UnitedHealthcare executive fatally shot in Manhattan, reports say
December 4, 2024 7:15 AM Subscribe
Reuters, MSN.com Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth was fatally shot in the chest on Wednesday morning outside the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan according to police sources. The company canceled the remainder of an investor event in Manhattan that had just kicked off. He was brought to Mount Sinai West Hospital less than a mile away in critical condition, and was later pronounced dead, the NYPD said. There are no arrests at this time, and the investigation is active and ongoing. The suspect is described as using a firearm with a silencer, a person familiar with the matter told CNBC.
This post was deleted for the following reason: This is a breaking news story, where there's not enough information yet to have an ongoing thread. -- loup
The police believe Mr. Thompson was targeted in the attack, which happened during the company’s annual investor conference in New York City.
Mr. Thompson had arrived early to prepare, according to the people familiar with the investigation. The gunman apparently knew which door Mr. Thompson was going to enter and shot him several times from mere feet away, then fled. The gunman, the people said, ran, jumped on a bicycle and pedaled away.
So this was very much a planned killing.
posted by gwint at 7:21 AM on December 4, 2024 [3 favorites]
Mr. Thompson had arrived early to prepare, according to the people familiar with the investigation. The gunman apparently knew which door Mr. Thompson was going to enter and shot him several times from mere feet away, then fled. The gunman, the people said, ran, jumped on a bicycle and pedaled away.
So this was very much a planned killing.
posted by gwint at 7:21 AM on December 4, 2024 [3 favorites]
Oh nooooo, not someone living large and profiting off the suffering and misery and withheld healthcare of those who need it... Couldn't happen to a better person.
posted by wafehling at 7:23 AM on December 4, 2024 [3 favorites]
posted by wafehling at 7:23 AM on December 4, 2024 [3 favorites]
My body is crushed between two boulders, one chiseled "make a joke about pre-existing conditions" and one etched "CEOs are nothing but polyps on the greater hydra of capitalism and this killing will do nothing to help the millions of people UnitedHealth has kept away from their doctors and medical treatment."
posted by mittens at 7:30 AM on December 4, 2024 [27 favorites]
posted by mittens at 7:30 AM on December 4, 2024 [27 favorites]
Wowzers, that is brazen.
posted by Kitteh at 7:33 AM on December 4, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by Kitteh at 7:33 AM on December 4, 2024 [2 favorites]
I mean if anything it just means they pay the next CEO more
posted by potrzebie at 7:34 AM on December 4, 2024 [8 favorites]
posted by potrzebie at 7:34 AM on December 4, 2024 [8 favorites]
More like this!
Sounds like he fucked over someone in the mob. Damn, I wish it was a resurgence of the Weathermen or the Black Panthers. I'll take thieves falling out too though, certainly not unhappy to see one of these guys getting a little karmic justice.
I'd ask, "Too soon?", only, when I look around and see the wreckage of our capitalist addiction, I can't help but think it's never too soon.
posted by evilDoug at 7:34 AM on December 4, 2024 [5 favorites]
Sounds like he fucked over someone in the mob. Damn, I wish it was a resurgence of the Weathermen or the Black Panthers. I'll take thieves falling out too though, certainly not unhappy to see one of these guys getting a little karmic justice.
I'd ask, "Too soon?", only, when I look around and see the wreckage of our capitalist addiction, I can't help but think it's never too soon.
posted by evilDoug at 7:34 AM on December 4, 2024 [5 favorites]
The gunman, the people said, ran, jumped on a bicycle and pedaled away
See, cyclists are a menace.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 7:35 AM on December 4, 2024 [24 favorites]
See, cyclists are a menace.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 7:35 AM on December 4, 2024 [24 favorites]
Our culture is a now all about revenge
posted by robbyrobs at 7:36 AM on December 4, 2024 [3 favorites]
posted by robbyrobs at 7:36 AM on December 4, 2024 [3 favorites]
Our culture is a now all about revenge
When there's no justice, revenge is the next best thing.
posted by Faint of Butt at 7:38 AM on December 4, 2024 [26 favorites]
When there's no justice, revenge is the next best thing.
posted by Faint of Butt at 7:38 AM on December 4, 2024 [26 favorites]
Ralph de la Torre is still a threat.
