Sprozz gets out of a limo, cause that's how all mobsters travel obviously. Then he arrives at some predetermined spot where, miracuously, dozens of mobsters are waiting for him to make a speech in the middle of a road. There's even a lecturn set up. This is some professional shit right here. He's probably smoking a cigar and sipping on some whisky too, cause all good mafiosi are well into their whisky and cigars. Fact...

You know, folks, I'm an Uncle. My two nephews are great and I love them - but that's because I can spend the day with them and then just kinda hand 'em on back to their parents, but Jesus Christ on fucking high do I feel sorry for my brother and his wife. Sure, the kids can be beautiful, but they're 13 and 15 and they can also get spiteful, angry, and all kinds of melodramatic; even when they get some honest to God discipline it just fires them up even more!

And that, my friends, is what some of you lousy turds are reminding me of right now. Children. Is this down to the war? Is it down to experienced mobsters dying and their offspring, barely kids themselves, entering into an adult world they are not used to or prepared for? I know that sounds like a harsh assessment, but it's a damn site better than the alternative - that some of you are fucking retards. Seriously, I'm surprised at times the level of debate from some sections hasn't spiralled into two people with their fingers in their ears both shouting 'LALALALALA'.

I got up this morning and picked up the Chicago Tribune. The first page below the fold spread was devoted to some crazy who was wandering around the streets toting a gun; ranting about American organised crime before turning the gun on himself. Luckily, the paper took the angle that he must've been some local wack job. We know a little differently. Admittedly not a made guy, this feller was still the associate of a crime family and he decided this immature nonsense was the appropriate way to act? Believe me, it's immature rather than stupid I can tell you. Not only was he an attention seeking idiot, he also got so unbelievably worked up about a truly insignificant detail that the only solution was painting the town red...with his brain matter. (The more petty of you will point out I raised the same issue as him - the noticeable differences is I did it in passing rather than devote and entire speech to it...and didn't shoot myself afterwards).

Now, at the time, it didn't even cross my mind that this was anything more than an isolated event. Then I stopped to think a while and could recall at least half a dozen instances of my peers talking about free speech. Eh?! Free speech eh? Well, if you're that confident in your constitutional right to free speech, go and talk to your Boss about the possibility of Crewleaders being appointed by public vote; then tell him his shoes are shit and you don't like his wife. See how far that gets you and your fucking free speech.

Free speech exists in so much that, yes, you can say what you want. Much like the civilian world. The only difference in the mob is that if you overstep the mark, you're giving a .45 barrel a blowjob. What is it, Roman was the foul dictator and the current crop of Leaders are the gracious liberators riding around the streets on white stallions? If you think that,  stop sticking your beak into the drugs you're pushing. You'll be less stupid and more wealthy. If you say something which oversteps the mark, there is one of three outcomes. A) You live because of who you are. B) You live because of who you know. C) You die. Deez.  If you're going to step out and say something controversial but you're a no one, and you know no one; here's an idea for you. Pipe down. To think you'll be afforded carte blanche by some sort of misguided notion of tolerance from the powers that be is naive beyond belief.

But finally, the finalé to the most childish thing I have seen around here since my return. I know this guy, little chinese kid. Man, the punk is like a recording machine. He passes me by on the street every two days and drops an envelope into my pocket to let me know who's got hits out on who. Seriously, don't ask me how he does it. He's like my very own minature commie spy. So anyway, I felt the familiar little piece of paper drop in today and imagine my surprise with what I saw! He couldn't find out who ordered the hits, but the news was a combined hit of $20,000,000 has been put out on the RH and LH of Bjorn's family. Now admittedly, they're the RH and LH of a family, but let's ignore for a minute that they're Earner and Goomba respectively and that the money involved is astronomical.

The reason for the hits is all about them not disciplining some called Porosity. Now, the more eagle eyed among you will notice that Porosity is dead, God rest his soul, so the whole thing would seem a little redundant. I have no idea what transpired here and I don't really care; but the situation tells me that someone was so infuriated about the Porosity situation that he decided not to see what would transpire but iinstead burnt $20,000,000 on 3 contract hits. Certainly impulsive and emotional action I would not expect of a Mobster. What's even more childish and stupid is that if Porosity has only wronged one party...It's going to be pretty fuckin' obvious who posted those hits. It's kinda like being the only kid playing ball in the back yard then claiming it wasn't you who smashed the window.

