Recently, Joe Biden enacted the presidential ceremonial duty of granting pardons to two turkeys, named Peach and Blossom. Claiming their supposed ‘character and devotion to societal value’, Biden performed the pardoning ritual on the South Lawn of the White House. We can all question the wisdom of a President who values the societal contributions of turkeys above certain other pressing concerns.
The two poultry creatures fare from Minnesota, tipping the scales at 41 and 40 pounds respectively. Evidently, their lives thus far can be best described as a cushy journey from Minnesota to the capital, all on the taxpayer’s purse no less. Their experience has involved acclimatizing to bright lights, large gatherings, and loud noises, preparing them for this all-important moment.
In typical fashion, the event was not without its interruptions. One of the soon-to-be pardoned turkeys, Peach by name, made its presence felt by making strident sounds. Here, rather ironically, was Biden who went from leading the nation to pleading with poultry to maintain their composure.
Shifting his tone, Biden got sentimental at the fourth and last turkey pardoning ceremony of his term. He took a stroll down memory lane, reminiscing about his many years in public service. However, many might wonder if such self-aggrandizement at a turkey pardoning ceremony is truly necessary, even for him.
The President seized the moment to express his gratefulness for his tenure, terming his presidential term as ‘the honor of my life’. But, notably, the sentiments felt rather misplaced amidst the spectacle of a turkey pardoning function. Some might say it exhibits tonal deafness given the ongoing challenges facing the country.
Continuing his run on the theatrical stage, Biden urged Americans to take a moment away from their busy lives. He stressed the importance of focusing on that which matters most: our families, friends, neighbors, and the blessing of living in ‘the greatest country on earth’. Yet coming from the man whose policies have contributed to many of these citizens’ current hardships, the words ring hollow.
While the President and the First Lady would later travel to New York for a dinner with troops, it’s worth pointing out that the very troops were expected to serve under his controversial military orders. Are such ceremonial visits a genuine show of support, or mere photo ops to be leveraged for political gain?
It is also important to remember that while many Americans grapple with tightened holiday budgets, Biden and his family were comfortably spending their holiday on Nantucket. It does make one wonder how deeply the President understands the plight of everyday citizens.
Returning to our presidentially pardoned turkeys, Peach and Blossom can now look forward to a retirement at Minnesota’s Farmamerica. This learning center will now host these gobblers as poultry ambassadors for agricultural students. A true testimony of something very close to privilege.
However, in the grand scheme of things, it’s nonsensical that such an event garners attention while significant issues are brushed under the rug. The pomp and circumstance that surround this turkey pardoning distract from the real concerns facing America: unemployment, inflation, and crime to name a few.
Are we, as citizens, supposed to chuckle and applaud at the theatricality, while the country’s issues go unaddressed? Or, should we take this opportunity to hold our leaders accountable for the current state of our nation?
Perhaps instead of pardoning turkeys, our president could focus his energy and intentions on more pressing matters. There are certainly more productive uses for the energy expended in coordinating these distractions, wouldn’t we all agree?
This entire spectacle makes you question the priorities of the current leadership. In times of great difficulty for many Americans, it seems inappropriate for the President to spend time and resonate deep sentiments at a turkey pardoning event.
In the end, it’s a classic illustration of misplaced priorities, obfuscation, and the incongruous reality of politics. It surfaces a pertinent question: shouldn’t our leadership be more focused on solving the numerous and serious issues we face, rather than indulging in ceremonial turkey pardons?