Indeed, “Deny, Defend, Depose,” which is widely viewed as a pointed critique of the health insurance industry in America, has become a rallying cry online in recent days as the focus moved away from the shooting itself and onto the shooter and his motives.
However, the fictionalized version of the shooter that was created online does not match reality. Mangione, who allegedly had a handwritten manifesto admitting to the killing in his possession when arrested, is a software engineer from a privileged background. He also follows popular right-wing influencers, such as Tucker Carlson, Joe Rogan, and Jordan Peterson—though he has also criticized some of the arguments put forward by these figures.
During a brief court appearance on Monday night, the police did not outline a motive for the shooting, but based on Mangione’s online posts and reading lists, it appears that the pain from an injury suffered while surfing could have played a significant part in his motivation.
I don't understand the pearl-clutching in the wake of the shooting. The CEO of a healthcare company known for some really shady shit is not a moral person, no matter how respectable (read: wealthy, clean-cut, dresses like he's on a golf course) he appears. Brian Thompson decided profit was more important to him than the health of fellow human beings… So what are we mourning the loss of, exactly?
What about the justice system, you might ask? Well, fellow American, do you genuinely believe that the justice system holds people like Brian Thompson to task for their misdeeds? Does the justice system even consider what he did illegal?
Spare me the moralizing.
I'm not happy my culture has been so corrupted that I've come to accept violence as a way to hold some people to account, but what do we expect? To all things come balance, and with wealth (and health) inequality at current rates, balance will find a way. I'm not saying it will be pretty or pleasant or palatable, but it will find a way, which should only incentivize us to usher in some progressive legislation on wealth distribution sooner rather than later. (But be honest with me — do you think that'll happen?)
May we all aspire to be kind, loving, moral people who don't prioritize money over the health and well-being of other humans. Unlike Brian Thompson.