ROBERT SIEGEL, host:
This afternoon at the White House, with Vice President Cheney at his side, President Bush made an important culinary announcement.
President GEORGE W. BUSH: It's a pleasure to be able to introduce you soon to the national Thanksgiving turkey, whose name is Marshmallow.
(Soundbite of laughter)
Pres. BUSH: The alternative turkey's name is Yam.
(Soundbite of laughter)
MICHELE NORRIS, host:
Yes, today was the annual pardoning of the Thanksgiving turkey, one bird and a backup that will not be gracing anyone's table on Thursday.
Pres. BUSH: They made it here through a democratic process. There was a nationwide election on the White House Web site. In the end, the voters made the choice and it was a close election. You might say it was neck-and-neck.
(Soundbite of laughter)
SIEGEL: For more than a decade, the pardoned turkeys have gone to Frying Pan Park in northern Virginia to live out their natural lives. But PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, says the natural lives of turkeys at Frying Pan Park are not very long at all. PETA encouraged people to write, call and e-mail the White House.
NORRIS: The White House makes no mention of PETA--it doesn't cave to special interests, after all--but it is sending Marshmallow and Yam far away from the Frying Pan, the park that is.
SIEGEL: The turkeys have first-class tickets, one-way, on United Flight 197 to Los Angeles. Bob King, assistant curator at the National Zoo in Washington, says the birds should handle the flight well, even if they get hungry.
Mr. BOB KING (Assistant Curator, National Zoo): You might be able to come up with an airline salad and--the lettuce out of it or something like that and they appeal to a nibbler. Really, they needn't, you know, nothing special other than, you know, keeping them in the quiet, keep it dark, you know, nothing too loud, and they should travel just fine.
NORRIS: And when Marshmallow and Yam arrive in California, where else would they go?
SIEGEL: They're going to Disneyland to be the honorary grand marshals of the Thanksgiving Day Parade.
NORRIS: You're listening to ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News.
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