Woman 1: Oh wow!
Woman 2: What?!
Woman 1: It’s Luigi!
Man 1: Is that Luigi?
Women in Unison: YES!
You’d be forgiven if you thought this exchange happened in the 1960s when the Beatles were disembarking the airplane, arriving in another city for another concert as their fame grew around the world. Like with Elvis, girls and women were regular fans, gathering to scream and faint their way through a sighting of their favorite entertainer.
But Luigi is not a new Paul McCartney, or Elvis, or even Justin Bieber. It’s the man accused of gunning down a stranger, a father of two, and corporate executive named Brian Thompson, in midtown New York. His delighted fans in a video posted to TikTok and reported on by the New York Post, are adults in what seems to be an office. They are together in some kind of building (with “very dirty windows” they lament) across from the helipad where accused murderer Luigi Mangione was being escorted to a waiting car on his return to New York from Pennsylvania to face murder and multiple other charges.
Do they know the murdered man’s name? His wife’s name? How old his children are? This at least will tell them how long those children will have to live without a father. The answer is very likely, no. The good news is, that the system itself is responding appropriately to this act of savagery. In addition to state murder charges, the federal government has announced murder and stalking charges, making him eligible for the death penalty.
The fan convention continued…“It’s Luigi! See him in the orange jumpsuit?!” A man joins in with the adoration of the alleged cold-blooded murderer: “Oh my God!… You’re doing great baby!” If someone being perp-walked to his hearing about being charged with murder is considered “doing great” by someone, standards are exceedingly low, and does carry the risk of ending as an episode of “Buried in the Backyard.”
After wish-casting his encouragement for the alleged maniac, this male friend/co-worker/neighbor, then squeals. “We love you, Luigi!” one of the women longingly assures the 26-year-old apparent lunatic. While Mangione will never hear it, she at least has conveyed to her pals that she, too, loves a complete stranger for (looks at notes) shooting a man in the back simply because he worked in an industry they hate. The good news for her is that at some point Mangione will probably be found on a prisoner pen-pal site looking for a prison bride, or at least a prison fool. If you’re that fan, you just have to hope he doesn’t end up hating you, too.
The video of this disturbing display has gone viral across social media, along with shocking displays of support for an alleged murderer and no sympathy or consideration at all for a man who worked for a demonized industry, and in death was demonized himself. But this is part and parcel of what the left does—cast certain people, groups, or companies as enemies of freedom or “democracy,” and if you can degrade and demonize them enough, murder emerges as the tool of the times.
The support for Mangione started almost immediately. Many in the legacy media, including the New York Times, began to shape a narrative providing an “explanation” about why this would happen. After all, everyone’s mad at the insurance industry…” etc. etc. I think it’s fair to say most of us have had a horrible interaction with our health insurance company. And yet strangely, our go-to answer has not been to plot the murder of and stalk a complete stranger and “send a message.” That’s madness, not passion. But the Times, the paper of record, wants you to know it’s understandable and all about health coverage and… income inequality: “The killing of the UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson has mesmerized a deeply polarized nation that shares a collective frustration over dealings with health insurance companies…” insists the paper. But it’s the support and love Mangione is receiving that needs romanticizing: “That adulation reflects public anger over health care, said Nsikan Akpan, managing editor for Think Global Health, a publication that explores health issues at the Council on Foreign Relations. ‘The UHC killing and the social media response stem from people feeling helpless over health coverage and income inequality,’ he said. The topic is so often ignored by American public officials, he said, that voters have stopped listing it as a top priority.”
How far are they going to assure you that this is understandable? Far enough to allow their expert to erase the victim entirely by calling this “the UHC killing.” UnitedHealthcare wasn’t killed, Brian Thompson was. But that won’t do if this is to serve ideological goals. The person killed is a symbol, not a real human being.
None of this is reasonable or normal. The Atlantic calls the response a reflection of the “coarsening of society.” And it is. But that is also just a symptom of something much deeper—the death of right and wrong, a moral relativism relied upon by those who benefit from a collapsing civil society. Nicole Gelinas at the New York Post discusses the murder of Thompson within the context of the condition of civil life in New York: “After nearly three decades of sure decline, murder rose 53% between 2019 and 2021, the highest such rise in such a short time on record. Murder is still 14% above 2019 levels, and there’s no sign we’ll get back there anytime soon. Felonies are 30% higher than in 2019. And random chaos reigns: Thompson’s killing came barely two weeks after Ramon Rivera, sprung on no-bail supervised release on a recent theft charge, after having just served a months-long sentence in Rikers for repeat thefts and burglaries, stabbed three strangers to death across core Manhattan.”
