| Photo by Eric Karits on Unsplash
On March 25, 2026, this column asked: “Is the U.S. ‘War on Cancer’ Going Bananas?” The article begins with these two paragraphs: QUOTE. It appears that the “War on Cancer” is going bananas. Why? Because U.S. federal officials seem to want the country to become a “banana republic intentionally”?
“Going bananas” is an idiomatic expression that means to become extremely excited or enthusiastic. Its other meaning is to become irrational, or wildly out of control, or do things in a nonsensical manner. It is commonly used to describe energetic yet positive excitement (such as cheering wildly at a concert). Or, negatively, it can describe acting like a crazy person or becoming so angry that one is insane. UNQUOTE.
The United States does not grow bananas on a commercial scale. But it is the world’s largest importer of almost-ripe bananas from the Philippines, a former U.S. colony, and from Central and South America. But will the U.S. be called the “World’s First Super Banana Republic” this coming Fourth of July? When does the United States celebrate the 250th anniversary of its independence as a republic?
A “banana republic” also has lots of ” monkey businesses allegedly” when it comes to governance. This column presented what appeared to be such a claimed act of corruption in the State of Florida, as reported on social media.
This column posted a rhetorical question, “Is Governor DeSantis Engaged in Monkey Business?” on September 7, 2022. It was Part XII of the “Florida, the State of the Future” series.
The 2022 article said, QUOTE. One of my new friends in Florida is Cindy Stiles. She is really a community activist. She just posted this note on Ryan Morales’s Facebook site (for his aborted bid for Commissioner of Agriculture). “I wanted to bring this to your attention. I’m sure you know what a hypocrite (Florida Governor) DeSantis is when it comes to his pocket. I put this (also) on my Facebook page:
“You see? It is the kind of stuff that (Governor) DeSantis allows. And he always talks about not liking China. And they (the Chinese) bought 1,400 acres of farmland. (snipped).
“JOINN Laboratories, based in Beijing, China, says the primates will be quarantined at the Morriston site to make sure they are healthy before being sold to other companies in the United States. UNQUOTE.
To read the entire article on a Chinese-owned primate-raising farm in Florida, please click this link: https://www.philippinedailymirror.com/is-governor-desantis-engaged-in-monkey-business/
Perhaps readers, especially budding investigative reporters, may like to contribute articles that this columnist can use in writing more about “banana republics” and “monkey businesses”. And turn them into a series of articles, then into a multi-volume book. After all, bananas are the favorite food of almost all species of apes.
