The black limo screeches to a stop, Rupert steps out from the limo to bring a subject to the gathering crowd

As the last few days have been full of discussions about "free speech/what is free speech etc" I'd like to twist it slightly.

Reading through my great great Grandad's journals i came across some scenarios on "What power does a RHM of a Godfather actually have"

I personally believe they with hold every power a Godfather has barring the actually Rank/Status of a Godfather. This persons word is just as strong as the Godfathers words. What they say goes quite frankly. When the Godfather isn't there he is ultimately the man in charge. His words and actions should be respected, he carries the burden of the city on his shoulders and his actions shouldn't be questioned.

So this brings me to my question.

Should the RHM's word be final or can it be by-passed/ignored and proceed to speak directly to the Godfather? Does that then become an act of disrespect? Should this person receive punishment?

We talk about fine lines of free speech, is there a fine line between ignoring the RHM's words and proceeding to speak with the Godfather?

So ultimatly what power does a Godfathers rhm actually hold? Will this new found freedom of speech go to people's heads and believe they have the right to address Godfathers as and when they please?

I would assume he holds all the power

Generally my bloodline has seen roughly the same statement repeated in the structure pinned to the wall of the headquarters to the family. The right hand man IS acting boss when the leader is not around.

Moving up a level, from leader to godfather the rule still applies if it remains in the structure. When the godfather sleeps the right hand man will in theory have the powers the godfather has at his disposal: he can go to war, HQ someone in the city etc

Utopia takes a puff from his cigar and leaves for an appointement in Philly 

I think the question gets much more complicated when you have a crewleader in the city and the RHM disagreeing about something that cannot wait for the GF to show up.

A godfathers RHM has full control over a city and its inhabitants whilst the godfather is not around unless of course the godfather has given the role of underboss to one of his/hers crewleaders either way a godfathers RHM carries significant weight when decisions are made, so for anyone to go against their orders is indeed showing a lack of understanding and respect and should in my view be held accountable.

I think it's entirely subjective, the RHM is a direct representation of the leader for their own crew/city but it isn't quite the same with outsiders. If someone important from another city wants a direct answer from the Head of the City on a city to city business matter than I believe they have that right. The importance of the RHM preventing the City Head's workload from getting to big is obviously important, but I believe its more for the inner workings rather than actual status.

Doesn't that kind of contradict his position then YouAreHere?

So, he's fully in charge but doesn't have the same power outside of their city? Isn't that degrading the power of the rank?

Looking through old family journals to when one of my forebears held the rank of RHM to the Godfather, it seemed to be the case the Godfather himself made sure both his subordinates and those from other cities understood that, in the absence of the Godfather, the Right Hand spoke with the full weight and authority of the big man himself. This should be the case not only with Godfathers but for all leaders in my own humble opinion.

That's why I said it's subjective, the people in the city should understand the RHM's orders are above all others except for the Godfather himself. Any in house problem is almost always at a low enough level that the LHM of a CL, let alone the RHM of the Godfather can handle it. When other cities become involved, things get complicated. Members of another city the RHM doesn't like might be involved, or it could involve attacking another city, or agreeing on a price other cities should have to pay to participate in some event, etc... There are instances where the RHM's word might not be enough for the other city. Obviously I'm in no position to directly address a GodFather, but there are instances I can see where if I was I wouldn't settle for the RHM's word.

History has shown in the past that if the godfather isn't around then the Right hand speaks for the godfather and the city. A lot will depend on the godfather in question and the emphasis that is put on the position of Right Hand by the Godfather.

As Sprozz quite rightly said when his forefathers held the position of right hand to a godfather then he spoke with that full authority. I also believe that when your ancestors served as a godfather Rupert that they gave their right hands full authority.

However I imagine in both of the cases of Sprozz and Rupert both of your forefathers would have seen evidence of crew leaders wanting to circumvent the chain of command put down when a decision doesn't go their way. Is it disrespectful. You are god damn right it is when the godfather has stated that this person speaks for him/her when they are unavailable.

Stan waits intill its his turn to speak

" I agree any CL ect that would try and circumvent The Godfathers RHM or LHM decision is disrespecting not only the hand but the godfather, There could be instances where that could be required,  But as i see it If the Godfathers away his Hands word is Law unless stated otherwise"

So ultimatly what power does a Godfathers rhm actually hold? Will this new found freedom of speech go to people's heads and believe they have the right to address Godfathers as and when they please?

