The majority of my family line have had the same characteristics. Most of my them were quiet, usually worked as hitmen, were hard workers, but never really liked to get involved in the politics and public relations of this life. Most of them always chose the background work. They were not too ambitious, and, like myself, they did not have any wishes of becoming a leader. However, I do know that if I was to become a leader, I would have to change my style of life.

I'm not exactly sure how people see the figure of leadership, however to me it was always very clear. A leader must be a public person who tries to make a difference. I've always thought that once you become a leader, it would be an excellent and unique opportunity of turning your wishes into reality. From day to day, we see people in the streets and in the coffee shops making comments that they wished things were a certain way, or how cool it would be if a leader did this or that. To me, becoming a leader is the opportunity of making things happen and of developing new ideas and new concepts. It's the opportunity of a lifetime, or at least, it should be.

I believe that one of the most clear examples of this would be the completely beaten to death subject of member whoring. How many times do we see people talking about this subject, complaining over and over that member whoring has become an approved practice by the leaders? How many times do we even see people comment how disgusted they are that they were approached as soon as they arrived in the city? We can agree that a huge percentage of the cities' population has at one time or another complained about this issue, yet, how many of these people tried to schedule a meeting to discuss the subject or tried to change this somehow once they became a leader?

So I ask you, how many times have you wondered who a certain leader was, or why was he even authed? How many times have you complained that the recent auths were terrible? How many of you think that certain leaders suck because they lack talent, or because they lack motivation? How many of you think that certain leaders are lazy and only act as babysitters inside their headquarters? How many of you complain and yell out loud that auth requirements should be higher, that quality needs to improve, that you don't want tard leaders, and that average Joes should be gone?

And how many times have you done something other then complain? Since when did it become acceptable to take a back seat and became an average Joe leader? Look to your side, that person who was always a tard is now a leader, because we have all lowered our expectations of each other. If we cannot put forth effort; if we cannot show our faces and demonstrate how we are different from the average Joe or the the average tard, then how can we ask for leaders to improve their auths if all they see is an average Joe in each of us?

It's with that thought that I come here today, to make a proposal. I believe that I'm not an average tard neither an average Joe, I believe many of you are not an average Joe/tard either. I believe that many people out there have the qualities to be great leaders, have the qualities to shape our streets and our life in a better way. In the same way that I believe that great future leaders should be already out there trying to shape our world. That's what I would like to see in someone who's trying to acquire auth. But I can't complain about someone not being active if I'm not active, as well. That's why, from now on, I'm going to be out here every week, trying to bring activity and business, trying to bring a tad of quality and most importantly, trying to motivate our future leaders to do the same. The ones who I see out here trying to improve are the ones that I will suggest for auth. They are the ones that I will like to see getting that bold suit.

So if you believe that you can be better then those out there, if you believe that leaders can choose better then they have been choosing, show that to the world, dedicate yourself to making a difference. Accept this challenge and step out of your comfort zone, and stop being an average Joe. If you raise the bar, the tards won't become leaders anymore. If you shine the light on yourself, you may be given a chance to make a bigger change.

This is a truly interesting speech. I certainly applaud your decision to come forward and lead by example. It got me thinking as well. I have no desire to lead a crew but leadership isn't reserved only for crew leaders.

I've made my presence known on these streets on occasion but those occasions are too few and too far in between. As a member of Roman's Godfather crew there is a certain expectation to set an example for the rest of Chicago. An expectation that I will admit I have not fully lived up to.

I will join the lovely and beautiful Katarina and make an attempt to become a more active in shaping our community and helping to create a greater standard of quality. You do not need to be a crew leader to use the experience passed down one's family line to help those that are grow into their positions.

You can't help everyone. In recent weeks we have seen an "organization" attempt to make noise on these streets. These are people who operate at a level that make the sewers look attractive. They operate that way because they simply don't have the intelligence and work ethic to ever rise above that. The problem with people like that is that they can very easily lure people to lower themselves to their level. It's not enough to simply rise above and hold yourself to better standards if you want to improve the quality of your community. You have to grab the guys around you and pull them up so they do not get dragged down as well. This is where I think we can all improve and, by doing so, improve our entire community.

