In keeping with tradition, Alaska Governor and former VP wannabe Sarah Palin pardoned a turkey ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. However, her choice of a less than desirable spot for the interview left some viewers shaking their heads. (I know this piece of news is almost two days old, but I just couldn't let another Sarah Palin blunder pass without a mention in this blog. Besides, Thanksgiving is still a few days away. Also, see the 'Sarah turkey' pic below. He he.)

Like many public figures - including the president of the United States - Sarah Palin performed the traditional ceremony of pardoning a turkey just before Thanksgiving, a practice that goes back several generations. As his turkey pals (and maybe some family members) watched, the turkey Palin named Thanksgiving got a second chance at life. The proceedings, covered by a slew of reporters and cameramen, started pretty well.

She began by reading a prepared 'turkey pardon ceremony' speech in a stately voice: "We're gathered here today to spare the life of this turkey." It's only fitting a turkey be spared because it's the bird Benjamin Franklin proposed to be the US national symbol, Palin said. Of course, the bald eagle ultimately beat out the turkey for that title, leading Palin to conclude that for Thanksgiving "one runner-up bird can be protected." She continued with her speech, which was rather long for such a simple ceremony.

However, it was what happened after the pardon that made the event more 'remarkable'. She gave an interview to waiting reporters right in front of the corner of the farm where the turkeys were being slaughtered! Sarah Palin's office says that a photographer questioned if she wanted that as a backdrop and Palin replied "no worries."

During the interview Palin remarked: "It's nice to get out and to promote a local business, and to just participate in something that isn't so heavy handed politics that invites criticism. Certainly we'll probably invite criticism for even doing this too, but at least this was fun." Fun? Tell that to the poor turkeys!

MSNBC's 'Turkey Pardon Time, Sarah Palin Style' (Video)

The Sarah Turkey Pardon Fiasco (Video)

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