Pharma CEO assasinated!!

[Ricky]

Then don't act like you know me based on whatever you think about Amsterdam and the Netherlands. I'm neither typically Dutch nor typically Amsterdammer.

Everything about this case is pure speculation. I'm not calling LM a hero or a villain, I'm posting his manifesto is this thread, but that doesn't mean I agree with anything. I had my frustrations with Dutch healthcare, but the American system is so callous and greedy that this act of violence had been a long time coming (I imagined domestic anti-greed terrorist bombing UHC's HQ, but this was also enjoyable). American society/culture is a lot more violent on the whole, which is why they assassinate their presidents instead of just getting another one. Conspiracy theories abound, but I'm just observing the freakshow to see what was actually going on and whether LM is a radicalised anti-capitalist or something more ominous.

In your country you need to worry more about being Theo Van Goghed by the intolerant

 

[Gamisch]

Shout out to the mods @Dr.Suave , @Pierce Manhammer @BackInTheGame78 ect for letting this thread remain open !!!

 

[BackInTheGame78]

Shout out to the mods @Dr.Suave , @Pierce Manhammer @BackInTheGame78 ect for letting this thread remain open !!!

Had to remove a few posts as they were in violation of discussion rules but as long as politics and religion aren't heavily referenced it's fine to discuss.

 

[Gamisch]

No, I can't. But that's because I know that not all women are as shallow and delusional as you think women are.

That's the problem with modern males. They always and only think about p0ssy, while actually hating women .

 

[Clockwerk50]

I’m sorry, but I can’t condone the idea of people celebrating the actions of a murderer, especially when the victim was indirectly affecting the murderer through the health issues tied to a health care corporation. If anyone is to blame, I would point to the underwriters, the doctors who misdiagnosed the illness, or the customer service managers—many of whom had more influence on Luigi’s situation than the CEO.

I had a similar experience with a corporation that I felt was unfair. About 10 years ago, I purchased a pre-certified GM car with a 3-year warranty. Around the second year, the car’s head gasket blew, and it would’ve cost me about $1,000 to fix at my personal mechanic shop. Before taking it to the mechanic, I called GM to confirm whether the warranty would cover it. The representative told me it wouldn’t. However, when I brought the car to the mechanic, he suggested that the warranty should cover it. I told him what GM had said and told him to go ahead with the repair anyway.

After digging deeper, I found out that GM would’ve actually covered the repair if I’d taken the car to a dealership. Although part of the issue was my fault, I was angry at the representative for giving me incorrect information. I left a bad review for the dealership, and they asked me to remove it in exchange for looking into possible help. In the end, they said they couldn’t assist me. I opened a case with GM, and after explaining my situation, the case officer told me they couldn’t reimburse me because the repair had been done by a third-party mechanic.

If I were to direct my anger anywhere, it would be toward the rep, the case officer, and maybe the dealership—not the CEO. And, while I lost $1,000, I certainly wouldn’t take it as far as committing violence over it.

 

[eli77]

Had to remove a few posts as they were in violation of discussion rules but as long as politics and religion aren't heavily referenced it's fine to discuss.

thanks

 

[eli77]

My 'guru' is an American philosopher:

You and I might both be Dutch, but we don't have the same history. I'm a pragmatist, a realist, and an absurdist. You want me to show empathy? My empathy is that I hope for the health insurance victims that the media circus around this assassination might issue social reform in the system, but as a realist I doubt it, and as an absurdist I just watch the spectacle and give humanity maybe a thousand years before we follow the dinosaurs.

And if my 'laissez-faire' phlegmatic attitude towards the freakshow 'crosses your line' and offends you, well, that's too bad.

Because, let us not forget what we're talking about:
View attachment 13605

Love it history repeating itself!!

 

[Sega Genesis]

If anyone is to blame, I would point to the underwriters, the doctors who misdiagnosed the illness, or the customer service managers—many of whom had more influence on Luigi’s situation than the CEO.

Guess you didn't read the link I attached to my earlier post; the doctors have been outraged by their inability to treat and care for patients properly due to the greed of these corporate exes who are the ones directing the underwriters to deny the claims.

