This recent article in Slate by William Saletan focuses on some of the seemingly contradictory actions taken by the current administration, such as "Bush's arguments made the wisdom of cutting taxes unfalsifiable. In good times, tax cuts were affordable. In bad times, they were necessary." where Saletan makes a point how this type of approach covers all of the outcomes. It certainly justifies the tax breaks no matter what the economic conditions are at the time. (except maybe, no tax breaks if the economy is just "so-so")
Aside from the various points he makes about the administration's contradictory statements often within the same paragraph or sentence. What I really find fasinating is the use of the language in the national debate on the Iraqi war, tax breaks, or even evironmental policy. Consider the now popular phrase, "Catastrophic Success" ... if there were ever a contradiction in terms, this would be it. While I think at first glance, these types of word combinations nomially referred to as "oxymorons". I can't help but wonder if perhaps these may be a little different. Maybe, because we are supposed to take them seriously?
Are there other examples in popular culture or current language which are similar? As I collect these types of terms and/or phrases, I will try to post them here.
- Catastropic Success
- Malicious Compliance
- ???
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