Denny's Apology Falls Short on Irish Famine Smear

March 2, 2010— -- 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.