No Turkey Was On The Store Shelves

November 20, 2014 by

With Thanksgiving coming up soon, homemakers across the area are doing their shopping for the day of thankfulness for all that they have.

So, they head off to the store to get their turkey and necessary ingredients for the stuffing to go inside the bird. But when they get to the store, there are no turkeys to be found. Because the animal rights activists have made so many threats, the store and others in the area decided not to sell turkeys.

Then, they decide a beef roast would substitute, but they have the same problem. No beef roast because of actions of the animal rights groups that caused all animal products to be taken off the store shelves.

Trying to do the next best thing, the homemakers look for corn meal to make corn bread. But, there is no corn meal because it contains GMO ingredients and the anti-GMO crowd forced to be taken out of the store. The same thing was true for flour and other foods containing GMO grains.

Thankfully, these situations are not true. People can go to the store and find plenty of healthy, well-fed turkeys to buy. Other foods wanted for Thanksgiving tables are in abundance and of excellent quality.

But if some groups had their way, and let’s be sure they never do, consumers could be faced with situations where the abundance they have today is not in the stores. Thanksgiving celebrations would be missing some foods.

Americans celebrate Thanksgiving for the main reason that they have so much in the country to be thankful for. Farmers make many sacrifices to be sure Americans have plenty of food with a variety many countries do not enjoy. And, the food is safe and comes at a reasonable cost considering the hours of work it takes to buy.

Americans should also stop and be thankful for the freedoms they enjoy and the benefits they have living in the United States. They can have an election that brings about a peaceful change in government. Many countries do not enjoy that privilege..

Let’s also remember those in the military who make so many sacrifices to protect and preserve our freedoms. At the same time, Americans need to thank the veterans who gave much and came home to enjoy the country. Prayers also go out to families of those who did not come home.

As everyone sits down to the Thanksgiving table loaded with much good food, let’s remember to be thankful for so many things. Not only those things mentioned, but for family, friends and time together to enjoy each other.

Then, if anyone knows someone who will be alone on Thanksgiving, invite them over to enjoy dinner and hospitality for the day. They need friendship and caring.

Whatever one is doing on Thanksgiving Day, I hope it is an enjoyable one and a time to sit back and think about all the things Americans have to be thankful for.

Parker is retired from The Ohio State University and is an independent agricultural writer.