And how and when did all of that start? We could argue that Rolling Stone putting one of the Boston Bombers on the cover of their magazine—as though he were a guitar hero—was a signal of the collapse. And what of the women who marry the Menendez brothers, and the love letters Ted Bundy received while awaiting the electric chair? The human condition will always deliver inexplicable actions by individuals. But what we’re seeing here is something larger and deeper. It’s the result of moral relativism, social chaos, the overwhelming use of illegal and pharmaceutical drugs, and leftist policies that have created a sense of hopelessness and doom. All of this can be addressed, but it has to start now.
Tammy Bruce, an Independent Conservative, has traversed a unique political journey that reflects her commitment to principles rather than party affiliations. She joined Fox News in 2005 as a Political Contributor, hosting her show “Get Tammy Bruce” on Fox Nation and providing insightful commentary on various issues for the Association for Mature Americans (AMAC).
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AMAC or AMAC Action.
Important article Tammy, It should be appreciated by anyone who is interested in the reasons why there is so much hate circulating in the United States at this time. You used the term moral relativism – which I do believe can be interpreted as a sort of anything goes attitude, or an outlook that has to do with not caring about the good and evil idea , the separation of good and evil, the distinction between good and evil. The term moral fog is another way to describe. the situation. And I like the term moral fog because there is a definite understanding between clear conditions and a fog. Weather comparison is good as people who want to avoid the hazardous fog can do so most of the time by checking the weather conditions ahead of travelling by land or sea or air.. There is a disregard for proper English Grammar too and that should be understood as being of great importance . Communication of ideas , opinions , makes life better all around when there is a common understanding of how to express thoughts . The use of language that is corrupted by crude,vulgar , obscene words and expressions will compromise understanding things clearly. And that can lead to being in a moral fog . I remember high school in the 1960’s and how approximately half of the students used bad language on a regular basis and thinking then how serious a matter it was as it could easily lead to misunderstanding. It is far better to speak intelligently and clearly The idea of being respectful is closely connected to speaking properly. A sense of humor is important and using words and expressions that are respectful and uplifting makes a great deal of difference in the value of humor .It is healthy and intelligent to use clean language,that is, language that is uplifting and respectful. Well Done with writing this article Tammy. What you said in the last sentence is sure enough true — about the needed improvements starting now. I do believe there is reason for being optimistic about the change for the better happening and this article you wrote helps in that sense.
The legacy of the left, and then there is a marine who stopped the criminal from causing harm, he of course is a villain and left showed it’s anger after charges against him were dismissed.
Tragically society is filled with mentally disturbed people, sexually perverted, and infatuated with a murderer who they think is handsome and has great abs. Their sickness is hiding behind their adolescent-like crush (regardless of age) and lesser excuse that he did something to support their distain for the health care insurance industry. Society’s collective decades of devaluing the sanctity of life, the Left’s obsessive support of criminals over victims, failed parenting, and the perverted indoctrination of our children (from K-PhD), is it any wonder the type of people these ‘systems’ have produced? EVIL WILL ALWAYS LOVE AND SUPPORT EVIL.
Ya got it! The democracy cult is real and alive, it a leftest mob rule communist Nazi regime!
If you think healthcare costs too much, blame Obama and Democrats. They’re also why college tuition is ridiculously high.
By their own standard, those who justify this killing are saying that they deserve the same end if they should ever work for a company that angers someone or if they personally anger someone. Where brains have turned to mush, feelings rule.
This Killing shows how far Human Depravity (Sin & Wickedness) can go.
1) To Kill in the name of your Ideology or Beliefs is EVIL.
2) To be so DELUDED to Support this Killer is an EQUAL EVIL.
If this killer was a 350 pound 68 year old with missing teeth and half bald: These People would NOT be Swooning Over his Looks, and I highly Doubt that only the MOST DEPRAVED would Support this MURDERER.