posted by mattgriffin at 7:39 AM on December 4, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by mattgriffin at 7:39 AM on December 4, 2024 [1 favorite]
Related: the title story from Cory Doctorow's Radicalized.
posted by Pedantzilla at 7:46 AM on December 4, 2024 [4 favorites]
posted by Pedantzilla at 7:46 AM on December 4, 2024 [4 favorites]
A targeted killing in broad daylight in a very public place seems like it was intended to send a message, though what and to who I have no idea.
posted by star gentle uterus at 7:53 AM on December 4, 2024 [4 favorites]
posted by star gentle uterus at 7:53 AM on December 4, 2024 [4 favorites]
2024 going the way it is, I fully expect to find out he was targeted by investors for not sufficiently slashing covered benefits.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:54 AM on December 4, 2024 [13 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:54 AM on December 4, 2024 [13 favorites]
Also it's pretty nuts that with all the supposed vast surveillance powers of the state a guy can shoot someone outside of a busy hotel in midtown Manhattan, hop on a bike, and just get away without being instantly caught or tracked.
posted by star gentle uterus at 7:58 AM on December 4, 2024 [4 favorites]
posted by star gentle uterus at 7:58 AM on December 4, 2024 [4 favorites]
Somehow a health insurance CEO getting assassinated at their hotel on the way to an investor event in Manhattan is both completely unexpected and not at all surprising.
posted by atbash at 7:59 AM on December 4, 2024 [3 favorites]
posted by atbash at 7:59 AM on December 4, 2024 [3 favorites]
.
The dot is for somebody, at least one person, whose life is or will be ruined by this in a way it didn’t have to be.
Faint of Butt: that’s what I was thinking. I learned this from seeing a post that said “violence is never the answer.” The thing is, to create a society where that answer makes sense—as it would not have for thousands of years—you need justice to be seen to be done.
posted by Countess Elena at 8:00 AM on December 4, 2024 [11 favorites]
The dot is for somebody, at least one person, whose life is or will be ruined by this in a way it didn’t have to be.
Faint of Butt: that’s what I was thinking. I learned this from seeing a post that said “violence is never the answer.” The thing is, to create a society where that answer makes sense—as it would not have for thousands of years—you need justice to be seen to be done.
posted by Countess Elena at 8:00 AM on December 4, 2024 [11 favorites]
this killing will do nothing to help the millions of people UnitedHealth has kept away from their doctors and medical treatment.
Neither would him continuing to live. It's quite the dilemma.
posted by star gentle uterus at 8:00 AM on December 4, 2024 [14 favorites]
Neither would him continuing to live. It's quite the dilemma.
posted by star gentle uterus at 8:00 AM on December 4, 2024 [14 favorites]
(Disclaimer to the above: I am not saying violence is OK—this is an observation)
posted by Countess Elena at 8:01 AM on December 4, 2024 [3 favorites]
posted by Countess Elena at 8:01 AM on December 4, 2024 [3 favorites]
If my carefully considered plan was to assassinate someone in daylight on a busy Manhattan sidewalk I'd somehow not have considered the strategic benefit of a silencer.
posted by thecincinnatikid at 8:02 AM on December 4, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by thecincinnatikid at 8:02 AM on December 4, 2024 [1 favorite]
Also it's pretty nuts that with all the supposed vast surveillance powers of the state a guy can shoot someone outside of a busy hotel in midtown Manhattan, hop on a bike, and just get away without being instantly caught or tracked.
last week a guy went on a several hour stabbing spree across midtown and didn't get caught until a taxi driver happened to see him doing the third stabbing and followed him while waving down the cops
posted by BungaDunga at 8:02 AM on December 4, 2024 [6 favorites]
last week a guy went on a several hour stabbing spree across midtown and didn't get caught until a taxi driver happened to see him doing the third stabbing and followed him while waving down the cops
posted by BungaDunga at 8:02 AM on December 4, 2024 [6 favorites]
> though what and to who I have no idea
Previously on MeFi:
the algorithm pushing patients out of rehab care
> saying a corporation is at fault kind of hides the reality--it isn't faceless evil insurance companies promoting this, it's actual evil people behind these policies that prioritize their greed rather than society's good
When United Denied Life Saving Treatment, They Fought Back with Lawsuits
> I'm amazed at here is the amount of people involved that have nothing to do with creating medications, delivering medications, or providing medical care. Just admin on admin on admin to make sure the money comes in but does not go out.
