Subway serves the turkeys that Bush didn't pardon
Filed under: Food
Turkey Day Traditions
In this image released by Disneyland, Pumpkin, the National Thanksgiving Day Turkey that was pardoned by President George W. Bush is shown Thursday, Nov. 27, 2007, at his new home at Santas Reindeer Ranch in the Frontierland section of Disneyland, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Disneyland, Paul Hiffmeyer)
AP
In this image released by Disneyland, Pumpkin, the National Thanksgiving Day Turkey that was pardoned by President George W. Bush is shown Thursday, Nov. 27, 2007, at his new home at Santas Reindeer Ranch in the Frontierland section of Disneyland, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Disneyland, Paul Hiffmeyer)
AP
"Pumpkin", the National Thanksgiving Turkey, is surrounded by hands moments after U.S. President George W. Bush pardoned him in the Rose Garden of the White House, November 26, 2008. Pumpkin will travel to Disneyland later today to participate in the Thanksgiving Day Parade in California. REUTERS/Larry Downing (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
**FILE** This file photo provided by Disney shows one of the turkeys pardoned by President Bush making his grand entrance Nov. 22, 2007, in the Walt Disney World Thanksgiving Day Parade in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. as the Grand Marshal of the parade. Last year's birds are currently living the good life at Disney World in Florida, where they were flown by a United Airlines flight that was renamed "Turkey One" for the occasion. (AP Photo/Disney, Gene Duncan, FILE) **NO SALES**
AP
**FILE** This Friday, Nov. 16, 2007 file photo provided by Disney shows Pilgrim Mickey Mouse at Ten Star Ranch in Dubois, Ind., unveiling the two turkeys that received presidential pardons from President Bush at the White House on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007, in the 60th annual National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation. (AP Photo/Disney, Diana Zalucky, FILE) **NO SALES**
AP
**FILE** This file photo provided by Disney shows President Bush as he pardons one of two turkeys Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007, during the 60th annual Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation ceremony at the White House. Last year's birds are currently living the good life at Disney World in Florida, where they were flown by a United Airlines flight that was renamed "Turkey One" for the occasion. (AP Photo/Disney, Kent Phillips) **NO SALES**
AP
U.S. President George W. Bush (C) gathers with children and National Turkey Federation officials as he pardons "Pumpkin", the 2008 Thanksgiving turkey, during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington November 26, 2008. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
"Pumpkin", the National Thanksgiving Turkey, is surrounded by students from Cloverly Elementary School in Silver Spring, Maryland, after U.S. President George W. Bush pardoned him in the Rose Garden of the White House, November 26, 2008. Pumpkin will travel to Disneyland later today to participate in the Thanksgiving Day Parade in California. REUTERS/Larry Downing (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
"Pumpkin", the National Thanksgiving Turkey, is surrounded by students from Cloverly Elementary School in Silver Springs, Maryland, after U.S. President George W. Bush pardoned him in the Rose Garden of the White House, November 26, 2008. Pumpkin will travel to Disneyland later today to participate in the Thanksgiving Day Parade in California. REUTERS/Larry Downing (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
US President George W. Bush and turkey farmer Nathan Hill(R) from Elsworth, Iowa, pet "Pumpkin", one of two turkeys pardoned by Bush at the annual turkey pardoning ceremony November 26, 2008, at the White House in Washington, DC. AFP Photo/Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
This year, the turkeys that didn't make the cut will be be made into slices in a sandwich at a Subway chain store near you. Yes, the farm that supplied this year's winners is one of the sub-franchise's main suppliers, and by the time the flightless birds were winging their way to Dubya, the rejects were already being processed into foot-longs.
At the White House, the audition process went like this: Birds from an Iowa farm (each year, a different place provides them) were assessed for their attractiveness and their decorum (meaning they wouldn't be likely to peck the president's eyes out in front of the cameras). The winning pair were given names, something they never had before, stowed in a room at the luxury Willard InterContinental hotel, and after the press parade was done, they were flown by commercial aircraft to Disneyland. Frontierland, to be exact.
Even going to Disneyland may not make for a long retirement. One animal protection group, Farm Sanctuary, launched a campaign designed to convince the White House to send the pardoned poultry to its facility instead of Disney's. The birds, having been raised expressly for quick slaughter and rich meat, are in such poor health that they tend to die quickly -- the ones delivered to Disney in 2005 were dead by the end of 2006, it says. That the birds are in lousy health is something Disney confirms -- when ones arrived at Walt Disney World a few years ago, they were so infirm they could barely stand (which may account in part for that compliant decorum that won them pardons to begin with).
The explanation of the birds' destiny may ruffle some feathers, but knowing the dark side of the pardoning ceremony may be the only shred of reality to this hollow exercise that seems to both apologize for and legitimize our important meat industries.
After all, Bush "liberated" Pumpkin and Pecan this year, but he ate another turkey on Thanksgiving. And Sarah Palin has perhaps ruined the symbolic tradition forevermore. She unwittingly converted untold numbers of people to vegetarianism at her own pardoning photo op in Alaska, at which she lectured the press on brutality directly in front of a contraption where the unluckier birds were being systematically slaughtered. The hypocrisy of the enterprise doesn't stop there: One of the most popular snack items at the Disney parks is the brine-injected, roasted turkey leg. Disney World sells some 1.5 million a year. I'm not exactly sure what the message of the annual pardoning ritual is supposed to be. Does anyone know?
Well, maybe we should ask the group that organizes this whole foolish consumer news event--the turkey lobby.
