Hello friends, countrymen, mafiosos and place holders. I am here today with a story of woe. Alas all my life I have been passed around more often than the padres collection plate. 

Initially I joined up with luciano_lucky to learn the ropes & how to walk a crooked mile. After the initial conversation around joining I was never again spoken to & after a week without a word was notified that "You were forced to join #crew_Craven" 

Ok this is new, nary a word spoken about a move but roll with it as luciano was totally uncommunicative & the crew chat was as dead as disco. Onward to a new venture with Craven. Sadly it was a case of same shit different day. Crew chat dead. Crew leader didnt communicate with me on a single ocasion aside from a mass mail to ask for a shot report weekly & a mail today patting himself on the back for attaining the "achievement" of godfather rank (With no thanks to his family members & associates no less) 

I then recieved notification that "You were forced to join #crew_TheJeweler" this wonderful new start lasted a whole six minutes. I was a pawn for this guy to get enough 'members' to "achieve" godfather rank & again without a word was notified that "You were forced to join #crew_NickytheNickname"

You lads must be taking the fucking piss?

I know standards had fallen but for fucks sake....

I have now landed in a HQ with no HQ threads, nothing said in the chat, no welcome mail from the uppers or sponsors. 

Get me out of this absolute fuckin shithole of a city. Someone put me out of my misery. 

A very wise man once said "Denigration afflicted our vaunted ideals long ago, but such inflictions are difficult to measure, to rise up and point a finger to this place, this moment, and say: here, my friends, this was where our honour, our integrity died." This is so relevant in the current snooze fest / grey hellscape you have created. I only hope either the gods or someone with a cannon soon wipes the lot of you shitcunts off the face of this grey earth. 

I welcome the fact that this speech will lead to my death. I also know if this speech stops even a single person wasting their time in the city of sin it will have been worth it. Do not even think about joining LV, its a fucking shithole. 

You may have hit on some important questions in this ranting.

Have standards died?

Should leaders spend time speaking to the people in their families? One might think this answer was obvious.

Should individuals be passed around without being spoken to first?  This has always been something my line has hated but to each their own right?

I guess it gives us all around here something to think about even if it is just on our own or out loud with others.

That's all understandable and I am sorry you feel "passed around". Im new to this world and to Las Vegas and have every intention of making it a very active city again. Im not sure what happened in the more recent past but things are changing, two Godfathers have come onto the scene now. Our families together are working hard to make Las Vegas into the incredible city it once was.

I am of the opinion standards died a long time ago, this made the world more accessible in a move to grow the population. Sadly now we have no standards at all. Can you imagine the experience people are having in this world & keeping quiet about it. If I wasn't spoken to by 3 CL's I am sure the case will be the same for their other members. 

Why bother with a life of crime if this is the level of effort & engagement you are getting from above? I would be interested on details of your experience of Vegas so far CinBelikov

Sorry RunsWScissors but you are talking rubbish. How does Las Vegas intend to make 'a very active city' with mute crew leaders / uppers who cant even be bothered to talk to their associates? I have been here for over 4 weeks across 4 crew leaders with nary a word spoken to me aside from the initial recruitment conversation with Luciano. 

The city is a joke.

Im not negating what you have said, Im sure you are right. My point is things are changing and for the better, and you dont have to believe me. The proof will be there for all to see. Change takes time and it will be a lot of work, I know this. Remember, in this life anything is possible!

BillyWawa,

My line has had two very different experiences in Las Vegas. My mother's was less than stellar and lacked some. However, my time with TheJeweler has been much better than hers under another leader. My leader engages with his members, and does show appreciation for work. In fact, I came here pretty much set on doing absolutely nothing with my time other than the occasional drug run here or there. Somehow my leader has managed to give a little more motivation to do more. This may not seem like a big deal for many but when the motivation seems to be lacking it leads to less work being done.

I cannot speak for the other two families currently living, and working in Las Vegas though as I have not had much encounters with them. So our experiences may be vastly different as I won't pretend to know how the other families are run.