Firstly, you will find if you ask around that I am more than willing to stop and talk to anyone from our fine 8 cities. The position you hold in our community doesn't make any difference in that regard.

Now, onto your main point. My Right Hand is an extension of myself. When I am not here, effectively Huebert is me. His word is gospel and my City should always trust and follow it and know that he will act as he feels I would. I would like to think the same attitude would be perceived from the other cities in this thing of ours, in the absence of a Godfather/City Head, their Right Hand is just as important.

Where the water gets muddy, imo, is if the RH and City Underboss have differing views on a situation. I would always regard the Underboss of a City to have power equal to that of my Right Hand, as an Underboss is given the task of also running the City in the absence of his/her Godfather, much like the Right Hand. Personally, I still feel the Right Hand of the Godfather should still be the first person to discuss any City related matters with, but would have very little objection should someone instead seek out the Underboss of a City instead.

Lastly, I love how much the phrase Feedom of Speech is being thrown around. While we all agree that under previous regime the ability to speak out was somewhat limited, it does not now mean that Myself and other Godfathers will sit here and accept any public disrespect, its simply all about being able to express a fair opinion without fear of being kiled. As long as a person speaks their mind in a respectful manner, I can't see any major issues. Except that Chuckle fella and his excuse for a paper. Tabloid News all the way.

Nice speech Rupert.

I believe Godfather Alabama has pretty much hit the nail on the head and stated the majority of what i wanted to say. Typical.

I'll give a swift answer though anyway.

Should the RHM's word be final or can it be by-passed/ignored and proceed to speak directly to the Godfather? Does that then become an act of disrespect? Should this person receive punishment?

The RHM is as good as the Godfather themselves. If the Godfather has trusted this person with such an authority then i am pretty sure the Godfather has every bit of faith and trust in that person. If there was a problem or piece of business that needed attended to and the Godfather is not around, they should automatically seek the RHM. If i was a Godfather and someone refused to deal with my RHM in my absence then i would take that as a personal insult and would be one pissed off guy.

I will keep this brief, since for some odd reason, I have forgotten everything I was going to say. So, I will attempt to piece together my lost thoughts.

Using a tale from my bloodline's experiences, a Right or even a -Left- Hand Man is effectively the Crew Leader, or Godfather whenever he or she is not available. Any action done by Right or Left Hands are a direct reflection of the Godfather's view and thoughts. If they weren't, then I question -why- the person got the position in the first place.

One of my ancestors was a Left Hand to a Crew Leader. Young, and immature. He bought out hits that were placed on inactive mobsters. Long story short, he was killed and the bloodline name had to go into hiding. The city paid later on in a bloody war that slaughtered everyone within. That Left Hand paid part in the reasoning of the take-down.

To ignore a Right Hand, is to disrespect the Godfather himself.

I personally believe that a Godfather's RHM holds exactly the same power. If the godfather is sleeping the RHM is pretty much the Godfather for that time, to me any way. They should hold EXACTLY the same respect as the Godfather because the godfather trusts them enough to have the control. Also like McKnighter said "To ignore a Right Hand, is to disrespect the Godfather himself." I fully believe this because it is very true.

Ive always been taught that the Right Hand Man to the Godfather of any city was the acting power of the city when the Godfather was away. The Godfather has entrusted the RHM to that most valued postion for a reason. They're a person that is fully able to run the city in the Godfathers absense. As previously stated here, to question the RHM is to question the Godfather himself.

Personally i believe a RHM should have as much power as the crewleader/godfather in their absence.  These people are put in a place of trust for a reason to spread the workload, protect the family and maintain the situation when the leader is not around.  I would then also follow down the line to the left hand man if one appointed as our world needs structure so one person is not overloaded with work or urgent matters are not left unattended.

Arilyn is intrigued by the debate and chimes in with her thoughts

A RHM has whatever authority the Godfather has granted them. Their orders should be followed as if it's the Godfather  handing them down himself.

Being a RHM is a position of trust, not  a position that is handed to someone randomly. If they didn't have the ability to make good decisions, they wouldn't have the title in the first place. If they make a bad decision that's on them, not you- RHM should know better than to hand down orders that the GF would disapprove of.

Likewise, if a Godfather has made it clear to other city leaders of who holds the reigns in his abscense, it should be respected and adheared to. If a matter is of the upmost importance and they want to see the GF, then they should order a sitdown at the GF's convenience.