New Contest: Write an "Opinion Piece" - Big Prizes!

Anton steps out of his HQ, into his waiting sedan.  He is driven to the Streets, where his bodyguards assemble his podium.  He begins to speak...  

"Friends, what an eventful few days!  If you haven't already, go and grab a copy of @Selena's newspaper, the first of many, we hope.

A few of us managed to stop the disrespectful contest.  In case you missed it, some imposter claimed to represent my friend Billy Russo, and claimed to be continuing the contest launched, with my funding, by my sadly deceased friend Douglas MacArthur.  Now that's been dealt with, it's time to launch my next contest.

The subject of whether I am, or am not, LEADER OF THE STREETS has rarely been low on people's agenda.  Almost everyone has an opinion.

Well, here's the chance to VOICE YOUR OPINION.

Give a short speech here detailing your opinion on WHETHER, OR NOT, I AM THE LEADER OF THE STREETS.

So, make sure your speech is at least 178 words, and no more than 350 words.

And make sure it gives YOUR OPINION ON WHETHER I AM THE LEADER OF THE STREETS OR NOT.

1st Prize - $3M

2nd Prize - $2M

3rd Prize - $1M

(And various perks which I hope will be donated to me by those of you who want to give something back to the Competitive Writing Community).

There will also be a Bonus prize (TBC), which will go to someone who I believe has been unusually original.  

Closing date TBC.

Any questions?  Contact me.  

The subject of whether Anton is, or is not not LEADER OF THE STREETS has seldom been on anyone's agenda, so top that end the answer is simple. Whilst Anton does, in his own unique way, contribute to the streets, he is most assuredly not, the leader of the streets. Het onderwerp of Anton wel of niet LEIDER VAN DE STRAAT is, heeft zelden op iemands agenda gestaan, dus bovenaan is het antwoord eenvoudig. Hoewel Anton op zijn eigen unieke manier een bijdrage levert aan de straat, is hij zeker niet de leider van de straat. El tema de si Anton es o no LÍDER DE LAS CALLES rara vez ha estado en la agenda de nadie, por lo que la respuesta es simple. Aunque Anton, a su manera única, contribuye a las calles, sin duda no es el líder de las calles. Is annamh a bhí an t-ábhar cibé an bhfuil nó nach bhfuil Anton LEADER OF THE STREETS ar chlár oibre aon duine, mar sin sa deireadh tá an freagra simplí. Cé go gcuireann Anton, ar a bhealach uathúil féin, leis na sráideanna, is cinnte nach é ceannaire na sráideanna é.

Anton... Leader of the Streets? Tony thinks over it for a bit. He's seen a lot of different opinions on Anton. Yet he doesn't know the man for a bar of soap. 

Tony's personal opinion yes, yes he is leader of the streets. 

Want to know why?  To bad I'll tell ya... Who brings people back in to the streets? Anton, who helps fund a lot of street work? Anton. Who's giving magnificent speeches, getting either the peoples blood boiling or cheering? Anton does. Tony ain't been around for long to know much about the politics of the streets etc. One things for sure out of his own two eyes he can see the guys passionate about the streets and has a way with words. I ain't here to lick ass or spit shine his shoes but what's wrong with him not being the leader of The Streets? Forget about his Ancestors, this is Anton here and now and quite frankly i enjoy reading his speeches and what everyone has to say. Me, myself... I haven't seen the streets alive like that and that's cause i haven't been around long enough! To be honest i think theirs a lot of envy and jealousy. No one seems to like seeing a man up on his feet here, they rather see him on his back.

Anton. Love him or hate him, he’s definitely one of the most controversial and well known figures, from one of the most controversial and polarising bloodlines in the history of this land. His voice echoes out from street corners across this fine land, this free land. Sure, you may not agree with what he says, sure, you may wish he’d just hurry up and go with the nice men in white jackets who have been trying to put him in a nice padded room for the last few months, but you can’t deny his leadership of “The Streets”. Denying that would be tantamount to denying my leadership of “The Black Hand”, Ragnarok’s of “The Dock Workers”, or of any other fine crew leaders leadership of their respective crews!

Whilst his leadership of the streets themselves may be debatable, he certainly leads “The Streets”. And not one man, woman or child amongst you can deny that. What can be said for his self proclaimed leadership of the roads on which we walk however, is that he is more vocal than the vast majority of folks here.

He always has something to say, always has someone thinking of something to say back. Aslong as people are paying attention to him, responding to him, arguing with him, he is leading them like an ass with a nose ring. Whether or not they consider him their leader or not, is irrelevant. The very fact you respond to him, is proof in itself that he has lead you, no matter for how long, to that point in your life.

I say not that he is the sole leader of the streets, but he is certainly one of them. Like a city has multiple leaders, so too do the streets, and Anton is truly one of those fine leaders.

Anton thank you ever so kindly for the little shout out there much obliged!

Now to the very interesting question at hand. Is Anton the leader of the streets? My point of view is that you are clearly the one who brings the most at present of that I have no doubt. Love you or hate you people flock to the streets when you have something to say.

For me personally this is a dream you are an endless source of material when it comes to me writing the news. Whether you have ruffled feathers, dropped a competition or are out here bringing up topics I always leave with something worth writing. The content you create helps me truth be told. On the flip side there will always be a bad side what you do and how you do it, but you have always been open when talking about that.

Now when it comes to Leader of the streets I certainly think you are in the lead. But I think you have to lead the people of the streets as well. It like to see more positive relationships with other voices and writers. But that's a two way street Anton they also have to make an effort with you to move forward, Put personal grievances to the side and usher in a new era for the streets.

So to summarise at this point I can't argue about your position but I feel we all could do more to help and be helped. 

With that being said everyone knows where my office is should they require any help or assistance and I hope you are all as excited as I am for the second edition of the ever fiesty Pioneer. 

Some fabulous entries so far - let's keep them coming!