>>"We as doctors have been crying, screaming on the top of our lungs regarding how lots of insurance companies are denying claims on a daily basis,” Mathew said on “NewsNation Now.” He cited examples of patients being unable to obtain routine tests like mammograms without extensive bureaucratic hurdles."<<

I do agree that murdering him was not the solution, I would have rather he be severely wounded requiring rehabilitation allowing him to physically suffer (like those whose claims are denied) and experience the outrage and backlash happening now.

In his case, he was directly responsible for the denial of Luigi's mom's claims which is why Luigi killed him.. Watching her in agonizing pain day in and day out just became too much for him to bear.

That's my understanding anyway but I believe it. HE and other execs in his position make the rules those under them who review the claims must abide by.

In addition to "defense of others" temporary insanity might apply as well, I don't know.

It's sad for everyone no matter how you slice and dice and my heart goes out to his family.

 

[Clockwerk50]

Guess you didn't read the link I attached to my earlier post; the doctors have been outraged by their inability to treat and care for patients properly due to the greed of these corporate exes who are the ones directing the underwriters to deny the claims.

>>"We as doctors have been crying, screaming on the top of our lungs regarding how lots of insurance companies are denying claims on a daily basis,” Mathew said on “NewsNation Now.” He cited examples of patients being unable to obtain routine tests like mammograms without extensive bureaucratic hurdles."<<

I do agree that murdering him was not the solution, I would have rather he be severely wounded requiring rehabilitation allowing him to physically suffer (like those whose claims are denied) and experience the outrage and backlash happening now.

In his case, he was directly responsible for the denial of Luigi's mom's claims which is why Luigi killed him.. Watching her in agonizing pain day in and day out just became too much for him to bear.

That's my understanding anyway but I believe it. HE and other execs in his position make the rules those under them who review the claims must abide by.

In addition to "defense of others" temporary insanity might apply as well, I don't know.

It's sad for everyone no matter how you slice and dice and my heart goes out to his family.

Yes, I understand your frustration with the US healthcare system. I live in Canada, where "free" healthcare (funded by taxes) provides a safety net that many, especially in the U.S., don’t have. It also ensures people don’t have to choose between their health and financial stability, a real concern for many Americans facing high medical bills.

My main point is that I feel sorry for the CEO, who, like anyone in a high-pressure role, likely had a family and responsibilities. While it's easy to blame the CEO, it's important to recognize that they operate within a system driven by shareholder demands and market pressures, where the main goal is maximizing profits. The CEO may have set the tone for policies, but those below them, such as underwriters and customer service managers, also play a role in enforcing these profit-driven policies. Ultimately, the real culprit may be the broader corporate structure, which prioritizes profits over people’s well-being.

That said, human nature often leads people to act in their own self-interest. Many professionals, from doctors to lawyers to accountants, face a conflict between providing quality service and making money. Some doctors, for example, may misdiagnose or overprescribe treatments to boost their income, like unnecessary surgeries or tests. Lawyers may bill more hours than necessary, and accountants may push clients toward more audits or complex filings, even if it's not in the client's best interest, simply to generate higher fees. Similarly, insurance companies often deny claims to maximize profits, leaving doctors stuck in the middle. Even managers do as their supervisors say just to make ends meet with the potential of being promoted.

Things might have turned out differently if Luigi’s family had visited a more competent doctor, someone that went to a better university, or one who could have properly diagnosed and treated the situation earlier. The real harm often comes from systems and people’s own beneverament, whether in healthcare or other sectors, that prioritize profit over people’s well-being.

 

[Clockwerk50]

Sounds like you suffered just as much as those people whose chemotherapy wasn't covered, you poor soul.

I thought GM’s resolution was unfair and a clear example of corporate greed. $1,000 is insignificant to them, and ignoring their employees' incompetence was frustrating. However, comparing my situation—where I lost money due to poor communication to someone being denied life-saving treatments is truly shameful. I expected better from you.

 

[Raggendecanton]

My 'guru' is an American philosopher:

You and I might both be Dutch, but we don't have the same history. I'm a pragmatist, a realist, and an absurdist. You want me to show empathy? My empathy is that I hope for the health insurance victims that the media circus around this assassination might issue social reform in the system, but as a realist I doubt it, and as an absurdist I just watch the spectacle and give humanity maybe a thousand years before we follow the dinosaurs.

