President Barack Obama grants his first pardon -- to a turkey

In his first presidential pardon, President Barack Obama followed the path of presidents before him Wednesday and spared a jaunty, 45-pound turkey -- named "Courage" -- from a Thanksgiving table.

Daughters Malia, 11, and Sasha, 8, turned out for the seven-minute ritual that drew a phalanx of media and guests.

Obama said there were days when he is reminded of why he ran for the office and "then there are moments like this, where I get to pardon a turkey and send it to Disneyland."

On Thursday, Courage will serve as grand marshal in the theme park's Thanksgiving parade. It was booked on a first-class flight on United Airlines for the California trip, said Disney spokesman John McClintock.

The feathery creature, a 20-week-old tom, strutted his stuff while awaiting reprieve. "Now, before this turkey gets too nervous that Bo (the family dog) will escape and screw up this pardon, or before I change my mind, I hereby pardon Courage," Obama said.

Courage, a gift from the National Turkey Federation, hailed from Goldsboro, N.C., where his veterinarian said the bird acclimated to his fewer-than-15-minutes of fame by visiting local schools.

The veterinarian, Eric Gonder, is "conflicted" about the reprieve. "He's a bird raised for meat consumption, so it somewhat suborns his purpose and existence by pardoning him," he said, "but if it gives people the opportunity to learn what turkeys are like, that's a good thing."

According to the vet, the bird could live five years or so, if it doesn't do what many Americans plan to do Thursday: overeat.

After the pardon, the Obamas, including first lady Michelle Obama, dropped off two dressed turkeys to a Washington charity for the homeless.

The Obamas will celebrate Thanksgiving Day with family and friends at the White House, said spokeswoman Katie McCormick Lelyveld. The family is not releasing their holiday menu.

Source:http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-talk-obama-pardons-turkeynov26,0,3680783.story