A hand was offered to Spider as she put on her sunglasses, she took it gently and was lifted from the car she had called upon to bring her out to the streets she dreaded so much. It wasn't often she made an appearance on them. Just the thought of being seen on them put a bad taste in her mouth. How very undesirable of her to spend time with the homeless, the orphaned children and all the common folk. This was one of the reasons she hired people to specifically do her shopping for her. She also hired people to find her something to stand on so she could address anyone who would like to listen to her talk, but honestly, if no one showed up she'd be happy to just listen to herself.

Oh goodness now would you all please stop crying about who pick pocketed who. Really, it's a very simple fix. It's $5,000 dollars which any of us can easily make in less then an hour. If you do not wish your money stolen from you, put it into the bank. If you leave it out, then you only have yourself to blame for not being responsible with it. To those who just don't care enough about the measly amount, good riddance, at lease these streets are blessed with a tiny bit of sanity still.

Spider took her sunglasses from her face, folded them into itself and tucked them away in her purse.

This issue that know one can seem to get over year after year is not why I have graced you all with my presence. I've actually come out here today to discuss and raise my concern on a much more troubling subject.

Recently I've witnessed a few people become promoted to run their own syndicate and step into their own bold suit. Which, of course is wonderful news especially after such bloodshed we all saw, experienced and mourned loved ones over just a few weeks ago. It's absolutely wonderful to see our world rebuild, crew by crew, city by city. Though how these new families are announced to the world is quite backwards and in some cases not announced at all.

Now, excuse me as I am from old blood and the journals from my family, that I've read in great loyalty to my family's heritage, often mention that there is a specific order to things involved authing in ones city. First comes the announcement from the city head and in some cases the right hand to the city head or the underboss to the city, that there will be changes in said city and that so and so has been given the nod to set up their own crew. Then a thread from the person who has been granted such a privilege who will speak of many things, how they will be such a great addition to the city or give out free turkeys on Thanksgiving. Sometimes it's about politics, sometimes it's about popularity.

After those announcements have graced our streets, our listening ears, will that special someone be given the bag of laundered money to buy their own headquarters and the community will swiftly see them as bold and understand that they are not a rogue. However! This is not happening. As of lately the new auth will first set up their spanking new headquarters, put on the bold suit and then when they have time to, usually days later, let the public know that they are not a rogue. But of course they aren't a rogue! Because city heads don't auth rogues. That's just silly. But for those who are not a crew leader or a right hand who has easy access to all communication their crew leader has with anyone else no one else knows this person is not a rogue.

I'm unsure how it exactly happens, but I can only assume the city head who plans on giving the nod to a member of their city sends out a telegram letting the other city heads and crew leaders know that whoever they deem worthy to set up in their city is not a rogue. This message is hardly ever announced to anyone else in the crew until the new bold suit is up and panic of a rogue rises. What makes this worse is half the time the new auth sets up shop is at a time the city head is sleeping.

Why is this happening? Why aren't city heads out here letting us know that new and exciting things are happening in their city that effect the rest of the world? Why are the new auths setting up their headquarters before announcing themselves to the world? Why is there a panic of ROGUE! every time someone steps into the role of bold suit? Why are city heads disrespecting their new auths by not following through with their duties and why are new auths setting up while their city heads are sleeping? Why is there a complete lack of respect for our streets?

Spider exhales deeply. Her mouth parched from talking so much, she snaps her fingers for a glass of water and a paper boy immediately brings her some. She drinks slowly, the coolness easing her throat. Spider passed the glass to the boy and continued.

I can't help but believe there is personal eagerness and personal laziness steaming this problem.

Of course being given the nod to make your name be viewed boldly is something to be anxious about, but to be so animated about this exciting opportunity to completely forget to announce yourself to the world. To promise us that you'll serve coca cola at lunch and that everyone in your family will have no trouble getting their button because you want to help your city grow is just a shame. How I miss the self proclaiming speeches about how you will be active in these streets and you do hope for a better tomorrow.

Of course making your city grow into a hope to be empire and your name remembered to generations to come is exhausting, but once you've given the nod don't nod off yourself. There is still business to take care of. You've got your best gun on deck and of course your best gun will be the best auth, because that's worked so well in the past, you're new auth deserves the right announcement thread and the public praise that comes with it. If you can't find the time to go out to the streets yourself, have your right hand do it. I'm sure the community will accept them, they are to be treated with the same respect you have anyway, specially if you are unable to complete the task yourself if other business maters must be taken care of at the same time. But, if it's just a responsibility you obviously ignore, a simple task, how can you be taken seriously? How can anyone believe in your communication skills as a leader? Like I've already covered, yes, the rest of the city heads and leaders are let known, but if you cannot address your public why should people join you if silence is another name you go by?

Now, now folks, don't go jumping off any bridges of conclusions please. I am not targeting any person, place or thing specifically. This is addressed to all who walk our world. Each and everyone one of you let this happen. Let our streets become completely abused with the obnoxious banter of poorly given speeches and nonsense drunk dribbles. Oh of course you'll sit here and say "Well, you do have a good point, but I'm not a city head and that isn't my responsibility." Or "Gosh, I've panicked myself thinking the newest auth was a rogue because there was no announcement made, but I don't have a voice in the streets, no one will listen to what I have to say."

So, lets wrap this up as I've spent more time with your ears then most have in a very long while. A summary of my concern. There is a severe lack of respect for our streets. There are large communication errors and communication is key. Stop giving us the panic of rogue.

Stop authing rogues.

