Well, Turkey Day is just around the corner … which means that another presidential pardon is headed in the direction of one of our lucky feathered friends. And if you're like us, you're probably wondering where, when and why this poultry-friendly tradition started. We did some digging, and this is what we found.
Although most historians trace the tradition to President Harry S. Truman in 1947 -- due to a photo showing Truman with a turkey -- some controversy still exists over this origin. Archivists say that in the photo, Truman is actually only receiving a turkey, kicking off an annual tradition of presidents receiving turkeys from the National Turkey Federation.
Another slew of commander-in-chiefs including Eisenhower, Ford, Nixon and Carter may or may not have ever pardoned one of the big birds -- although they all posed for a photo-op.
JFK did spare a turkey on Nov. 19, 1963, however Kennedy archivist Steve Plotkin says that it "was probably offhand, purely spontaneous." The bird was given to Kennedy wearing a sign saying, "Good Eatin' Mr. President." In response, Kennedy said, "let's just keep him."
Begin drumroll here, because the first official pardoned bird took the stage in 1989 during the first White House Thanksgiving of George H.W. Bush.
"He will not end up on anyone's dinner table -- not this guy," Bush said. "He's granted a presidential pardon as of right now."
What did turkeys ever do to be compared with human beings who behave badly?
Being a city boy, I haven't met many turkeys over the years, but the ones I've encountered are pleasant birds who have a remarkably sunny disposition considering the fact that many of them won't live past Thanksgiving. It's funny to hear the sounds they make and to watch them spread their wings. I can't say the same about those people who are called turkeys. They're not fun to watch or listen to, and generally don't have pleasant dispositions even though they're very likely to be alive after November 26.
So I'm not going to call the politicians who I think behaved badly this year turkeys, because they don't deserve to be in the same company as our fine feathered friends.
Because turkeys would never put politics and their personal self-interest above the greater good, the way almost all Republicans did this year in the healthcare debate.
I know it's hard to tell, but I even think turkeys have the sense of humor sorely lacking in many of our leaders. While President Obama has a wonderful sense of humor and is spontaneously funny, I can't say the same for our Congressional leaders.
John Boehner is humorless, Mitch McConnell has never come close to cracking a smile, and Harry Reid acts like a well meaning undertaker. Nancy Pelosi, on the other hand, is always smiling. Even if she may not always get the joke.
Turkeys aren't hypocrites either. Like those sanctimonious politicians who preach family values and then get arrested in public restrooms, or abandon their state and their responsibilities to run off with a mistress in Argentina. These politicians are given a sacred trust by the people and promptly abuse that trust.
Turkeys seem to have a sense of the limited time they have on earth, and seem content to make the most of their wing flapping, cute noisemaking days.
So this Thanksgiving, let's show a little respect for turkeys, whether they bought the farm or are still on the farm. And the next time you see a human being behaving badly, don't call them a turkey. Turkeys deserve better than that.
Scott Blakeman appears regularly on The Strategy Room at foxnews.com. He is performing "A Liberal Dose of Political Humor" November 25 at 7:30 pm at The Wilmette Theater in Illinois.
President Obama pays tribute to veterans at Arlington National Cemetary, saying the following:
In this time of war, we gather here mindful that the generations serving today already deserves a place alongside previous generations for the courage they have shown and the sacrifices that they have made.
In an era where so many acted only in pursuit of narrow self-interests, they've chosen the opposite. They chose to serve the cause that is greater than self, many even after they knew they would be sent into harm's way.
For the better part of a decade they have endured tour after tour in distant and difficult places. They have protected us from danger and they have given others the opportunity for a better life.
So, to all of them, to our veterans, to the fallen, and to their families, there is no tribute, no commemoration, no praise that can truly match the magnitude of your service and your sacrifice.
Rep. John Boehner issued the following statement:
This is a particularly somber Veterans Day, as tragedy has focused our attention on the tremendous sacrifices the members of our Armed Forces have made to protect this nation. We honor the memories of the fallen and keep faith with their loved ones, whose quiet courage sets an example for all of us.
One generation of Americans after another has answered the call of duty without fail. These brave men and women call themselves veterans. We call them heroes. Today, we renew our commitment to repaying the debt we owe them knowing we can never fully do so except to cherish the blessings of freedom they have preserved for us and stand with the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who carry on in their stead.
On the Senate floor, Senator Max Baucus said:
Our fallen heroes fought and died for our great nation and all that it represents. We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be fully repaid. We must honor their legacies by remembering their sacrifice as we carry on with our lives.
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