Staff Reports
In the latest performance of political theater, President Joe Biden plans to pardon two lucky turkeys, dubbed Peach and Blossom, during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. Scheduled for 11 a.m., this annual tradition marks the 77th anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation, which has roots that trace back to Abraham Lincoln. It seems that even in the frenzy of modern politics, some traditions, albeit bizarre, remain firmly planted on the calendar.
While one might wonder about the wisdom of pardoning birds when inflation is gobbling up Americans’ wallets, Biden seems intent on continuing a legacy that has seen turkey pardon participation rise from mere publicity to a full-fledged spectacle. The ceremony primarily serves as a reminder that while some Americans are grateful for the meal at the table, others find solace in the fact that two turkeys will get to live another day—perhaps affording them a brief reprieve from a much more savory fate.
President Joe Biden pardoned turkeys Peach and Blossom in the White House's annual Thanksgiving event on Monday. pic.twitter.com/uQBXKEhN9K
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) November 25, 2024
Who can forget the days when turkey pardoning was the sole domain of the Bush family? President George H.W. Bush was the architect of this culinary comfort in 1989, following Reagan’s use of the terminology just a year earlier. Fast-forward to today, and this odd custom has become a highlight of the political calendar, pushing aside the grim realities that average citizens face each day. Forget the state of the economy or the numerous crises at hand; here’s a moment to distract from those hardships with a couple of cute feathered friends getting a free pass.
Adding to the absurdity of the situation, Biden plans to jet off to New York City after pardoning these unsuspecting turkeys, participating in an event that has the audacity to call itself Friendsgiving. One has to wonder what kind of “friends” these high-profile gatherings attract, considering the real friends back home are busy pinching pennies and struggling to make ends meet. It wouldn’t be a surprise if many Americans are left feeling as if they’re the ones getting roasted while the political elite feast on the fruits of their labor.
Perhaps the real punchline here is that while Biden puts on a show of festivity and goodwill, those living beyond the White House gates are stuck in a food fight of their own, trying to stay afloat with soaring grocery prices and high energy costs. So, raise a toast to Peach and Blossom, America’s latest celebrities who will dodge the culinary fate waiting for millions of other turkeys across the nation. Meanwhile, perhaps the average citizen should consider themselves lucky that there’s still time to apply for a pardon from this whole economic mess—if only they could find a way to get on Biden’s list.
