I know that “Don Dick” will be excited to read this when he spots it on the street.  Anxious to see what disproportionate flattery has this time been cast his way.

                But that is not what I am here to do today.

I’ve held my tongue, watched as this man made a mockery of the streets, time after time, turning what was once a well-respected regime of Mafiosos (Mafiosi?) essentially into a garbage dump.  A wasteland.  And these are the streets which I love.  The streets which I walk each day as an escape from the bitter torment of daily monotony.  They have been torn from their former grandeur of honor that comes with our territory, and reduced to… well, middle school toilet humor.  I would even wager that a fair amount of middle schoolers would show a higher appreciation for the dignity that our profession once stood for.

I’ve stood by, aghast, and watched well-respected members of our community support, even cheer and endorse this silliness, which I take as an insult to our way of life.  Day in and day out, I am shocked and appalled at the positive attention this garbage has received.  I could not even pretend, trying my hardest, to enjoy this spectacle of disgrace.  I find it impossible to understand how members of our community, including leaders throughout the country, could continually approve of this blemish on our communal respectability.  It is an INSULT to our way of life.

Such behavior MUST negatively affect the growth of our organizations in this world.  If I were a new, bright-eyed gangster, investigating the streets, and I saw mafiosos behaving themselves in such a way, and leaders seeming to encourage it, I would simply leave, in search of another group of organizations which took their business more seriously, and conducted themselves as such.  (As it happens, I am already attached to this world, and would be unable to bring myself to leave it.  All I can do is express my concern, and hope that this will help to restore its integrity.)

And I am not one of those people, who I do not doubt he has previously had to deal with, who are offended by sexual themes or vulgarity on the streets.  Hell, we are gangsters.  We lie and we steal and we curse for a living.  But there is a difference, which I think you all recognize, between vulgarity and silliness.

And don’t get me wrong; I can appreciate a little silliness once in a while.  I understand that it can be tiring focusing on the execution of crimes and extortion, day in, and day out, and we all need a little break, from time to time.  I’m not too crazy about that whole bin-dipping craze, either, but at least those gentlemen seemed to know when to cool it off.  I realize that this may all seem rather silly coming from a man known as Cosmo_Kramer, but, if you look at the role that me and my ancestors have played in this world, you will find that we at least attempt to have the proper respect for the stature and distinction which those in our world are meant to stand for.

                To see such a man--whom I consider a disgraceful excuse for a Mafioso--attain the rank of crew leader—one who should exemplify the finest qualities of our world—is the final insult that I am able to bear.  I can contain my disgust no longer.  I know that at least some others of our world can appreciate my opinion.  I know that the nature of our world will restrict most from expressing this, especially in light of his recent authorization, but I am simply unable to hold back any longer.  The fact that a man who continually and openly disrespects our profession can rise through the ranks in such a way and achieve what is basically regarded as the ultimate honor turns my stomach.

I only hope that our community is in agreement.  I can not stand by silently in a world where such disgrace is tolerated.

Richard steps up

"Normally, people would expect me to get enraged. Demand you to be killed, throw tobasco sauce in your eyes, and watch you suffer. However, I do applaud you. You show you have some balls, and honestly, it's what more of this place needs."

Hits his Joint

"In my defense, I do not see me as being a mockery. I found something people seem to enjoy, I ran with it. Now I do however disagree with you going public against a fellow New York Mafioso, but alas, shows you have more balls. Although, I think had you approached me behind the scenes, I may have addressed it with some concern. I have in the past spoke about those who disliked my voice in the streets, and I believe I said something along the lines of, I can pretty much give two shits. It's damaging growth because it's encouraging people to be active with their voices, regardless of how Taboo it may be? It makes life that more interesting around here, just like you have by making this public a public concern, when in reality it should be a city related matter. Do I wish for action to be taken for your lack of ability to follow a code? As much of a Dick one is, I cannot wish for your death for something I encourage others to do."

"I'm sorry you dislike my activity, and I apologize for you to be unable to comprehend the issue the majority of the speeches really tackle. Although maybe for those who don't look outside the box, I can see it being an issue, but no I will not stop what I have started. Or else I wouldn't be who I am, and if you don't like that, well then I apologize, there are other speeches that you can listen too."

