Self-Discipline Threatens Economy! No, Really

"Flossing, brushing threaten false teeth sales…"
Oddly Enough, Reuters blogs (October 1, 2009)

"Please don't let me be the only one who thinks this is ironic.

"I'm reading financial stories this week, and suddenly I see this headline: 'Credit limits, self-discipline threaten holiday sales.' Did I wander onto The Onion site?

"I swear I'm not making this up..."

No, Mr. Basler, you're not the only one. One of the definitions of ironic is "characterized by often poignant difference or incongruity between what is expected and what actually is; 'madness, an ironic fate for such a clear thinker'; 'it was ironical that the well-planned scheme failed so completely' ". (Princeton's WordNet) That headline certainly fits.

The post goes on with a short list of suggested headlines, following the same "Orwellian logic."

• " 'Narcotics enforcement, rehab programs threaten crack sales.'
• " 'Humane education, shelter adoptions threaten puppy mills'
• " 'Better nutrition, exercise threaten obesity reality shows' "

They'd be funnier, for me, if I hadn't seen loopy logic used by legislators and judges over the decades.

Oh, well: that's the way things are.

Bottom line: Funny? Yes!