Out on a Limb

Castro brothers

The following is an excerpt from OpinionJournal’s “Best of the Web” at The Wall Street Journal written by the editor, James Taranto.

Out on a Limb
“Cuba’s Aging Leaders to Remain in Power Years Longer”—headline, Associated Press, April 20

Make That 11

  • “10 Ways to Distract Yourself From the 2016 Election”—headline, Federalist, April 20
  • “Squirrel! Furry Vandal Chews Way Through Outdoor Wiring, Madison Police Say”—headline, Wisconsin State Journal (Madison), April 18

The Wild Two
Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, founders of the eponymous Unilever subsidiary that makes ice cream, “were arrested as part of Democracy Awakening’s direct action on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building,” the Ben & Jerry’s website reports:

“The history of our country is that nothing happens,” said Ben, “until people start putting their bodies on the line and risk getting arrested.”

Of course, over the years Ben & Jerry’s hasn’t been shy about taking a stand on issues that we care about, even when they’re controversial. You could say that our passion for social justice has been baked right into everything we’ve ever done.

So what stand were they taking that led to their arrest? “I’m actually not sure!” observes Ann Althouse. “I read the material at their website, and I actually don’t know”:

They want more democracy? And they violated some law? Too vague. This isn’t like sitting in at a lunch counter that’s telling you they won’t serve you because of race. If you’re going to all the trouble to get arrested, could you also take the trouble to make sense and speak clearly?

Well, as Marlon Brando once said, “Whaddya got?”

For more “Best of the Web” from The Wall Street Journal’s James Taranto click here.