Ironic . . .
At least that is how I see the first month of 2025 stacking up . . . lots of irony.
On December 29th, 2024, the longest living president of the United States of America died at the age of 100 years old. Jimmy Carter was our nation’s 39th president. He was the first president I voted for when I was old enough to vote. He was a decent individual with high morals, ethical standards, and deep faith. They were the foundation of his life until he died. A dark horse in the election he was not viewed highly when ranked against previous presidents. Yet as time went on, he became more esteemed and revered because of the person he was. He was beloved by many throughout the nation and world.
His death has propelled us into a period of irony . . . the death of a great statesperson and human being and the coronation—I mean, inauguration of president-elect (second time) and convicted felon Donald Trump. The irony is deafening . . . blinding . . . ridiculous. The two could not be more different than day and night. How ironic that we enter this season of supposed celebration as a nation in the shadows of these two men.
It is right that President Biden honors Carter. There was the announcement of the death, the lowering of all flags to half-staff for 30 days, the declaration of a "state” funeral, the declaration of a “day of mourning”, and the actual funeral to be held at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. before the final burial in Georgia. Biden declared January 9th to be the “day of mourning”. All this is taking place as the election victors are in the midst of planning a coronation—oops, I mean, inauguration—festivities. I am sure the president-elect is ecstatic to be sharing the spotlight—especially with a previous president he often held in contempt and disdain as the “worse president ever” before Joe Biden.
Ironic . . . wouldn’t you say?
One
would suspect that the “orange one” is seething despite his best attempt at
being publicly sympathetic. Unfortunately,
it didn’t last long . . . an hour at best.
Upon the news of Carter’s death, “the Donald” put out a sympathetic and
politically correct statement lauding Carter and his legacy. An hour later, another public statement was
released that was less flattering. Trump
had no love for Carter as he constantly mocked Carter as being a “simple man”
who only had one term in the White House.
Trump would often suggest that Carter was “the happiest man” because he
is now
considered a brilliant president by comparison” to President Biden. Kind of hypocritical on Trump’s part . . . a
complete 180-degree turn. Even his own followers retched at his hypocrisy.
Let the irony begin.
Flags will be at half-staff for 30 days which will include Trump’s big day. It will be the first time American flags have flown at half-staff during a presidential inauguration. Not quite the patriotic picture one wants to project to the nation or world as one’s term as the most powerful leader of the world starts. With Trump everything is about image. This is not a good image for Trump. I am certain that Trump sees the irony and the symbolism of it all. Is that steam coming out of his ears? I imagine the “orange one” sees it as many others do . . . it is a slap in the face. One individual stated that it was “prophetic justice”. Another said it represented a ”huge middle finger” . . . and “one last F you” from Carter. Carter famously stated that he wanted to live long enough to vote for Trump’s foe—Kamala Harris. Which he did. Whatever the case, the image it leaves is not one “the Donald” is embracing. But you must admit . . . it is ironic.
Unfortunately for the nation that mourns the death of the great statesperson, there is a loophole. Trump has always bragged about his prowess of using loopholes to avoid paying his tazes and following the law as a way around a dilemma. American flag code is not federal law. Because of this Trump could, in theory, order flags to be raised for his coronation—I mean, inauguration. Something I will bet the president-elect is considering since flags are full-staff are a better photo op for the history books and social media. Whose horn should be tooted . . . a president-elect felon or a Nobel Peace Prize winning humanitarian? The irony is there in the dilemma.
It is ironic the president declared a “day of mourning” during this transitory period between one presidency to the next. Though it is declared a “day of mourning” for the death of an ex-president, I bet there are many who see the greater picture. The mourning is for our nation as we enter what could be a magical mystery tour and adventure as a nation. The potential is there for the “greatest show on earth”—the circus. Having witnessed the grief of so many over the elections, a “day of mourning” seems appropriate and logical. There is a great cloud of grief over our nation. So, did Biden declare subconsciously the day for the nation to grieve the presidential shift or was it to honor a president’s death? One wonders as Biden used Carter’s death to take a poke at Trump.
When asked what his nemesis/rival could learn rom Carter, Biden responded: “Decency, decency, decency. Can you imagine Jimmy Carter walking by someone who needed something and just keep walking? Can you imagine Jimmy Carter referring to someone by the way they look or the way they talk?”
So, what are we mourning here, folks?
The irony is that our nation’s focus has been pulled to a juxtaposition of two individuals who have served as our country’s most important leader. In the eyes of many the two could not be further apart in what they are and represent. One is held as a great humanitarian, the other believes himself to be a great humanitarian in his mind. One’s actions and life proved greatness, the other . . . let’s just say that the “crowning” is marred by lost lawsuits and a felony conviction along with boorish and brutal actions far from the saintly realm he proclaims. The whole thing reeks of irony.
It is fitting that a “day of mourning” be proclaimed. As a nation we should be banding together with the anticipation of a new era of leadership for our nation. We should be anxiously awaiting this patriotic event . . . the coronation—dang it, I mean inauguration of our next president. Mourning fits the bill better. Many are in mourning for what once was and what could have been being replaced with what we will get. Cue the music now. No matter how the day is embraced it is difficult not to see it all in the two engaged in this dance of grief. They speak for themselves and what they represent—Carter and Trump.
You can’t make this stuff up . . . it is ironic.