posted by Callisto Prime at 8:03 AM on December 4, 2024 [15 favorites]
Previously on MeFi:
the algorithm pushing patients out of rehab care
> saying a corporation is at fault kind of hides the reality--it isn't faceless evil insurance companies promoting this, it's actual evil people behind these policies that prioritize their greed rather than society's good
When United Denied Life Saving Treatment, They Fought Back with Lawsuits
> I'm amazed at here is the amount of people involved that have nothing to do with creating medications, delivering medications, or providing medical care. Just admin on admin on admin to make sure the money comes in but does not go out.
posted by Callisto Prime at 8:03 AM on December 4, 2024 [15 favorites]
Twenty-five year old me would do some kind of posturing to make sure everyone else knows I'm lefty and edgy. Forty-five year old me sees that he has two children. Forty-five year old me knows that the US has a healthcare industry, only one part of which is the insurance companies. Violence like this repairs no part of our employer-based system (for those under 65). Voting, lobbying, regulation in the short term; a wholesale repair of the political process and even the social contract in America in the long term.
I can't make a joke about this because I have a little kid, this guy had little kids, and I wonder if I've outgrown metafilter. I think I came here looking for this post to give myself a reason to button (not that I participate much around here, but I sure lurk a lot).
Forty-five year old me also knows that we don't know anything about any motive.
posted by everythings_interrelated at 8:03 AM on December 4, 2024 [28 favorites]
I can't make a joke about this because I have a little kid, this guy had little kids, and I wonder if I've outgrown metafilter. I think I came here looking for this post to give myself a reason to button (not that I participate much around here, but I sure lurk a lot).
Forty-five year old me also knows that we don't know anything about any motive.
posted by everythings_interrelated at 8:03 AM on December 4, 2024 [28 favorites]
Somehow a health insurance CEO getting assassinated at their hotel on the way to an investor event in Manhattan is both completely unexpected and not at all surprising.
targetted killings outside a midtown Marriot in broad daylight isn't really a thing that happens, it's pretty surprising imho
posted by BungaDunga at 8:03 AM on December 4, 2024 [6 favorites]
targetted killings outside a midtown Marriot in broad daylight isn't really a thing that happens, it's pretty surprising imho
posted by BungaDunga at 8:03 AM on December 4, 2024 [6 favorites]
> Also it's pretty nuts that with all the supposed vast surveillance powers of the state a guy can shoot someone outside of a busy hotel in midtown Manhattan, hop on a bike, and just get away without being instantly caught or tracked.
It just underscores the opportunity you create by improving cycling infrastructure. Nobody would try this if they had to drive away.
posted by atbash at 8:05 AM on December 4, 2024 [11 favorites]
It just underscores the opportunity you create by improving cycling infrastructure. Nobody would try this if they had to drive away.
posted by atbash at 8:05 AM on December 4, 2024 [11 favorites]
Incredible to believe that the gunman’s plan hinged on his leaving his bike unlocked while he lurked outside a hotel lobby—and hoping the bike doesn’t get stolen.
posted by 1970s Antihero at 8:05 AM on December 4, 2024 [4 favorites]
posted by 1970s Antihero at 8:05 AM on December 4, 2024 [4 favorites]
His sons will grow up without their father. His widow will be left to raise their children without her partner. The solution to rapacious health insurance companies is to regulate them out of existence, not to assassinate their executives.
posted by 1adam12 at 8:05 AM on December 4, 2024 [8 favorites]
posted by 1adam12 at 8:05 AM on December 4, 2024 [8 favorites]
he has two children
Probably not the first kids to lose a parent due to private health care insurance
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 8:06 AM on December 4, 2024 [48 favorites]
Probably not the first kids to lose a parent due to private health care insurance
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 8:06 AM on December 4, 2024 [48 favorites]
UnitedHealthcare was also the victim of a huge cyberattack that resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in losses and payouts of tens of millions in crypto to the perpetrators. That’s an equally plausible angle for a motive than a disgruntled customer.
posted by 1970s Antihero at 8:10 AM on December 4, 2024 [3 favorites]
posted by 1970s Antihero at 8:10 AM on December 4, 2024 [3 favorites]
Good point. That sound you hear is ten thousand thriller movie spec scripts being frantically typed up.
posted by star gentle uterus at 8:11 AM on December 4, 2024
posted by star gentle uterus at 8:11 AM on December 4, 2024
His sons will grow up without their father. His widow will be left to raise their children without her partner. The solution to rapacious health insurance companies is to regulate them out of existence, not to assassinate their executives.
