A Not So Happy Birthday

First a few fun facts:  The melody for Happy Birthday was written by two sisters from Kentucky, Mildred J. Hill and Patty Smith Hill.  Originally entitled Good Morning to All, it was originally published in 1893.   Later, a future Hill sister was able to secure a copyright for the actual song Happy Birthday To You in 1935.  Today, the copyright for Happy Birthday To You lies with the Time Warner Company, and is licensed and enforced by ASCAP, bringing in more that $2 million dollars a year.   So the next time you are about to light some birthday candles, remember to first give ASCAP a call. 

Now the more serious facts:  On June 18th, 2007, Razzoo’s Inc., a Texas restaurant chain settled a religious discrimination lawsuit brought by the EEOC for $38,750.  In addition to the monetary settlement to the plaintiff, Sabrina Balentine, the restaurant agreed in a consent decree to train managers and human resources about religious discrimination.  Unremarkable, one may think.  And we would tend to agree.  Until one delves a little bit deeper into the facts of the case.