In passing Sal accidentally breathes the foreign vapors originating from Richard's joint. He coughs and chokes violently and is promptly rushed to the hospital.

As someone who knows Richard quite well I can assure you Cosmo that RichardWad is as professional a mafiosa as you will find. In fact I am fairly confident his last crew leader will back me up and tell you just who well he performs the duties New York have given him.

What you see as Mockery, I see as entertainment. Whilst you see it as negatively affecting growth, I see it as someone being active and entertaining in the streets. Should I ever think he has crossed a line, be assured I will have a quite word with him and deal with it inhouse.

Whilst Intently listening to the Politics of the media, Brick's attention moves to the joint in question.

Gradually stepping to the side of RichardWad in an attempt to inhale the herbs he realises the crowd are looking in his direction.

"Freedom of speech is important to our streets", Brick mumbles.

"This thing of ours is shaped by the people within it, each person contributes in a different way; It's fair to say that Dick's made a greater effort to do so than most through his efforts in the streets."

"A simple answer is to "change the channel" when a show comes up that isnt to your liking"

Glancing back down at the joint again, brick swiftly moves to his car to join Sal at the hospital. 

Well, well, well. I can honestly say that I didnt expect to hear anything like this when I came for a stroll down the streets.

From the gangsters Ive spoken to, and overheard, I had the impression that Richard's speaches were going down a storm in our world. Untill reaching this outburst I've heard not one complaint about them. Far from it, it seems that they are a pleasant interlude between the serious anouncments and the life stories that we hear day to day.

UnderDog has it entirely correct, your greivances should proberly not have been brought up in such a way for the sake of the city we all hold dear but alas.

Let us be thankful that your opinion seems to be the minority.

Flux watches poor Sal getting loaded onto a stretcher and hauled off to the hospital. He himself then catches a wiff of that pungent green cigerette and follows the smell all the way back to his headquarters

I'm guessing you thought Gwarble went too far too, huh?

I totally disagree with you. I think DonDick is just what the community needs. He hasn't been decreasing or preventing anything. He's brought activity to our streets and brings a laugh or two to myself and many others.

melien, out for a strool, hears a speech critisizing someone method of speeching and teaching.

"i'm something of an avid listener to don richards speeches. and i must say that, in My opinion, and you may have your own if you wish, Don richards speeches are more successful then what i usually see by people who are trying to teach things in these streets. many times, when i see a "teaching speech" in the streets they get little or no recognition. but the speeches of richard wad, have been well recieved and people are taking away good and useful lessons from what he says. with that in mind, i cannot see the downside of an effective method of making a point."

I'm not going to comment on the merits of a Don's speeches, that is not my place, but taking a look around I think it's easier to just put it this way: would you rather have nothing at all? Because from the looks of it, if it weren't for Don Wad the only thing we'd be hearing is the light crackle of tumbleweed as it rolled through.

Tony shakes his head a bit.. but then continues with listening to the comments made about a New York leader

I can understand the concern with Richard's speeches nearly crossing the line and or sometimes being a bit crowded together on the streets... hell, I might want to kill him myself sometimes, but never would I come to the street, airing my concerns and disgust with his street presence in the manner here, but then again we all walk our own steps in life and we all hold our own values of respect and honor.

New York is a fine city, built with a bond based on stable business practices and a common goal to achieve the best we can in life, so I would question the reason for this public outburst when a personal inquiry to voice your concerns could have been made out of respect if even only respect from being in the same city.

Tony kicks a rock across the street..

He is putting in more work than you, me and most the mobsters around here, and although sometimes highly misguided and very frequent I would urge him to keep up the good work, but also at the same time be considerate to others wishes and wants - while never bowing down from his own beliefs.


Tony nods his head at RichardWad and tips his hat at Cosmo_Kramer

I think you all need to take a drink, too much stress around the holidays.

I could not even pretend, trying my hardest, to enjoy this spectacle of disgrace. I find it impossible to understand how members of our community, including leaders throughout the country, could continually approve of this blemish on our communal respectability. It is an INSULT to our way of life.

