[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/21/art.palin.turkey.jpg caption="An interview Gov. Sarah Palin did Thursday is causing a stir."]
(CNN) - It’s the ultimate holiday photo-op for any governor: the yearly pardoning of a turkey to spare it from demise days before Thanksgiving.
But former Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin is causing a stir for an interview she gave after pardoning an Alaska turkey Thursday, during which one bird was being slaughtered in the background.
Palin appeared unaware of what was going on directly behind her, though she did seem to take a glance at the unfortunate event at one particular point during the interview.
"It's nice to support a local business and just participate in something that isn't so heavy handed politics that invites criticism," Palin said during the interview. "Certainly will probably invite criticism for even doing this too, but at least it was fun."
"I am always in charge of the turkey so I am where I need to be today to prepare for that," she also said.