If someone is "as keen as mustard," it means he is quick-witted. "Keen" is used in the sense of "sharp" like Barack Obama who is able to "cut the mustard" proving he is equal to the challenge of his presidency. No wonder the ketch-up lovers Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, and Bill O'Reilly are spewing the air waves with criticism of President Obama's ordering Dijon mustard with his cheeseburger.
The spiritual side of the mustard seed seems to have escaped the attention of those ketch-up lovers who often claim to be the defenders of faith in an ungodly world.
Parable of the Mustard Seed
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
– Matthew 13:31–2
Although having some of the smallest seeds, the mustard plant grows to a large size, providing shelter for birds. Their growth is persistent and powerful enough to crack cement when growing.
It reminds me of the democratic grass roots movements created by people like Markos Moulitsas Zúniga that have cracked open the conservative concrete shelter. No wonder the wingnuts hate mustard.
Now lets put some mustard on it:
I wrote this letter to Barry Levenson, Curator of the National Mustard Museum with the intention to get him and Jon Stewart interested to ridicule the ketch-up lovers on Comedy Central.
Barry Levenson, Curator of the National Mustard Museum
P. O. Box 468
100 West Main Street
Mount Horeb, WI 53572
phone 1-800-438-6878 Toll Free
e-mail customerservice@mustardmuseum.com
Dear Barry,
Being the Curator of the National Mustard Museum must be nice - my mouth waters when I imagine all the delicate mustard you can choose from: the Rothschild Raspberry Honey Mustard, the Temeraire Authentic Dijon, the Plochman's Natural Stoneground Mustard, and the Beaver Olde English Hot Mustard to name just a few.
On the other hand I guess the publicity for your museum can be a little tedious considering all the boring ketch-up lovers like Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, and Bill O'Reilly spewing the air waves with criticism of President Obama's ordering Dijon mustard with his cheeseburger. I enclosed a copy of the diary Dijongate: President Poupon by angel d for your information.
Just an idea: What about using a stage like CNN Comedy Central with Jon Stewart to ridicule the right wing ketch-up lobby and at the same time educate the US public about the pleasures of Dijon mustard. I will try to launch this idea on my favorite blog dailykos.com with a diary named after the quote on your "W" gift box.
By the way I like how you describe your "W" mustard gift box though I have not been able to trace the quote. Is it Wisconsin mustard lore?
"No, not Oliver Stone's film about "dub-ya" but the great Wisconsin gift box, loaded with Wisconsin treats. Many mustards, of course, but more. Remember: "Those who cannot cut the mustard are doomed to cut the cheese."
With kind regards
Hans Wall
Queretaro, Mexico