Summary
The Disturbing Story of Richard Kuklinski
A teenager’s brutal killing of a classmate, claiming the victim was bullying him, is a disturbing incident that showcases a lack of remorse and a sense of power. This incident is a stark reminder of the impact of childhood experiences on individuals.
The Iceman: A Notorious Contract Killer
Richard Kuklinski, also known as “The Iceman,” was a notorious contract killer who was convicted of multiple murders. However, the speaker disputes the movie’s depiction of Kuklinski’s relationship with Roy DeMeo, a Gambino family associate, claiming that Kuklinski’s claims of working with DeMeo are unsubstantiated.
The speaker believes that Kuklinski was a pathological liar and psychopath who fabricated many of his claims, including the number of people he killed. Despite thorough investigations, law enforcement couldn’t corroborate most of his claims.
Kuklinski’s Upbringing
Kuklinski’s upbringing had a profound impact on his life. His father was abusive, beating him, his mother, and siblings regularly. The family was terrified of him, and even covered up a murder he committed as a teenager. Kuklinski grew to hate his parents, and went on to commit heinous crimes, including killing for sport, without feeling any remorse.
The speaker questions whether Kuklinski was truly a product of his environment or if there was something inherently wrong with him that led him down a path of violence and destruction.
The Impact of Childhood Experiences
The speaker reflects on the impact of childhood experiences on individuals, citing the example of Richard Kuklinski. While acknowledging that Kuklinski’s upbringing contributed to his behavior, the speaker believes that individuals are responsible for their actions and cannot blame their environment entirely.
The speaker also disputes the movie’s portrayal of Kuklinski as a devoted family man, citing his wife Barbara’s later claims of physical abuse, including beatings, attempted smothering, and broken noses.
Criticizing the Movie Portrayal
The speaker criticizes the movie’s portrayal of notorious killers, such as Roy DeMeo, as loving fathers and husbands, which contradicts the reality of their brutal crimes.
The speaker finds it disturbing to watch a movie about a psychopath who killed people in various ways, including using cyanide, strangling, and shooting with a bow and arrow.
A Warning Against Watching the Movie
The speaker advises against watching a movie based on Kuklinski’s life unless one is interested in a good performance by the actors, and warns that Kuklinski was not a serial killer, but a predator who preyed on people without remorse.
The Importance of Parenting
The destruction of the family is a major problem in America, leading to young men ending up in prison without a father figure, guidance, or love. They turn to the streets, get involved with drug dealers and gangs, and end up in prison or worse.
Parenting is challenging, and it’s crucial to do the right thing for your kids, as they’ll eventually become a part of society, either contributing positively or causing harm.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Contract Killer | A person who commits murder in exchange for payment. | Richard Kuklinski was a notorious contract killer convicted of multiple murders. |
| Pathological Liar | A person who habitually tells lies without any apparent motivation or benefit. | The speaker believes that Kuklinski was a pathological liar who fabricated many of his claims. |
| Psychopath | A person with a personality disorder characterized by a lack of empathy and impulsivity. | The speaker believes that Kuklinski was a psychopath who fabricated many of his claims. |
| Serial Killer | A person who murders multiple people over a period of time, often with a cooling-off period between murders. | The speaker advises that Kuklinski was not a serial killer, but a predator who preyed on people without remorse. |
| Remorse | A feeling of deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed. | Kuklinski grew up to hate his parents and went on to commit heinous crimes without feeling any remorse. |
| Upbringing | The process of raising a child from birth to adulthood. | Kuklinski’s upbringing had a profound impact on his life, with his father being abusive and beating him regularly. |
| Parenting | The process of raising a child from birth to adulthood, including providing care, guidance, and love. | The speaker emphasizes the importance of parenting, as it can impact a child’s life and their contribution to society. |
Watch The Video
Vocabulary Quiz
1. Which word means ‘without feeling any emotion or sympathy’?
A) Remorse
C) Pathological
D) Notorious
2. Which word means ‘a person who kills people as a job’?
A) Psychopath
B) Contract killer
C) Predator
D) Serial killer
3. Which word means ‘to confirm or support something as true’?
A) Corroborate
C) Dispute
D) Investigate
4. Which word means ‘very bad or unpleasant’?
A) Disturbing
B) Notorious
C) Heinous
D) Abusive
. Which word means ‘to blame or criticize someone for something’?
A) Judge
B) Criticize
C) Dispute
D) Blame
Answer Key:
1. A
2. B
3. A
4. C
5. B
Grammar Focus
Grammar Focus: The Use of Subjunctive Mood
Grammar Quiz:
Choose the correct form of the verb in parentheses:
1. It is essential that the parents ____________________ (to do) the right thing for their kids.
A) do
B) does
D) did
E) doing
2. The speaker suggests that Richard Kuklinski ____________________ (to be) a product of his environment.
A) is
B) be
D) was
E) were
3. The speaker wishes that Kuklinski’s (to have) a loving family.
A) had
B) has
C) have
E) having
4. It is crucial that the parents ____________________ (to prioritize) their children’s well-being.
A) prioritize
B) prioritizes
C) prioritizing
D) prioritize
5. The speaker proposes that the movie ____________________ (to be) more accurate in its portrayal of Kuklinski.
A) is
B) be
C) been
D) being
Answer Key:
1. B) does
2. B) be
3. A) had
4. A) prioritize
5. B) be