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Jacobin Radio

Dig: Assassin Nation w/ Patrick Blanchfield

Dec 19, 2024
Patrick Blanchfield, a writer and associate faculty at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research, dives into the chilling realities of assassination and political violence. He explores the powerful emotions behind violence, and how American society grapples with human disposability. The conversation touches on the repercussions of gun violence, public attitudes toward health insurance executives, and the often twisted perceptions of resistance versus sanctioned violence. Blanchfield also contextualizes political assassinations across cultures, questioning the morality behind state-sanctioned violence.
01:59:25

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson illustrates how political violence can resonate deeply with public sentiment towards healthcare inequities.
  • Historical context shapes the interpretation of political assassinations, as seen in how societal values can redefine acts of violence retrospectively.

Deep dives

Public Reaction to the UHC Assassination

The assasination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson by Luigi Mangione has sparked a complex public discourse regarding political violence and societal norms. A surprising segment of the population has expressed support for Mangione's actions, reflecting a deeper disdain for the healthcare system. This incident raises questions about the nature of mainstream political values and the historical context of political assassinations in America. The event forces a reflection on whether public sentiment shifts, transforming acts of violence into political statements in the collective consciousness.

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