I believe that the message being given is truly wonderful. A year or two ago, I was just a casual player, you know, the type that plays for a month or so and becomes a wise guy or a made atmost, probably averaging 3 hours a week. Why is that important?

Well, I have to say that it is people like Bismarck and Katarina who have inspired me to become more active, not only in playing time, but also within forums.
I know I am not speaking for myself when I say this. Without leaders such as these ones I doubt I would be where I am today. Granted, I'm not a Don or a Godfather, but why not strive to be one?

I believe that more and more people are looking up to leaders as an example for themselves. I know I am. It's truly motivational to listen to the words of leaders, and it certainly helps to make us all work harder.

So I too would like to help shape the community for the better. And I think we all should, no matter what rank. From civilians to Godfathers.

Sadly, I believe the ability to align ones self with hundres of bodyguards has lead to this era of average to below average leaders. Dont take my words the wrong way, not every leader who has become 'IWP' is subpar, but there a few running around here that are. They feel a false sence of security behind their masses of bodyguards, and it shouldnt be that way. Putting on a bold suit means you should become even more motivated, always striving to become better, to make a real memorable name for yourself. It doesnt mean you can sit on your ass and grow fat and lazy. Ive been down that road before, I once grew fat and lazy when I had a bold suit on, it quickly brough upon my death and I learned from it.

Albama takes a slow drag of her cigarette as she stands and patiently listens to Katarina speaking, quickly followed by Bismarck, Calogero and Hawk

Well, that was certainly a lot to take in there folks. Katarina, you remind me of a man named The Sphinx. Sat there quietly, going about your business and working hard, rarely uttering a word. Except when you speak, everyone stops to listen as they know that if your talking, you've got something worthwhile to say.

I think its great that you are coming out here and showing the intent to help galvanise those around us that are sitting sleeping and resting on their proverbial laurels. I like to think I'm fairly active on these here streets and that most would agree with that assessment of me, but even then I still feel there is more I could do, and your speech today has further instilled that belief and made me feel that I need to wake up, get off my ass and work harder.

I would like to touch on one subject you mentioned, but I would prefer if this doesn't erupt into a debate. In fact, I think once i'm done speaking here I may go stand over there in that corner and speak more on it, anyway, back to my point.. Member whoring. I surely can't be alone in this, but I have never openly whored a member, I am of the belief that if someone wishes to join you, they will seek you out. Approaching them on the streets is very unbecoming of a leader, and having your family doing so is also in my opinion lacking in class. We may be simple mobsters, but we are a tight bunch, we can't simply approach unknown figures and open our HQ doors to them, who knows what riff raff would get in? Alabama glares at Klasky..

Nowthat said, as one may notice upon checking the notice board in News & Info Avenue, that the amount of people within my family is somewhat lower than the amount i'm permitted to have. What I'd like to ask is, do we feel this reflects well, or badly, on a leader? I like to think its due to my previous mentioned stance on recruitment, however others may see it and think its an indicator of my leadership abilities? Who knows. I would like to hear some opinions on this, not simply to put my own mind at rest, but more so to know what the general public think when checking the above notice board. Do they even use it? We all know that the vast majority of people in our world are here because their ancestors once walked these streets and they pick up the mantle, in such cases its common for these people to join the family and/or city their ancestor served, thus removing the need for them to even check the latest details down News & Info Avenue.

Well, with that said, I think i'll change my mind. Rather than go down the street and start a new discussion on the above topic, I think i'll stick around here and see what people have to say. No sense in me gathering a new group of people when Katarina is already attracting an audience here.

Katrina, firstly id like to welcome the activity that you have and you are promising to bring to the streets. I for one welcome any debates or issues that you or this world in general feels the need to express, god knows we need it.

