Welcome to Bizzaro Land

Whenever someone talks of a Bizzaro world, I can't help thinking that the one we live in is it. Here's some examples.

DC 37 Executive Director Harry Garrido comments on Mayor Eric Adams' proposed budget cuts to account for the expenses incurred by the influx of migrants. He says, "It is times like this, when we face severe challenges, that we should invest in services to support and protect our most vulnerable, not reverse course and act to cut back."

But Garrido has no problem with cutting retirees off from Medicare to save the city $600 million a year. Meanwhile, migrants are costing the city billions.

The migrants should be taken care of, especially considering how much of Venezuela's problems are caused by U.S. sanctions on that country, which were first imposed by President Obama in 2014. But the feds should be providing the funds.

Then there's the case of NYPD Sergeant Hugh Barry. In 2016, he committed the crime of not letting Deborah Danner hit him in the head with a baseball bat by shooting her dead. He was prosecuted and a judge acquitted him. After years of inaction, the NYPD is allowing him to resign instead of being fired. He will have to wait five years to start receiving his pension and will lose his health-care coverage and other benefits.

This is another good argument for the same complete health insurance for everyone, which is what all advanced countries, except we in the United States, have. Nobody's health care should be dependent on a job.

Then there's the fact that the city paid out $50.5 million in settlements of cases alleging police misconduct as of July 28. But these cops remain on the force and some have received promotions. The Legal Aid Society argues that bad cops are going unpunished. The PBA counters that cops are being wrongly sued and the city feels that it's easier to settle than to fight these cases. If each case was properly investigated, you'd likely find plenty of examples of both.

But it also shows that the city is doubly wrong. Bad cops should not be kept on the force. But good cops should not have their names besmirched by the city paying millions to those who falsely accuse them.

Also, I don't believe it is convenient to settle cases against frivolous or dishonest lawsuits. If criminals know that they can use the city as a private and generous ATM, then they will sue even if they have no justification.

Also consider State Supreme Court Justice Ralph Porzio, who ruled that teachers who were fired for refusing to be vaccinated should be rehired with back pay. The teachers refused to get inoculated on religious grounds. I’m no biblical expert, but I know of no part of the Bible that has God saying "Don't get vaccinated. Die!"

If I had children, I would not want them to be taught by teachers who are too stupid to get vaccinated. The only legitimate reason not to be vaccinated is if you have a unique medical condition that will cause the shot to do more harm than good.

Now for the stuff that makes sense but to which I'd like to add. Chief columnist Ron Isaac was on the money when he wrote that neither a president, nor anyone else, should have the authority to pardon those convicted of crimes. I would add that the pardon is not likely to be used when it should be.

Donald Trump pardons his friends. But a Freedom of Information Act request revealed back in 1980 that Leonard Peltier did not kill the two FBI agents he was convicted of killing. No president, from Jimmy Carter to Joe Biden, has pardoned Peltier. There have been no pardons for whistleblowers Julian Assange, Edward Snowden or Bradley/Chelsea Manning.

As for Robert Ovetz' superb "It's about power, not income inequality," let me add this: Morality is seldom applied to "legitimate" business people. You can cause death, destroy the environment, underpay workers and steal from their meager wages without going to jail. 

As long as your title is CEO instead of Godfather, you are usually safe.

We depend on the support of readers like you to help keep our publication strong and independent. Join us.