Don't Pardon the Turkey

by Stephanie Feldstein · 2009-11-25 11:00:00 UTC
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It's been a year since the fiasco when Sarah Palin pardoned a local turkey, with a declaration that she was "a friend to creatures great and small," then continued her interview while her "friends" were being slaughtered in the background. While I don't expect that particular scenario to repeat itself, I'd rather not see any politician carry on this sham tradition. By parading the "saved" turkey in front of the media and using the presidential power of pardoning for entertainment, this ceremony makes a mockery of animal rights and the criminal justice system. There's nothing symbolic about animal slaughter or innocents on death row.

While the pardoned turkey gets a trip to Disneyland (I wish I were kidding), another turkey is slaughtered and served up for dinner, canceling out any ethical bonus points. And, since the pardoned turkeys are bred to be food, they're unhealthy birds that typically don't live long enough to enjoy much of their retirement.

The pardoning of the turkey is neither as historical nor as humane as it pretends to be. The National Turkey Federation has been presenting a turkey to the President since 1947, but it was intended for dinner purposes only. President Kennedy reportedly chose not to eat the turkey given to him, without turning it into a public relations stunt. According to presidential lore, Lincoln's son grew so attached to their Christmas turkey one year that it was kept as a pet. But despite these reprieves, the "official" pardoning wasn't started until two decades ago with the first President Bush.

This tradition has long outlived its novelty. This year will mark the 20th Anniversary of the presidential pardoning of the turkey - the perfect landmark for Obama to put an end to it. Instead of going through the motions of this ridiculous ceremony, he should honor the holiday in a more meaningful way ... such as leaving turkey off the White House menu.

Photo credit: Alan Vernon

Stephanie Feldstein is a Change.org Editor who has been part of the animal welfare and rescue community for over a decade, and most recently worked for an environmental organization.
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