Ironies and Oxymorons

The older I get, the more I am fascinated by ironies (some kind of discordance between what one says or does and actually is) and oxymorons (two normally incompatible ideas or things). Many times other people don't share my views or see the ironies and oxymorons that I do. In any case, I find this kind of thinking entertaining and, sometimes, disturbing.

The recent very interesting posting by Jim Bare brings the concept of irony to mind. As you will have noticed, Jim raises questions about healthy eating especially in regard to eating red meat and being a vegetarian. The many pros and cons about being vegetarian is an interesting debate. However, am I the only person that sees a touch of irony in the fact that of all the members of the Class of 60, Jim is the only one who spent 38 years dealing with some aspect of manufacturing and selling drugs for human consumption. So Jim, how does this work? After 38 years working for Miles Labs (Bayer), you now raise questions about what one should introduce into one's body?

The concept of oxymoron has been raised in my mind in the political arena in the last several months. The "talking heads" of the political right (and religious right) have had plenty to say about torture and especially water boarding. Does anyone else have a problem with Hannity, Beck, and O'Riley saying flat out that "I am a Christian and I believe in torture (water boarding)? On what planet would this be true???