As long as he was out of the "dragnet" area (NYC), I don't think it matters much where he was in the United States. If this is indeed him, his mistake was to keep appearing in public, in a McDonald's, no less.
It’s the “still carrying evidence days later” part that really suggests amateur hour. I admit, I am not an assassin, and I hate to second-guess workers who are doing their jobs, but I think a pro would immediately flee/return to some foreign land where extradition won’t be a concern, given the high profile nature of the hit. And ditch the evidence.
I agree that “celebrating” a murderer is horrific, but health insurance horror stories have become so common it’s not really surprising that so many Americans reacted this way. The system is broken, in large part because we don’t really have a health care system. All we have is a health insurance system. Health care aims to minimize illness and maximize well-being. Health insurance aims to minimize costs and maximize profits. Therein lies the problem, and the justifiable anger.
I think most everyone thinks murder is bad. However... it has gotten people of every political persuasion talking about how fucked up our health care system is... at least, how fucked up private insurance for health care is. That could end up being a very positive result, even at the horrific cost of the martyrdom of a wealthy executive.
Mr. Mangione's real crime was not shooting a crazy person on a NY subway. It is open season on the mentally ill, but heaven help those who kill a rich white guy.
I suspect he lost a loved one due to a denied claim. But then the fun he's having with it kind of make me think he's dying and blames UHC, and is using his last days to settle scores and mess with UHC and cops. I'm interested to find out.
And I have changed my mind. I think it is a philosophical disagreement with the health care system. He sees himself as a freedom fighter, and doesn’t understand how this makes everything worse.
It sure seems like he is/was a Unibomber-type guy. Highly educated, silver-spoon background and floundering to find a life-purpose. Saddest thing of all was all the anonymous internet commenters cheering the murder and saying they empathized with killer and would not cooperate in effort to apprehend.
Motive is really paramount here; you don't commit murder without strong motive. "Just thinks US healthcare sucks" is not a murder motive. Others have posited that the police placed the evidence (gun/manifesto) on him, I'm not that cynical, but still, why *would* you carry that stuff around? There is a lot more to this story.
Whatever your position on the controversial idea of national characteristics, there is little doubt that the notion of revenge has permeated our existence as a country from its earliest times: a notion the media, and Hollywood, in particular, continues to extol. There is nothing that a "good guy" with a gun can’t resolve. Westerns — a genre that dominated early American filmmaking and continues to influence today’s films --- thrived because they validated the gun as a solution for conflicts that the legal system couldn’t or wouldn't handle. When a hero in a film shoots and kills a villain, it’s very reassuring to the popular imagination. It helps reassure American audiences that the individual has the power to solve things. All it takes is a gun and a quick draw. IMO, the vituperative public reaction to the murder of the UnitedHealthcare CEO falls within the confines of this conscious experience --- one certainly exploited and condoned in its various guises, during the continuing reign of King Demento I. Of course, the murder of all insurance company CEOs would not, in itself, solve a leading problem in a troubled healthcare system. But, for creatures of immediate gratification that too many of us have become, it's enough --- for the moment. The "bad guys" have lost --- for the moment.
You _do_ realize the UHC executive probably pulled “earned” in between $50,000,000 and $100,000,000 in the last decade and the board of directors extracted between $500,000,000 and $1,000,000,000 (BILLION) in the last decade that _could_ have been paid out in claims, and there are others just as greedy/‘hardworking’
“When some is ____ you over and says ‘it’s not personal, it’s just business’ make it personal, as personal as a heart attack, it’s the only way they take notice, it’s the ultimate insult, it’s just business “
If he got caught and was not further away than Altoona I think we can rule out professional (or at least competent) hit.
As long as he was out of the "dragnet" area (NYC), I don't think it matters much where he was in the United States. If this is indeed him, his mistake was to keep appearing in public, in a McDonald's, no less.
If he still had the gun, he was not a pro.
Different issue, but, yes, I agree he isn't a pro.
It’s the “still carrying evidence days later” part that really suggests amateur hour. I admit, I am not an assassin, and I hate to second-guess workers who are doing their jobs, but I think a pro would immediately flee/return to some foreign land where extradition won’t be a concern, given the high profile nature of the hit. And ditch the evidence.
Very likely an amateur hour, but fleeing your country of residence after each killing wouldn't really be a sustainable or profitable business.
I mean, the guys who did Litvenenko in with polonium did pretty shoddy work, but got away to Russia fast enough. (One managed to poison himself, too.)