However if I may, I am inclined or find it very hard or struggle to openly encourage people of this world to challenge the leaders that currently monopolise this world, please don’t get me wrong im not indicating that this as bad for us as a community, for the lack of a better word but I don’t feel the questions that your asking us to ask would be received to well. I for one would not challenge a current leader on their lack of activity here or their lack of initiative simply because I have more respect plus I don’t feel we have the freedom of speech to do so. It’s a very fine line between showing initiative and being in the arrogant and ignorant class.

If history has shown us anything, it’s that an awful lot that is said in coffee shops that is detriment to a leader or its hand it has not ended successfully for the person who has opened stood up and made the confrontation. Ok you can argue that in recent times that these types of incidents have been more than merely suggestions and an attack of words aimed at a specific leader or in fact the state of the economy as a whole, but this is my very point. The world as it stands does not allow for openly expressing how leaders should better themselves and in essence quite rightly. In saying that I would vote for this motion to not be vetoed but in fact encourage, within reason of course.

Moving onto the subject of getting auth, again looking around I think it’s not a case of not knowing a Crew Leader, it’s more a case for most, “oh no that bloodline got authed again”. Now im not of this way of thinking as I fully endorse a certain bloodline repeatedly gaining success, as im a firm believer in working hard and attaining a good name for that bloodline with strong connections throughout to give my son or daughter the best chance they have. These leaders may not be publicly strong but behind closed doors to their family and their upper hierarchy could be the best of the best and this action can and does breed contempt  here especially with the non CL folk who don’t see or understand this process. It’s very easy to fall under the category of lazy CL when this might not be the entire truth.

Lets be blatant and look at the CL’s that are in power now, most have been here for a long time and the secret to their longevity, is it because they allow people not in power to question motives or question their decisions or in fact if they warrant their continued success. It would be extremely hard provide evidence of such actions that haven’t ended abruptly.

In saying all of the above, moving forward I would love to see every question that you mentioned as the norm. Id love to be able to vocally express concerns or constructive criticism aimed at the power in this thing of ours, in fact id go as far as saying this world NEEDS it to be allowed, of course within certain parameters. As rightly or wrongly these people have been put in power for one specific reason or another, so respect has to be shown initially as in the same breath needs to maintained and earned.

Im all for equal opportunity and every time my bloodline decides to make a return to this world im always looking to better myself and im always hoping for an auth and I use what I would call my forte’s to get there it may not be street speaking it may be earning it may be inner family politics but I work on my strengths. As this is what I know best.

However all in all a great subject to bring up and its one I feel everyone will have at some point in time took part in and im sure they felt better at getting it off their chest so I feel there is something viable in this.

Please do not accept this is an attack on the current setup, its merely the state of play as I see it.

Well Katarina I can be more agree with you, but I am sure lots of old player in here will know stray a way who I am coz of the way I am writing True I'm not English or American or any English born language in Fact I am French. I play the game for few year I do like it, But i had to take a break twice, one for heath reason early this year but one before for longer because I was stick the way I was refuse job in my family at the time and promotion the high possition I had was SCL and yes I did was RHM to Rover but as you know he was remove very quickly. During that time i was well like my the guy in my family but often call "a TARD" that i should not be here and so on .... I was refuse Auth coz my English was not perfect. So my point is do we have to be a A* not just in game but in English to do well in MR or as long you have good practice and good sence prove your capability. Stop discramination and good play may be more active. Is not because we all not A* in english we are a bunch of tards it is a game as long you do some good role play repect each other go by the rule we should be all equal.

Firstly, nice use of the word 'tard'. I really enjoyed listening to you're speech Katarina

It is true that in some cases people get auth'd because of past successes and relationships built, but I ask is that a bad thing? some say yes, some say no. In this world, connections and ties are everything, more important than money, more important than crew numbers. A bond built over generations is testiment to the blood, sweat and tears endured, and which can't be replicated over night. People close to me will know i'm a hard worker and I treat others in the manner with which I would expect to be treated myself. I'm a sociable kinda guy, I like to meet new people and to share tales and stories, just check out my Milk Bar in Philly for proof [I make no apologies for the shameless plug]. It is possible with drive, hard work and making the right connections to break that inner circle and maybe, just maybe with a bit of luck along the way you find yourself being fitted with a nice new bold suit.

