The Coyote Principle

 

I didn't write this, but I wish I had.

“The Governor of California is jogging with his dog along a nature trail. A coyote jumps out and attacks the Governor’s dog, then bites the Governor.

“The Governor starts to intervene but reflects upon the movie “Bambi” and then realizes he should stop because the coyote is only doing what is natural.

“He calls animal control. Animal Control captures the coyote and bills the state $200 for testing it for diseases and $500 for relocating it.

“He calls a veterinarian. The vet collects the dead dog and bills the State $200 for testing it for diseases.

“The Governor goes to a hospital and spends $3,500 getting checked for diseases from the coyote and on getting his bite wound bandaged.

“The running trail gets shut down for 6 months while Fish & Game conducts a $100,000 survey to make sure the area is now free of dangerous animals.

“The Governor spends $50,000 in state funds implementing a “coyote awareness program” for residents of the area.

“The State Legislature spends $2 million to study how to better treat rabies and how to permanently eradicate the disease throughout the world.

“The Governor’s security agent is fired for not stopping the attack. The state spends $150,000 to hire and train a new agent with additional special training for the nature of coyotes.

“PETA protests the coyote’s relocation and files a $5 million lawsuit against the state.”

Meanwhile in Texas:

“The Governor of Texas is jogging with his dog along a nature trail. A coyote jumps out and attacks his dog.

“The Governor shoots the coyote with his state-issued pistol and keeps jogging.

“The Governor has spent $.50 on a .45ACP hollow point cartridge.

“The buzzards eat the dead coyote…”

“And that, my friends, is why California is broke and Texas is not.”

Disturbing Reactions to Murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO

 

The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has brought out unexpected reactions from some Americans. At least I didn't expect them.

Many people, including at least one former Washington Post personality, expressed happiness and even "joy" about the murder. How far have we fallen as a people when cold blooded murder on a city street is celebrated?

Brian Thompson was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April of 2021, after working for over 15 years in various executive positions in the company. UnitedHealthcare has been criticized as of late for denying insurance claims. Some people, including Thompson's killer, apparently blame Thompson for any and all issues they have with the company. They praise the murder as a good thing, somehow.

The alleged killer was captured in a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a customer recognized him from the TV coverage and called police. People on social media have called that customer a "rat," and a "snitch," for getting a murder suspect off the street. I hope they never lose someone they love to a murderer.

Healthcare CEO or not, Brian Thompson didn't deserve his fate on that street at the hands of that angry young man. He was a family man, leaving behind a wife and two sons. The ages of the boys have not been revealed, leaving one to believe they are minors who must finish growing up without their father. In a telephone interview, his wife said Thompson had reported getting death threats.

No one deserves to be murdered because of an issue with a corporation. No one should be murdered over a dispute, period. But those celebrating it are difficult for me to understand. Murder has never been acceptable in a civilized society. Those who celebrate this incident need to take a long, hard look in the mirror and examine what's inside them.

Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.