The pardoned one and the pardoner
Today was one of those weird days where Governor Palin and I actually agreed on something. It was only one thing, but it was something.
Her press people stated that the reason she had this "turkey-pardoning" was to highlight Wasilla's Triple D Farm, the premier poultry farm and hatchery in Alaska.
I'm a huge proponent of the "Locavore" philosophy (eating locally) and I'm all for supporting local farms. I especially support them when the meat-producers (like most of the farms in Alaska) grow their animals without use of hormones or antibiotics.
And I was quite impressed with the Triple D turkeys. I put in an order for one next week.
Of course, I don't believe for a second that the "good of a local business" was the primary reason Gov. Palin had her first-ever turkey pardoning. She's in withdrawal for the media and came up with this at the last minute. The folks who worked there said they just found out about it last night. Plus, look at the amount of make-up on her face in the top picture and look at what she's wearing in this next picture:
IT'S 11 FRIGGIN DEGREES! She never used to dress like a Barbie doll at Alaska outdoor events...she'd dress normally so she could stay and talk to people. Now, she talks to the media and runs off.
KTUU angled it a bit that way on purpose. (Note to Governor Palin's staff: Did you not think that...just maybe...the camera crews would be salivating to get a shot to the network that so perfectly fit the lower-48 "Palin stereotype?" Or, was that the point?)
Here's the video:
And here's the picture from my more straight-on vantage point.
I couldn't see from where I was very well so I just waited to snap pictures after the video cameras got out of the way. I didn't know what the funnel was in the back (I could only see the one on the left at first)...and then the cameras moved.
Yikes!
**WARNING** LINKS ARE GRAPHIC!!! They are NOT child-safe, vegan-safe, squeamish-person-safe or work-safe!!!
PSSSSST...I'M NOT KIDDING!
GRAPHIC PICTURE 1
GRAPHIC PICTURE 2
Realize, I spent every summer of my childhood on a farm. I knew what was for dinner at my Aunt's house by either a) what was left lying in the yard or b) what the dog was carrying in its mouth. When I first saw those tubs, even I was momentarily startled.
The fact that the Governor's people allowed it to be set up so the cameras filmed right in front of where they were killing the turkeys was insane. The fact that the folks at the farm thought better of it and asked the Governor if she wanted a different spot tells you something. The Governor said "I'm OK with it," which makes me wonder if she was actually hoping it WOULD hit the networks!!!