Today, at 11:30am, two turkeys get a second chance at life thanks to the annual tradition of the Presidential Turkey Pardon. President Obama will issue the first pardon in the Rose Garden to Courage, a 20 week old, 45 pound turkey from Princeton, NC. Additionally, Carolina, an alternate, will have her life spared. These lucky birds will be flown, first class, to Disneyland where they take part in the Thanksgiving Day parade, before heading to Frontierland to live out the rest of their lives.

PETA’s President, Ingrid Newkirk, issued a letter to President Obama, requesting the turkeys be sent to a turkey sanctuary rather than Disneyland. Newkirk also asked the President to “acknowledge the millions of compassionate Americans who personally pardon turkeys every year by choosing a vegetarian Thanksgiving meal” in his pardoning speech.

Yesterday, the White House released a spoof movie trailer taken from a turkey’s point of view. A White House staffer narrates the video:

Tomorrow Wednesday November 25, 2009 one lone turkey will walk down Pennsylvania Avenue through the gates of the people’s house, the White House. One lone turkey will strut in front of the lights ahead of the hoopla. One turkey among many will pick its beak up off the ground as he enters the West Wing. Tomorrow, Wednesday November 25, 2009, one lone turkey will have its plea for clemency answered. A turkey from a bad situation. A turkey from a bad environment. A turkey who has made bad choices. Tomorrow one turkey gets a second chance. Tomorrow Wednesday November 25, 2009 one turkey will be trotting a little prouder as he walks down these hallowed halls for an appointment with destiny. Tomorrow one turkey will bear a great responsibility. One lone turkey will be answerable to all the turkeys who weren’t selected, whose letters went unanswered. Tomorrow Wednesday November 25, 2009 one turkey will be pardoned by the President of the United States of America. One turkey will be a free bird. Watch it live at whitehouse.gov.

One thing is certain, Courage and Carolina were in a bad situation and bad environment. The birds are blessed to have not ended up on the Thanksgiving dinner table. Follow me on Twitter