A ‘Paradox’ Is Two Doctors, Right?

Daily Best of the Web   —   Posted on September 17, 2014

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

A ‘Paradox’ Is Two Doctors, Right?
“A survey conducted by MTV asked 3,000 Millennials ages 14 to 24 their thoughts on race-related issues, including affirmative action for college acceptance.” reports the Red & Black, a University of Georgia student newspaper:

What it found was seemingly paradoxical: 90 percent of Millennials surveyed “believe that everyone should be treated the same regardless of race,” yet 88 percent opposed affirmative action.

That is paradoxical: If 90% believe everyone should be treated the same regardless of race, how could only 88% oppose affirmative action?

Execution, European Style 
Belgium has reinstituted the death penalty, Agence France-Presse reports:

Frank Van Den Bleeken, who has spent the past 30 years in prison for repeated rape convictions and a rape-murder, has for years requested that the state help him end his life due to “unbearable psychic suffering,” said Jos Vander Velpen.

Van Den Bleeken is to be transferred from his prison in Bruges to a hospital within the next few days where he will be euthanised. . . .

Van Den Bleeken, considering himself a menace to society, had refused to be considered for early parole, but found the conditions of his detention inhumane.

He had requested a transfer to a specialised psychiatric centre in the Netherlands for treatment or, failing that, a mercy killing. Belgian authorities denied the transfer request earlier this year. . . .

In February, Belgium became the second country to authorise mercy killing of terminally ill children, a controversial move that sparked heated public debate and protest.

The Netherlands allows euthanasia for children aged 12 and over, while Belgium has lifted all restrictions.

When American authorities execute criminals, Europeans call us barbaric. And the Belgian and Dutch don’t even insist on a finding of guilt.

For more “Best of the Web” click here and look for the “Best of the Web Today” link in the middle column below “Today’s Columnists.”