Sarah Palin Gobbles Up More Criticism
21 November 2008
by Anai Rhoads
AnaiRhoads.org -- Alaska Governor Sarah Palin pardoned a turkey on Friday in Wasilla, completing a longstanding Thanksgiving tradition reserved solely for the United States president.
The fortunate turkey was saved from its fate, but the turkeys caged behind the governor were still in line for slaughter. As photos were being taken celebrating the liberation of this lucky fowl, a butcher was just lurking behind Gov. Palin going about the business of placing live birds in a grinder.
Palin was quoted telling the reporters gathered around her, "I was happy to get to be invited to participate in this. For one, you need a little bit of levity in this job. It's nice to get out and participate in something that isn't so heavy-handed politics that it invites criticism."
A hapless quote coming from a former vice presidental candidate, and one that was speaking camera as the worker was butchering the remaining turkeys right behind her. Palin was apparently very aware of the scene but was unfased.
Palin laughing, added, "Certainly we'll probably invite critism for even doing this too but at least it was fun!"
The average lifespan of a turkey is 10 years, however, the birds used for slaughter live only 9 to 21 weeks. During their short life on factory farms, turkeys live in a facility under heat lamps in order to mimic their natural environment, void of real sunlight and fresh air.
Activists strive to share the horrors of animal suffering, however mainstream media depicts only a sliver of the realities that are associated with slaughter. The Palin video exposes how desensitised people have become to what they may consider moderate violence.
| 
