AND SO IT MUST BE WRITTEN … AND SO IT MUST BE SAID
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE WEDNESDAY DEC. 17, 2025) — The murder of Rob Reiner and his wife by their own son speaks of our drug-addled, spiritually bankrupt times.
It illustrates how souls, number by the insane pace and pressures of what now passes for daily life, can fall to the temptation of the “easy out”–no, not suicide, but drugs. Even though the deadly end game scripts itself the moment that one gives in to this chemical escape, vast numbers nonetheless choose those temporary moments of bliss rather than face life in the arid red deserts of their alienation. Ah, but those deserts are patient and still there when the junkie steps off the ride.
People addicted. Lives wasted. Families destroyed. THE PLANET has to think that the internet, general and generative AI, Tik Tok, and all the other light-speed cascades that have fragmented our times find this disintegration pleasing.
———- ooo ———-
A great Christmas gift: Dan Valenti’s new book, now on sale at Barnes & Noble Booksellers and worldwide online at amazon.com. Buy it and we’ll sign it.
It’s also instructive to see the reactive aftermath of the Reiners murder by their son. Rather than look into the depths of the situation, too many folks would rather stay on the surface and make the tragedy about Donald Trump. They have latched on to the President’s comments on the deaths. But why? Why should they be “offended” or express outrage at the president’s remarks. It’s Trump being Trump. What he’s NOT being is a hypocrite. He couldn’t stand Rob Reiner and he held true to that belief.
What amazes us, though it doesn’t surprise, is how social media made the heinous incident into a sideshow. Speaking of social media, it of course loves a story such as a spoiled, bored, drug-addicted son killing his two celebrity parents. The internet adores stories that contain their own click-bait.
———- ooo ———-
On Monday’s column, THE PLANET found itself castigated by Vendetta Vale, one of this board’s most interesting and well=spoken contributors. Why didn’t we respond? Some wondered. True, we had our defenders, but why didn’t we “defend” ourselves? For the same reason that we see no need to comment on one person’s reaction to murder. That this person swam against the tide of the mainstream, and that this person is POTUS, makes no difference. His words speak for themselves. In short, we take an adult position on the utterances of others, which, happily, remain out of our control.
We’ve said this before. THE PLANET doesn’t draw defensive perimeters around what we’ve written or spoken nor do we fret over criticism of our views. Why should we answer or refute someone else’s opinion? It belongs to someone else. If it meets the generous criteria of this board, then it falls under the importance we put here on freedom of expression. Not only that, but remarks and feedback, knocks and kisses, fulfill the purpose of why we keep leading with our chin. That’s what a provocateur does.
Who knows what metaphysical, psycho-social pressures produce commentators such as Ambrose Bierce, H.L. Mencken, Westbrook Pegler, Howie Carr, or THE PLANET? Perhaps it’s the nature of public life itself, which requires government … which in turn creates dirty politics orbiting the gods of power and money and doomed to corruption.
And so it must be written.
And so it must be said.
———————————————————
“Thay it, don’t thpray it” — Daffy Duck.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
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I think trump was the one who made the Rob Reiner murder about himself. If he did not like the guy he could have kept his classless mouth shut for a couple of days and then showed the world what a disgusting excuse for humanity he is. But because he is who he is he could not contain himself for one moment.
Puleaseeeee do not use this horrible situation to make excuses for the guy. It is not a good look.
MEAN
Thanks. Trump was asked to clarify his initial comments about Rob. He doubled down. It’s clear, Rob hated Trump and Trump hated Ron. Both, in their public utterances, were consistent in their expressions about each other.
I agree Dan. I didn’t hear liberals being classy in their comments after Trump was nearly killed by 2 different assassins.
Sounds like you are fine with this behavior Pat. And you are on record with it. Show us who you are.
Will you finally support the banning of knives now?
It was THE KNIFE! Not the little drug addict with no conscience Riener raised…..
The Meathead stated that he was sorry that Trump’s would be assassin missed.
He was a lifelong rectum in his verbiage and statements. He reaped what he sowed/breeded.
Except that Rob did not publicly utter his dislike right after the other guy was slashed to death by his own son. A bit of a difference would you not say? Some people would have given the family a little time to deal with the shock before publicly crapping on the man before he was even put into the ground.
DARE
Yes. Some people would certainly do that. But this isn’t just anyone. He’s the POTUS. He was asked multiple times (hounded) for a reaction after the Reiner murders. They knew that Trump would, as per usual, actually answer the question. Honestly at that. There’s a saying that covers instances like this: If you don’t want the answer, then don’t ask the question. I’m not admiring WHAT Trump said, but I am admiring the fact that, finally, we have a politician who speaks his mind, unfiltered. How refreshing.