There are always going to be things that may frustrate you wherever you go. Not everyone aligns 100%, sometimes it is not worth the argument and moving on may be the better option. Sometimes you just keep quiet about the things you don't like that you see and you carry on because the good outweighs the bad.

In the end, you make the decision that is best for you.

Roya heard a commotion and decided to see what it was about. She saw a man speaking loudly and he looked pissed. After hearing everything she said:

"I actually felt very, very bad while listening to your words and i feel incredibly sorry that you have been through all of this. This is no way to treat family. There is no shadow of doubt that you have been wronged and your uppers should've given you support and guidance. I myself feel lucky because i have always been with Crew Leaders that cared for their family and were extremely active. 

Roya coughs and excuses herself:

"Im sorry, i gagged a little before, too much cigarettes. Anyway, as i was saying i was always lucky to have active Crew Leaders and people who cared about me and taught me everything i know. I don't know you, but i can commiserate with someone who's in this situation and if you want a new home and to meet some good folk, ask your Crew Leader if you could join another family. I'll gladly help you."

Hi Billy, I am genuinely sorry to hear this, but this is the world in which we live. A world were the vast majority of leaders genuinely don't give a flying fuck about their members other than what they can milk from them. And that's if they can be bothered to step out of their HQ for more than 61 minutes per week. We live in a world where the leaders spend their time talking to their mates and not interacting with their crew. And why is this? Survey says, Politics... **Bullshit** Cough, Cough. Sorry, that stuck in my throat. Yep, your leaders will have you believe in such a thing as politics. It isn't real anymore. Politics at this point is the old boys network sitting around in a circle jerk, patting each other on the back, smoking cigars and drinking whiskey. If you aren't in the old boys club, then you don't get to play at politics, and that will be used as an excuse to kill you, and everyone in your crew. Personally I think 2nd rate Actor Ronald Reagan would make a better politician than any of these bozos.

You were lucky in one sense however, if you happen to be in one of these silent pits of despair masquerading as a crew, you are pretty much guaranteed to stay alive as your so called leader will take part in random purges of anyone not involved in 'politics' in order to maintain the status quo. So you are left with 3 choices. Join a sad assed crew that places as much value on your existence as it does the guy who operates the elevator at the Hilton. Or, you can join one of the few vibrant and colourful crews out there, where the leader isn't involved in 'bollocktics' knowing that at any time you could end up dead. Or, you can join no one, do your own thing and see them pay for their own BGS and gambling addiction from their own pocket rather than yours.

The Choice is yours. 

I would like to thank everyone who has spoken words of support. I find it hilarious that Craven appeared for long enough to spawn durdens but not long enough to offer any sort of excuse / defence / apology or even acknowledge that I exist. Craven by name, craven by nature.

Craven had been notified by his trusted RH about the small rally just minutes away from the Headquarters. He immediately set off to listen to what had been explained to him as a heckler. Taking his place within the small ground of ten locals, he listened to every word and began to get frustrated. He noticed this was a member of his crew that he had moved over to Summerlin due to a shuffle of the family.

Once BillyWawa had finished his speech, Craven waited for a few minutes and decided to take to the stand and explain the situation to the crowd.

“Firstly, thank you BillyWawa for taking the time to come out here today. I’d like to address the points you have made as there seems to be some discrepancies from my understanding of the situation.” Craven took a quick breath and continued…

“I agree that you had indeed been sent to join my newly formed crew in LA. This crew had been setup from members of the former Godfather Chef’s crew when his Headquarters was sadly destroyed. Time has passed by so quickly since then, and I can not remember the exact dates but from my own memory, I don’t recall ever hearing myself or from other members of the family that they had any connect with yourself during his entire period.” Craven took a quick sip of the water he had brought with him.”

“When the time came for our crew to move to the new Headquarters in Las Vegas, we did exactly that, the entire crew. Not a single member had been left behind. Since the move to our new home, again no reports had been passed to me about contact with yourself.”