The mob is not a place for pettiness, emotionally charged decisions or childish behaviour. Some people need to grow the fuck up, because they're embarrassing; and that's bad for business

Lotta claps after listening to Sprozz finish his rant

My dear friend, I could not agree more. Only a wordsmith of your caliber could put the actions of late into such eloquent and respectful terms. See here kiddies? This is how someone comes to the streets, states his opinions, and walks away a better man for it.

I can only hope that this is used as an example as to what one should be doing out here. "Free speech" is not a wild card for one to say whatever they want, to whomever they want. It is an allowance in this Thing Of Ours that only those with a firm grasp on the English language and the brains to employ it can truly enjoy.

Basically what I'm trying to boil down to here is that there is a right way and a wrong way to "free speech". This here, is the right way. Thank you Sprozz.

An interesting stance on current events. One thing to remember is that while we do meet in public and on occasion do some business in public the majority of our life is behind the curtain. While you have every right to judge the public actions of a mafioso it does not mean that it is so black and white. You speak of one instance. This is not the entirety of this persons life. Your opinion is interting and entertaining but should be taken as just that, entertainment.

It's not just entertainment. The public actions are what define a man. Look at William_H_Bonnie, he may have been a great storyteller with his friends but people will never remember him as 'Willy the story teller'. Maybe he loved the works of Plato and Socrates? Sure, but he'll never be 'Willy the Philosopher'. Nope, he'll just be 'that guy who shot himself. What a dick.'

The argument you make is similar to the debate about street presence in leadership. I made the point there that it's possible for a leader to build up a presence and persona without visiting the streets all that often. I still believe this to be true both in the case of Leaders and the general hierarchy of Families. Sure, you can be as refined, mature and sophisticated as you like behind the scenes, but if you're childish or idiotic in public, this is how you'll be judged. This is a business all about appearance. That's why we all tend to wear suits intead of just bumming around in slacks and a string vest. If someone shows themself, in public, to be childish - then they're certainly not going to be someone I conduct my business with. They'll be an embarrassment from the start and may well act in an impulsive or rash way that creates problems.

I don't beleive one could possibly disagree with what you are saying. Actions speak louder than words, no denying that. All I was saying that speaking so harshly on a large scale as you were and basing it off of one situation can't be taken all too seriously. There is no merit in it. It would be saying that anyone who has ever made a mistake is a terrible person, which I hope you know to not be true. With that said, I do appreciate what you've said here today and it is a very good reminder that while in public one should conduct themselves in a proper manner.

I certainly didn't mean to insinuate I was referring to the majority; or even a large majority.There has been almost a renaissance of sorts in the public domain, we have a fantastic amount of fresh debate, an immense number of publications and the Streets are certainly busier than I've seen then since my return. I'm just saying that, coupled with this, we do have an increase in people showing, either with actions or words, that they don't really know the correct way to act in our thing.

It would be saying that anyone who has ever made a mistake is a terrible person...

From how I saw it I don't think Sprozza was suggesting anything of the kind. He was simply saying that if you act like a fool you'll be treated as such. From the little experience that I have gained from walking down the streets from time to time, it seems to be the same idiots constantly making mistakes, saying perhaps on occasion the right thing in completely the wrong way.

Interesting speech Mr.Sprozz. I'll be happy to get involved in a couple of points.

Free speech? I have to say i am a big fan of it. It was pretty clear for all to see that the freedom of speech was indirectly taken away from us with Roman and Premier running things. There were so many deaths purely because someone said something in the streets that someone else didn't agree with, something said in the coffeeshops was taken the wrong way and even the case of recieving a bullet because you visited the funeral of a friend who had fucked up. Everyone was shit scared to speak for fear of death, that was not a way us criminals should have to live. Things were getting pretty ridiculous tbfh. You only have to walk the streets now and on almost every corner you will see a mobster voicing his opinion and causing debate. I don't remember the last time the streets have been so lively, hopefully it will stay like that.

