Posted on 11/22/2006 1:49:16 PM PST by proud_yank
(CBS/AP) He was going to pardon the National Thanksgiving Turkey anyway, but President Bush figured he really owed the bird this time. His dog had just scared the stuffing out of it.
Mr. Bush spared the turkey during a Rose Garden ceremony on Wednesday.
"I am granting a full presidential pardon so they can live out their lives as safe as can be," the president declared.
By virtue of a vote on the White House Web site, the turkeys were named "Flyer" and "Fryer," reports CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller.
Fryer was Flyer's understudy and nowhere to be seen during the ceremony.
And although turkeys don't fly, these two will. They've got first class tickets to Disneyland where they'll be served up — not as dinner, but as honorary grand marshals of the Thanksgiving Day Parade, reports Knoller.
The president explained that his Scottish Terrier, Barney, got involved this year. The presidential dog typically gets his exercise by chasing a soccer ball around the Rose Garden.
"He came out a little early, as did Flyer," Mr. Bush said. "And instead of chasing the soccer ball, he chased the bird. And it kind of made the turkey nervous. See, the turkey was nervous to begin with. Nobody's told him yet about the pardon I'm about to give him."
At one point, President Bush moved in for a closer look at Flyer, a well-behaved bird raised near Monett, Mo. He petted the turkey's head and back before inviting a couple dozen Girl Scouts to come up and join him.
"It's a fine looking bird, isn't it?" Mr. Bush said.
Mike Briggs, president of Willow Brook Foods in Springfield, Mo., chose the turkeys because he's this year's chairman of the National Turkey Foundation.
The popular pardon ceremony dates to the days of President Harry Truman in 1947.
Yet savoring turkeys, not saving them, is the agenda for millions of people on Thanksgiving Day.
The typical American consumes more than 13 pounds of turkey a year, with a good serving of it coming at Thanksgiving.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals urged Mr. Bush to send the pardoned turkeys to an animal sanctuary, where "they will get the exercise and socialization that they need to live longer, happier lives."
In return, the group offered the president a feast of Tofu turkey, vegetarian stuffing and a vegan apple pie.
Just back from a trip to Asia, President Bush and his wife Laura are spending the holiday at Camp David before another international trip early next week to the Baltics and the Middle East.
Barney tried the socialization route and look what happened.
In a cave somewhere in Afghanistan, Al-Queda must be roaring with laughter when they hear the antics of these wussie, limp-wristed PETA types.
Or praising allah for their state-side allies.
I like Barney. One year he gace a White House Christmas tour with a camera attached to him.
I guess this proves that turkeys stick together.
I'm just glad that the Clintons never did that with their prop/dog.
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Clinton even had some kind of study done on what color lab to get. Black, white or chocolate and he chose chocolate so no one would be offended. I heard the dog got killed by a car.
Jonny, Dose material for sure!
Wolfstar, thought you'd get a kick out of this.
NO turkey zone here (2004 photo).
I'd eat a tofurkey w/ all the vegan trimmings, if peta would sign a contract guaranteeing to lobby for the rights of unborn children, along w/ turkeys.
If President Bush wanted to pardon a real turkey, he should have pardoned himself.
--People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals urged Mr. Bush to send the pardoned turkeys to an animal sanctuary, where "they will get the exercise and socialization that they need to live longer, happier lives."--
When will PETA organize massive protests against the ongoing consumption of DOGS in China?
Dunno. Isn't it funny that the PeTA goons always use the 'socialization' line for just about every edible critter?
And to think, some liberals accuse Bush of having no compassion.
I'd like to see a President warmly thank the producers for raising food for America and say how delicious the turkey looks and invite attendees to diner featuring that bird.
Pardoning the turkeys is just stupid.
Hey..It is tradition, don't knock Tradition been going on since 1947, When Harry Truman pardoned the first turkey.
You are not worthy of your name. It should be removed. I can think of others more suited to you.
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