Key to being a leader is not settling for the status quo, a visionary who leads by example and has earned respect and not expected it. It is not for me to judge whether the current set up of CLs are fit for purpose as I am not privy to how they lead their crews behind the walls of their HQ. But if you really want to know why a CL got auth'd, approach him/her, get to know them. In the past i've thought of people as being unapproacable, including leaders, until i've take that step to to knock on their door... you just never know it might be the start of a blossoming friendship, or if you're really unlucky find out they have an odour problem

As Bama hinted at, it's better to have a few good men than a ship full of potential loose cannons. Which to some extend I agree with. On the flip side you're not going to realize someones potential until you talk and get to know them. If you don't feel they'll fit into you're family dynamics and way of working, give them the best advice possible, wish them luck and lead them on their merry way. That's what being a leader is about, having the ability to spot the diamonds amongst the stone[r]s. You won't be right all the time, but its better to take a leap of faith than air on the side of caution all the time [refer back to a leader being a visionary]

This leads me onto the issue of member whoring, and whether it is acceptable or not to approach people straight from the boat, which seems is always going to be a hot topic of ours. I'm a firm believer in helping these people find their way in our way of life, being respectful and giving them the advice to the make the best choice for them, and not with the intention of leading them down a blind alley to the back of you're HQ. Put some effort into you're approach, make it personal. Allow them to make their own judgement call.

For those who haven't got an illustrious bloodline and wealth of experience to fall back on, this can be a daunting world for the unweathered and fresh-faced. To be mobbed with requests to 'join my crew cause t'is the best!' is slightly, well it's pathetic and doe's slant that persons character, and would never be encouraged by me.... being freindly, well-mannered and respectful, Would.

A young man joins the gathering crowd and patiently listens to consecutive speeches with great interest. At times he nods, scratching his beard, at times he frowns, surprised by the words he hears. Some of the speakers he knows very well, having seen them many times before talking to his late father; some of the faces are completely unknown to him. After the man with a strong French accent finishes his talk, NorthPole decides to step forward and starts speaking, his voice low and calm, although trembling a bit from time to time.

Please excuse my nervousness, but where my family comes from public speeches are not a common thing, be it because of scarce population or harsh weather conditions.

Let me introduce myself. My name is NorthPole and, as my age indicates, I have not been around long. Both my father and grandfather proudly served Godfather Roman and the city of Chicago and I'm following their path. After my father died in a tragic accident, Godfather Roman offered me shelter and protection, for which I'm utterly grateful and I hope I will now stand up to his expectations and continue the work my ancestors begun.

That said, thank you, Katarina, for your inspiring, energetic talk. The questions you posed still rumble around in my head. I don't know if I am anything more than an average Joe and I have yet to discover any leadership skills in myself. I don't know what comes next for me. But I will always remember the challenge you have issued today and I will keep the expectations you pointed out in mind.

I am but a young wise guy so I come here asking for advice rather than offering opinion. I trust the more experienced part of our community will address my questions and resolve my doubts.

When we take a look at the history of mankind, we see that many successful leaders of both ancient and modern times were marvelous, charismatic speakers who knew how to make the crowds applaud them. Does this apply to this thing of ours, though?

Is a leader who never speaks publicly, only contacts his closest associates and has others run errands for him not worth the respect of the community? Are not the actions taken by oneself more important than the words spoken in the streets? I can imagine some leaders don't want to attract public attention and choose to run their business away from everybody's sight.

Is a bad leader who rarely steps up on the soap box and instead focuses on direct work with his family members and fellow citizens? Who earned the trust of the godfather by serving him loyally over the years; who proved himself in numerous wars, fighting bravely in front lines, not hesitating to risk his life for the city? Who is always there to address his members' problems and reacts promptly to any situation that arises and requires attention?

Would you rather not see such a person leading a family of their own? Should they be given another position? Is it a basic requirement for each and every leader to make a memorable street presence? Why is it considered so important? Should this be the main factor in judging one's performance as a leader and the most valued quality?

