The mentally ill were locked up so they couldn't hurt themselves, their families and others.
Now they become congressits, governors, talking heads and hold key positions like Howard Dean does.
Fonda was the beginning of a mentally ill person becoming a liberal cult hero.
Howard Dean, the Clintoons, J efFn'Kerry, oh nevermind the list just keeps on going. I vaguely remember when there were mental institutions. Governor Reagan shut them down here in CA. Do you know how hard it is for a family member to have someone admitted for 72hr observation? One of my daughter's friends mother had a "little" problem with Meth. They had her admitted, but when she failed the drug test, they released her. If Meth doesn't make you crazy, what does?
I think you're correct that some of these people ARE certifiable lunatics. The Rachel Corrie picture showing her ripping up an American flag, while being surrounded by bemused children? Cuckoo! Imo, Jane Fonda knew exactly what she was doing, however all the idiots followed along like the sheep brained humans they are. No offense to sheep.
Perhaps it is not so much mental illness, but unsuspecting young adults being brainwashed by MSM and the public school system? I mean we don't see the shopping cart brigades leading the anti war protest marches, do we?
For the homeless at least, I wish they would reinstitute the policy of commitment. OTOH, the way this country is going, they'd lock up all the conservatives.