Praise God, The LIVING LORD, that HE ALONE IS THE RIGHTEOUS JUST JUDGE Who Makes ALL Things Right and He is the One to Send the Unrighteous Unbelievers Away to Punishment in HELL.
Our Job is to PRAY for the Victims Family, and Even Pray for Luigi (Pray for Your Enemies) that he would see and turn from his Evil thinking and actions and Confess it as Sin.
Nevertheless, in this life people rebel against God and His Word of Truth, they hate the Light and Righteousness, so for now we have theses horrible deeds done by evil people.
To support any Evil is Total Insanity to Call Evil, GOOD and Call Good, EVIL.
In God’s Kingdom (When Jesus Returns, or when in Heaven) There is ONLY Righteousness & Perfect Justice, Jesus RULES. No More Sin, Evil, Injustice, Persecution, Suffering, Sadness, Heartache, Tears, Loss of Loved Ones, Death.
UNTIL THEN, Pray that our Justice System Gives Luigi the Death Penalty or Life in Prison. Even if he Repents and Turns to Jesus, He will Suffer the Consequences in this Life for his Actions.
Doing EVIL against INJUSTICE is NOT Righteous or Good, it is EVIL and WRONG.
PRAY FOR JUSTICE.
The “murderer groupie movement” would seem to be assisted by the brainwashing that occurs in our “educational” institutions.
And the truly frightening thing about these folks is THAT THEY VOTE!!!
Knowing right and wrong should start at home, unfortunately not everyone gets those lessons. Our nation was founded on law and order. Mob rule is often mistaken for democracy. Those cheering like mindedness need to ask, how did they get there?
As a fan of his I apologize since since the CEO had his claim denied haha
Stop the armchair philosophizing about what’s occurring out there. It can be laid squarely at the feet of Progressive-Socialists. The starting gun was the 2020 “Summer of Love,” brought to you by the BLM/Antifa Leftist scum. When they were given a green light, it signaled the era of lawless criminal abandon. Do whatever you want and you’ll suffer little to no consequences. Commiefornia even adopted laws & practices to protect the criminals! Until law & order is restored and people don’t have to fear persecution for stepping-up and acting(ask Daniel Penny) the low-lifes will persist.
Health insurance is not suppose to care about your health. Health insurance is made up of insurance companies that are businesses. Just like any other business. These companies offer those who buy their products a means to help with your medical costs. What the insurance company pays, depends on the policy that each of us are willing to pay for. Cost and payouts of the insurance companies determines the cost of their products. Again same as other companies.
Do you give all your profits away if you own a company?
Do you work at a job and give all your paychecks away?
We all have to stop listening to evil and from doing Evil. Do you want someone to shoot you or your family members in the back? Life is precious!! Do unto others as you want to be treated. Learn to Forgive! Do not let evil take over your life.
That idiot should be tried as a terrorist
We have been killing those we find inconvenient for generations. I am talking about abortions. Deep down, we know that either all people have a right to life, or none of us do. These people are being consistent in denying all people the right to life. Only those who are approved by the elite will be allowed to live. Instead of justice, only the lust for power. Those who think the murderer is cute are “useful idiots” for those who would destroy our country.
Did these people think through what they were advocating? The idea of killing someone who you feel is “evil” for one reason or another may sound appealing but you have remember that different people have different ideas as to what is evil. Several years ago a doctor who performed abortions was gunned down. If we start killing people who have offended us, we would no doubt run out of judges and lawyers in no time.
I believe 2 wrongs don’t make a right. But you had to know something wasn’t right since his wife said he was getting threats. My question is why didn’t he have protection if he was getting threatened? I have UHC for my supplement with Medicare. Do I trust them, not now since that happened. I believe this was a wake up call that health insurance doesn’t care about your health at all. They are into making money off your misery. Frankly I was surprised that Luigi got caught. I believe insider trading has gone way out of wack, and my question is why does health insurance have stock holders? It’s about health, not wealth! I’m not giving the killer my stamp of approval and I’m not surprised this CEO got killed. People have had enough. I believe if you do evil, evil comes calling. I feel for Thompson’s family and only them. Sorry I feel that way, but corruption is deep among us.