Stay tuned for more of President Bush's powers of forgiveness, As this lame duck president winds up his term, expect him to pardon a few more turkeys, only this time, the press may be more likely to notice any hypocrisies.
In the meantime, you can be a part of presidential history, apparently, simply by ordering a six-incher.
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 4)
12-02-2008 @ 8:31AM
don said...
I'd like to thank all the people who are standing up for OUR president. Its a thankless job that I can't understanding anyone wanting. Mr. Bush has done a very good job. Until you've sat in his chair and see all the behind the scene problems that he faces, keep your ignorant two cents to your self. Every time you say something bad about our president you are only giving the muslims what they are trying to achieve. That's discort among americans. You're all a disgrace to the country.
Reply
12-02-2008 @ 8:43AM
don said...
I'd like to make one other comment. My wife and I went to SUBWAY yesterday in Pigeon Forge, Tn. . I had a yen for a meatball sandwich. The day manager, who was running the register, asked me what we wanted to drink. My wife said she'd like some water. I replied, I'll take water also. He said "that will be a 1.52 each. I said, no, I just wanted water. He said, ''water or drinks'', its all a 1.52. I said, can I just buy a cup. He said sure, its a 1.52. I said, take a good look at me. This is the last time you'll ever see us in your store. To charge a 1.52 for a glass of water is rediculous. Not only did they lost a customer but by word of mouth, I'll tell everyone I come in contact with about their treatment. Goodbye subway.
Reply
12-02-2008 @ 8:59AM
Allan said...
This just shows what a bunch of idiots we have at AOL. It also shows what a bunch of idiots we are as Americans. Just look at what we just put in the White House.
Reply
12-02-2008 @ 8:59AM
John said...
I do believe there's a bottomless well of HATE for President Bush. Folks, it doesn't make you look good, and it's not healthy. Let go of your HATE; it will destroy you.
As for the turkeys, I'm sure they're delicious.
Reply
12-02-2008 @ 9:00AM
don said...
I'd like to make one other comment. My wife and I went to SUBWAY yesterday in Pigeon Forge, Tn. . I had a yen for a meatball sandwich. The day manager, who was running the register, asked me what we wanted to drink. My wife said she'd like some water. I replied, I'll take water also. He said "that will be a 1.52 each. I said, no, I just wanted water. He said, ''water or drinks'', its all a 1.52. I said, can I just buy a cup. He said sure, its a 1.52. I said, take a good look at me. This is the last time you'll ever see us in your store. To charge a 1.52 for a glass of water is rediculous. Not only did they lost a customer but by word of mouth, I'll tell everyone I come in contact with about their treatment. Goodbye subway.
Reply
12-02-2008 @ 9:02AM
tio tony said...
Wat a stupid article.
Reply
12-02-2008 @ 10:04AM
lindy said...
Turkey is good, all the time..... pardon my appetite, but I love it...... and fresh roasted turkey makes the best sandwiches of all....... good to for breakfast ... put turkey with cheddar cheese and green chiles in a quesadilla...yum, yum, yum... no matter who is president we can still enjoy the simple things...:)
working moms check out tips for feeding your kids and keeping your sanity...online... BREAKFAST IS NOT SODA AND A BAG OF CHIPS.....................
Reply
12-02-2008 @ 1:12PM
Tim Donovan said...
To all you faint of heart who couldn't see a turkey being
"slaughtered," how many of you eat nothing but veggies.
Also to make fun of Bush for pardoning "his cronies" doesn't
it seem like yesterday that Clinton was parsdoning some of the
most memorable felons (buddies) who were serving time for fraud.
Reply
12-02-2008 @ 2:01PM
rb said...
If the author of this article, James Cochran, is fortunate...President Bush will pardon him for the crime of being a terrible writer.
Reply
12-03-2008 @ 9:24AM
Bubba said...
Has anyone paid attention to the Obama / Pespi connection?
His campaign logo is reminiscent of the Pepsi logo, and his
Demo-rat Party coronation occurred at the Pepsi Center in Denver.
The CEO of Pepsi, Indra Nooyi, has snidely compared the United
States to the middle finger (read about her 2005 speech...go google it). She's undoubtedly a big B.O. fan.
And then go rent the movie 'Idiocracy' (2006) starring Luke Wilson. You'll notice that President "Mountain Dew" Camacho delivers a State of the Union address on a podium festooned, with of all things, a Pepsi logo.
Camacho = Obama. Welcome to Idiocracy USA
Reply
12-03-2008 @ 9:51AM
evie said...
What a waste of time and taxpayer's money!
Reply
12-03-2008 @ 11:06AM
Joe the retired guy said...
The WORSE president EVER! "It wasn't my fault, It was the guys before me's fault, my dad included."
Reply
12-04-2008 @ 9:02PM
NORAMA said...
STUPID
Reply
12-03-2008 @ 11:42AM
Yo said...
SUBWAY sucks!!! Eat at Quizno's!!! You'll actually feel like you ate something!!!
Reply
2-15-2009 @ 9:32AM
JOHN said...
HEY AOL..........DID YOU FIND THIS STORY LOST ON A DESK....IT'S 2 MONTHS OLD
Reply
2-15-2009 @ 4:47PM
Dan said...
An un-pardoned turkey wrote this article and other turkeys put it online today. Bush deserves a better rating than he is getting and time will probably prove this out, except to the "turkeys". I disagree with some of the things that came out of his administration, but believe he was a better pick over Global Warming Gore who drives an SUV or Liberal Heart Opportunist Kerry. However, there are those who disagree with me and prefer killing babies in the womb and are more socialist way of life. There are many who are where I am and more middle of the road and see pro and con and believe in balance.
Reply