“It is a very well-known fact that family members are moved between crews of cities, as in my eyes the city is one big family, not split into their own districts and never to be thought of again. The decision I took to move fourteen members of my crew to Summerlin were taken due to a needed restructure of our entire families HQ sizes.”

Craven looked into the crowd which had started to grow larger.

“It is one thing to come into these beloved streets of ours to tell the great citizens stories… but what you have put forward today are exactly that, stories. Before making my decision on moving members, I had spoken to the leadership of Los Angeles, and they had indeed confirmed what I have already stated. A huge lack of communication and street presence from yourself which ultimately… lead to my decision to add you to the group of members I wished to move to Summerlin.”

The crowd had begun to nod in agreement. Craven stepped down from the stand and began his walk back to the Headquarters as he knew he was now late for the meeting he had arranged.

fs had heard a slight commotion in the streets.  He knew some people weren't always happy so he had brushed it off.  But then he saw some deaths, and he heard a Godfather speaking so he decided to step out and have a listen.

He took the time to hear what Craven said, but honestly the more he heard the more frustrated it made him.  He decided to step forward.

Hey there all.  I'd like to start by saying that I do understand that it is your right to run your city or district or crew however you'd like.  I'm not here to tell people how to do things, but I must say I'm at the least disappointed and a little frustrated.

I heard the initial statements and I took a second to reflect on myself.  In honesty it reminded me that I may have done this to a few of my members without thinking about it.  I think my biggest take away is that I should be better about communicating when doing moves even if it's within the city.  People like to know what is happening to them.  I don't think that is too foreign of a concept.

And instead of self-reflecting all I see is excuses. 

I had spoken to the leadership of Los Angeles, and they had indeed confirmed what I have already stated. A huge lack of communication and street presence from yourself which ultimately

Firstly, isn't only speaking with leadership instead of the person exactly what the original complaint was? Secondly, please don't make it seem like anyone in the West Coast gives a flying damn about street presence with your total of 15 reputation.  That clearly is not important to you.

Like I said, for myself, I'll take this as a point to be better about.  I hope all leaders do the same.

fs tightened his tie, grabbed his coffee and moved back to his HQ

The little worm slinked from out his headquarters which just so happened to be inside of the hole in the wall of the FutureStealer's headquarters, don't think too hard about how this works and just accept that it is what it is. When he had heard what the Godfather Chairman of New York had said, he decided to pipe in with his fantastically small worm-like pipes.

Here's what I have to say about all of this, since my opinion holds great weight. I don't care about Wawa, the guy clearly has a problem with the world and is using this mistake on Craven's part to attempt to prove some sort of point, they've been complaining for weeks, if not months now about tons of various issues, which from down there as a forever Earner must be easy to solve in your head. No disrespect to the dead, but really they had been asking for it for a while. So good riddance to them. I think it is commendable that Vegas even attempted to give them a home after all of the shit they were spewing about how Detroit had been 'purged'.

What I do 'give a fuck' about, would be the overarching problem here which my good friend FutureStealer has already touched on in his special mannerisms of speaking: activity, and what it means to be active in this thing of ours. You see, as a worm, sometimes I struggle to do things that others so easily can, like putting on cool vests or going to the movies, yet I still try. I think we should all strive to try a bit more, and if not in the streets, than with our own communities and cities, because what is a leader without their loyal subjects like JubTheNub? 

It's always an issue, and the hardest one to juggle for any and all crew leaders, in my opinion, even I fall trap to not speaking with some of my lower level members, either due to not thinking they want to be bothered, or because I don't understand their needs or wants and just decide to only spend time on those who spend time here with me the most. 

He shits in the coffee FutureStealer left on the table before quickly squiggling away before he's caught, as he picks it up and carries it away. Haha, perfect. That dude is drinking shit right now, that's hilarious. Anyways, back to the discussion:

So, what can someone like a humble worm do to get better with communication with his own crew? Well, I am right here and now personally shouting out to the world that I am going to attempt to do more. Will I actually? Probably not, but its all about the intentions, right? That's pretty cool that I'm considering it, no? Someone give me respect, damnit. I ate shit once in a coffee shop, big deal. FutureStealer is drinking shit right now. Who really gives a fuck? That doesn't define me. 

