You are comparing a sentencing decision with a charging decision. They aren't the same thing, which makes the piece a bit incoherent. I think you're trying to make the argument that people in power are valued more highly by the justice system, but if you want to use Mangione as an example of overcharging, maybe compare with another charging decision where the victim isn't a person of power. Unfortunately those cases are typically overcharged too.
Not saying I agree with terrorism charges (because what do I know about New York law?), but they were obviously brought because of the political nature of Brian Thompson's murder.
Terrorism is a political weapon. If Luigi could have snapped his fingers and murdered all insurance CEOs, what would you have called that? The one-off nature of his crime makes it no less political.
What if he had killed every congressman who voted for Obamacare? How would your sympathies influence you then? Congress is probably more responsible for our situation than any CEO, but I suspect you'd react differently were this the case.
You referred to the lack of punishment doled out to sex offenders in your article, and I agree with you. I think all sex offenders should be locked up for life, regardless of their skin color, class, or profession. I also consider all sex offenders to be terrorists.
But it's often the very same people celebrating the assassination of Brian Thompson who want to abolish the "carceral state" and let sex offenders (and all violent offenders) go free.
Luigi Mangione should be locked up for life for the same reason all violent offenders should be locked up for life: because they are a danger to the most vulnerable members of society.
I loathe our cruel healthcare system and have lived without health insurance for many years. But it would never occur to me that I'm entitled to commit murder as an act of protest.
Luigi Mangione shot an unarmed man in the back because he felt entitled to take a human life. That sense of entitlement makes him extremely dangerous.
You are comparing a sentencing decision with a charging decision. They aren't the same thing, which makes the piece a bit incoherent. I think you're trying to make the argument that people in power are valued more highly by the justice system, but if you want to use Mangione as an example of overcharging, maybe compare with another charging decision where the victim isn't a person of power. Unfortunately those cases are typically overcharged too.
Not saying I agree with terrorism charges (because what do I know about New York law?), but they were obviously brought because of the political nature of Brian Thompson's murder.
Terrorism is a political weapon. If Luigi could have snapped his fingers and murdered all insurance CEOs, what would you have called that? The one-off nature of his crime makes it no less political.
What if he had killed every congressman who voted for Obamacare? How would your sympathies influence you then? Congress is probably more responsible for our situation than any CEO, but I suspect you'd react differently were this the case.
You referred to the lack of punishment doled out to sex offenders in your article, and I agree with you. I think all sex offenders should be locked up for life, regardless of their skin color, class, or profession. I also consider all sex offenders to be terrorists.
But it's often the very same people celebrating the assassination of Brian Thompson who want to abolish the "carceral state" and let sex offenders (and all violent offenders) go free.
Luigi Mangione should be locked up for life for the same reason all violent offenders should be locked up for life: because they are a danger to the most vulnerable members of society.
I loathe our cruel healthcare system and have lived without health insurance for many years. But it would never occur to me that I'm entitled to commit murder as an act of protest.
Luigi Mangione shot an unarmed man in the back because he felt entitled to take a human life. That sense of entitlement makes him extremely dangerous.
I hope he never walks free again.
Great article!
Thank you!