Opinion: A Nation Without a Rudder
Two people were murdered yesterday. The horror is compounded by the fact that the alleged killer was a family member, reportedly battling drug addiction and psychological demons. Tragedies like this always shock us, but they hit harder when there’s a personal connection — when the victims are people we’ve seen for decades on television, part of a groundbreaking show from the 1970s, All in the Family. Rob Reiner, who played Mike Stivic — “Meathead,” as Archie Bunker called him — is among those connected to this story.
Whenever we hear about events like this, the same themes surface: a broken mental health system, a drug crisis spiraling out of control. These are real problems, and yet they persist. Decades of effort have failed to solve the drug epidemic. But mental health? That’s an area where we could make a difference. We simply don’t. It isn’t taken seriously, and it should be.
What should truly alarm us is the absence of collective outrage. If we can’t all agree — without hesitation — that enough is enough, then America is a ship without a rudder, drifting aimlessly, with the bar set on the ground. And when the President of the United States responds to murder with bizarre, deranged comments, it doesn’t matter what your political leanings are. Something is profoundly broken in this country. And if you can’t admit that, then something is broken in you.
Trump wrote in a social media post on Monday morning that Reiner’s death was “reportedly due to the anger he caused by others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction … known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME.”
Trump called Reiner “a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star.”
Here is just one source but it is everywhere.
Author: kwholley63
I spent 40 years in FinTech before retiring to Rio de Janeiro to trade software releases for a front-row seat to the beautiful absurdity of life in Brazil. This blog is my digital porch, a place for unpolished commentary on book reviews, daily gripes, and the random thoughts of a guy who finally has the time to pay attention. I’m an observant realist with a deep appreciation for history, a good quote, and the perspective that only comes after the career ends. I write to stay sharp, to stay honest, and to keep the conversation going. I love my Patriots and Bruins, a life long fan in bad times and good. They have been quite good for a long time now! I love spending time with my wife the best times are just doing nothing; watching tv, talking or just sitting at the beach together for a few hours. Our spot is pier 60 in Clearwater. I love the time I have with my kids when I can, they are all pretty busy. Seinfeld is about the best comedy ever. You will see me frequently comment on the show and why my blog is about nothing.
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