Why do presidents pardon turkeys?

Origins

Each year since 1947, the National Turkey Federation and the Poultry and Egg National Board have given a turkey to the President of the United States at a White House ceremony. Since then, presidents have been more likely to eat the turkey rather than give it a reprieve. A notable exception occurred in 1963, when President Kennedy, referring to the turkey given to him, said, "Let's just keep him." It wasn't until the first Thanksgiving of President George H.W. Bush, in 1989, that a turkey was officially pardoned for the first time.

I don't know but some Govenors have them butchered behind them while they conduct interviews. I wonder if this is some sort of Alaskan tradition?

Presidents do it for show. No animal has done so wrong that they deserve to be killed. Shame on Humans!!

It's like kissing babies. The babies don't mind, and it's free publicity for the crooks in government.

Are you talking about the ones with feathers?

So they can keep killing Iraqi kids on the side

I wondered about that too.