Such a Cold Finger

Luigi Mangione, the man suspected of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was being held in a Pennsylvania jail on Tuesday but is expected to be extradited to New York City to face a murder charge in the fatal shooting.

Had I come across a CEO murderer as charming as Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old Ivy League graduate with ties to Maryland and San Francisco, last residing in Honolulu, I might have refrained from turning him in. I would have pretended not to have seen him and just walked away. It's hardly surprising that I've never been picked for jury duty.

Indeed, this personal choice presents considerable ethical challenges. Overlooking a crime due to the perpetrator's appearance undermines justice and equality. Such prejudice may enable perilous behaviors, putting others at risk. It appears to mirror a disturbing pattern within American society.

The Roman Empire lasted from 27 BC to 476 AD, indicating that. our country at 248 years old, have several centuries to equal Rome's duration before its decline.  Allowing biases to influence our decisions can result in a society where justice is inconsistently applied, with certain individuals escaping accountability due to their charm or social status.

The erosion of fairness may result in diminished trust in the legal system if it is perceived to disproportionately favor the privileged, particularly with a majority conservative Supreme Court. Such disparities have the potential to incite societal unrest and division, thereby challenging the core principles of democracy and equality.

Goldfinger
He's the man, the man with the Midas touch
A spider's touch
Such a cold finger
Beckons you to enter his web of sin
But don't go in
​--Shirley Bassey