And we have a real war on drugs for the first time since it was declared in June, 1973, thanks to Trump.
And if it was, say, Obama that made those comments you would be cool with that as well? Would it be “refreshing” if Obama spoke his mind even if it was in a totally classless, disgusting manner?
Should we expect just a little bit more from the leader and example setter of our nation? What do we tell the children who observe this? Do we tell them it is refreshing? Should they grow up to emulate him and be “refreshing” when dealing with people they may not like? And if so do you believe this would benefit society as a whole and make the world a better place for all of us to live in harmony? Maybe we don’t want harmony anymore.
Please don’t tell me that it is only OK for trump because he is just being trump and that it is a blanket excuse for anything and everything he ever does while others are not afforded the same immunity.
Care to explain this video?
While you’re at it Meanwhile/Larry Bird, post another video of a Hollywood director meeting with top CIA officials helping to push a conspiracy theory (Russian Hoax) against a duly elected president.
Svetlana Lokhova on X: “Here is Rob Reiner conspiring w. John Brennan and Jim Clapper to overthrow the democratically-elected President Trump as part of the Russiagate Conspiracy. What was Reiner’s connection to the CIA? Who financed this op? https://t.co/rHCeXwuXkJ” / X
Care to explain why there are so many photos of trump with epstein? They are finding more every day. trump got pissed at epstein for stealing one of his young girls from mara largo. Look it up…he said it himself.
Yeah, you’re correct Meanwhile. I did some research and found the picture you are talking about. You got Trump this time….
Roger Reed.sr on X: “Who ever thought of this is a genius. A great response from a phony picture of Trump with adult friends who the liberals called minors. The truth will always prevail. Nice picture of the Golden girls and President Trump. And they’re not minors. https://t.co/HVHqPZ1PP6” / X
Good post, MEAN. Points well taken.
I disagree with Meanwhile. Take a look at what Meathead posted about President Trump.
It’s all bull$hit.
It’s called democRAT propaganda.
But President Trump should take the high road now?
And for Meanwhile to use children as his example is weak, at best. This is the guy who encourages and votes for Drag Time Story Hour with Kids.
I’d rather explain to my son/daughter why President Trump posted what he posted, than why a man playing make believe and who believes he’s a woman and is wearing mommies’ clothes, wants to read books to children.
Sticks and stones is easier to explain to a child, than is gender dysphoria, celebrating mental illness, and pedophilia grooming IMO.
Val on X: “If anyone wants to know why Trump posted what he posted about Rob Reiner take a look at this https://t.co/wRS7rSzdge” / X
Thanks, MARK!
Why won’t the Clintons testify before Congress on Epstein??
Let’s name what’s actually happening. Instead of answering the criticism, you wrote an entire follow-up post to complain that I castigated you. That’s not courage — that’s sulking in public.
You seem perfectly comfortable belittling women in power, tossing around loaded language, and framing whole groups as the problem. But the moment a woman calls you out — with facts, calmly and directly — you clutch your pearls and write a lament about tone, civility, and how unfairly you’ve been treated.
That’s not strength. That’s fragility.
If you’re going to posture as the hard-truth guy, you don’t get to melt down when someone treats your arguments with the same blunt force you aim at others. Critique isn’t persecution, and disagreement isn’t an attack — unless, of course, you only believe in free speech when it flows one way.
You weren’t “castigated.” You were challenged. And instead of responding with substance, you cried foul. You are starting to behave like Lumpy himself.
Funny how that works, Dan.
Yup. It is “funny” how it works, VAL. Identity politics forces you to see “sexism” where it is not there … but I AM “comfortable belittling” incompetents in power. If they are women or men makes no difference. The corrupt are all equally worthless.
Politics should NOT be about cultural conflicts with people accusing each other of racism, sexism, and so on, except in extreme cases such as Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany TRAGIC era.
Blogger Dan Valenti is accurate when he pointed out that Massachusetts is a one political (Democratic) Party state, which is led by 5 women state constitutional officials (Bill Galvin is the 6th one), along with State Senate President Karen Spilka.
The biggest problem with politics is MONEY and GREED. It is a winner takes all game played by powerful elites who win at any cost, leading to the past over 50 years of the diminishing middle-class in the U.S.A.
To be clear, the little guy – the fictional Kapanski’s – have no real voice in the government that is supposed to serve all of the people.
To illustrate, the Have NOT named “Jon Melle” is NOT taken seriously by the elites, especially the career politicians who spend over 90 percent of their time raising money. I assume that they want me to shut up, but I will always speak my good conscience as long as I live.
