...it's probably old news by now, but I just heard on WRAL that the turkey 'pardoned' by the President was raised in Princeton. Hey y'all, we're famous!
Does anyone ever really go back and follow up with these turkeys? They get a promise of a "presidential pardon" for Thanksgiving, but what about Christmas or Easter?
WRAL said the turkey would go to Disneyworld and live out it's life in luxury...sure, I believe that. Soylent Green, anyone?
About The Presidential Turkey Pardon The first official National Thanksgiving Turkey was presented by members of the Poultry and Egg National Board to Harry Truman in 1947. According to some reports they ate him. Not that it necessarily matters, since the turkeys who get pardoned don't live for very long anyway. According to The New York Times, "Whether the turkeys come from a shelter or the White House, they don't live very long. Most adopted turkeys are commercially bred broad-breasted whites, genetically disposed to grow to a marketable size in about four months. Even on a diet of only a couple of cups of turkey feed a day, they become obese. They usually develop leg problems, congestive heart failure and arthritis." cups of turkey feed a day, they become obese. They usually develop leg problems congestive heart failure and arthritis." http://www.boingboing.net/2009/11/26/a-mental-floss-thank.html
