As we bid farewell to 2024, I don’t think I’m alone in feeling that the year was rich with irony. I often heard myself saying “how ironic.”
In writing, there are three types of irony – verbal, situational, and dramatic. What I wondered as I started this post was – Is situational hypocrisy irony? Yes, according to several sources. There are situations where it is hypocritical for someone to act in a given way and ironic for them to do so.
With that question answered, I’ve been accumulating a few 2024 ironic twists and turns where the word “situational hypocrisy” seems applicable.
Whistleblowers – The CEO or agency head says there’s nothing to see here. And then a door blows out of a plane, the IRS is caught monkeying around, the Secret Service is decidedly ineffective. These and other wrongs are what cause brave whistle blowers to speak up. They take pride in their work and human life and justice. How ironic that for protecting our lives and telling the truth they are demoted, fired, and threatened.
Holocausts – What was done to the Jews, in particular, during WW II is horrifying, especially since it was not televised. But now, with the saddest sense of irony, we see on the nightly news (maybe) but definitely on social media, Israel. They claim to be protecting themselves and not engaged in a land grab, while committing their own version of a holocaust on Palestinians and others. Once one nation, no matter the nation or it’s supporter providing arms, money, and technology, is destroying the lives of untold thousands of men, women, children, and land, what else can you call it? And yet we’re told we can’t use that word.
Hegemony-lite – It appears to me that whenever Netanyahu says “Jump” the U.S. asks, “How high?” When Ukraine’s Zelensky shows up with his begging bowl (and it’s a big one) the dollars pour into it, while the U.S. citizenry’s bowl goes nearly empty. Aa a result we hear how cutbacks will be necessary due to the trillions in interest due on the national debt and those who did survive Hurricane Helene will receive $750 for their troubles. Troubles include loss of life, their homes, their land, their household items, and their incredible grief. It appears that we’ve shifted a good bit of FEMA dollars over to the illegal immigrants for their care and feeding.
Criminal Celebrities – How sadly ironic that war hawks and some would say war criminals are back and we’re welcoming them into the fold – Dick Cheney, John Brennan, Mike Pompeo, Elliot Abrams, and so many more have crawled out of the woodwork – all’s forgiven. A Memory Hole extraordinaire. And then there’s John Kerry, former presidential candidate and Secretary of State, Speaking at the World Economic Forum – Klaus Schwab’s evil gang – that the First Amendment, protecting our freedom of speech, is in the way and a barrier to even more censorship. The irony? This man ran for President but is opting out of honoring the Constitution.
Homeland Security – No matter your politics, ICE reports of the 7 million migrants they have released into the U.S. while their cases are being processed, 663,000 have criminal histories, 13,000 were convicted of homicide, 16,000 of sexual assault, and 1,845 face homicide charges. There are 300,000 missing children whose whereabouts remain unknown. DHS is another one of those deeply ironic names we give to agencies, wars, CIA-sponsored coups, and military adventures in other countries. Is there a Department of Irony that comes up with these titles?
Health Crisis – I’ll let (R) Senator Ron Johnson created a recent Roundtable discussion – American Health and Nutrition: A Second Opinion. It provided a foundational and historical understanding of the changes that have occurred over the last century within agriculture, food processing, and the healthcare industries, which impact the current state of our national health.
“Americans are facing a healthcare crisis,” offered Senator Johnson, “and those who question the current orthodoxy or offer alternative treatments are ridiculed, vilified, and canceled. On September 23, I was joined by a highly qualified group of doctors and nutritional experts to discuss our nation’s health and ask the questions we haven’t been allowed to ask.
“I have no idea the political affiliation of this panel, but it doesn’t make any difference. This is a nonpartisan issue, and through these conversations, we can set an example of how to heal and unify our great nation.”
WATCH 14-MINUTE HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
WATCH: Sen. Johnson closing remarks on unity (2 minutes)
So, where’s the irony you ask? While mainstream media had no interest in even mentioning this event, here’s how one of the media stalwarts, “The Atlantic,” treated this important event focused on the poor health outcomes, obesity, and the mental health of our citizens, especially children:
The Atlantic Magazine – Politics: The Woo-Woo Caucus Meets by Elaine Godfrey
“Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appearance at a ‘health and nutrition’ event hosted by a Trump ally showcased a congruence of crunchy and cranky. The alliance was the natural culmination of a broader trend in American politics that has seen the Trumpian right meld with the vax-skeptical, anti-establishment left: Woo-woo meets MAGA, you could call it, or, perhaps, the crunch-ificiation of conservatism.”
For poor Elaine, not even our nation’s children’s health escapes her snarky cynicism. The urgent need to improve the health of children is now “woo-woo.”
A few stats to close out the post that are immune to Elaine’s brand of irony:
- 88% of U.S. agriculture subsidies go to the 3 grains that are the foundation of processed food: corn, wheat, and soy. Less than 0.5% of subsidies go to fruit or vegetables.
- Today, soybean oil is the single-largest source of calories in the United States.
- 95% of the USDA panel that makes nutrition policy is paid for by food companies. This panel recommends 10% of a 2-year-old’s diet can be added sugar.
- 50% of American children have a chronic health issue.
- 40% of teens have a mental health issue.
- 80% of U.S. medical schools do not require one course in nutrition.
- 74% of Americans are either overweight or obese.
- 50% of Americans are either pre-diabetic or have Type 2 diabetes.
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Photo credit: Iron ore – pexels-pixabay.