Day of Mourning . . . Ironic

Ironic . . .

 

At least that is how I see the first month of 2025 stacking up . . . lots of irony.

 

On December 29^th, 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 39^th 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 9^th 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.

 

Conundrum of Time . . . the Magazine

I must admit that I had plenty of time to consider what I would do . . . at least two weeks.  Two weeks prior to publication Time magazine announced that Donald Trump, president-elect of the United States of America, was selected as “Person of the Year”.  It caught me off-guard; it shouldn’t have even though it did . . . I was alarmed.  A person of Trump’s magnitude and reputation—for better or worse, would not have been my first choice for the “Person of the Year”.  It got a rise out of a lot of people . . . irritation, anger . . . and more anger . . . confusion . . . frustration . . . offense . . . and sadness on one side, while great joy and bragging came from the other side. It all depends on which side of the fence one was on.  You were either “for it” or “against it”.

My first gut reaction was that I would return the magazine to Time, Incorporated . . . a “return to sender” message for a choice I wasn’t pleased with.  Lots of people had that reaction.  The other was to throw it in the trash once it arrived or to give it away.  Some I know were going to burn it upon arrival.  But the whole magazine would have lots of other articles to be read besides who was the “Person of the Year”.  I like reading the articles . . . why else would I subscribe to the magazine?  With that mindset, the issue became how I would sneak the magazine into the house without the spouse seeing it.  My spouse is an ardent anti-Trump person and would not want it to cross the threshold of our home. 

 

Yeah, I had two weeks to consider what I would do . . . two weeks!  When the issue arrived . . . well, I was no closer to a decision than I was when I learned the news of who the “Person of the Year” would be.  It was a conundrum.

 

The criteria for Time magazine’s “Person of the Year” is simple: “The individual who, for better or worse, did the most to shape the world and headlines over the past twelve months.”  Whether one likes it or not, president-elect Donald Trump fits the bill.  It feels as if he has been in the daily news since he first ran for the presidency in 2015—ten years and running, the American people have endured this reality sit-com . . . and we are about to start four more years of daily Trumpism.  For better or worse, we are stuck with him.  Crazy sells and the news market knows it.

 

Thus, Donald Trump should come as no surprise as the “Person of the Year”.  I imagine that in his mind he won hands down with the greatest landslide victory over his competition in the history of humankind.  Whatever the case, the choice definitely got a reaction.  On one side was the thunderous standing ovation from all the die-hard loyalists.  On the other side was a gut-retching groan of misery.  Whatever the case . . . it sells.

 

Time magazine is just as much a business as it is a journalistic periodical.  Its goal is to make money.  Do you remember last year’s “Person of the Year”?  Taylor Swift.  Knowing the popularity and selling power of Taylor Swift, the magazine issued three versions with three different cover poses of the singer. Hundreds of thousands of copies flew off the shelves.  Time sent out nearly a million copies to the stores—and they sold out.  It was a 365% increase over its normal distribution of a single edition.  Time magazine sells for $14.00 an issue. That’s a lot of moola!  Taylor Swift set the record for “Person of the Year” sales.

 

You think that caught the attention of the great orange one?

 

With no love lost between Swift and Trump since the last election when she encouraged her followers to vote against the president-elect . . . well, the Donald picked up the challenge . . . especially when it looks like he is getting his butt kicked.  Trump proclaimed, “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!”  Trump hates being considered a “less than” and in the “Person of the Year” race with Swift he is way behind.  Time hopes that he can do at least half of what Taylor sold. Again, that is a lot of money.  They have their person and are whistling all the way to the bank. 

 

That’s the American way.  Love it or not.

 

I am not among those lauding Time magazine’s choice for “Person of the Year”.  I didn’t quite retch at the announcement, but rolled my eyes towards the heavens proclaiming, “You’ve got to be kidding.”  Then the realization . . . the stupid magazine is going to come to my mailbox!  What am I to do?  Return it to “sender”?  Throw it in the trash?  Package it and send it down the street to that neighbor with all the Trump flags?  Put it in a brown paper bag and try to sneak it into the house? Or, surprisingly, tear off the cover to reveal one of the other three covers that Time magazine put on the magazine as a means of getting an “out” of the conundrum it created when naming Trump, the “Person of the Year”?  That’s right!  The magazine had three other covers with the issue . . . Lisa Su as the “CEO of the Year”, Caitlin Clark as “Athlete of the Year”, and Elton John as the “Icon of the Year”.  All worthy of the cover, even though I had to look up who Lisa Su was.  Burn it?

 

Alas, I just carried it into the house.

 

I have read the articles . . . each selection had an interview article written to go with the award.  And, yes, I even read the interview of Trump.  There was nothing new in the article to learn about the president-elect.  It is the same old baloney he has been spouting off since his first presidency . . . same old scary meanderings of a person who has made it difficult to respect or admire him.  With him it is more of a “icky” feeling and response.  In the end, the magazine hit the trashcan once its purpose had been fulfilled. 

 

Though many of us believe that there were more worthy individuals deserving of the “Person of the Year” designation, the magazine served its purpose:

·        It created a response . . . no one can deny that.

·        It announced that the circus was back in town . . . at least for another four years.

·        It gave the “great orange one” a little more ammunition to feed his ego (as if he needed any of that).

·        It made Time magazine a lot of money . . . which made its investors happy . . . and the rich got richer.

·        And it ended up being more garbage in the dumps.

Conundrum . . . Trump as “Person of the Year”.  Though surprising, he fit the criteria selected by Time magazine.  We might agree or disagree.  We might have even had a few other designations we might have given him before naming him “Person of the Year”, but none I can put in this blog.  As far as I am concerned, Trump is Trump . . . as crazy and vile as he is.  He only becomes something important—like the “Person of the Year” if I acknowledge him as such . . . and I cannot.  I will not.  My opinion doesn’t count for much . . . won’t sell a lot of magazines.  That is the name of the game . . . the American way.  Money speaks and we are paying the price.

Garbage it is.