In this thing of ours, is it even odd that one may not know a leader of a crime organization from another city? That some crime syndicate is not advertising their agenda?

As I stated in the beginning, I am a young person and still have a lot to learn. So if you find my questions immature or stupid, please do not feel offended. I will gladly accept criticism and explanations as I value experience above all.

Very interesting questions NorthPole.  You may not know it yet, but there are definitely some leadership qualities in you.  Way to think about what's important. 

I don't know if I can answer your questions, but I do have a take.  As we grow up in this thing of ours, I suppose we should always be thinking about our goals: what we want out of this life, and whether we want to lead.  We may never get the opportunity to lead, but I'm not sure there are many among us that do not want the chance.  So, we think about how we'll lead. 

I don't know if there's a right way or a wrong way to lead, but I do know that if you want to be an influential leader - one who affects change ommunity-wide - you need to have a public presence.  Otherwise, those changes you make within your family...well, they'll go unnoticed by anybody outside your family. 

If, on the other hand, your goal is simply to lead your family without any fanfare and without changing this world, then by no means is it necessary to have any public presence. 

So, that's where the difference is in my opinion. 

And to answer one more question - in a community as small as ours, even if it does span 8 cities, I do think it's odd if you do not know the leaders in all other cities.  But maybe that's only because I want to know who runs what and where and not necessarily because they are or aren't vocal. 

Simplicity nodded to those around her. She knew quite a few of them and have worked very close with each one. Yet, she also knew exactly what Katarina was talking about. Simplicity, herself, had always thought to herself that she felt others she be more active in the streets and business's. Especially the crew leaders that Godfather's had allowed to set up.

Waiting for each speaker to finish she then knew it was her time to talk. She could feel the eyes upon her which made her give them a sweet smile. She then began to speak before them.

"What you have said is something that I'm sure everyone of us have thought over. I'm sure we all have even complained about it also. It shows a lot of character for you to be putting forth the effort to change your ways and to show your face out here. I commend you for your actions and your words."

"I'm sure most of you have seen me in the streets. I enjoy making my presence known in them, so this world is nothing new to me. Yet, from me being so active here I am also allowed to see how many people and leaders are not here voicing their opinions. This does bother me quite a bit. We typically don't elect our Presidents unless they give good speeches and make us believe in them. So how is that any different from the leaders we follow?"

"Granted I know quite a few of these leaders a bit more personally. I know how hard they work behind the scene as NorthPole was mentioning. So I know that they deserve the position they are holding, but how are others to know this? People that aren't close to them or work with them. I do believe that we need to step out from time to time to show the world we are doing our job. We all have seen what happens when people believe you to be lazy or not caring."

Simplicity used her finger to pretend she was slicing her throat to represent the death of others. Cringing a bit at the thought she continued.

"Although I say this. I also believe that they don't need to be out here responding to petty things. Only when a topic is of importance do I believe that they need to show their face. Topics such as a Godfather coming to the streets to mention something, a new auth, someone attacking the city they work so hard for, and etc. I'm sure you get the picture."

"I'm very glad that you are challenging us to be the change we want to see. Maybe this will wake all of us up. We can only hope it does."

Well there is a lot to address here, so I'll do this by parts at different times.

Don Alabama, the member whoring subject is always a touchy one, so it usually generates debate, but I do not see that as a bad thing, specially considering that a case of member whoring was what motivated me to try this change. Sadly I believe that the problem is now far beyond member whoring.

What I've seen this week was extremely shocking, it worked as a wake up call to me. I could not believe that the situation has gotten so bad without most people even noticing or trying to make a change. This mail below, was a mail sent by a leader to a RHM in another city. (This mail has had all the names edited)

To: Edit2

From: Edit1

Subject:

wait Edit2 what is wrong with you Respect i show all respect all the time KID i show it to you so wtf

-------------------------------------

To: Edit1

From: Edit2

Subject:

he didnt have crew when i was recruiting him so i didnt steal him, next time show a bit respect

-------------------------------------

To: Edit2

From: Edit1

Subject:

you took Edit3 from me >: because i was to lazy to explain the game to him >:

-------------------------------------

To: Edit1

From: Edit2

Subject:

?

