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by Niall O'Dowd

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comment on article 71 Comments
Posted on Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 04:24 AM


Denny's apology falls far short on Irish Famine smear


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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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Most recent of 71 comments - See all comments

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Posted by annabelblake on Mar 16, 2010, 10:28 AM EDT
I would like to see the ad so I could be outraged also!
Report abuse
Posted by seamuscorcoran on 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
Report abuse
Posted by SyndiHolmes on 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?
Report abuse
Posted by ProsperoCelt on Mar 03, 2010, 11:36 AM EST
How does one see or read the offensive Dennys ad?
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Posted by CanadianPat on 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?
Report abuse
Posted by mnuttvt on 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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Posted by Niall O'Dowd on 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
Report abuse
Posted by KeithDS on 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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Posted by Edinboron on 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?
Report abuse
Posted by IrishFireGuy on 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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Posted by Niamhaine on 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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Posted by Niamhaine on 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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Posted by irishcurl on 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.
Report abuse
Posted by Irishlassred on 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
Report abuse
Posted by TomSwinford on Mar 01, 2010, 08:27 PM EST
testing 123
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Posted by killowen on Mar 01, 2010, 07:20 PM EST
Common sense Feng Shui consideration are not surely practiced by these pankcake flippers. Pass along such sentiments everywhere you can in response to comment opportunities - schmear their freaky name with every opportunity that comes your way. Irish America send fear their way, like the tsunami wave that is a great preventative for an entity that Denny's stupidity wouldn't even dare to even think it.
Report abuse
Posted by killowen on Mar 01, 2010, 07:16 PM EST
Funny man Head of DENNY is a Macaroni - a Madoff type who has avoided detection until now for the ?)that he rightly be. One lacking impathy as per my madoff analogy. What a name is DENNY for an eatery unless its out of a pushcart. Funny, their chosen head case has been all over the place like one preparing for a colon scopy When hungry think of dennys in such light.
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Posted by killowen on Mar 01, 2010, 07:04 PM EST
Pass along such sentiments everywhere you can in response to comment opportunities - schmear their freaky name with every opportunity that comes your way. Irish America send fear their way, like the tsunami Zionist wave that is a great preventative for an entity that Denny's stupidity wouldn't even dare to even think it.
Report abuse
Posted by killowen on Mar 01, 2010, 07:00 PM EST
preventing acceptance
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Posted by rorkerlyn on Mar 01, 2010, 06:14 PM EST
I always felt that any insults directed at the Irish were never adequately addressed. If any other group,such as African-Americans or the Jewish faith,was insulted or discriminated against, there would be all the major networks reporting on the evening news.
Report abuse
Posted by ciarrai on Mar 01, 2010, 05:40 PM EST
The Irish: the last ethnic group you can insult without any worries. We need a high profile media savy spokesperson, kind of an O'Sharpton. I don't like him because of his race-baiting and lies, but Sharpton jumps up all the time for blacks. We need someone like that for the Irish.
Report abuse
Posted by 1661996usmc on Mar 01, 2010, 05:19 PM EST
Denny's is a "Poster Company" that doesn't mind discriminating to sell their ptoducts. I decided to boycott them because of their policies and will continue to do so in the future.
Report abuse
Posted by borefield on Mar 01, 2010, 04:16 PM EST
Yes, we do need to make much louder noise about this issue. I have never been a Denny's fan anyway, their food is substandard at best. I will keep calling Dennys until I get an answer and i will voice my strong protest.
Report abuse
Posted by Mayosligo on Mar 01, 2010, 04:00 PM EST
I think any one who uses human suffering in any way to forward themselves should be boycotted. Apology or not they should not be allowed to get away with such an act. Years ago they were discriminating against Native Americans and blacks. Now the Irish? What's with this company?
Report abuse
Posted by LindaDent on Mar 01, 2010, 03:33 PM EST
Its a bloody disgrace. Dennys should be held accountable. I will never set foot in a Dennys again.
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Posted by LindaDent on Mar 01, 2010, 02:39 PM EST
What are the Facebook sites? I think posting and suggesting the sites will have more impact than calling someone who obviously doesn't care.
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Posted by fromGort on Mar 01, 2010, 02:29 PM EST
Haven't seen the ad, so don't know how offensive the visuals were, however, they stated they were celebrating the END of the famine years. And what clan, society, group doesn't celebrate the end of lean times with a feast?
Report abuse
Posted by JBRAFTREE on Mar 01, 2010, 02:07 PM EST
I've not seen the ad, but I won't be going in there anyhow, I've heard the food sux.
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Posted by GalwayGirlEyes on Mar 01, 2010, 01:03 PM EST
Stopped going to Denny's years ago when I finally got fed up with their consistently poor service, no matter which location I visited. This issue is inexcusable, they really need to issue a proper/appropriate apology.
Report abuse
Posted by on Mar 01, 2010, 12:55 PM EST
I've been to Denny's once. The restaurant did not impress me at all. Now I would not even consider going back there.




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