President Bush "pardons" turkeys

[ethical slut]

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20041117113109990013

every year i hear about this stupid tradition and every year it irks me to no end.
note the grip the imbecile has around that poor animal's neck.
sorry for the rant, but i hate the president and i hate this tradition.

[Tash]

2nded....All in favor say aye-!

Ayeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

[The Rev]

I wish he would do us a favor and pardon the country for a change.

:rolleyes:

The Rev

[IamJen]

Yeah, it is a ridiculous tradition. I read some years ago that the turkeys actually *aren't* pardoned either...they end up getting the axe like all of their friends. :(

[treybo]

no aol! copy paste for us plzzzzzzzzzzzzz? <3

[peace]

Karen Davis offers an interesting analysis of this photo op in "More Than a Meal".
For instance, ever notice that the turkey recieves a "pardon"...something usually reserved for those who have done something wrong and are escaping their prescribed punishment?

[bethann]

The sheer hypocrisy of this tradition infuriates me every year.

[Atlanta Newbie]

This is a truly stupid tradition made even more obnoxious by the current offender. :down:

[treybo]

u guys are mean poopheads.

[ethical slut]

aw, sorry treybo, i didn't realize you had to sign onto aol to read it. how lame.
here ya go...

Bush Pardons Two Thanksgiving Turkeys

WASHINGTON (Nov. 17) - President Bush used the annual Thanksgiving turkey- pardoning rite Wednesday to roast the bitter campaign for the White House, jokingly recalling fund-raising disputes, attack ads and a polarizing political movie. "Now's the time for healing," he said, as he ceremonially spared two birds.

The winning "candidates" in his satirical rendition of the presidential campaign were Biscuits and Gravy, turkeys raised in Mathias, W.Va. Their names came out on top on an online contest.

President Bush grabs pardoned turkey "Biscuits" by the neck in the Rose Garden.

"It was a close race. You might say it was neck and neck," Bush said. He spoke in the Rose Garden during a rare joint appearance with Vice President Dick Cheney.

"It came down to a few battleground states. It was a tough contest, and it turned out some 527 organizations got involved, including Barnyard Animals for Truth," Bush said, mocking the free-spending independent groups like Swiftboat Veterans for Truth known as 527s. The group raised questions about Democrat John Kerry's service in the Vietnam War.

"There was a scurrilous film that came out, 'Fahrenheit 375 Degrees At 10 Minutes Per Pound,"' he said, panning "Fahrenheit 9/11," the documentary film that assailed him over the handling of the Sept. 11 attacks and the war on terrorism.

As Bush spoke, the two birds pecked at hedges in the Rose Garden. After his remarks, Bush, wary after being pecked in the midsection three years ago, kept a firm grip on one bird's neck.

He said the birds would live out their lives at Frying Pan Park in Herndon, Va., which raises farm animals.

That drew an objection from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which said the turkeys would live in more humane conditions at an animal sanctuary.

The turkeys Bush pardoned last year died within three months after their "pardons," a result of drugs that make them grow excessively, the group said.

[BoricuaVeggie]

I wish he would do us a favor and pardon the country for a change.

:rolleyes:

The Rev

i hear ya, buddy

[thebelovedtree]

:down: :wall: :grr: :no:

[CharityAJO]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/holiday/thanksgiving/

According to the White House, the two turkeys will spend the rest of their days at a place called "Frying Pan Park." I am severely disturbed.

[bumble]

I watched this last night on the news..how truely ridiculous!!!

And the grip,that stupid,stupid little man had on that animals neck was completely disturbing.

Evil,evil, little twisted man.

How that makes any sense,I will never knwo.Why even bother with a stunt like that???????

[spehlbaund]

I never heard of the "turkey pardoning" tradition but I saw this live on the news and I just didn't understand it. I agree, it seems really stupid.