-------------------------------------

To: Edit2

From: Edit1

Subject:

stop stealing people from me you ass hole

This little piece of mail shows me several issues. The first one being total lack of respect. If this mail had been sent to me, I wouldn't have thought twice, that person would be beaten to death if necessary. Secondly, a leader who is willing to member whore yet not willing to teach. That right there proves correct every single speech delivered against mailing new comers to this world.

Every single time someone has claimed that contacting new comers does not mean that they are getting proper help people screamed in disagreement said over and over again that the new comers would be lost if they were not contacted. So now, answer me this, what help is this civilian getting from leaders such as this one? And how many Edit1s do we actually have out there? And they still feel it's within their right to claim ownership over a lost member whoring tactic? I mean.. seriously?

What the fuck is going on? What kind of mentality are we allowing to prosper right under your own eyes. This is the environment that new comers are adapting to. These are the standards that the future generation are growing up with and that's the reason why I believe it's time for us to try and change it by example. We lead by example.

In regards to your other questions, Don Alabama, I do not measure the quality of leadership based on the number of members a family has. Quality over quantity, always.

Now, mister Alf-The-Mouth, I do understand your concerns about voicing opinions and criticism, however, I believe it's still possible to do it. There are ways and ways of discussing opinions and challenging the current power and system. In a certain way, I believe I'm currently questioning our ways, our concepts and our actions, but you will notice that I attribute the blame onto the overall population of the cities. Because we are all to blame.

If someone takes personal offense to it, well, then perhaps they are guilty of the things here mentioned. I'm putting my face and voice out here, fully knowing that I may upset someone or that people may think I'm an hypocrit or stupid. That some people may want to kill me off or call me names and I'm willing to take all those risks. That's a part of our life. But like I mentioned before, just criticizing and complaining doesn't solve anything. If we want quality, we gotta give quality. Perhaps instead of voicing concerns or voicing the ways we want things to be, we should start showing what we want. At least this is what I believe we should try since complaining has surely not worked.

Now regarding leaders behind close doors, please understand this is my opinion. To me a leader behind close doors is not a leader. Perhaps he can be a subcrew leader or a captain but not a true leader. I have always thought that the internal work of a crew is very basic and easily delegated. Interaction within the family comes with the job but, not only that, you know who is in your family. You want to get closer to them and build a bond because that's what a family should have. The figure of a leader to me is someone who aims for more, someone who wants to be the best, someone who wants to lead a city, get involved in the politics. Its someone who wants to influence people and make business grow. To me successful leadership requires a lot of political actions and public relations because, after all, a leader is only one person. A leader needs followers and many times not only from their own families but also from other cities. The public image helps. A loud voice helps even more.

Utter shame that one of those guys calls himself a leader. A real leader will take the time to show a new person who this world of ours works.

Hawk, I'm gonna have to disagree with you. I do not think that the amount of bodyguards has led into the current issues. I believe people have become accommodated with average work, it is just so much easier to have everything with less effort. I also believe there was a change of mentality in certain people. They aim for less, they are not as ambitious as others, or perhaps they just believe that they can't succeed in achieving more.

Lately you can also easily see that there is certain percentage of the population that finds everything just so damn hard. So hard to grow up in rank, so hard to train, so hard to make more money even though a lot of things have gotten easier through the years. Surely sometimes things are harder. Some people are harder to kill but, at the same time, how much easier it is to become a hitter these days? So, I really believe it's not the bodyguards that led into this issue. It's the bitching mentality which consists of complaining and more complaining and never gets anything done.