What are we even talking about anymore? 

Oh, yeah. Guys. Lets talk more to people, I guess. Thanks for listening.

With that, the worm went back into the hole and went to message Akbar who was one of his members he hadn't personally spoken with yet. That's some real big fuckin' personal growth right there. Maybe? This really all was a bit too much for a worm to think about for the most part and things sort of got away from him once he started shitting. Meh.

This speech really resonates with me. As Philadelphia's long time and favorite, in the Old Fisherman category, member I have been part of many different crews in my lifetime. I imagine that without the strong guiding force of the Philadelphia leadership I would be just as disillusioned as you. 

If I didn't have people like Stiffler and Godmother Quiet reaching out to me, thanking me for my tireless contributions to the city, seeking guidance on the next hostile takeover fishing trip I wouldn't still be here in the city. And I suppose my point is, you get out of it what you put into it. As a leader if you aren't willing to and actively reaching out to people I don't know what you are expecting to accomplish. 

In a world where you can effectively draft a message and send a messenger to your entire crew in mere MINUTES I find it very hard to excuse mute leadership. Leaders need their members more than those members need the leaders. 

One of my ancestors had an idea, and that was simply to "shoot the mutes"

He even managed to get a mutes wearing wooden suits, before he got a death bullet to the _skullit_

An interesting speech. 

I can't help but notice that a Las Vegas Don crew leader just left the life of crime permanantly. Is it a case of being shamed? Bored of the life? Feeling pointless in Sin City? Other issues?

I guess we will never know unless a suicide note turns up. Not a good few days for organised crime. 

OutKast made his way out of the pub and caught wind of the conversation on the corner. He lit a joint and pondered on what was being said. After a few puffs and a pause on the soapbox, he decided to throw his unwanted two cents in.

I get being moved without notice is a pain in the ass, but it's not like your uppers are asking your permission to move you. It's not up to you. You joined the family, you go where you're needed. Some conversation about it would be respectful but to each their own. In the end until you are made or eat at the table.. you're just a pawn in this thing of ours. 

If your crew is inactive, be more active. Maybe people are introverted when it comes to new people. If it's hopeless, ask for a move. If that doesn't work, go jump off a pier and hope your kin have better luck.

Work your way up, shut the f*** up, build, then change things if that's what you see fit. Crying about it in the streets really won't get you anywhere but dead. Respect is earned, not given. This is coming from the blood of two idiots who couldn't keep diarrhea of the mouth from getting them cemented. 

With a shrug, OutKast steps down and heads back to HQ to harass his RH.

Zoya yawned. She had been listening to the mutterings here and there. Taking note of some words, she decided she would take a quick moment.

I am going to have to respectfully disagree with some sentiments here. We come upon these shores, some of us can do the duty of talking to people before accepting the first invitation to join somewhere. Usually when we do these talks we are looking for common ground. Things we can agree on that would make our loyalty stronger to the leader.

Therefore, when joining someone, you usually have no intention of being moved elsewhere. Does it still happen? Yes. Does it make it any less frustrating? No.

When particular people pledge their loyalty they are pledging to the leader. Not the hands that are ever changing, not another crew leader or godfather/mother but to the leader they have chosen to join. I know people will be like "You pledge to the entire family or city" but no. More often then not you have never spoken to anyone else, so why would you be loyal? Now if your leader is loyal to the head of their city then it really doesn't matter since you are going to follow your leader.

So to say "shut up and deal with it" is insincere. It does make you wonder though if there would be less frustration if perhaps people spoke to one another, if leaders weren't closed off to everyone in the city, or future leaders took the time to speak to those around them. Maybe then it would not seem like such a terrible idea? But the sudden moves can be disorientating and can lend to feelings of anger. Some people act on those, others choke them down. No two people are the same.

Shrugging, she looked around her.
 

May not be popular opinion but it is what it is. The mass majority that are silent could probably do better.