And if my 'laissez-faire' phlegmatic attitude towards the freakshow 'crosses your line' and offends you, well, that's too bad.

Because, let us not forget what we're talking about:
View attachment 13605

I can appreciate George Carlin’s wit and critical take on society—his ability to expose hypocrisy is sharp, though his philosophy is intentionally cynical. That said, leaning too heavily on absurdism or resignation can risk reducing complex, real-world tragedies to mere “spectacles,” and that’s where I take "issue".

We may not share the same history, and perhaps our personal experiences shape how we process events like these. But for me, acknowledging the flaws of the system doesn’t mean throwing up my hands and watching humanity unravel. If the system is broken, we have a responsibility—however small or seemingly futile—to push for something better, not just observe the chaos with a sense of detached irony.

I do find it curious, though, that you seem to think I’m offended. I’m not sure where that assumption comes from, but if it’s grounded in your training as a psychologist or psychiatrist, I’m inclined to question how you reached that conclusion. My disagreement with your stance isn’t a sign of offense—it’s simply a difference of approach.

And even if someone considers this act of violence justified, it changes nothing in the grand scheme. Another corporate leader will simply step into the CEO’s role, another cog in the same machine. Do we kill the next one too? And the one after that? What does that accomplish beyond perpetuating more violence? Systemic change doesn’t come from targeting individuals—it requires dismantling the structures that enable the harm in the first place.

I’m not offended by your laissez-faire attitude, but I do think it risks dismissing the genuine suffering of those caught in the crossfire of systemic failures and violent reactions like this one. The assassination of a CEO isn’t a meme or a cartoon punchline—it’s the loss of a human life, regardless of how flawed the victim may have been or how broken the system is.

Absurdism might help us cope with the absurdity of the world, but I’d argue that pragmatism calls for action, not just observation. We can laugh at the absurdities of life and still acknowledge our role in trying to make things better.

 

[Raggendecanton]

Society has been addressing systemic issues with murder since the beginning of time. Currently we have Hamas vs. Jerusalem, Ukraine(USA) vs Russia. Its human nature, regardless of how you or anyone feels about it.

There are many people fed up with the corrupt healthcare system in the United States. You should see the comments on social media, and the comments that get posted on news stories. Its the corporate hospitals, insurance companies, and doctors screwing over the American People. This event has people talking about how broken our healthcare system is, the volume has been turned up significantly. Thats something positive. Will anything more become? That has yet to be seen. But this act has been an impetus.

If it took the loss of one life to create change, then so be it. The son of a b!tch that got killed was no saint and neither is the industry he worked for. He is exactly what is wrong with America. The fuhkers keep taking.

You completely ignore the fact that masses of people that have been screwed, denied coverage, and died because of a broken healthcare system. Ohhh, these folks are just supposed to sit down and talk??? they are way beyond that. That was tried and they got nowhere. Thats how they feel....why can't you understand that. Have you not ever been beat down by the system and taken advantage of? You live under a damn rock?

You’re right that throughout history, violence has often been used as a way to address systemic grievances, but that doesn’t make it the best or most ethical option—especially in modern society, where we have tools like media, legal reform, and organized protest to amplify voices. The fact that violence has been a historical norm doesn’t mean we should resign ourselves to it as inevitable. If anything, history shows us that cycles of violence usually lead to more instability and suffering, not sustainable change.

You ask if I’m living under a rock? My friend, as an injury lawyer, I’ve had cases against big hospitals where children were wrongfully diagnosed and lost their lives. Trust me, I’ve seen firsthand the horrors that happen behind the curtains in this broken system. I’ve heard the stories, seen the tears, and fought for justice in a system that often feels stacked against the vulnerable. But that’s not the point.

The frustration with these injustices is valid—no one is denying that. The system is riddled with corruption, greed, and failures that harm people every day. But just because the system is broken doesn’t mean we can condone or justify violence as the answer. Yes, this act has people talking, but the cost of that conversation—someone’s life—is too high a price to pay. What kind of precedent does it set if we say that the ends justify the means?

