[PoisedWoman]

Maybe incidents like this would be much less frequent if we hadn't (thanks to the Democrats) released tens of thousands of dangerous crazies onto the streets, and then provided virtually NO mandatory follow-up for them.

During the Reagan presidency, many loons lost their beds in hospitals and institutions in budget tightening moves. I believe that the definition of "crazy" or "certifiable" was changed, and such people were knocked off the public dole.

[Professor Jim]

During the Reagan presidency, many loons lost their beds in hospitals and institutions in budget tightening moves. I believe that the definition of "crazy" or "certifiable" was changed, and such people were knocked off the public dole.

Actually, the asylum doors were opened mostly in the 1970s under both REPUBLICAN and DEMOCRATIC adminstrations. It was during the early 1980s that we started noticing more the people on the streets (with the help of the press).

[Old Professer]

During the Reagan presidency, many loons lost their beds in hospitals and institutions in budget tightening moves. I believe that the definition of "crazy" or "certifiable" was changed, and such people were knocked off the public dole.

I believe you have Reagan's Governorship confused with his Presidency; he did sign a bill releasing "non-violent" inmates while Governor of California, but did so on the advice of his Attorney General because the issue seemed to be prevailing in the courts.

The ACLU was behind this, IIRC.