TEN SERIOUS REASONS
PRESIDENT BUSH SHOULD PARDON OUR PIG GINNY

1. The first Thanksgiving was, in fact, held in Virginia nearly two years before the Pilgrims held their celebration in Massachusetts. In an age of much historical revisionism, it's important to set the historical record straight! 
   
   Historical precedence:  In 1963, President John F. Kennedy (a Massachusetts native) recognized the Berkley Plantation observation as the nation's "first" Thanksgiving celebration.
   
   President Bush, please pardon our pig and set the historical record straight!
2. The nation is clearly divided over the Iraq war. A non-partisan pig pardon, could go a long way in unifying the country.
   
   Historical precedence: The national Thanksgiving holiday came about when Sarah J. Hale, author of Mary had a Little Lamb, mother of five, petitioned President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War to hold a national day of thanks honoring the Pilgrims. Lincoln created the holiday favoring the northern history to unify the nation.
   
   Today, Mrs. Suhay, children's author and mother of four, hopes President Bush will unite the nation in time of war by restoring this piece of American Colonial history.
   
   President Bush, please pardon our pig and unite our nation!
3. Republicans have nearly two dozen Senate seats to defend in 2008, making for a tough election season at a time when the war in Iraq has not only dragged President Bush down in the polls, but has also reportedly hindered Republican fund-raising. Virginia, what many are now calling a "purple state" due to its unpredictable voting record, will no doubt be critical to this election.
   
   President Bush, please pardon our pig and give Virginia its due!
4. While the Pilgrims celebrated with a feast much like the meal Americans now eat on Thanksgiving Day, historians say the settlers at Berkeley Plantation would have had a more meager meal that included pork (ham/bacon), peas, cornmeal cakes, and cinnamon water. Virginia is famous for its ham. In Colonial times, European royalty considered Virginia ham a delicacy. Today, Virginia is the largest producer of ham in the entire world!
   
   President Bush, please pardon our pig and honor farmers and pork producers!
5. Revered Senator John Warner (R-VA) recently announced his retirement. A great leader, he managed to add humility and gravitas to a political institution that has sullied itself by bipartisan antics over the past 2 decades. Senator Warner has been a strong supporter of the PigPardon Campaign and the "First-Thanksgiving" initiative. He even sent a letter to President Bush urging him to issue a pardon.
   
   President Bush, please pardon our pig and honor this great and respected leader!
6. More Virginians (about one-fourth of the state's work force) are employed by the United States government than by any other industry. This includes the military. Virginia is home to the largest military community in the world.
   
   President Bush, please pardon our pig and honor the dedicated men and women serving our country!
7. The PigPardon Campaign benefits the Federation of the Virginia Food Banks which feeds 658,200 hungry Virginians at Thanksgiving and year round.
   
   President Bush, please pardon our pig and help us serve those in need!
8. 2007 marked America's 400th Anniversary - the observance of the 1607 founding of Jamestown, Virginia, as America's first permanent English settlement. It is fitting that Virginia, the birthplace of America, leads the way in correcting Colonial history.
   
   President Bush, please pardon our pig and honor the birthplace of America!
9. Federal researchers recently reported significant gains in U.S. history and civics test scores in elementary social studies. Experts said the rise in scores might be linked to strenuous efforts in the Washington area and elsewhere to improve the teaching of reading in kindergarten through third grade. Ginny's book Pardon Me. It's Ham, Not Turkey, is specifically created for this age group.
   
   President Bush, please pardon our pig and keep the momentum in education going!
10. The White House for Kids Website reports that President George W. Bush and First Lady Mrs. George W. Bush are tickled pink to provide boys and girls with all manner of fun, informative, and strictly non-partisan games and activities.
    
    President Bush, please pardon our pig and make this site even more fun for kids!