Yes, and. No regulatory agency has even attempted to reign in the colossal evils insurance companies have been committing for literal decades. The next four years promise to see what few protections are enshrined in law, gutted. When the political machine refuses to produce any of the outcomes its constituents want through legal channels, sometimes the constituents will turn to more direct means. And for certain, the next set of mediocre white guys considering the jump to health insurance CEO will file this story away in their mental list of pros and cons.
posted by Mayor West at 8:11 AM on December 4, 2024 [8 favorites]
Yes, and. No regulatory agency has even attempted to reign in the colossal evils insurance companies have been committing for literal decades. The next four years promise to see what few protections are enshrined in law, gutted. When the political machine refuses to produce any of the outcomes its constituents want through legal channels, sometimes the constituents will turn to more direct means. And for certain, the next set of mediocre white guys considering the jump to health insurance CEO will file this story away in their mental list of pros and cons.
posted by Mayor West at 8:11 AM on December 4, 2024 [8 favorites]
Sure, yes, systemic change would be better.
…you see any of that happening? I don’t.
…do you honestly expect there to ever be systemic change in a society as profoundly rotten as this one? I don’t.
So enjoy the small things in life while you can.
posted by aramaic at 8:12 AM on December 4, 2024 [7 favorites]
…you see any of that happening? I don’t.
…do you honestly expect there to ever be systemic change in a society as profoundly rotten as this one? I don’t.
So enjoy the small things in life while you can.
posted by aramaic at 8:12 AM on December 4, 2024 [7 favorites]
As a reminder for us all as everyone wakes up and arrives at the thread: it’s okay to both feel like justice has been done and to feel like violence should not have been done, at the same time; but, it’s not okay to promote further violence along these lines. Please be kind to each other about cognitive dissonance in this matter and try to keep the site’s boundaries in mind as the thread progresses.
posted by Callisto Prime at 8:13 AM on December 4, 2024 [12 favorites]
posted by Callisto Prime at 8:13 AM on December 4, 2024 [12 favorites]
I wonder if the hospital they took him to was in-network.
posted by TedW at 8:14 AM on December 4, 2024 [10 favorites]
posted by TedW at 8:14 AM on December 4, 2024 [10 favorites]
Turning down the volume on the crab rave youtube video, out of respect
posted by theodolite at 8:16 AM on December 4, 2024 [6 favorites]
posted by theodolite at 8:16 AM on December 4, 2024 [6 favorites]
I also wonder if killings like this will change the debate on guns in this country. If the rich and powerful realize they can be shot just like poor people and school kids, it might make a difference.
posted by TedW at 8:18 AM on December 4, 2024 [14 favorites]
posted by TedW at 8:18 AM on December 4, 2024 [14 favorites]
No regulatory agency has even attempted to reign in the colossal evils insurance companies have been committing for literal decades
well, other than the ACA
posted by BungaDunga at 8:20 AM on December 4, 2024 [2 favorites]
well, other than the ACA
posted by BungaDunga at 8:20 AM on December 4, 2024 [2 favorites]
I have no sympathy for this man, or his family.
But the only lasting affect this shooting will have is increased security for CEOs. It's a futile gesture.
"Violence never solves anything" is an overstatement, but it's true in this case.
posted by Frayed Knot at 8:22 AM on December 4, 2024 [4 favorites]
But the only lasting affect this shooting will have is increased security for CEOs. It's a futile gesture.
"Violence never solves anything" is an overstatement, but it's true in this case.
posted by Frayed Knot at 8:22 AM on December 4, 2024 [4 favorites]
From the MSN story: Shares of UnitedHealth Group rose more than 1% on Wednesday.
Not really sure how to think about that.
posted by TedW at 8:23 AM on December 4, 2024 [3 favorites]
Not really sure how to think about that.
posted by TedW at 8:23 AM on December 4, 2024 [3 favorites]
I also wonder if killings like this will change the debate on guns in this country
No, it'll just encourage oligarchs of even small stature to surround themselves with heavily armed security at all times. It'll become a symbol of wealth that the person is sooo rich that they might be shot by a disgruntled [fill in the blank] at any time.
