WASHINGTON POST

For Ginny The Pig, No Pardon From Bush

By Brigid Schulte, Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 21st, 2007

President Bush might not have pardoned Ginny the pig yesterday, although two turkeys received his blessing in the annual White House rite, but he did send a letter wishing the sow a long life and a “wonderful Thanksgiving.”

The letter was hand-delivered to Norfolk children’s author Lisa Suhay at the Berkeley Plantation near Williamsburg on Monday, the day Bush visited the site. For a year, Suhay has waged a campaign to persuade Bush to pardon the 80-pound spotted pig.

The petition effort was meant to highlight Virginia’s claim to have celebrated the first Thanksgiving in the New World at the plantation, probably with ham.

“While I only pardon the traditional turkeys each year, I hope that Ginny’s future years serve as a reminder of our nation’s rich and diverse culture,” Bush wrote.

Suhay read Bush’s letter yesterday to pig-pardon supporters at Frying Pan Farm Park, where Ginny lives. More than 6,000 people had signed the petition.

Todd Brown, who runs the farm, said that Ginny will be available for breeding when she is old enough.

That way, until a pig gets a presidential pardon, a descendant of Ginny’s could be ready and waiting every year.