Posted on 01/03/2026 3:33:16 PM PST by Bullish
We need to revisit institutionalizing the mentally ill before more victims are hurt, or worse, murdered
I truly feel sorry that Rob Reiner and his wife were murdered in cold blood by their own son. It doesn’t matter to me that I did not agree with Reiner’s politics.
Besides being a severe drug addict, Reiner’s son had been in drug rehab some 18 times in his life. It makes one wonder if the therapy protocols were any good or if he was, in fact, incorrigible. I was surprised that Reiner and his wife practiced tough love to some extent as they allowed their son to be homeless at some point in his life because of his poor choices and coping skills. I have spoken to several recovered drug addicts; they believe that hitting rock bottom was what saved them.
However, instead of hitting rock bottom, things got worse as it has been reported that Reiner’s son had also been diagnosed with schizophrenia. This mental disease is extremely difficult to treat. Supposedly, his doctors were adjusting his meds, and it made him worse. A significant number of the drugs used to treat mentally ill people can make them violent including self-harm and harming others. Obviously, not all people diagnosed as mentally ill are violent. But some are obviously violent and their arrest records prove it. In fact, a significant number of school shooters and other mass murderers were on such drugs.
This brings up a stunning failure in our society as it relates to the mentally ill with long arrest records and little to no time served. That is, we don’t know how to deal with these ticking time bombs. Rob Reiner is reported to have told several friends that he was afraid his son would harm him and his wife. Yet, what could he do about his fear?
We have seen one murder after another in our society, often in broad daylight and in public places, wherein somebody with a very long history of mental illness and criminal acts has been allowed to roam free on our streets creating one victim after another. Iryna Zarutska comes to mind. She was the Ukrainian refugee murdered on a light rail line in North Carolina by a suspect who had been arrested some 14 times in his life and who had served time in prison. According to his mother, around the time he was in prison he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. His parents tried to get him some help, but our system, except for some temporary holds, won’t force somebody into treatment until after they have committed a heinous crime. This is a nightmare for the families of the mentally ill, not to mention the victims of their crimes.
It has been reported that the night before Reiner and his wife were murdered, they were at a Hollywood party. It was obvious to several of the guests that Reiner’s son was out of his mind. These guests wanted to call in cops and mental health professionals and have him temporarily committed but supposedly the host refused. Reiner is dead because of the recalcitrance to call the authorities. He is also dead because we don’t have the will to deal with the mentally ill unless and until they commit such crimes. We need to revisit institutionalizing these people before more victims are hurt, or worse, murdered.
Another issue we need to deal with is how is it that our society is producing so many people that have mental health issues? As it turns out, just as we don’t force any type of institutionalization on people dealing with severe mental health problems, neither do we treat drug users as criminals. Yet, drug use is surely a public health and safety issue.
The following charts are taken from the website:
**Charts at link**
In just about every city the majority of violent crime is committed by somewhere between one and two hundred people.
Because we keep letting them out.
how is it that our society is producing so many people that have mental health issues?
“as they allowed their son to be homeless at some point in his life”
“Allowing” is NOT tough love.
Social workers invented the phrase for those who do not consume their prescribed medications, and instead seek alcohol and street drugs.
They call it “self medicating.”
What’s crazy is it takes the killing of a liberal communist POS to get people to say, “Hey guys, we need to institutionalize the crazies.”
A first step is to check voter registrations.
I’ve heard the Reiner’s were giving him $10,000.00 a month living expenses. Tough Love??
Excellent article — thanks.
I’m totally in favor of institutionalizing the severely mentally ill.
Arguments against it are completely indefensible, starting with the nonsense about their ability to straighten themselves out “if they really want to.” For their sake, and for the sake of society in general, some people need full-time care.
Visit a city food kitchen or homeless shelter and see for yourself.
That quote is more likely from G. K. Chesterton.
Cousin A. K. was best known as an outspoken advocate of fascism.
Heck, just drive through any skid-row in any big city and you'll see all you need to.
A.K. ... G.K. ... amazing what 1 doesn’t see at times. Thanks for the heads up.
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