Besides being thankful for family, friends, and good health (and the good health of family and friends), I’m pretty thankful for President-elect Barack Obama. Seriously, how cool is it that in about 50 days he’ll be heading things up? Sure, we’ve got quite a mess right now, and it ain’t gonna be easy, but I’m confident that über-cool-under-pressure Obama has a plan.

But as today is Turkey Day, I’m also thankful that what might have been wasn’t. Yep, Sarah Palin, I’m looking at you. Okay, so I’m not literally looking at her, but she probably wouldn’t notice if I was. I mean, have you seen the video of the governor’s recent interview in Alaska?

After participating in the silly tradition of pardoning a turkey, Palin took questions from a reporter, oblivious to the avian slaughter taking place within camera shot. (I get a particular kick out of the question about whether any state programs will be ‘on the chopping block.’)

Satirizing Palin’s continuing case of complete cluelessness, Slate has uncovered some “outtakes” from that very same interview. Enjoy, and then be sure to breathe a sigh of relief—er, give thanks—too!