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sharing the life stories of immigrants, expatriates, and refugees to the United States

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December 02, 2013

Presidential Poultry Pardon Is Poetic, but Ultimately Paltry

December 02, 2013/ Alan Headbloom

Every citizen knows the President—along with state Governors—have the right to grant pardons to citizens who have committed a crime.  With one stroke of a pen, they can overturn convictions of people they think deserve a second chance.  And those convicted persons can go free.

This pardon procedure apparently applies to dinner birds as well.  Ever since George H.W. Bush in 1989, the U.S. President has given pardons to large turkeys just days before Thanksgiving, the holiday where Americans consume 45 million turkeys.

The story goes that this turkey pardoning actually started in the Lincoln administration when the President’s son begged his dad to let the holiday bird go, claiming it had as much right to live as anyone else.  The kind Mr. Lincoln gave in, and the bird was spared.

However, do you know what happens to the birds whose lives are “spared” by the Leader of the Free World?  You can read more about last year’s Presidential turkey pardon here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/20/presidential-turkey-pardon_n_2160129.html.  Spoiler alert: it doesn’t turn out so well for the turkeys.

Have a good holiday, everyone.  And remember not to gobble down your food at the Thanksgiving table!

President Obama pardons a turkey prior to Thanksgiving.

President Obama pardons a turkey prior to Thanksgiving.

December 02, 2013/ Alan Headbloom/
Feel Like You Belong, English, American culture, Thanksgiving, American Holidays

Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

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feel like you belong

Feel Like You Belong is a sometimes serious, sometimes funny, always “touch-your-heart” real conversation about fitting into the American culture. It introduces guests who have made the immigrant journey to the United States. The stories–of both struggle and success–will help newcomers feel more confident in sharing their opinions and expertise, more likely to want to stay in the U.S., be more productive in their jobs, and fully invest in their communities.

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