Something something bus full of lawyers going over a cliff joke something something
posted by AzraelBrown at 8:26 AM on December 4, 2024 [2 favorites]
No, it'll just encourage oligarchs of even small stature to surround themselves with heavily armed security at all times. It'll become a symbol of wealth that the person is sooo rich that they might be shot by a disgruntled [fill in the blank] at any time.
Something something bus full of lawyers going over a cliff joke something something
posted by AzraelBrown at 8:26 AM on December 4, 2024 [2 favorites]
> Incredible to believe that the gunman’s plan hinged on his leaving his bike unlocked while he lurked outside a hotel lobby—and hoping the bike doesn’t get stolen.
The last few times I've been to Manhattan I've seen kind of a lot of delivery bikes that don't seem to get locked up at all. They don't spend a whole lot of time idle and unoccupied either, mind you, but it's not none.
posted by atbash at 8:26 AM on December 4, 2024 [1 favorite]
The last few times I've been to Manhattan I've seen kind of a lot of delivery bikes that don't seem to get locked up at all. They don't spend a whole lot of time idle and unoccupied either, mind you, but it's not none.
posted by atbash at 8:26 AM on December 4, 2024 [1 favorite]
I’m part of the problem. I used to work for an insurance company.
One of the things I learned is that the CEOs and the insurance companies take the brunt of the deserved criticism whereas a lot of the companies who actually buy the insurance deserve a lot of heat; many times the reason a person’s insurance is bad is because of personal and many times arbitrary decisions of a private or small company’s owner and/or HR.
In other words, there is plenty of blame to go around.
posted by girlmightlive at 8:28 AM on December 4, 2024 [11 favorites]
One of the things I learned is that the CEOs and the insurance companies take the brunt of the deserved criticism whereas a lot of the companies who actually buy the insurance deserve a lot of heat; many times the reason a person’s insurance is bad is because of personal and many times arbitrary decisions of a private or small company’s owner and/or HR.
In other words, there is plenty of blame to go around.
posted by girlmightlive at 8:28 AM on December 4, 2024 [11 favorites]
anyway imho there's nothing to celebrate here, guys like this are basically interchangeable cogs working for the investors who had come to this conference. guys with silenced pistols roaming around Manhattan dispensing death is bad actually
I also wonder if killings like this will change the debate on guns in this country. If the rich and powerful realize they can be shot just like poor people and school kids, it might make a difference.
It won't. A guy shot up the Congressional baseball match and it didn't. The US has long demonstrated that there are no silver linings to shootings here, ever.
posted by BungaDunga at 8:28 AM on December 4, 2024 [15 favorites]
I also wonder if killings like this will change the debate on guns in this country. If the rich and powerful realize they can be shot just like poor people and school kids, it might make a difference.
It won't. A guy shot up the Congressional baseball match and it didn't. The US has long demonstrated that there are no silver linings to shootings here, ever.
posted by BungaDunga at 8:28 AM on December 4, 2024 [15 favorites]
Thinking specifically about the "unlocked bike" angle, I will note that it's at least possible that some teenager with questionable impulse control in their developing prefrontal cortex saw the unlocked bike of an assassin who was nearby with a silenced pistol and maybe some buddies, thought about stealing it, didn't, and doesn't realize that every day from now on is a precious gift.
posted by sy at 8:29 AM on December 4, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by sy at 8:29 AM on December 4, 2024 [2 favorites]
I have often thought it surprising that there are so many people (executives, judges, politicians) who are directly and actively ruining people's lives without fear of reprisal. I suppose politicians are used to violent threats, but not the rest of them. And the US has so many guns. It makes me wonder if people are just killing themselves before they have the chance to seriously consider going after someone else.
posted by grandiloquiet at 8:30 AM on December 4, 2024 [5 favorites]
posted by grandiloquiet at 8:30 AM on December 4, 2024 [5 favorites]
the weird thing about most CEOs is that, as wealthy as they are, they aren't oligarchs in the Muskian sense. They are lavishly compensated, they have high salaries, they might be paid in some company stock so they are technically owners... but when it comes down to it, they are responsible to the actual capital that owns the business
posted by BungaDunga at 8:32 AM on December 4, 2024 [5 favorites]
posted by BungaDunga at 8:32 AM on December 4, 2024 [5 favorites]
> when it comes down to it, they are responsible to the actual capital that owns the business
...and the actual capital that owns the business is in large part composed of the pension funds and other savings of ordinary people.