So glad it looks like they have the suspect. Revolting that he was being "Celebrated" in social media. Sick.
I agree that “celebrating” a murderer is horrific, but health insurance horror stories have become so common it’s not really surprising that so many Americans reacted this way. The system is broken, in large part because we don’t really have a health care system. All we have is a health insurance system. Health care aims to minimize illness and maximize well-being. Health insurance aims to minimize costs and maximize profits. Therein lies the problem, and the justifiable anger.
And I totally get it. Our “Health Care” system is a disgrace. Many people have died or suffered because of the greed of the insurance companies.
How many have died at their hands?
I think that’s wearing off now, the hate for insurance companies took center stage but now it’s real, nobody is defending him.
I think most everyone thinks murder is bad. However... it has gotten people of every political persuasion talking about how fucked up our health care system is... at least, how fucked up private insurance for health care is. That could end up being a very positive result, even at the horrific cost of the martyrdom of a wealthy executive.
Mr. Mangione's real crime was not shooting a crazy person on a NY subway. It is open season on the mentally ill, but heaven help those who kill a rich white guy.
I suspect he lost a loved one due to a denied claim. But then the fun he's having with it kind of make me think he's dying and blames UHC, and is using his last days to settle scores and mess with UHC and cops. I'm interested to find out.
Glad they caught him. As he was arrested in a McDonald's, I'm sure Trump will take credit full credit. After all, he "worked" there, right?
He wanted Altoona, FL, but has a lousy sense of direction.
Oh, you meant for the murder. Disaffected policy holder.
"anti-capitalist former Ivy League student... Tech whiz Luigi Mangione, 26, of Towson, Md"
Went to UPenn, JUST LIKE MOLLY.
Author of the heretofore unheard of Mangione Manifesto.
Does he begin with “The Healthcare Evolution and its consequences have been a disaster for the human race”
I put “other” because this seemed personally-personal.
All things are possible with the limited info we have. But speculation is fun.
And I have changed my mind. I think it is a philosophical disagreement with the health care system. He sees himself as a freedom fighter, and doesn’t understand how this makes everything worse.
Assassins-for-cause seldom do. Alas, it sometimes works out for them (or at least their cause): Rabin, Gandhi.
It sure seems like he is/was a Unibomber-type guy. Highly educated, silver-spoon background and floundering to find a life-purpose. Saddest thing of all was all the anonymous internet commenters cheering the murder and saying they empathized with killer and would not cooperate in effort to apprehend.
Motive is really paramount here; you don't commit murder without strong motive. "Just thinks US healthcare sucks" is not a murder motive. Others have posited that the police placed the evidence (gun/manifesto) on him, I'm not that cynical, but still, why *would* you carry that stuff around? There is a lot more to this story.
Whatever your position on the controversial idea of national characteristics, there is little doubt that the notion of revenge has permeated our existence as a country from its earliest times: a notion the media, and Hollywood, in particular, continues to extol. There is nothing that a "good guy" with a gun can’t resolve. Westerns — a genre that dominated early American filmmaking and continues to influence today’s films --- thrived because they validated the gun as a solution for conflicts that the legal system couldn’t or wouldn't handle. When a hero in a film shoots and kills a villain, it’s very reassuring to the popular imagination. It helps reassure American audiences that the individual has the power to solve things. All it takes is a gun and a quick draw. IMO, the vituperative public reaction to the murder of the UnitedHealthcare CEO falls within the confines of this conscious experience --- one certainly exploited and condoned in its various guises, during the continuing reign of King Demento I. Of course, the murder of all insurance company CEOs would not, in itself, solve a leading problem in a troubled healthcare system. But, for creatures of immediate gratification that too many of us have become, it's enough --- for the moment. The "bad guys" have lost --- for the moment.
‘Cause the stranger there among them had a big iron on his hip.
Wonder what his connection to Altoona is? He sounds like another Kacazynski. UPENN grad no less.
You _do_ realize the UHC executive probably pulled “earned” in between $50,000,000 and $100,000,000 in the last decade and the board of directors extracted between $500,000,000 and $1,000,000,000 (BILLION) in the last decade that _could_ have been paid out in claims, and there are others just as greedy/‘hardworking’
Looks like this is Mangione's page on X:
https://x.com/pepmangione?lang=en
“When some is ____ you over and says ‘it’s not personal, it’s just business’ make it personal, as personal as a heart attack, it’s the only way they take notice, it’s the ultimate insult, it’s just business “
“Quelcrist Falconer”
from “Altered Carbon”
By Richard K. Morgan