By Teddy Murphey

President Joe Biden pardoned two turkeys this Thanksgiving. To add to the absurdity, their names were peanut butter and jelly.

But events like this give us a breath of fresh air in an otherwise tense – and often hostile – political environment.

Politics are seldom fun or enjoyable. A survey from the Pew Research Center found both Republicans and Democrats to be stressed out from simply talking to people with opposing views. However, when a POTUS answers a serious question with his favorite ice cream flavor or lets a random kid mow the White House lawn, we all can stop and appreciate the silliness.

These moments are rare and unpredictable, but the scheduling of funny moments – as in the case of the annual pardoning – can ensure we will experience and appreciate them. In fact, the joy of seeing these events take place may just make politics a more inviting and less intimidating sphere to be a part of.

Teddy Murphey was a student in Campaigns, Candidates and Current Elections, an honors course at St. Bonaventure University.

Categories: Jandoli Institute, Politics