Barney & Clyde by Gene Weingarten; Dan Weingarten & David Clark for December 08, 2023

Pardoned by Walter?

Nice early Christmas present for the turkey! (He survived Thanksgiving, obviously…)

I think it’s cruel that people kill fish and turkeys and cattle, however I do love the taste of fresh tuna, roast turkey and BBQ burgers.

A turkey in a petting zoo seems like a really bad idea. Dabney may have them a favor.

I wouldn’t think a turkey would be in a petting zoo; they’re kind of visious.

The U.S. tradition of presidents “pardoning”

Turkeys does not go back far,

At least when it comes to consistent official

Decrees; that’s where I set the bar.

The earliest story pertains to Abe Lincoln,

Whose ten-year-old son known as Tad

Requested reprieve for a turkey named Jack,

So Abe put it in writing. Not bad!

Harry Truman was first to receive one officially,

Partly to spite a campaign

Of “Poultryless Thursdays” he strongly encouraged

In order to help conserve grain.

The average citizen griped that the holidays

Fell on a Thursday that year.

The industry sent him both chickens and turkeys

He likely devoured, I fear.

So don’t credit Truman for startin’ the “pardon.”

Jack Kennedy did spare his bird

Spontaneously, and The Washington Post,

In reporting it, used the P-word.

Both Nixon and Carter, at least the first ladies,

Sent turkeys to live in a zoo.

Then Reagan became the first prez to use “pardon”

In context (while joking, it’s true).

At last, George H. W. Bush made the practice

An annual formal affair.

I’ve long found it silly to “pardon” the innocent.

Still, it’s some semblance of care.

Name him Roger Stone. Or Mike Flynn.