You may have already seen the video of Sarah Palin standing in front of a slaughter house during an interview. It is ironic that she practically refused to be interviewed when running for vice president, and then when given the chance, blows the opportunity to look dignified.
Sarah Palin aside, the turkey pardon has been a time-honored tradition. Ben Franklin himself wanted the turkey to be the national bird because of it's " resourcefulness, agility, and beauty."
What few know about Benjamin Franklin was that he was a vegetarian; no wonder he was never president. "He believed that eating a vegetarian diet was healthier than a diet filled with meat. In addition, meat was much more expensive, so by becoming a vegetarian, Franklin could save money to spend on books." Saving money for books, however, is not a concern to Sarah Palin.
Governor Palin mentioned Ben Franklin in her turkey pardon. I am glad that she did.
Ben Franklin wrote in the first chapter of his autobiography, "When about 16 Years of Age, I happened to meet with a Book written by one Tryon, recommending a Vegetable Diet. I determined to go into it.... My refusing to eat Flesh occasioned an inconveniency, and I was frequently chid for my singularity."
Now I am not going to go PETA on you people. PETA's tactics are divisive and violent. However, we must recognize that people such as Ben Franklin did not need PETA's advice to draw their own conclusions.
As Ben Franklin pointed out, eating a vegetarian diet is healthier than eating a meat centered diet, and today, the production of meat produces more carbon emissions that all the world's automobile's combined. We can take steps to improve the health of ourselves and the planet. To calculate your carbon footprint as it relates to your diet, click here.
Since I do not want to shove vegetarianism down your throat, think about it, and if you want to become vegetarian, do not do it cold turkey; ease into it slowly and your body will benefit.
To those who for health purposes have to eat meat, try to stick with sustainable fish and chicken as much as possible.
One more thing. Don't you find that pardoning a turkey on Thanksgiving is about the same as having a friend apologize to you after you shoot them in the face?
Sorry, just had to throw a Cheney reference in there somewhere. Happy thanksgiving, and avoid Tofurkey at all costs, that is unless you like the taste of rubber in the morning.