Did you all know that the same billionaire bankroll backers do NOT care about what Trump and Mamdani stand for in politics, but they still back both of them with many millions of dollars?
It is called: “PAY to PLAY politics” in NYC and the Swamp alike.
I cut and paste two paragraphs from your post about the one-party, democRAT led gubermint in MA, and how you agree with Dan that it’s an abject failure. So, my question to you is if you agree with Dan, why do you still vote democRAT, but live in a red state (NH)?
Do you want those failed policies there where you live in NH, Zohran?
If so, why not just move back to MA and bathe in their communist ideology and be happy and spare the hard-working taxpayers of NH?
Guys like you are the reason there are warning labels on drive-thru coffee cups. Warning people coffee is hot and could burn you. It’s the same as telling people Mayor Lumpy hates women.
“Blogger Dan Valenti is accurate when he pointed out that Massachusetts is a one political (Democratic) Party state, which is led by 5 women state constitutional officials (Bill Galvin is the 6th one), along with State Senate President Karen Spilka.
The biggest problem with politics is MONEY and GREED. It is a winner takes all game played by powerful elites who win at any cost, leading to the past over 50 years of the diminishing middle-class in the U.S.A.”
You were right a while ago when you wrote that I don’t visit Pittsfield anymore because I am afraid of Pittsfield/Boston’s nepo-Pot-King-baby who has persecuted me over the past close to 30-years of my adult life of 50-years of my middle age, fellow Veteran brother.
NH is free of Luciforo. I get to Live Free or Die in the Granite State.
Other than my Enemy #1, I love Pittsfield and the beautiful Berkshires in Western Massachusetts.
Any chance you’ll answer my question and not post a word salad?
If you agree with Dan that MA, a democRAT led, one-party (d) state, is an abject failure, WHY DO YOU VOTE democRAT?
Help me/us understand. Did you eat paint chips as a kid? Get dropped on your head a dozen times or so as a baby? Spray paint into a plastic bag and inhale it for fun during your teen years?
December 18, 2025
Hello blogger Dan Valenti,
Thank you for posting my reply on your awesome blog named Planet Valenti.
My writings to you tonight – one week before Christmas Night 2025 – about it all is that Pittsfield is my native hometown.
I saw that a local woman posts unfavorable writings against you on your blog because you expressed politically incorrect views about various politicians and their identity politics. What you wrote about misguided Maura Healey, and the 4 other woman state constitutional officials (Bill Galvin is the 6th one) in Massachusetts was factually accurate.
It should be O.K. for you or I or anyone else out there to express unfavorable views about politics without being called a racist, a sexist, and so on, except in extreme cases that I recently posted on your blog. I myself have written to misguided Maura Healey and others in power to express my own disagreements with them, too.
We live in a FREE country with FREE SPEECH. The government is supposed to serve ALL of the people. When we receive DISSERVICES from places such as Boston or the Swamp, it is only a good thing for us to raise our concerns to the people in power.
Best wishes,
Jon Melle
Funny how “identity politics” is always the refuge when someone can’t refute the actual argument.
You didn’t address a single criticism I raised. Not one. You just slapped a generic label on it and declared victory. That’s not analysis — that’s evasion.
No one accused you of sexism because you criticize people in power. The criticism is how you do it: the patterns, the language, and the selective outrage. When that’s pointed out, you don’t engage — you retreat to abstractions like “corruption” and “worthlessness,” hoping volume replaces substance.
If incompetence is your target, then deal with the facts presented. If your defense is “everyone is equally worthless,” that’s not hard truth — it’s intellectual laziness dressed up as toughness.
You don’t get to style yourself as the blunt instrument of accountability while refusing to be held to the same standard. If critique makes you defensive, maybe the problem isn’t identity politics.
Maybe it’s accountability.
In response to Vendetta Vale regarding meals tax:
While the state allowed local meals taxes in mid-2009, Pittsfield, MA adopted its 0.75% local meals tax later, with news reports from June 2010 mentioning discussions and recommendations for adoption, joining other Berkshire towns, but it took effect around late 2010 or early 2011, joining other nearby towns after state legislation enabled it in 2009. So Pittsfield has a 7% meals tax.
Drugs are so pervasive in this society and I applaud President Trump for trying to stop the flow of drugs to our country. President Trump is taking the widespread drug addiction very seriously. It doesn’t matter how wealthy you are, as we see in the Rob Reiner case, because drugs destroy families and tragically destroyed this family permanently.
You ;do know that don jr is a coke addict right? He is not trying to hide it.
