Opus 2024-421: Headlines: Trend or Outlier

By now I am sure you have seen the news item about a health insurance CEO, Brian Thompson, being gunned down in the early morning on the streets of New York.  The investigation continues.

The same thing is true about this that is true about so much that is reported in the media:  You can’t believe you are getting the facts or that the news agencies are asking the right questions.

Keep in mind that this took place in New York where you can’t even change flights in the airport if you have a firearm in your luggage.  It is one of the most heavily regulated, anti-gun forums in the world.  In spite of all that someone murdered another citizen in public on a main street.  The number of laws broken are longer than Santa’s list of naughty.  More laws will not take care of the problem.

What was this about?  Is this the beginning of vigilante justice, the elimination of someone who might have something to say about the Epstein list, a man in dept to the mob or just a psychopath out for some fun?  I am not sure we will know much more if it is the later suggestions.  If it is the beginning of a vigilante movement time will supply a string of similar instances.

Why bring up vigilante justice?  Different voices contribute their opinions on this.  Evidently the insurance group he worked for was well known for denying claims.  That means, if true, that there are multitudes of families in our country who have faced the specter of bankruptcy or death.  If I had a dermatologist exam denied, I could afford to pay for it.  If I need a major cancer surgery then not so much.  How valid are the supposed denials of claims?  I don’t have any idea.  We pay extra for supplemental insurance and so far it has worked well.  Others complain who did not invest in the extra level of protection.  I expect the day will come when it doesn’t work for us.  Will I go out and shoot a CEO over it?  I doubt it.

I am not everyone and the situations where people feel hopeless are bigger than insurance problems.  We have watched the legal system in our country turned into a weapon against anyone with traditional values.  We have watched the IRS deny claims to conservative groups.  We have watched obvious criminals released with little or no bail and we had a presidential candidate who was actively raising money for those who had to pay.  I am not talking about terrible crimes like walking calmly into the capital on January 6 and being gunned down through a closed door.  I am talking about looting, arson, assault and general mayhem.

People see all this.  So far, as conservatives who believe in the rule of law, we have calmed down and waited for the system to work.  What happens when the mass of Americans become convinced that the system will never work?

The incident in New York may be an indication.  Or it may have just been a liberal who forgot to take his meds.

homo unius libri