Both tabloids and broadsheets paid enormous attention to UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was killed in New York City. I get that his social status was huge, but it frightened corporate America, Big Banks, and super-rich families because it could be them someday. The killed CEO does matter, but over 48,000 firearm-related deaths are nothing. As Stalin said: “One death is a tragedy, a million deaths a statistic.”
Another thing is that none of the super-rich has ever faced a criminal investigation for murder, even though some murders must have definitely happened. The rich try to preserve themselves, being at best lukewarm to the tens of thousands of deaths of ordinary Americans.
No member of any super-rich family has ever been arrested for murder
The 2014 film Foxcatcher tells the true story of John Eleuthère du Pont. He was an heir to the wealthy du Pont family. The film was directed by Bennett Miller. It stars Steve Carell as John du Pont, Channing Tatum as Mark Schultz, and Mark Ruffalo as Dave Schultz.
Du Pont created Team Foxcatcher, a wrestling training facility. He aimed to help athletes succeed at the Olympics. He recruited the Schultz brothers, both Olympic gold medalists. Over time, his behavior became increasingly paranoid and unstable. In 1996, he shot and killed Dave Schultz.
Police arrested du Pont after a two-day standoff. A court convicted him of third-degree murder. He received a sentence of 13 to 30 years in prison. This crime shocked many and marked a dramatic fall from grace.
No other du Pont family member has faced criminal charges of this nature. Families like the Rockefellers or Morgans have seen scandals but never arrests for murder. Despite the fact that they must have murdered someone, given the huge number of members they have.
The story is explored further in Team Foxcatcher, a Netflix documentary. It uses archival footage and interviews to provide more insight. The tragedy highlights du Pont’s unraveling and its devastating effects.
Killed immoral CEO does matter, but what about 50,000 gun-related deaths?
Gun-related deaths in the United States are a major public health issue. In 2022, over 48,000 people lost their lives to firearms. This figure includes homicides, suicides, and accidental shootings. On average, firearms caused 132 deaths per day that year.
Suicides accounted for the majority of these deaths. More than 27,000 Americans used firearms to end their lives in 2022. Firearm suicides are particularly prevalent in rural areas, where access to mental health resources is often limited. Homicides, on the other hand, resulted in over 19,000 deaths. These are most common in urban areas, with firearms involved in nearly three-quarters of all homicides.
Firearm-related injuries and deaths disproportionately affect certain demographics. Young men, particularly those aged 15-34, face the highest risk of gun homicide. Within this group, Black Americans experience gun homicide rates nearly ten times higher than white Americans. For firearm suicides, older white men are the most affected demographic. This reflects different underlying factors driving gun deaths across populations.
Firearm death rates in the U.S. far exceed those of other high-income nations. While some countries also have high rates of gun ownership, they implement stricter regulations, leading to fewer deaths. In the U.S., more than 400 million firearms are privately owned, outnumbering the population. This widespread availability, combined with other factors, contributes to the high death toll.
The powerful are scared but what about ordinary people: Imagine getting the same attention
If ordinary people killed by guns received the same attention as a high-profile CEO, the conversation around gun violence would likely shift dramatically. News outlets might cover each victim with the same depth, exploring their lives, families, and circumstances. Each death could become a focal point for public discussions, highlighting systemic issues and personal tragedies alike.
The sheer volume of firearm deaths, over 48,000 in a year, would dominate headlines. Stories would emerge about young lives lost in urban violence, veterans struggling with PTSD leading to suicides, and children caught in accidental shootings. The national narrative might begin to reflect the human toll of these statistics, rather than treating them as mere numbers.
Public discourse would also change. Discussions might delve into root causes, such as poverty, mental health challenges, and the role of gun culture in American society. With each victim’s story told in detail, the scale of the problem would feel more immediate and personal, challenging the public to confront it more directly.
This attention could lead to broader debates about how society values different lives. Why does one life receive front-page coverage while thousands do not? It might expose disparities in media focus, public empathy, and political response. By humanizing each victim, society could better grasp the scope of firearm violence and its far-reaching consequences.
We don’t care about ordinary Americans, but it is us in danger
The super-rich couldn’t care less about tens of thousands of Americans killed, but when they are in danger, well, the media must do what they must do.
Of course, I admit it is a thrilling story, but the super-rich owned media inform because it is their issue, a dangerous issue.
Who really doesn’t get attention? The US-killed dissidents
“There are a lot of killers. You think our country’s so innocent?” Donald Trump proclaimed when confronted with the killings of Vladimir Putin. Do you think the poor American or non-American victims get some attention? No, they die without a notice.
It is a reminder of communism when no media cared when a dissident died.
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