I understand the anger—countless people have been harmed by corporate greed and systemic failures—but condoning violence isn’t the solution. Turning up the volume on public discourse doesn’t require a life lost; it requires persistence, organization, and strategy. Successful movements for change, like civil rights (its not long since women can vote right??) or labor reforms, didn’t happen overnight, but they were powerful precisely because they didn’t rely on harm to achieve their goals.

Lastly, dismissing the idea of peaceful change as naïve or ineffective is shortsighted. Talking, organizing, and pushing for reform aren’t passive—they’re the hard, disciplined work of those who believe in building a better system without sacrificing the values that make it worth fighting for. If we embrace violence, we risk perpetuating the same cycle of harm we claim to want to fix. And that’s why I reject the notion that violence is inevitable or acceptable, even when the system is this broken.

We can agree to disagree, and that’s perfectly fine. It’s clear we approach this from different perspectives, but that’s the beauty of living in a society where we’re free to exchange ideas without needing to see eye to eye.

 

[Vanderdonck]

Brian Thompson chose to work as a CEO for a health insurance company. He wasn't forced to work there. He wasn't forced to be the guy who put stock prices over lives. He was in charge of the company that has a 32% claim denial rate. Twice the national average. He did not have to do that to make the company highly profitable. He just had to reduce C Suite compensation.

If you play jump rope with the law, there is always a risk that you get tangled up and fall. Brian Thompson took that risk. And he paid for his greed and arrogance.

This logic can be extended to just about anyone who works, votes, or pays taxes. E.g. my taxes have paid in part for the military which has destroyed more lives than UHC. In the past I've voted so ergo I've given my imprimatur to its actions and have blood on my hands.

I've also worked for conglomerates that produce (among other things) tobacco, energy, and processed foods.

Anyone could similarly draw (or leap to) the conclusion that I have knowingly and willingly participated in the manslaughter if not murder of millions and even profited from my participation, and that I deserve capital punishment without due process.

 

[Clockwerk50]

See, that's why you should just stay in the sandbox and not discuss topics with the adults.

YOU yourself compared your frustrating situation to the frustration the assassin felt towards that CEO for denying life-saving treatments:

Indeed, truly shameful comparison. Like saying to a chemo patient, 'I had the flu once, I know how you feel'. You should be ashamed.

Troll somewhere else, dildo.

I think you took my story out of context. My point was that anger is often misdirected, not that my situation was the same as someone’s life-threatening illness. Making an insensitive joke about it misses the point and isn’t helpful, and it downplays real suffering and makes light of serious issues.

For someone that advocates emotional awareness, suggests the application of congruency tests, and acts like their sh!t don’t stink, you clearly have issues reading the room.

 

[eli77]

ding dong the ***** is dead the kid had time to flee but decide to go to macdonalds

 

[Sega Genesis]

From CNN:

Mr. Thompson, whom colleagues knew as “BT,” joined the conglomerate UnitedHealth Group in 2004, and spent about 20 years rising through the ranks.

"He became chief executive of the insurance division, UnitedHealthcare, in April 2021, leading a unit that employs about 140,000 people and reported $281 billion in revenue last year.

Under his leadership, the company’s profits rose to more than $16 billion last year from $12 billion in 2021.

Mr. Thompson received total compensation of $10.2 million last year, with $1 million in base pay augmented by substantial cash and stock grants."

On X, a woman posted that her claim for breast cancer surgery was denied. She was asked by the UH rep "is it an emergency"?

She replied "gee I dunno, it's f***ing cancer, what do you think"?

Just one of many denials.

I have direct knowledge that before AI was used to approve/deny claims, the reps reviewing the claims were instructed to automatically deny the initial claim, often times without even reviewing.

They were banking on the insured not pursuing the denial. The claims that were considered for approval were when the insured appealed or the insured hired an attorney disputing the denial.

The firm I used to work for handled a lot of such denials and the insurance companies were so cut throat and nasty, it literally made me feel sick sometimes and one reason why I got out of the business.

P.S. I appreciate this thread allowing us (me) to vent. I am on another forum where it's not allowed and SM is nuts! Thanks mods.