Now hold on for a second here. Now is Dicky a Dick? Of course he is. But lets be fair, he has been able to entertain quite some Dick's and made a whole bunch of other Dick's proud. Alright I'll stop now!

But the long and short of it is this. Richie by no means a conventional mafioso, he is perhaps a bit more progressive in his ideas and thinking. He has chosen his style of humor to deliver his ideas to the streets, and might I add just as you said...he's been welcomed with open arms. I mean I'm not really a fan of getting a circular in the mail which reads "From the Dick's tip" but after a solid read of laughter and good talk, it makes it all worth the while.

I can understand your view of our world. But if you look about a little...the key phrase these days is "Different flavors for different people." Your particular taste might be a bit conservative, but Richie's provocative view is certainly doing it for some of us out here.

So don't go out calling it a insult, its the same product...different packaging.

First of all, I'd like to say that it was wrong of me to speak against the godfather's recent authorization.  I betrayed my crew leader's trust and my position, and, for that, I apologize.

I have since spoken with Don Dick, and have a better understanding of his intentions, both from his input and that from all of you, on the street.  I found our conversation more enlightening and courteous than I expected, and want to thank both Don Dick and Don Whatsername for their understanding during this ordeal.

So I will keep this brief, but I would like to address a couple of you who have responded here.  I can't say that I'm surprised to not have received public support, but am surprised, as always, to see those of you who disagree with me.  I see potential to take the personal element out of this and turn it into a more general debate.

Yes, Glaurung, as I've said, I am also sometimes annoyed with the silliness of others, but they are much less dense and extreme.

Though it may increase activity on the streets, I would argue that this is the wrong type of activity.  People who are new to this world, fresh off the boat and looking for work, will receive a poor impression of the way things work around here.  Those with real potential may simply leave, or, worse yet, grow to engage in similar behavior.  As I've said, I think it is important that we respect and appreciate the roots from which we have grown.  It's important that we take our work and our world seriously.  Yes, I would rather see a more barren street than one with the characteristics that I have described.  But, by the way, I don't believe that what some of you have said is true.  There have been plenty of alternative quality speeches made lately.

I don't question the strength, commitment, or ability of any of these men or women, but I want to ask you, "what is it worth?"  Without honor, we are forgetting our roots.  I just hope that we can try to respect and appreciate the reason that we have originally come here.  Some have suggested that I can simply choose not to listen, but I would instead suggest that there are, perhaps, more appropriate outlets for this type of material.

Again, I want to express that Richard and I have reached a kind of understanding, and I believe that we now appreciate each other's point of view.  He is, for all intents and purposes, my boss, and, make no mistake about it, this situation has provided me with more respect for the character behind his attitudes, and I will defend him, like all of New York, to the death, when and if necessary.  I would hope that my comments have prompted all members of our community to take a step back and re-evaluate what it is that members of our respective organizations stand for.

I'm surprised that you would stand by a more barren street over Don Wad occupying a more active one. Regardless of topic, surely his constant presence alone would encourage others to step out, even if not in the way that you desire? And let's not kid ourselves when it comes to other speeches - the numerous crewleader announcements are more informative than they are interactive and the same goes to the escapades some get into, of which we merely observe. I won't besmirch a man so willing to try and set an example, even if some think it is with the wrong methods.

In my opinion, rather than calling for a stop to a man trying to put things right, perhaps the more productive option would have been to call for others to do the same. We won't get back to our roots by eliminating an allegedly wayward straggler - only by putting our best feet forward and setting that example ourselves.

you have some balls

you have more balls

Anyone else get a kick out of this coming from a Dick?

Just as bin dipping, this behavior will soon fade away Cosmo. I would probably also be tempted to speak out about these speeches, but I only notice the flyers hanging on the poles around town. I never attend any of these events, which keeps me from passing judgement on such Dicks.

My advice would be to just ignore Don Dicks street antics in the public forums, but still be able to work with this Dick on a more private and personal level. Afterall, we all are apart of New York and in this thing together.

Every group has a Dick in it. It's just New Yorks seems to be bigger than others.  ( I think that was a compliment to Don Dick in a odd way)