As for the hits placed on Bjorn's RHM and LHM. Well i myself have no idea what the deal was with Porosity and to be honest i don't give a shit. My home in New Orleans, not Las Vegas. Though i have to admit the hits placed on Lulu and ChaosSpike are quite interesting. Not because of who they are but because someone has thrown away so much money in hope a Goomba and Earner will die. Whoever placed these hits is obviously a coward who doesn't want to get his/her hands dirty. It doesn't take much to kill a Goomba and Earner, let's be honest. You could even be surprised that these 2 mobsters aren't already dead. $20,000,000 for 2 relatively easy kills? It would be all too easy for some suicidal maniac to take the shots and store the money to be passed onto their nearest and dearest. I am not suggesting or urging someone goes and kills them now, that would just be rude of me. I am just surprised at the situation, especially with the 'lack' of money circulating at the moment.

You bring up a couple of interesting points _Thor_. You know what I'm a fan of? Santa Clause, but the guy don't exist. Just as much, you're a fan of free speech. That don't exist either.

Sure, there's a helluva lot more tolerance now, that goes without saying. Does that mean we have free speech? No. I'll put foward a challenge to all of those who genuinely believe there is 'free speech' within the mob: Pick out a Godfather from another city, now think about all his shortcomings, if any. Once you have a list of sorts; present this list to the Godfather in the most unambiguous terms possible. After you've done this, I'll be happy to explain to your offspring that there is no free speech. More tolerence, less 'thought police' is a different kettle of fish altogether from 'free speech'.

I did forget to point out more on the free speech side of things, was excited and completely slipped my mind.

Everyone has a voice, everyone can and should be heard. They just need to know where the line is and make sure they do not step over it. I love nothing more than coming to the streets and getting stuck into a heated debate, yet i knew how far i could go and how to go about getting my point across without crossing said line. That is something you always need to think about when getting involved, do not get that carried away that it transpires into dis-respect in any form. That's just how people end up taking a swim with cement shoes. Sometimes it is better to keep your mouth shut and turn your attentions elsewhere. However thats not particularly what i want to see.

Speak up, keep it clean and everything will be just fine. Speak up, get dis-respectful and R.I.P to you, friend.

I loved this speech.

Why are we still talking about Free Speech?  Do people still honestly believe there is any such thing as free speech in the underworld?  Stop it, please!   Oh wait.  yo do have free speech.  But understand what that means, because it means nothing to your boss, to other city heads, and to anybody who outranks  you here.  But at least the government can't prosecute or persecute you for what you say!  That should make you feel better. 

Even here - you have the right to say what you want.  And after that, the rest of the world has the right to kill you if what you say is disrespectful, unflattering in any way, or in any other way derogatory to basically anybody else.

My favorite line from the speech:  "The mob is not a place for pettiness, emotionally charged decisions or childish behaviour."

Really?

Ahahahahahahahaha.  You're so right.  It isn't the place, yet the pettiness,emotionally charged decisions nd childish behavor have existed since the beginning of this thing of ours, and will continue.  Unfortunate as it is.  People will continue to complain, even when there is nothing to complain about.

"There isn't enough complaining in this world!  Geez!  This sucks." 

Also,

You know what I'm a fan of? Santa Clause, but the guy don't exist.

There are kids around here, please don't destroy their dreams.

Thor pats Clarity on the head and smiles.

That nasty man is just kidding...

Good point ruined by some very poor choice of words.

some of you are fucking retards

How anyone wishing to make a serious point can use terms like that seriously baffles me. Otherwise, I would agree entirely with your point itself. Free speech has never been a part of our life, you can and will die if someone bigger than you doesn't like what your saying. Sure, that person could then meet the same fate depending on the friends you have that will avenge you, it just all depends on who your messing with really.

And before anyone points out the fact I have issue with terms used in the speech, that is nowhere near the same as disliking what has been said and having issue with it, I agree with Sprozz's point, i'm just disappointed in him for using the term he did in such a crass manner.

My apologies, Godfather, if I offended you. Sadly, I am what I am, and the refinement of adulthood only offers me only a small countermeasure against growing up in the slums of Fuller Park. I guess it's true what they say - you just can't please everyone!

Oh I don't expect you to change, nor could I ask you to. As you rightly said, you are who you are. Just pointing out that such a well voiced opinion loses so much weight for me when such crass terms are thrown around needlessly.

As always, just offering my opinion. If no one bothers to point out such things, before long more and more people feel its acceptable to start throwing terms like that around.