Stupidity comes in several forms, of vastly different character, from the innocent to the vile. Let’s start with the innocent. Austin Street in the Queens neighborhood of Forest Hills is narrow and busy, but to the exasperation of those who traverse it regularly, a two-way street nonetheless. To certain officials who get paid by the City of New York to ignore problems, there is nothing going on here that isn’t covered by Alfred E. Neuman’s timeless motto, “What, me worry?” Unfazed by fierce shoppers engaged in death duels for scarce parking spots, such bureaucratic types are equipped by temperament and training to look serenely on the snarl of double-parked louts and conclude that everything is happening for the best in this best of all possible worlds. The other day, a woman driving west caught sight of a gap between two cars on the opposite side. As big deals go, this is middling: a lesser event than winning the state lottery; maybe...(Read Full Article)