’t resist: [Heinz Co. has donated thousands to GOP, nothing to Kerry](http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040421/news_1n21heinz.html). Gosh, I wonder where you [got that one?](http://www.wketchup.com/comments/) ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780/12 "2004-07-19T05:52:40Z")
Well, hell, if you dont want to buy stuff from corporations that support the Bushiviks, you’re pretty much down to Ben and Jerry’s, Birkenstocks, tofu, and cocaine. Not all that sure about the cocaine, either. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780/13 "2004-07-19T07:47:34Z")
> [@Brutus](#): > > Gosh, I wonder where you [got that one?](http://www.wketchup.com/comments/) Actually, I got it from the _San Diego Union-Tribune_ by way of Google. > [@](#): > > From [wketchup.com](http://wketchup.com) > \*As to our intelligence, we don’t claim to be intellectuals, merely businessmen eager to fill the demand for an alternative, apolitical ketchup that reflects an America we can all agree on… > > We think appealing to those who don’t support Democrats, roughly half the country, is neither narrow-minded nor bigoted, but part of a healthy, spirited democratic system.\* See, they’re an apolitical company for people who don’t like Democrats. That makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? > [@](#): > > _In addition, we are highly patriotic and wanted a ketchup that all American’s could agree on._ “All Americans” meaning, of course, “people who don’t support Democrats”, because as everyone knows, Democrats are Commie Pinko Frenchmen. Like I said “completely inane dumb marketing stunt by some guy\* who wants to sell overpriced ketchup to gullible Republicans”. \*Or guys. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780/14 "2004-07-19T08:02:07Z")
> [@MEBuckner](#): > > “All Americans” meaning, of course, “people who don’t support Democrats”, because as everyone knows, Democrats are Commie Pinko Frenchmen. I would remind you that were it not for the French, there would be no America. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780/15 "2004-07-19T08:03:12Z")
Upon further review, it would appear that my sarcasm meter had malfunctioned. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780/16 "2004-07-19T08:17:27Z")
> [@MEBuckner](#): > > …Like I said “completely inane dumb marketing stunt by some guy\* who wants to sell overpriced ketchup to gullible Republicans”. And yet another humorless one. Sad. Also, I don’t really get the whole ‘overpriced’ quip. It’s about 75 cents per bottle more, when compared to ‘normal’ Heinz. For the ‘ha ha’ factor at the backyard barbques alone, it’s worth that pittance. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780/17 "2004-07-19T08:24:51Z")
Actually, Heinz yucks it up on their normally priced labels. The last one we got said something like “Easier to spell than Worcestershire”. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780/18 "2004-07-19T11:43:28Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > Actually, Heinz yucks it up on their normally priced labels. The last one we got said something like “Easier to spell than Worcestershire”. The last one I saw said something like “Directions for use: Eat.” Somehow, that seems so zen. ---
**Author:** ![RTA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@RTA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTA)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780/19 "2004-07-19T12:12:03Z")
Reagan said ketchup is a vegetable … W is a vegetable (oh the unintended irony!) … you are what you eat … therefore, Heinz-eschewing Republicans are vegetables! ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2004, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780/20 "2004-07-19T12:15:06Z")
I don’t use that much ketchup, and honestly never liked Heinz, going way back to my childhood. Not enough tomato flavor, sort of like how there is orange juice and orange drink (Heinz). If given a choice I’d get Hunts, or IIRC McDonald used their own brand which is also far supperior. As for W Ketchup, it may be a hit, not because it doesn’t help Kerry, but because people will know there is a real difference and might like a ‘better tasting’ ketchup. FWIW, now if I do use the stuff it’s the Atkins Ketch-a-tomato which again (IMHO) if far superior to Hinez. As for the OP, that’s what we call the free market system, it’s really a great way to allow shulbs on the low end of the payscale to be able to become rich, no need to marry a earl, no need to have your son blow up a building. Just come up with a product (or service) that people want and desire. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-sillier-than-freedom-fries-w-ketchup/255780.md?page=2)