Reverend, I'm quite familiar with your situation considering that I do not have English as a native language. Sadly we do have to deal with picky and childish people that decides to look past the point of our speeches to simply to make fun or correct a grammar error. In fact an old relative of mine decided to become a leader even though she was completely terrified of the backlash she would get because of her language barrier. She did get a lot of backlash. She was laughed at and made fun of because of it. But let me say, that it didn't stop her from becoming a leader. It didn't stop her from doing every single thing she wanted as a leader and, most importantly, it didn't stop her from winning. Majority of the time when I decide to make a speech I ask for someone to proof read it for me. I have no shame of admitting that. However it's not always that case that someone is available for it so you will see me writing incorrectly many times. If someone dislikes it they can fuck off because I don't give a shit anymore. Don't let the bullies stop you.

Northpole, first you must take in consideration that everything around here is based on personal opinions and also on public view. So addressing your very first question, if a leader never speaks in public and only contact his closest associates, how will he be respected by the others? Having a few members under you doesn't make you respectable. Now, speaking of actions, in a general sense I must ask, what actions? I look and look and I see nothing or rarely see something. No one expects a leader to constantly be in the streets, that wasn't my point, people expect them to make a difference or to do something other then micro managing a small family. We are not looking for managers.

You raise a few questions that honestly to me are all very basic things. A good family consist of hard workers, loyal members. We surely value that. However should loyalty even be mentioned as a plus once you are speaking of people who took a made man promotion?

Hard work surely can be rewarded with bigger opportunities, but step out of the thought of a leader under a godfather. Imagine when that godfather needs to make the decision of choosing a leader under him to become a godfather in another city. Leading a city takes a lot more then internal work, if you take a look at the cemetary you will see that it takes a whole lot more then that.

There is nothing wrong in expecting the best or more out of people and we should expect the best out of the leadership. So with that in mind I can say that I would like to see more balanced leaders. They don't need to be always out there, or give out their agendas, but they can contribute in many ways to raise activity and interest and help build a generation that doesn't lack of quality.

I would never want to work for a leader that didn't even know the leader of other crime organizations. Here it's all about connections. Making contacts can save lives and I expect my leader to use every single tool he can to maintain his family in a better position.

To finish this up, as we have discussed in private, Northpole, you are used to a more quiet world because your family line was more present during the era of silence. You've grown used to this because you haven't seen it any better. As I pointed out on my original speech, the vast majority has become an average joe and we can raise that bar if we expect more then we currently have. But that's up to every person out there to figure out what they want.

I had meant to attend this speech sooner rather than later, I guess time catches up with us all though. Since I am in the middle of dodging bullets I think now is as good a time as any to reply.

See, I may not be the most outward person around here and I may not be the greatest street speaker, but I think I know I've done a good job considering the support my crew have shown me since Los Angeles was attacked. I know the odds are stacked against me, but that sure as hell doesn't mean I'll give up. I'm not one to waiver in fright, as it were.

This attack has shown me that allegiances that we make can sometimes be false ones made of lies and on a bed of untruths unbeknownst to us, and that also there are allegiances that we had not considered before.

Katarina, you are a dear friend and you have my apologies for it taking me being on my deathbed for coming here to speak. I guess your speech related to me, as I keep meaning to come out to the streets but it kept getting put on hold for what seemed like more important things at the time.

I wish that things could change for the better but until people start taking action against those who would rather get their member count up than educate and help people, I fear that change will never come.

I think I am getting old because my memory is failing me and I can't remember 100% what the initial question was though I feel the general gist was what are peoples thoughts on Leaders, leadership and a street presence.


I have always thought and will probably always think a leader is there to lead as simple as that. It doesn't necessarily call for a massive street presence because you will sometimes get a sense of overkill and the streets will be full of drivel the Kulinski line is a prime example of someone who failed miserably despite a street presence. Someone who I will always hold in high regard is TheDean, now no one would ever describe him as having a massive street presence however I don't think anyone could say he wasn't a great leader.

Why was TheDean a great leader, well he lead by example and people were willing to lay down their lives for him.

What is often missed when we talk about leadership and what makes people worthy of the role is the ability to relate to people and deal with the politics that goes on behind closed doors. I think anyone could come to the streets and make them flourish but not everyone has the ability to be a sharp operator when it comes to the politics.