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

Though in Fairness, They’re Not Alone in Being Repelled by the French 
“Islamist Fighters Slip Back Into Timbuktu and Are Repelled by French and Malians”–headline, New York Times, April 1

If They Really Cared About Their Health, They’d Give Up the Marlboros 
“Jack and Toby Litsky are vegans. When they both turned 50 last year, they decided to battle their high cholesterol with a vegan diet. The Marlboro couple cut out meat, dairy and fat from their eating plans.”–Karin Price Mueller, Star-Ledger (Newark, N.J.), April 1

Psychiatric Help 5¢ 
“Help Shrinks as Poverty Spikes in the US”–headline, Associated Press, April 2

News of the Tautological

  • “Final Four Teams Hot at Right Time”–headline, ESPN.com, April 1
  • “Opening Day Offers Fresh Start Around Major Leagues”–headline, Reuters, April 1

Bottom Story of the Day 
“So Far, Forced Spending Cuts Not as Bad as Advertised”–headline, CNN.com, April 2

The Blind Leading the Bloomberg 
Michael Bloomberg has a problem, according to sociologist Richard Greenwald. In a post on TheAtlanticCities.com, Greenwald opines that New York’s mayor “suffers [in public perception] from the sense that his policies disproportionately benefit the upper-middle-class.”

That seems like a rather pompous way of saying Bloomberg is a snotty elitist. But wait, it gets worse:

Take the recent episode of the derailed soda ban. Clearly we have an epidemic of obesity in the city (and nation) and it seems to have specific class dimensions. Yet, the ban on large sugary drinks seemed to anger the city’s working-class more than anyone else. Why? It was presented in a patronizing tone, one used since the 19th century by do-gooders who know what’s best for the wretched poor. Sometimes do-gooders actually do know best. But the presentation is often as important as the policy. By not recognizing this (or not caring), Bloomberg triggered century-old reflexes that labeled the mayor’s efforts as meddling, condescending and elitist. The beverage and food service industry rallied in opposition and inched the masses into this knee jerk reaction.

We don’t disagree in substance. Bloomberg is a snotty elitist, and people should consume less refined sugar. But if, as Greenwald asserts, Bloomberg pays insufficient attention “to his tone and messaging in terms of class,” maybe it’s because he follows the example of guys who use expressions like “inched the masses into this knee jerk reaction.”

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.