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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Denny's apology falls far short on Irish Famine smear

Posted on Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 04:24 AM

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What a mealy-mouthed apology Denny's just issued for their incredible behavior in mocking the victims of the Irish Famine. Here it is:

"Denny's has a history of using humor in its television advertising. It is certainly not the intention of the company to offend anyone or any group and we apologize if this spot has in any way. As a result of the feedback we have received from our customers the spot will no longer be on the air after Tuesday. We thank those who took the time to contact us."

Gee, thanks. Denny's will apologize "if" the ad offended? It offended all right, and it seems utterly incredible that this company does not see fit to issue a decent apology.

This is typical of a company with an appalling record on human rights. They lost a huge lawsuit because of discrimination against African American employees and customers. What they need to say is, "We apologize to the Irish American community for depicting the Irish Famine as some kind of humorous event, when in fact 1 million people died of starvation. We realize that such a tragedy was not proper material in any way for a 'humorous' advertisement."

Let's keep up the pressure on Denny's so they cannot dismiss us so lightly. Earlier an Irish American community leader who has been in touch with Denny's said they are "backpedalling faster than a circus clown" and the company has begun to realize just how wrong-headed the advertisement appeared.

"They are being flooded with calls" he reported. "They have no idea what they have set off here."

The ad ran last week and immediately led to major anger in the Irish American community.

Until they fully explain themselves and make a decent apology, I still believe any Irish American with a trace of pride in their heritage will support a boycott of the Denny's restaurant chain after their disgraceful Irish Famine ad currently running on television.

They had announced that in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the end of the Irish Famine, they would be offering unlimited pancakes for customers. Yes, you read that right.

It is disgraceful.

One million people starved to death in the Great Famine, one million more fled Ireland, most to America. To make fun of the greatest human tragedy of the 19th century in Europe is unpardonable. Whoever created the ad, whoever approved it, whoever decided on it it should go on television should be fired forthwith.

Will Denny's also feature an ad joking that they are also offering pancakes in celebration of the end of the Holocaust and the deaths of six million Jews? Perhaps they can celebrate Armenian Genocide Day with some free pancakes as well.

Remember, this is the company that lost a massive suit because of the way they treated African American customers and staff.

What would you expect from a pig but a grunt?

I am delighted to see that the Ancient Order of Hibernians has rushed out a statement condemning this incredibly insensitive and hostile ad which has been shown all over America in the past few days.

Equally as important, there are already Facebook sites cropping up calling for a Denny's boycott. I wholeheartedly endorse that. On the eve of St. Patrick's Day to offer such a degrading and insensitive portrayal of Ireland and Irish America's version of the Holocaust is frankly disgusting.

What were they thinking? More importantly will they get away with it ?

Call Nelson Marchioli, Denny's President, and explain to him what this insult means.: 1-864-597-7781 Ext 8122 to organize a national boycott against the food chain.

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69 Comments

15 - 69 | See all comments

annabelblake | Mar 16, 2010, 10:28 AM EDT

I would like to see the ad so I could be outraged also!

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seamuscorcoran | Mar 04, 2010, 05:39 AM EST

shame,shame on dennys, they have gotten to a very low standerd snd should not be let to serve the public in any capacity, shame on dennys

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SyndiHolmes | Mar 03, 2010, 07:38 PM EST

What did we expect? The American corporate mantra says never admit and never apologise. The deaths of our approximately one million fellow kinsmen was a genocide. Those who died suffered slow, agonising deaths as their bodies were ravaged by the lack of nutrients needed to sustain life. Meanwhile, the British shipped the cash food crops to their own country, for their own people. When and where is their any reason to celebrate unpunished crimes against humanity?

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ProsperoCelt | Mar 03, 2010, 11:36 AM EST

How does one see or read the offensive Dennys ad?

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CanadianPat | Mar 03, 2010, 10:49 AM EST

Tom it is nice of you profess yourself as more reasoned,does not say much for the rest of us.If one person is offended than that is one person too many. There appears to be a great many more than one.Tom ,could it be possible that you be wrong?

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mnuttvt | Mar 02, 2010, 06:56 PM EST

Denney's has gotten itself in trouble before are they looking for more. I am Irish American and I resent this adv. Bad Move Denney.

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Niall O'Dowd | Mar 02, 2010, 06:41 PM EST

tom you are not being censored.. I have explained on several occasions that comments placed here may someimes have to be repeated because of a glitch in the operating system.That is out of our control The denny's apology didnt even admit they were wrong to do this,merely stating that'if' they insulted anyone. That's sorporatespeak for buzz off putting it politely

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KeithDS | Mar 02, 2010, 03:41 PM EST

Lighten up, Niall O'Dowd - and everyone who thinks this is such a big thing. So maybe the ad wasn't a great idea - Denny's certainly wasn't making fun of the potato famine. And then Niall finds fault in their apology. Niall, what's the deal - it's like you spend you time looking for ways to be insulted. You make yourself look ridiculous and petty.

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Edinboron | Mar 02, 2010, 10:53 AM EST

Why is this not being covered by a the major news organizations. This should at least get a mention on The Colbert Report. Why do we not have an organization such as the Weisenthal Center to blackmail Denny's into apologizing and donating millions of dollars to our cause?

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IrishFireGuy | Mar 02, 2010, 07:13 AM EST

I wonder why Denny's commercials are even being watched? No body plans to go to Denny's you usually end up at Denny's. They are the pits.

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Niamhaine | Mar 02, 2010, 04:52 AM EST

Here is the contact information for the people who created the ad: Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, Inc. 720 California St. San Francisco, CA 94108 CA Tel. 415-392-0669 Fax 415-788-4303 On the web: http://www.goodbysilverstein.com Why should they go unscathed?

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Niamhaine | Mar 02, 2010, 04:47 AM EST

Is that Swinford or Swineford- keep swilling the Koolaid. Over a million graves beg to differ with your logic.

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irishcurl | Mar 02, 2010, 01:12 AM EST

Haven't seen the ad... but it's all how you look at it. If they were just trying to celebrate the end of the famine and the overall success of the Irish in this country, then it doesn't seem so bad to me.

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Irishlassred | Mar 01, 2010, 08:52 PM EST

Thank God, and the Irish, that there is no stupid, dirty, Denny's anywhere in the county I live in. And were there to be one, I'd already be retaining an attorney for the destroy property charges that I'd be facing. How fecking stupid are they? I rarely patronized the place after their sorry treatment of blacks, years back - now NOTHING will get me to darken their doors. Keep posting these over and over because obviously no one at Denny's can read. I hope they go bankrupt

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Irishlassred | Mar 01, 2010, 08:27 PM EST

testing 123

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