President Obama, Send Pardoned Turkeys to a Sanctuary, Not Disneyland

Dear Mr. President:

On behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and our more than 2 million members and supporters, I am writing to ask three things: 1) that you please send this year's pardoned turkeys to a credible sanctuary; 2) that in your speech at the pardoning ceremony, you acknowledge the millions of compassionate Americans who personally pardon turkeys every year by choosing a vegetarian Thanksgiving meal; and 3) that you invite PETA's chef to present a delicious cruelty-free Thanksgiving meal for you and your family, including Tofurky with all the trimmings, from corn bread to cranberries, and an all-American vegan apple pie with vanilla soy ice cream on top. The vegan meal would provide some balance to all the free publicity given to the turkey industry on this occasion.

As you may well know, Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be America's national bird. Franklin noted how courageous turkeys are, and today's animal behaviorists say that turkeys are indeed smart as well as loving, protective parents who will even sing along to classical music. However, turkeys raised on filthy factory farms are bred and drugged to grow so large so fast that they often suffer from painfully splintered leg bones and other debilitating conditions. During PETA's undercover investigations of some of our country's largest turkey factory farms, we have documented workers as they stomped on birds' heads, struck birds with pipes and pliers, and slammed birds against walls.

For years, the "pardoned" turkeys have been sent to places where they were neglected. Many are dead within a year of being pardoned. This year, please send the turkeys to a credible sanctuary that has experts in turkey behavior and care, like metropolitan Washington's own Poplar Springs Farmed Animal Sanctuary, where Sasha and Malia would be able to visit them, along with other rescued animals, and learn why it is important to be compassionate to animals.

Thank you for your consideration. I hope to hear from your staff soon. We wish you and your family a healthy and happy holiday season.

Kind regards,

Ingrid E. Newkirk
President

 

Comments

[AnimalLover6]

01:45 AM on 11/27/2009

Neither of the Obamas would understand this. Obama gets his information on climate change by reading Tom Friedman. He appointed Ken Salazar--every rancher's buddy--to head the Dept. of the Interior. Obama couldn't care less that 15 billion animals a year are tortured in factory farms and slaughterhouses. He's clueless. As is Michelle Obama. Neither one is the least bit educated about ecology.

[joetherealist]

08:12 PM on 11/25/2009

Maybe Sasha and Malia can propose a toast to their pardoned turkey friend who lives at the nice sanctuary as they eat his cousin for Thanksgiving dinner.

[Dihann]

04:19 PM on 11/25/2009

Ingrid, It is never enough with you is it? If a turkey is pardoned, you decide to take issue with WHERE it will spend its life? This is why people don't want to hear it from PETA - There is ALWAYS SOMETHING to complain about with you guys. Even a kind gesture goes unappreciated and receives criticism.

[cucumber]

05:09 AM on 11/26/2009

wow, you really, really missed the point.

[Smittynoexecutions]

08:33 PM on 11/26/2009

No, actually it is never enough from you! For some it is a greater learning curve, but slowly, one person, one law at a time, people are starting to realize the wisdom in cruelty-free stewardship. If ya'll delivered a little bit more, Ingrid wouldn't have to go step by step. Maybe the President isn't aware of where the pardoned turkey ends up. He seems to have a lot on his plate, but that really isn't a great excuse when confronted with the opportunity to actually BE kind to the turkey.

Ingrid has it exactly right, show pardons are meaningless, a curtain in front of the "Great Oz" imposter, aka "good intentions". President Obama is a smart dude, he probably knew the pardon was more of a reprieve.

Not long from now, more people will see the wisdom in treating animals ethically. The way we treat animals is unhealthy, sadistic, greedy and unsustainable. Ingrid is vocal about right and wrong in ways that are straightforward, to the point and blunt.

[drricklippin]

02:31 PM on 11/25/2009

Ingrid - I posted this on the orginl huff post story not knowing about your article.

OBAMA PARDONS TURKEY NAMED "COURAGE"

Frankly disappointed that our new young hip transformational President didn't do away with this silly ritual.

(Especially because there is so much talk these days of the cruelty of mega-animal farming and crass and cruel mass slaughtering techniques)

Oh Well - American traditions die hard if ever? And there are surely worse traditions than this one.

Thanks for your activism


Dr. Rick Lippin
Southampton,Pa
http://medicalcrises.blogspot.com

[SassySafrine]

01:29 PM on 11/25/2009

When PETA values women more than it values animals, I'll pay attention to it. PETA shows crazy sexism in all of its ads involving women.

[Smittynoexecutions]

09:13 PM on 11/26/2009

Actually PETA values females and males equally. When calling attention to animals being treated unethically, PETA doesn't care if it is a male or a female. As far as female members choosing to pose in deliberately provocative ads in support of animals, sexy sells. The cause is too critical to not make people aware by whatever ethical means possible. The men in the PETA ads are sexy as well. They pose to turn heads to a serious issue.

It is members of PETA who knowingly pose provocatively for beautifully done ads on behalf of animals. There is no sexism.

That is the worst reason I've heard to not hear a message that is so important. If we don't shut down factory farms and stop crazy consumption of meat, especially, most egregiously beef - there simply will be no rainforest, no bio-diversity and no icebergs.

Puleez -