For the non-Americans out there, this is probably all a bit hard to process, but one of our goofiest annual traditions is that every year, right around Thanksgiving, the president will “pardon” exactly one turkey, thus, in effect, condemning millions more to death. It’s just a thing we do. And you’re never going to believe this, but Morrissey has some issues with this whole practice. In a new open letter, characteristically titled “Thankskilling,” he outlines those problems. It’s surprisingly short and to-the-point for a Morrissey op-ed, and you can read it below.

Morrissey writes:

Thankskilling

Please ignore the abysmal example set by President Obama who, in the name of Thanksgiving, supports torture as 45 million birds are horrifically abused; dragged through electrified stun baths, and then have their throats slit. And President Obama laughs. Haha, so funny!

As Ingrid Newkirk from PETA points out, turkey ‘meat’ is one of “our nation’s top killers”, causing heart-attacks and strokes in humans due to saturated animal fats and cholesterol. And President Obama laughs.

Further, the meat industry is responsible for 51% of human-caused greenhouse-gas emission, therefore the embarrassingly stupid White House ‘turkey pardon’ is open support for a viciously cruel and environmentally irresponsible industry.

And President Obama laughs.

MORRISSEY
26 November 2013

(via True To You)

If there’s ever a Smiths reunion album, And President Obama Laughs would be a perfectly acceptable title.

Moz’s live recording of “Satellite Of Love” will be out as a digital single next week. He’ll also perform at this year’s Nobel Peace Prize event in Oslo, 12/11.