posted by automatronic at 8:40 AM on December 4, 2024
...and the actual capital that owns the business is in large part composed of the pension funds and other savings of ordinary people.
posted by automatronic at 8:40 AM on December 4, 2024
Surprised this hasn't happened earlier tbh
posted by Cpt. The Mango at 8:41 AM on December 4, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by Cpt. The Mango at 8:41 AM on December 4, 2024 [2 favorites]
This murder is probably a boring story (like infidelity or gambling debts or something), but there is a lesson: If the job you have means that thousands of people go to the internet to celebrate your murder even though seconds before they didn't even know your name, then that job probably should not exist
posted by dis_integration at 8:44 AM on December 4, 2024 [19 favorites]
posted by dis_integration at 8:44 AM on December 4, 2024 [19 favorites]
It is a terrible thing that the state of US democracy has come to this. The US health care system is so broken -- it hurts and impoverishes so many people. It lets so many people die. It maddens and frustrates and wastes so much time with endless bureaucracy. It creates so much anger.
And people have no recourse. In a democracy there would be recourse. There would be action to reform the system, to address what is hurting so many people. But there isn't any recourse in the USA in 2024. When there is anger and road to resolution, some people will act out. It's terrible that it's gotten to this point, and it's a scary to see this event in the broader context of where our country is going.
As others have pointed out, the CEOs won't bear the brunt of this. They'll hire more body guards. They'll retreat further into isolation and protected bubbles. That will just divide us further, into the protected class and the rest of us.
In the best of cases, this will highlight -- set a marker down -- on how terrible our health care system is. But it will be a long road before our country does anything about it.
.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 8:47 AM on December 4, 2024 [6 favorites]
And people have no recourse. In a democracy there would be recourse. There would be action to reform the system, to address what is hurting so many people. But there isn't any recourse in the USA in 2024. When there is anger and road to resolution, some people will act out. It's terrible that it's gotten to this point, and it's a scary to see this event in the broader context of where our country is going.
As others have pointed out, the CEOs won't bear the brunt of this. They'll hire more body guards. They'll retreat further into isolation and protected bubbles. That will just divide us further, into the protected class and the rest of us.
In the best of cases, this will highlight -- set a marker down -- on how terrible our health care system is. But it will be a long road before our country does anything about it.
.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 8:47 AM on December 4, 2024 [6 favorites]
Killing CEOs in the street clearly isn't going to fix healthcare abuses in the US, and I think I can still just about feel some empathy for the family of a guy who was just run-of-the-mill evil-because-capitalism rather than say, Trump, or Musk.
On the other hand, I'm thinking that rich white evil-because-capitalism guys being as scared of being murdered for existing as say a black mother is for her son when the cops slow drive by, or a teenager in Gaza might not entirely be a bad thing either.
posted by Absolutely No You-Know-What at 8:47 AM on December 4, 2024 [2 favorites]
On the other hand, I'm thinking that rich white evil-because-capitalism guys being as scared of being murdered for existing as say a black mother is for her son when the cops slow drive by, or a teenager in Gaza might not entirely be a bad thing either.
posted by Absolutely No You-Know-What at 8:47 AM on December 4, 2024 [2 favorites]
After some careful self-analysis and deep reflection on my morals and values, I discover I'm not feeling ethically conflicted by this at all. Does that make me a bad person? Perhaps. Does it make me a worse person than the dead guy who was in charge of an organization that exists solely to deny care to its customers so it can pay its shareholders? Definitely not.
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:48 AM on December 4, 2024 [10 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:48 AM on December 4, 2024 [10 favorites]
If the job you have means that thousands of people go to the internet to celebrate your murder even though seconds before they didn't even know your name, then that job probably should not exist
posted by jedicus at 8:50 AM on December 4, 2024 [9 favorites]
The Spirit stopped beside one little knot of business men. Observing that the hand was pointed to them, Scrooge advanced to listen to their talk.From Charles Dickens's Christmas Carol, lightly edited.
