A bit late to the party, but USC’s Trans/Missions Scoop blog just alerted me to the latest nonsense from my old friend Pamela Geller: a diatribe against halal Thanksgiving turkeys, because real Americans shouldn’t be forced to eat Muslim-approved meat. Ball’s in your court, Butterball!

For the record, here’s a gist of Muslim vs. Jewish religious dietary rules:

Halal: Meat is killed by using a sharp knife to make a swift, deep incision that cuts the animal’s throat, carotid artery and wind pipe. Muslim prayers are said. No pork, booze, etc.

Kosher: Meat is killed by using a sharp knife to make a swift, deep incision that cuts the animal’s throat, caroid artery and wind pipe. Jewish prayers are said. No pork, shrimp, etc.

The Houston Chronicle has a more detailed rundown here.

I’ve heard of people against Muslim AND Jewish ritual slaughter, either because they oppose religious rituals or they think these methods are outdated and cruel. It’s odd to see someone rant against halal while defending kashrut. Then again, Pamela Geller is Jewish, so I guess kosher meat gets a pass, but the slicing and praying required to meet halal standards is “torturous.”

Color me confused. And, uh, hungry. Time for some leftover Popeye’s Cajun-style turkey, which my husband turned into a pretty decent curry. (We must REALLY be infidels!)

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.