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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMartin Shkreli is a sacrificial wolf
That's what I said to my spouse this morning. I'll use the words of Ian Welsh to expand on the thought, as he is far more eloquent than I:
This is a message.
Rook the proles as much as you want, but dont scream it to the world. We have a good thing going here, sonny, and we dont tolerate people who might wreck it.
Despite his cartoon villain behaviour, Shkrell is far from the worst CEO in America.
Billionaires may do as they please. The only rule is dont destroy the game."
http://www.ianwelsh.net/martin-shkreli-arrested-for-securities-fraud/
I'm happy to see some semblance of justice in this case, but he's like the one cockroach you see vs the hundreds scurrying behind the walls...
HughBeaumont
(24,461 posts)Profiteering from sick poor people = social pariah, but nonetheless legal.
Warpy
(111,339 posts)At least now we know why Shkreli was so desperate for fast money that he did something egregious enough to be noticed by the press. I just wonder how many other drug prices are being jacked up just below the radar for the same reason.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,836 posts)might be getting his just desserts.
Don't harsh my mellow.
H2O Man
(73,605 posts)respectfully disagree. While he is a sacrificial turd being flushed by that corrupt system, I must disagree with the word "merely" -- because he is more than that. Much more.
I agree with the rest of the OP. Recommended.
Cal Carpenter
(4,959 posts)You have a point, so I may have to remove it....
Thanks for the rec
eta: yeah, given the very dangerous and immediate real-world consequences of his behavior, there is nothing 'mere' about it.
H2O Man
(73,605 posts)parasite. His smugness is revoltingly offensive. He really believed that he was "untouchable." But, as the OP makes clear, he offended the wrong people -- who happen to be the only ones who could touch him. And for the exact reasons you noted: his desire to be high profile in an organized criminal enterprise, which demands secrecy.
Your OP is, by far, the most important on DU. Thank you for posting it!
MisterP
(23,730 posts)MisterP
(23,730 posts)I will admit that when I saw this fellow's smug grin for the first time on television, it reminded me of the type of kid that the young and pre-nonviolent H2O Man would feel compelled to swat in junior high school.
Oilwellian
(12,647 posts)Katashi_itto
(10,175 posts)napkinz
(17,199 posts)Response to napkinz (Reply #7)
Post removed
olddots
(10,237 posts)after a month at Club Fed .
bklyncowgirl
(7,960 posts)The problem is that what he did with the drug prices while reprehensible was not illegal. I do agree that he's a sacrifice to divert the masses, that would be you and me, I am happy to see him go down.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)want to interfere with commerce so they are not going after regulations that would stop this totally but they need to send a message - cut that out - and the easiest way to do it is to prosecute one guy everyone dislikes.
I look for this to happen regarding the hatred toward American Muslims also. They will need to send a message that this discrimination and hatred will not be tolerated.
2naSalit
(86,775 posts)smug while spilling the beans.. of course he deserve to be the one selected to do a public per-walk so that business can go on as usual behind the "scenes".
yurbud
(39,405 posts)Dorian Gray
(13,499 posts)He's so disgusting that even the 1% find him distasteful and don't want to protect him anymore.
Oilwellian
(12,647 posts)They can always do as they wish. They just can't be brazen about it.
Cal Carpenter
(4,959 posts)He was too public about it. But comparable things happen all the time and stay behind the scenes.
B Calm
(28,762 posts)punishing job creators.
stillwaiting
(3,795 posts)Richly deserved.
kenfrequed
(7,865 posts)It is like Martha Stewart or Bernie Madoff. They have to prosecute someone once or twice a decade to inspire condidence in a system that does not work.
karadax
(284 posts)Got revenge. Music transcends.
Kalidurga
(14,177 posts)and play it on all the news networks.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)Some even believe the public thinks that way too.
Seriously.
Like we're singing songs in praise of them.
Starry Messenger
(32,342 posts)Too bad they couldn't arrest one a day before Xmas, a kind of advent calendar!
Cal Carpenter
(4,959 posts)I sure would love to see a month full of perp walks for asshole wealth-stealing capitalist pigs in my lifetime