 

[Bible_Belt]

Another unfortunate side effect of this event is that it will popularize 3d printed guns without also mentioning that they are dangerous pieces of junk. They degrade immediately from the first shot fired. His jammed on every shot. After a few more, they are likely to blow up in your hand. Media people are usually ignorant of guns beyond a general hatred of them, so this detail is left out.

 

[Vanderdonck]

From CNN:

Mr. Thompson, whom colleagues knew as “BT,” joined the conglomerate UnitedHealth Group in 2004, and spent about 20 years rising through the ranks.

"He became chief executive of the insurance division, UnitedHealthcare, in April 2021, leading a unit that employs about 140,000 people and reported $281 billion in revenue last year.

Under his leadership, the company’s profits rose to more than $16 billion last year from $12 billion in 2021.

Mr. Thompson received total compensation of $10.2 million last year, with $1 million in base pay augmented by substantial cash and stock grants."

On X, a woman posted that her claim for breast cancer surgery was denied. She was asked by the UH rep "is it an emergency"?

She replied "gee I dunno, it's f***ing cancer, what do you think"?

Just one of many denials.

I have direct knowledge that before AI was used to approve/deny claims, the reps reviewing the claims were instructed to automatically deny the initial claim, often times without even reviewing.

They were banking on the insured not pursuing the denial. The claims that were considered for approval were when the insured appealed or the insured hired an attorney disputing the denial.

The firm I used to work for handled a lot of such denials and the insurance companies were so cut throat and nasty, it literally made me feel sick sometimes and one reason why I got out of the business.

P.S. I appreciate this thread allowing us (me) to vent. I am on another forum where it's not allowed and SM is nuts! Thanks mods.

Insurance in America is a ****ing scam.

 

[Clockwerk50]

Maybe you shouldn't have contextualise your pathetic story with the events discussed in this thread.


Why bring your pathetic story up at all? Your frustration at a dealership has no relation to someone's health insurance denying a claim for life-saving medical procedures.


Bringing up your car dealership claim problems in this thread is actually insensitive. Wow, you suffered the loss a 1,000 dollars? How angry and frustrated you must've been. That should be comparable to someone going bankrupt because they have to pay for necessary life saving surgery out of their own pocket.

I could bring up that since 2015 I have to pay 440euro a month for my glaucoma medication, because (even though my medication prescribed by the chief optometrist & head of the ophthalmology department of my hospital) the health insurance denies my claim hiding behind their 'policies'.
If I would bring that up, it would make more sense than your pathetic car dealership story. I didn't bring it up (except here to show your foolishness) because in my health insurance case the claim denial is a mere nuisance, not a financial strain that threatens to bankrupt me and destroy my livelihood. Even though I feel the denial of my claim is unjustified, I'm not frustrated and/or angry at paying almost 50,000 euro for eye-saving medication. And I certainly would compare my plight with that of the UHC patients getting their claims maliciously denied.


Meanwhile, here you are b!tching about a car dealership warranty claim denial that cost you a mere 1,000 dollar. Yes, that is like telling a chemo patient you had the flu, so you know what they're going through.

Again, I’m not sure how you got so off track, but let me clarify: My point wasn’t to compare my frustration over a $1,000 warranty claim to the struggles of someone needing life-saving treatment. What I did say is that anger can get misdirected, and in both my example and yours, it's often placed on people who have little control over the broader issues at play.

I’m not whining or complaining, and that wasn’t the point of my example. It’s clear you’ve misunderstood, and instead of addressing the real issue, you’re relying on petty arguments, straw man tactics, and self-righteous positioning.

You made the connection between my example and chemotherapy patients, and it came off as deeply insensitive. Maybe if you want to be a better leader in this forum, it would help to admit when you're wrong instead of writing fictional posts about your imaginary lovers to get validation from other members here. Maybe it’s time to get off your high horse.

 

[BillyPilgrim]

You made the connection between my example and chemotherapy patients, and it came off as deeply insensitive. Maybe if you want to be a better leader in this forum, it would help to admit when you're wrong instead of writing fictional posts about your imaginary lovers to get validation from other members here. Maybe it’s time to get off your high horse.

High hobby horses have haughty halos, however.

(Then again, getting high is the only way to get above water)