2008 National Turkey Dies, but the Alternate Lives On

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Why is the President pardoning birds that will die anyways when plenty of innocent men and women languish on death row? All the President needs to do is request one good file from any of the multiple Innocence Projects around the country for a worthy candidate.
Plus, by doing so, he'd be setting a precedent for other future presidents to do the same. Instead of taking the time to set up the news conference and to actually do the turkey pardon, the president could look over one of the files. The best part is the files are all compiled for him with the necessary evidence!

Freddy of TX 8:31AM November 26, 2009

How many turkeys are serving time in a cage on trumped up charges?Join the innocence project gabbler today.

Whispering Mantis of OR 11:21PM November 25, 2009

Doesn't the leader of the free world have better things to do?

Ken of MN 7:03PM November 25, 2009

Hello-
Cruelty begets cruelty. However, kindness begets kindness.
Let's do ourselves a favor, as well as for the turkeys, and refuse to buy into a business which chooses to use very unnecessary and incredibly inhumane practices.

Joyce Janicki of MI 4:54PM November 25, 2009

I went on a cross-country trip recently and along the way, picked up two very nice "rainbow kids" on their way to California. I later learned they were both vegetarians. Anyway, while I was parked in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Gallup, NM I met a Navaho gentleman about 25 yrs old. When I introduced him to my new friends, he later said to me, "Earth people, they want to pet the sheep and we slaughter it and everybody eats. We live from the land." So, this Thanksgiving, pull up your chairs, carve the turkey, serve up all the fixins' and toast the wisdom of of our wonderful Native Americans!!! Gobble Gobble

Raymond Belanger of FL 4:22PM November 24, 2009

Thanksgiving marks the 20th anniversary of the first official turkey pardon and while it is heartening to hear that President Obama will carry on the tradition, we at PETA can't help but think about the millions of turkeys who won't be as lucky this year. Approximately 45 million other turkeys—who are just as deserving of compassion and respect—must depend on caring Americans to grant them their own personal pardons.
When turkeys aren’t confined to filthy factory farms, they spend their days building nests, taking dust baths, preening, and roosting in trees. They enjoy having their feathers stroked and like to gobble along to music. Poultry scientist Tom Savage says, “I’ve always viewed turkeys as smart animals with personality and character, and keen awareness of their surroundings.”
Thanksgiving is a time for celebration, not cruelty. Please consider pardoning a turkey in observance of the life-saving presidential custom. We encourage everyone to visit www.VegCooking.com for gourmet holiday recipes, cooking tips, and product suggestions. And of course, we wish everyone a happy and humane Thanksgiving!

Amy Skylark Elizabeth of VA 9:46AM November 24, 2009

Mmm! Mmm! Mmm! Fat, juicy turkey!

ilike meat of NY 8:38PM November 23, 2009

Thank you for bringing attention to the serious animal welfare consequences that arise from the factory farm production of turkeys. Over the past few decades, the poultry industry has pushed these birds beyond their natural limits.
However, it IS possible for factory farm turkeys spared from slaughter to live much longer than 18 weeks. With attentive and compassionate care, rescued turkeys at Farm Sanctuary can live happily for many years. Our turkey hens live 5-7 years average while our males live between 4-6 years and even longer. That is why we are petitioning President Obama to release this year's National Turkeys into our care.
It is a sad fact that at least half of all turkeys sent to Disney have died within one year. These are living, breathing animals, not attractions. If they are to be pardoned, they should be given a real chance to enjoy life, not shuttled off to a theme park. Farm Sanctuary has the expertise and dedication to make sure these individuals are given a real reprieve, and we hope that you and your readers will join us in calling on the president to grant them that.

Tricia Barry of NY 2:03PM November 23, 2009

I'm actually very excited for Thanksgiving--this year I'll be preparing a cruelty-free meal and I think it's going to be fantastic! Having become a vegan recently, I've read more and more about the practice of factory farming and its horrors. My mother actually used to live in a town right by a turkey plant, and heard first hand from some of the workers she'd talk to the atrocities that went on in there. This year, I can say I'm grateful that there are so many alternatives available for a wonderful feast! And not to have to be part of this industry and the disgusting, demented things that these poor creatures are subjected to. Even if you're not about animals, it ought to at least concern you for your own health, considering the hormones and antibiotics that are pumped into the meat that ultimately makes it to your table.

Andrea Tidwell of UT 2:00PM November 23, 2009

The iconic American Thanksgiving turkey , in the view of Obama's disciples ,a relic of the Euro-Christian era.It is fitting that a new symbol of Thanksgiving ,in the vein of Third World Emergence be forthcoming.As of this date, there is a tie between The Goat and The Eggplant.

A New Kind of Love of TX 10:39PM November 20, 2009