Wrong family that is Hunter, the illegitimate one’s son, who was just disbarred in CT
If you want to talk about drugs seriously, talk about data, treatment, enforcement, and results. If all you’ve got is “wrong family,” you’re not correcting anything — you’re dodging the issue.
Pat, thanks for at least getting the timeline right on the meals tax — that part matters, because it undercuts the fantasy that Pittsfield suddenly became “woke” and invented taxes out of thin air. The authority came from the state in 2009, and local adoption followed across the region. That’s policy history, not ideology.
Where your comment goes off the rails is the pivot to drugs and Trump. Drug addiction is not a partisan talking point or a morality tale reserved for people you don’t like. It’s been pervasive under every administration, red and blue, wealthy and poor, rural and urban. One tragic, high-profile family doesn’t prove political success or failure — it proves that addiction doesn’t discriminate.
If we’re serious about the issue, then we deal in facts, policy outcomes, treatment access, and accountability — not applause lines or selective outrage. Otherwise, it’s just another distraction stapled onto a tax discussion that had nothing to do with drugs in the first place.
President Trump could not stand Renier. The reason is for over a decade Meathead spread false allegations and disparaging remarks, in interviews and on the internet. The kinda remarks that lead to assassination attempts.
Drugs are a terrible thing that the humans have created to try and make themselves “feel” better. It destroys lives and families. Unfortunately society as a whole does not seem to really want to stop it. Heck Massachusetts has legalized pot and now they are going to allow pot smoking establishments, don’t worry though they won’t allow cigarette smoking inside!
The older I get the more I miss the Blue Laws
This is nostalgia dressed up as wisdom. Blue Laws didn’t stop drugs, drinking, or addiction — they just told people when they were allowed to buy things and who got policed. Cannabis legalization didn’t create addiction; it regulated something that already existed.
Moral panic has never fixed reality. Data and treatment do.
I wanted to share some good news with everyone and show the democRAT posters on The Planet, what real leadership and Making America Great Again (MAGA), looks like:
Troops will receive $1,776 checks before Christmas, Trump announces | KRDO
President Trump, because of the success of his tariff’s, is sending every military member a $1776.00 check, just before Christmas.
This is what real leadership looks like. Paying the people who deserve it.
**Not using American tax money on illegal aliens.
**Or handing over $500,000 of ARPA to allow the Cultural Competency Coach to bring her family and friends on a taxpayer paid, African vacation, “to explore her roots.”
and then he is going to send them into the jungles of Venzuela to die
Get help for your TDS A$$CLOWN
“TDS” is the last refuge of people who wandered into an argument they weren’t equipped to have. The insanity disguised as policy, get dismantled with basic facts, and then you’re screeching insults like a man realizing too late that confidence is not the same thing as competence.
This isn’t dominance.
It’s humiliation with a keyboard.
You didn’t trigger anyone — you exposed yourself. LOL
Better than Chicago, Portland, or NYC!!!
You are little off on this one M A. The money and funding is not from tariffs.
He’s ALWAYS off when it comes to facts.
This is what happens when headlines replace thinking.
There is no magical “tariff success fund” where presidents cut patriotic checks out of thin air. Any military bonus comes from Congressional authorization and taxpayer money — the same taxpayers you’re pretending weren’t involved five seconds ago. Presidents don’t Venmo troops.
As for the $1,776 gimmick: cute numerology, not leadership. Real leadership is long-term pay reform, healthcare, housing, and benefits — not a one-time press-release check timed for applause.
And the rest? Just recycled outrage talking points stapled together to avoid discussing actual budgets, actual votes, and actual outcomes.
If yelling “MAGA” made someone informed, this might pass for insight.
It doesn’t. It just advertises how easily you’re impressed.
Huge SNAP scam, run by illegals, discovered in eastern MA under Healey’s watch…..
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/12/massive-fraud-scandal-federal-prosecutors-charge-two-haitian/
As they say in Minnesota, it’s only the tip of the iceberg.
Mr. Fritz, SNAP fraud isn’t a Massachusetts-only problem and it isn’t something that exists “under one governor’s watch.” It happens in every state, under Republican and Democratic governors alike, because SNAP is a federal program administered through state systems and targeted by criminals wherever they think they can exploit it.
That’s why these cases are handled by federal prosecutors. You can find SNAP fraud cases in Texas, Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota — red states, blue states, and everything in between. Same crime, same playbook, different ZIP codes.
Fraud isn’t ideology. It’s crime. And it gets investigated and prosecuted nationwide when it’s discovered. Blaming one governor or an entire group doesn’t explain how the system works — it just sidesteps the facts.