Unless I go totally offline, which I think about from time to time, it's impossible to completely avoid the news. So much of comedy is based on it, and who doesn't need a laugh these days?

So, I've been aware of the UHC CEO getting shot in NYC, and the seemingly "shocking" reaction by from folks on social media. (Scare quotes because, honestly, who can be shocked by anything people do on social media these days?)

I hadn't given a great deal of thought to how I feel about the murder of that CEO. (I'm not mentioning his name mostly because I can't recall it at the moment; but also because I don't think he's worthy of "Say his name!" respect.)

Trae Crowder is a stand-up comedian who has a YouTube channel called Liberal Redneck. I watch his videos because I need a laugh, and his are funny but also intelligent. I found this one particularly thought provoking, which is significant because I'd been kind of going out of my way not to think about it. (There's a promo-spot in the middle of it. You know what to do.)

My reaction is that I don't find much to disagree with in his comments. I don't know how much Mangione was motivated by some personal grievance, or how much was a psychological defect that motivated him to do it simply for the attention. I suppose that may alter the analysis.

It does give me pause to wonder whether, if significant numbers of corporate CEOs were gunned down on the streets, there might be some effort toward, I don't know, gun control or something.

Anyway, here we are.

And the beat goes on...

Originally posted at Nice Marmot 06:43 Wednesday, 11 December 2024