Oxymorons, Paradoxes and Contradictions

An oxymoron is two or more words or statements that contradict themselves.  (Example:  the living dead).  A paradox is a phrase that contradicts itself.  (Example:  A politician says, ‘All politicians are liars’).  A contradiction is the statement of an opposite position to one already made.

Whether or not a statement or phrase is considered an oxymoron or a paradox, both are viewed as a contradiction.  Our world is full of contradictions. A recent email from the Trump/Pence campaign reads, “Its a coup. Democrats are trying to undo the Election regardless of the FACTS.”  A coup is “a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.”  The “FACTS” do not indicate that this is occurring.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calls the present concern over Trump’s Ukraine call a “silly gotcha game.”  Yet, as a member of Congress he did not seem to mind intimidating and bullying then Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.  Just four years ago, as a congressman, he strongly supported the “right” of the “House” to request all documents available from the State Department on Benghazi.  

Is Trump’s claim to be a “subtle genius” an oxymoron?  His talking points are often contradictory and paradoxical.  For example, he recently described the whistleblower as having political motives, describing the whistleblower as “partisan.”  Later he said he didn’t know who the whistleblower was—so how does he know the whistleblower is partisan?  He has said that his conversation with the president of Ukraine was “totally appropriate,” “beautiful,” and “perfect,” but then said he could not remember the conversation.  He said he hadn’t read the whistleblower complaint, but then said, “everybody’s read it, they laugh at it.” On the subject of immigration, Mr. Trump claims “I bring people together.”  When referring to protesters at his rallies, he said, “I don’t want to see anybody getting hurt,” and also said, “I would’ve punched the protester myself.”

Oxymorons and paradoxes (contradictions) are not new, nor are they limited to any one group.  They abound everywhere. It is important that we see them for what they are—contradictions!