"No," said a man. "I don't know much about it, either way. I only know he's dead."
"When did he die?" enquired another.
"Last night, I believe."
"Why, what was the matter with him?" asked a third, "I thought he'd never die."
"God knows," said the first, with a yawn.
"What has he done with his money?" asked a red-faced gentleman.
"I haven't heard," said the first man, yawning again. "Left it to his Company, perhaps. He hasn't left it to me. That's all I know."
This pleasantry was received with a general laugh.
"It's likely to be a very cheap funeral," said the same speaker, "for upon my life I don't know of anybody to go to it. Suppose we make up a party and volunteer."
"I don't mind going if a Lunch is provided"
posted by jedicus at 8:50 AM on December 4, 2024 [9 favorites]
On the other hand, I'm thinking that rich white evil-because-capitalism guys being as scared of being murdered for existing as say a black mother is for her son when the cops slow drive by, or a teenager in Gaza might not entirely be a bad thing either.
In a better world we would be leveling up rather than leveling down, but when the rich have so thoroughly seized both the levers of power and economic mobility, leveling down might be all we have left.
posted by jedicus at 8:51 AM on December 4, 2024 [4 favorites]
In a better world we would be leveling up rather than leveling down, but when the rich have so thoroughly seized both the levers of power and economic mobility, leveling down might be all we have left.
posted by jedicus at 8:51 AM on December 4, 2024 [4 favorites]
the only lasting affect this shooting will have is increased security for CEOs.
Also, jumpier, paranoid security liable to pull a gun the next time a protester confronts them, and even less likely to face consequences for shooting them because they can point to this to justify their fear.
posted by BungaDunga at 8:53 AM on December 4, 2024 [2 favorites]
Also, jumpier, paranoid security liable to pull a gun the next time a protester confronts them, and even less likely to face consequences for shooting them because they can point to this to justify their fear.
posted by BungaDunga at 8:53 AM on December 4, 2024 [2 favorites]
many times the reason a person’s insurance is bad is because of personal and many times arbitrary decisions of a private or small company’s owner and/or HR.
In other words, there is plenty of blame to go around.
posted by girlmightlive at 8:28 AM on December 4 [6 favorites +] [⚑]
As a small company owner, I would love to hear about the private health insurance coverage I can purchase for my employees that offers them skilled, comprehensive healthcare at a price that doesn't bankrupt the company and cause the employees to lose their jobs (and their health insurance).
posted by Kibbutz at 8:58 AM on December 4, 2024 [9 favorites]
In other words, there is plenty of blame to go around.
posted by girlmightlive at 8:28 AM on December 4 [6 favorites +] [⚑]
As a small company owner, I would love to hear about the private health insurance coverage I can purchase for my employees that offers them skilled, comprehensive healthcare at a price that doesn't bankrupt the company and cause the employees to lose their jobs (and their health insurance).
posted by Kibbutz at 8:58 AM on December 4, 2024 [9 favorites]
Absolutely Balzacian.
Stock price is hanging ⬆️1.63%, previous reports prior to killing showed mixed results on financials but on track for expected corporate earnings.
"The investigation of the massive healthcare conglomerate illustrates regulators’ growing concerns about the anticompetitive effects of vertical consolidation, when insurers acquire physician practices or other providers."
posted by clavdivs at 8:58 AM on December 4, 2024 [1 favorite]
Stock price is hanging ⬆️1.63%, previous reports prior to killing showed mixed results on financials but on track for expected corporate earnings.
"The investigation of the massive healthcare conglomerate illustrates regulators’ growing concerns about the anticompetitive effects of vertical consolidation, when insurers acquire physician practices or other providers."
posted by clavdivs at 8:58 AM on December 4, 2024 [1 favorite]
"I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters, OK?" Just one avenue over and two streets up, it's strange that this anonymous guy might somehow be in the same position.
You know who really does have to worry about being murdered because of their jobs?
Convenience store clerks and gas station attendants.
posted by the Real Dan at 9:00 AM on December 4, 2024 [5 favorites]
You know who really does have to worry about being murdered because of their jobs?
Convenience store clerks and gas station attendants.
posted by the Real Dan at 9:00 AM on December 4, 2024 [5 favorites]
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posted by Ryvar at 7:19 AM on December 4, 2024 [10 favorites]