Well … today I have determined to “set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven” to determine what the definition of IS … is.

Most would consider this a trivial matter lacking importance. However, not so long ago our president, many learned men, scholars, political pundits and attorneys (not to be confused with learned men) were presented with this very challenge. What the meaning of IS is or to put it more succinctly, “What is IS?”

If the definition of IS is what it is then this should be an isy … err easy task.

Now, read the following logic very slowly … it is difficult.

IS is IS … or is it not. Well, obviously IS is not NOT because IS is IS. Conversely, NOT is not IS because it is NOT and IS is IS and not NOT.

Oh the power of deductive reasoning is intoxicating.  

Consequently, if IS is not NOT then, “What is IS”?

Wait ... What was just asked? Is this a statement of what WHAT is or is IS WHAT?

Is this our new question, our new direction? Will this query bring us closer to solving the mystery of what IS is?

Uh, I don't think so. How can IS be WHAT? WHAT cannot be IS. If WHAT were IS then what would you use for WHAT in WHAT’s place? Assuming that WHAT is not IS and following the logic from above … we know that IS is not Not and that IS is not WHAT, yet we still don’t know what IS is.

Whew, what an enigma.

I can see why all those great men (and also the attorneys) agonized. Maybe now with this new preponderance of evidence you too can appreciate the enormity of their daunting task. I salute their valiant though failed attempt to unlock this age old conundrum.

Still some may think it simple and mock. I say "IS" remains a mystery for the ages.

What IS is? We may never know and it's haunting.

Wait ... are you saying that IT is HAUNTING ... oh, never mind.