The Double Standard of Vigilante Justice: A CEO’s Killer vs. A Hero’s Chokehold
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The Price of Greed: How a CEO’s Murder Exposed America’s Broken System
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” — Dr. Suess, The Lorax
Brian Thompson’s death will be one of those moments where we’ll all remember exactly where we were when we heard the news. At least, I know I’ll remember lying in bed, scrolling through BlueSky (because who needs Twitter anymore?) when I saw the headline: UnitedHealthcare CEO shot dead outside a Manhattan hotel. The news of Thompson’s death was shocking, sure, but what really threw me for a loop was the internet’s reaction—though, honestly, it shouldn’t have. This is the world we live in now.
When the news hit, did people flock to social media to offer their condolences? Of course not. Instead, they made sure to let everyone know that “prior authorization is required for thoughts and prayers.” At the time I’m writing this, the UnitedHealthcare Facebook post on the matter has already garnered over 120 thousand “haha” reactions. Callous? Absolutely. But it was also, strangely, the most genuine response to this tragedy—and a brutally honest reflection of what’s been happening in America for years.
Okay, before we go any further, let me save some of you from your pearl-clutching panic: murder is bad, I condemn violence, yadda yadda. Great! Glad we got that out of the way. Now let’s talk about what really matters here.
A National Shrug at a CEO’s Death: Class Solidarity in Action
The seemingly unanimous reaction of glee to Thompson’s death is a glaring red flag about the deep-seated problems in this country—and I’m not talking about random acts of violence. No, I’m talking about the heart of the issue: the insurance industry and social murder. You see, in America, it’s illegal to go around physically taking someone’s life (well, it’s supposed to be, anyway), but you can start a company that systematically makes it impossible for millions of people to access the care they need, leading directly to their suffering and death. And you won’t face a single consequence for it.
It’s hard to fathom this level of greed, but that’s capitalism doing what capitalism does best. No profit is ever enough, and no pile of dead bodies will ever be large enough to make them reconsider. And that’s what leads us directly to Brian Thompson’s death.
People get desperate and then they get violent.
Thompson and UnitedHealthcare have pulled the trigger on so many Americans—deciding who lives and who dies based on profitability—that it's only a matter of time before violence breeds more violence. Honestly, it made me think of this viral video of a little Black girl interviewing wealthy men on the street, asking, “When revolution comes, where will you hide?” And hey, considering the stan accounts being created for Thompson’s assassin, maybe the revolution’s not as far off as the elites would like to think.
The “Villain” and the “Hero”
So, what about the guy who pulled the trigger? Yesterday, Luigi Mangione was arrested as a “person of interest” in the Brian Thompson shooting. As the internet created fan cams and memes, the news outlets did their usual deep dive, dissecting Mangione’s life and framing him as the villain. But here’s the irony: while one vigilante gets carted off to jail, another is out at a bar celebrating a not-guilty verdict.
Let’s rewind to May of 2023, when Daniel Penny, a man with a very different backstory, decided it was his job to take the life of Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old Black man battling homelessness and schizophrenia. Neely boarded a subway, hungry and thirsty, and declared that he didn’t care if he died or went to jail. While witnesses did tell 911 operators that he tried to attack people, he never physically touched anyone and was unarmed—just a muffin in his pocket.
Enter Daniel Penny, who came up from behind, grabbed Neely’s neck, and choked him to death. And somehow, this guy is hailed as a hero. Meanwhile, Mangione is being villainized in real-time. So, what gives? Why does Penny get a pass while Mangione gets the manhunt treatment? Simple: when you kill a homeless Black man, the system doesn’t bat an eye. But when you kill a white CEO? They send in the cavalry.
The Real Villains: The Rich, the Powerful, and the Media
This is the kind of hypocrisy that only the wealthy and powerful can afford. As always, they’ve got the media on their side, making sure the narrative goes their way. But when it’s someone like Thompson, who has their hands in the pockets of the nation’s healthcare system, suddenly everyone is paying attention. Meanwhile, a chokehold murder on the subway fades into the background as just another “unfortunate” event. The double standards are glaring—and predictable.
P.S. Oh, and for anyone who might be wondering: no, it’s not a coincidence that both of these deaths are tied directly to the failings of America’s healthcare system. The fact that we can let people die for a profit, and then be appalled when the inevitable violence spills over, is a direct result of a system that prioritizes money over people. Just thought I’d mention that.
A Golden Moment for the 2025 Golden Globes Nominations
The Golden Globe nominations are in, and I’m genuinely excited—especially seeing movies like Wicked and The Substance getting the recognition they deserve. Of course, let’s not forget the Globes have more categories than the Oscars and a much wider scope, so I’m not going to get too carried away just yet. Will this wave of praise last? Probably not. But for now, I’ll take these positive vibes and run with them. In the meantime, I’ll be busy preparing my Golden Globes winner prediction ballot—let’s see how many I get right this year.
BREAKING: American Idiot Wants to Deport American Citizens
In a recent Meet the Press interview, Donald Trump confirmed his intention to deport U.S. citizens who have undocumented parents. Yes, you heard that right—deport U.S. citizens. While this sounds like a dystopian fantasy, it’s actually a very serious and incredibly dangerous idea. This proposal would directly violate the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil. But apparently, constitutional rights don’t matter when it comes to Trump’s whims.
Let’s get something straight: you cannot deport U.S. citizens without just cause. Just cause means something far more substantial than “because I want to.” The idea that a president could decide to strip people of their citizenship because their parents’ immigration status is questionable is not just reckless—it’s unconstitutional. It’s an unprecedented attack on fundamental rights that should make us all pause.
While this may sound ridiculous, it’s a real threat, and it highlights the terrifying lengths to which some will go to undermine the very foundation of our democracy. Trump’s words may be nonsensical, but the potential consequences of such an action are deeply alarming. It’s easy to laugh off, but this is a dangerous push to dismantle basic protections that millions of Americans rely on. Let’s hope this is just more rhetoric, but we should be ready to fight it if it’s not.
👺 Behind the Mask
Tracking: My Macros
My trainer’s got me tracking my macros. And unlike last time, I’m actually sticking with it this time (shocking, I know). And guess what? I can already feel the difference. Who knew being disciplined worked?
Wearing: Los Campeones Gym Ranger Hat
I’m a sucker for camo, and this Los Campeones Gym Ranger hat is no exception. It’s not just for the gym—it’s the perfect accessory for casual days. It’s a great hat for working out, or pretending to.
Watching: The Streamer Awards
The Streamer Awards are here to celebrate the best of live-streaming. Streaming’s taken over, and honestly, most of my content consumption these days comes from it. So, of course, I had to tune in. Awards shows, baby!