Whilst the details are being thrashed out, can some CLs approach me with invites to their familes?  I don't want to fall to an assassin's bullet whilst engaging in this serious discussion.

I still don't understand why this is needed. Families seem to be doing just fine explaining themselves, and when they don't it is because they don't feel the need for it to be explained. Also I would suggest contacting leader directly for an invite to their crew instead of posting in the streets.

I cant see what benefits would come from this myself, but some of you guys are seriously considering it.

Are you not capable of telling people why you did what you did by yourself? I cannot see why anyone would need to go through a middle man and put it in a newspaper, the writer of which they would have to pay to write for them. The old ways work, why try to fix something which isn't broken?

And if you aren't so skilled in terms of speech making, I'm sure someone in your family would do a fine job of writing notes for you to read to us all.

Don and Tyler - let's try something different, yeah?

Yes but this wouldn't just be trying something. From what iv heard, it seems to me that once this 'Czar' is given his position, he will be untouchable. Once we give him his chance we will pretty much be stuck with him. How many of the crew leaders have actually agreed to this?

No CLs have withdrawn their support - quite an achievement

And, of course, the PC could be relieved of his post.

I think it's time to ratify this venture.

I don't see the need to fix something that isn't broke. CL's will tell us what they want us to know, when they want us to know. As I stated before, I will never abide by this nor provide any information. OMERTA

I have to agree with Sneaker here. Im definitely against this.

"Don and Tyler - let's try something different, yeah?"

Is that the best argument you have? "Try something different"?

OK, I'll give you an equally laid out response: no.

I agree with Abel.

I am not in support with this I feel if you want a newspaper then team up with some friends and write a newspaper. I feel giving one person so much power isnt healthy. I also feel that there isnt anyone in the world really who could be impartial in this thing of ours. I would have to vote no on this and I wish you luck in findng a place in our world

I repeat - what's the worst that could happen?

The worst that could happen is the PC deliberately prints false information under the guise of it being a "credible" source and it leads to conflict between families. The cherry on top being that he is not held accountable since he is untouchable. This "public information broker" would be able to say anything he pleases without fear of repercussions. If people actually do trust this person enough to buy and sell information through him, that would give the PC an extraordinary amount of power, and that frightens me.

The worst that could happen ... which you have presented well, could turn into a nightmare for this thing of ours.

Another thing that iv realized is the fact that these 'anonymous' splinter groups plans, being put on display for all to see would result in a spike in paranoia. Ultimitely leading to everyone having their guns pointed at everyone else.

This idea being put into action would be dangerous beyond any reasonable measure.

What CL's have agreed to use you as their "middle man"? I imagine it is not hard to withdraw when they have not yet agreed.

You are spot on with that Don.

This idea had many dangerous elements.

After listening for a while Popcorn sees that all of his thoughts have been said but he just can't help himself from stating his disapproval

Nothing about this sounds appealing to me. To much is left to chance along with the fact that family business should only be made public knowledge from a reputable member within that said family. Any person bringing you information in my opinion should be dealt with severely. If anybody respects this thing of ours they would see this because there is one word that we all abide by and that is, as _Sneaker and PriestLogan have already said, "OMERTA." With "The Mafioso Tradizione" and keeping your ear on the streets we have all the information we need.

I feel personally that there is no need for this, but if you are going to push it, there is only one possible way this could work.  And it would have to adhere to all of the following...

1. All of the existing families would have to APPOINT a single person to this position TOGETHER, there would be able to be no qualms or disagreements.

2. Your weapon is not allowed to be used for any reason.

3. You are only allowed to print factual information, any opinion will result in immediate termination of your position.

4. The benefits and responsibilities that are given to this person would be as follows...

So long as you remain Press Czar (Which is a poor term considering they wouldn't be running anything at all, liaison would be a better term.) you cannot be shot by anyone withoutreason, however anyone that finds that what you release as "Credible Information" is not factual has reason to terminate your position according to the following rule.

Your role as Press Czar can be revoked without warning.  To do so, only one family must announce that you are no longer fit for the position and then it is your job to announce it tothe other familes.  From that point you would be treated as a protected citizen for 24 hours or until you find a place in a family.

You are NOT to be paid.  If you are doing this, it is for the betterment of the world at large and not for personal gain, also any transfer of money could easily become corrupted.

If you think I've missed anything feel free to let me know.

Once again I want to state that for the record I don't think this is a neccesity but if you are going to go through with it anyway, those would be the rules to follow, they keep things as neutral and corruption-free as humanly possible. And also keep the "Press Czar" themselves in check.

Ok whilst I feel there are some merits in having a free press, the reality of it is that there is no such thing as impartiality. Linked to a family or not, natural tendencies within us all will always lend us to like somebody more than somebody else or begrudge somebody in a position of power who doesn’t deserve to be there. The pull is too great to sway from an objective unbiased viewpoint  into the realms of propaganda

In our world information is gold dust and is in most cases the mighty catalyst in the cause and manipulation of wars. Which sane crew leader is going to give out information to a ‘freelancer’ and the power to wield information with the sole purpose of shaping peoples perceptions for the benefit and gains of oneself. A free licence to manipulate public opinion can be just as strong as any gun.

For any remote chance of this working relies on credibility, and as we know very little about you or your credentials then its going to be very difficult to garner public support and get the backing needed. The mere fact your still roaming the streets alone only highlights peoples cynicism. Asking for money just proves my apprehensions that this isn’t for ‘greater good’

Then again nothing suprises me around here anymore

-Jax