Comments on: Update: “Albino Rhino” beer brand withdrawn following human rights complaint

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 19:26:42 +0000

Please note that Smuttynose Ale is quite popular here in Central New York, and possibly Canada as well. I see a revenue opportunity for an enterprising attorney who can find the right client.

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 17:21:00 +0000

I practice in British Columbia and have had occasion to deal with the human rights commission there (and elsewhere in Canada).

There’s a reason Earl’s caved – because they knew how this was going to turn out. Many writers have compared Canada’s HRCs, particularly BC’s, to kangaroo courts. Complaints are upheld at a rate of virtually 100%, and the process is both punishing and humiliating. If I were advising a client facing a complaint like this, I would advise them to either (a) cave or (b) be prepared to take this on as a martyr (e.g. as Ezra Levant has done. I suspect a restaurant is little interested in the latter position.

By: OBQuiet

OBQuiet — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:38:28 +0000

Just to be fair, it appears from the article that Earl’s is dropping the name on its own after receiving the complaint.

It just may be that they don’t want to pay to defend themselves or they may have decided that not offending those suffering from Dermal Atrophy(Is there a medical term for being thin skinned? Can we use that term colloquially when some people DO suffer from the medical condition of physically thin skin without risking a HRC investigation?) was the better path.

By: Bill Poser

Bill Poser — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 05:27:48 +0000

Richard Nieporent: I agree that Earl’s was foolish to cave, but there hasn’t been any ruling by the Human Rights Tribunal. The complaint itself apparently led Earl’s to change its policy.

By: kimsch

kimsch — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 01:41:10 +0000

wfjag: Gasman’s comment was about proof’s comment about the woman who had issue with the word midget after she bore a child with dwarfism.

Even though I have a bad leg I don’t get upset with products being called “Gimp”. Wait, maybe I should sue that open source Photoshop rival…

By: wfjag

wfjag — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 20:24:46 +0000

gasman 02.20.13 at 2:29 pm
“Strangely, the term didn’t bother the lady until she bore the offspring.”

S0, which term did she find offensive after she bore the offspring? (After all, the brewer may still be in violation).

By: Squirrels

Squirrels — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:26:19 +0000

I wonder what said tribunal would make of Delerium Tremens? Or is that different because it’s self-inflicted?

By: John Burgess

John Burgess — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:01:25 +0000

@JTW: and albino Blacks have no skin in the game?

By: JTW

JTW — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 05:05:55 +0000

good to see the law applied equally for once, and the case not thrown out because it’s not a black person complaining.

Of course the very existence of such laws is idiotic.

By: Richard Nieporent

Richard Nieporent — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 03:27:39 +0000

This ruling is mind-numbing stupidity on the part of the Human Rights Tribunal. An albino rhinoceros is a real animal; thus the name has nothing to do with a human. Earls should rename it Jackass beer in honor of Ikponwosa Ero.