I mean are any of them still around from the Clinton administration? Are they put out to stud? In a petting zoo? Animal porn films? Or do they quietly end up in somebodies oven the following Thanksgiving?
A presidential pardon only applies to the Federal Death Penalty.
Pardoned turkey … mmmmmmmm…
One “presidentially-pardoned turkey” died on April 22, 1994. His name was Richard Nixon. 
The OP is correct. I think the tradition started with Truman. After that, they have the dumb luck to get snagged by Perdue. Unless, could it be the SAME turkey year after year? - Jinx
Sounds like he lasted a lot longer than feathered ones.
Was it Clinton or Bush who publicly intimated that he thought the tradition was pointless and silly, but went along with it to appease the press?
I’ve always been cynical about the tradition. ‘We’re sparing the turkey! [sub]Okay, now bring out the other turkey so we can eat it.[/sub]’
It’s kinda pointless if the President only meets the turkey a minute or so before the ceremony. There’s no emotional attachement, like if he’d gone bowling or fishing with the turkey, or had the turkey briefly serve in the cabinet.
No, a presidential pardon applies to federal crimes. Capital punishment is irrelevant.
Obviously the turkeys aren’t actually pardoned, since they haven’t been convicted of anything. But if we do start charging turkeys with crimes, I propose a sentence of being turned into sandwiches and soup.
Sorry, I’m pretty sure SCOTUS and the Constitution have already forbidden “gruel as the usual punishment”
How about the reverse? Imagine the sentencing stage of a murder trial…
‘You have been found guilty of heinous murder. You will be taken from the place where you are to a place of preparation; wherein you will be beheaded and eviscerated, your body filled with breadstuff, and be roasted until your skin has turned brown and crispy. Yum, yum.’
Been saving that one for a while, have you?
Hey, at least he didn’t mention that the turkey had been convicted of “murder most fowl”.
oops
I just gobble up these awful puns.
A perfect metaphor for the land I love.
[quote=President Jedidah Bartlet]
I can’t pardon a turkey! And if you think I can, you need to go back to your school and tell them that they’ve done a terrible job preparing you to live in our society!
[/quote
IIRC a presidental pardon can be used in either Federal or State circumstances. Didn’t Ford pardon Nixon for crimes he may have commited but not been charged with yet?
(Another West Wing quote):
C.J.: The more photo-friendly of the two turkeys gets a Presidential pardon and a full life at a children’s petting zoo; the other one gets eaten.
Bartlet: If the Oscars were like that, I’d watch.