Word: paradox
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...Congress now stands as a paradox of Lord Acton's observation that power corrupts. Losing corrupts too; 35 years of rule by the majority Democrats has embittered congressional Republicans. Even the normally easygoing minority leader, Bob Michel, has toughened his tone, angering Democrats by calling their monopoly on power a "corrosive acid upon the restraints of stability and comity...
...heading of "Rebuffs," he notes that "at one time the 'cut direct' was delivered by looking right at a person and not acknowledging his acquaintance or even his existence. This is no longer done. It has been replaced by the lawsuit." The subject of drinking inspires a classic paradox: "Never refuse wine. It is an odd but universally held opinion that anyone who doesn't drink must be an alcoholic...
...paradox is that while prisons are filled beyond their capacity, there has been little discernible reduction in crime. Though rates of serious offenses dipped for a time during the 1980s, they have been climbing again, fueled by an influx of drugs. Prison gates have become more like revolving doors: nearly two-thirds of all convicts are rearrested within three years of their release...
...President proposes constructing more federal lockups, but the real problem is state and local building. -- Congress admits its new ethics rules are discouraging people from taking federal office -- and the "ethics monster" turns on Congress itself. -- A paradox for Western boosterism: Denver voters approve a mammoth modern airport, but Seattle citizens put limits on downtown...
THIS Ivory-Tower paradox disturbs me enormously. How can I advise readers, say, not to take advantage of Eastern's money-saving fares just because "it would be wrong," when I can overcome ethical qualms in an exactly analogous situation. How can I justify condemning those who invest in South Africa for profiting from institutionalized racism when I am earning money through an ethically questionable business...