I agree with a lot of what was said here.  It is an interesting phenomenom.  And what's most intereting to me is that rogues can become more prevalent now.  This is so  because nobody will know they're rogues.  People will just assume another crewleader has been authed because no announcements have been made.  That, to me, is why announcements are important.  Maybe I'm carrying this to an absurd conclusion, but at least it's something to think about.  Announcements are good.  :)

While Adonna was walking the streets looking for a newsstand, she saw a sight she rarely sees. Spider was in the streets. She was speaking to a few people who had gathered. Spider rarely came to the streets so this must be an important issue. Adonna stopped and began listening. She found herself nodding in agreement.

This was a bold speech and Adonna was glad someone had the guts to make it. She listened to the entire thing before commenting.

I have noticed the same things and have sat in silence shaking my head. Some of our leaders have come to the streets with an introduction but protocol seems to have been set aside by others with days going by.

In some instances, it is dangerous not to follow protocol and come to the streets with an announcement. The start-up of a new family is one of them. The people making auths need to come forward before one of these new auths is gunned down as a rogue. People tend to have itchy trigger fingers round these parts, after all. New auths need to properly introduce themselves and hand out free alcohol to all as a gesture of good will towards men and women alike.

Thanks for speaking out Spider. Communication is a must round these parts and the lack of it gets very frustrating. While I firmly believe leaders should be good communicators, I would rather see a poorly written attempt than no attempt at all. Evolution and expansion is great but some things such as this need to remain intact for the safety of the new auths and as a gesture of good faith towards these streets.

After speaking her mind, Adonna takes a look around and sees a newsstand a block down. She heads on down the road to quench her thirst for the daily news.

Aoife sprints up to where Spider is speaking, to see what all the excitement is about. She nods in agreement as Spider finishes.

Finally working up the nerve, she gives her opinion.

You make alot of good points, Miss Spider. I can think of another as well. When people don't communicate, apathy follows and it is like a disease. It may even be like the plague, killing off every good and healthy person among us.

Aoife smiles nervously and walks back where she came from.

Now Spider, while you may be generally incorrect on many MANY things... maaaaaaany things.... like, pretty much, all the things... especially regarding you being better than me...

Uh. Yes. I have to confess that I feel the need to come out here and give you the praise you deserve. Too often things are left unsaid in our community, and when they ARE said, they are simply ignored and buried under a growing pile of pointless posters. To have your eloquent, and entirely correct, speech suffer such a fate would be... well, it would be societal malpractice.

Hopefully this is seen not as direct attacks, which it is not, and as the call to action that it is. We, as a society, can do better. We owe it to ourselves, and to everyone that has come before us, to do better.

It is a good point you make, recently I woke from my slumber with urgent knocks at my door. Groggy-eyed I opened the door to see a few men from my inner circle, weapons drawn, tactically moving around the street as if they were expecting a fire fight.

"Boss, it looks like a shooter from another city is about to go on a rampage" my capo told me as he thrust a newspaper into my hand.

Looking at the picture of the man in the headlines, I knew there must be some kind of mistake. I asked my wise guys if they'd heard any whispers in the street that night but they all came back with the same answer… "No!"

I went over to my personal mailbox, and underneath several unopened envelopes from family members was another sent from the other side of the country. I opened it and hastily read the letter inside, which informed me that the man in the headlines was in fact given permission to start his own family. I stood down my alerted family members and informed them of the situation, and they headed back to work looking relieved. Shortly afterwards, a disgruntled boss came over for a chat about his concerns I agreed with what he said…

While in a wartime situation addressing the masses to inform them of new leaders is not always practical, so it is understandable when it doesn't happen immediately in that particular situation. However, in these 'times of peace' when considerable planning time is available it should be common courtesy to inform the masses of new leadership. It is after all them that will be in the firing line if the new leader is in fact about to go on a rampage, so the panic it causes amongst them is not unjustified.

I hope we can learn a lesson from this, and in future the leadership we have will consider it vital to make a public announcement before making such actions. Mail often takes time to trickle down to every person in our organisations, but the street hits everyone with the news immediately, it's a good tool, so let's use it!

I really can't remember the last time somebody cried "Rogue" when a new Crew Leader was seen running along 62nd avenue.

I always thought that if there was a rogue SOME leader of SOME city would be around to let everyody know there was no announcement made.

After all, the own city's head may be sleeping, but I don't think I've ever seen a time where all crew leaders and all their right hands were asleep at the same time.

So I am sorry that such paranoia runs through the head of so many and such important people that a speech of this magnitude was needed. I guess for those people a street speech anouncing a new auth would be... nice.

But I say "nice" and not really "needed. Somebody else mentioned the concept of protocols before. I don't really think we have a protocol to announce new auths. We USED to have them but several leaders always thought it was a bit silly to be screaming to the four winds that somebody was becoming a crime lord and running their own sindicate. Many people thought that was the easiest way to attract unwanted heat so at one time a few important leaders started announcing it ribately to every other crew leader and that seemed to work quite well... or so I thought until I see so many people agreeing with the original speaker.

I'm not saying I'm against street speeches annoucing auths, but rather than saying we are breaking rules and disrespecting institutions, I would prefer to call this what it really is: a kind and well thought out request to go back to the old ways in this aspect.

Street announcements of new crews are NOT needed. They may be greaty appreciated but we have survived just fine for a long while without them, proving they are not mandatory to ensure safety.

Still, I'm sure it would also be good to see a few people who never bother commenting on anything else pop up to say "Congratulations, Sir/Madam" and go back to their usual silence.

Listening to Aidan's comments Kurtz looked down at his watch and glanced over at his assistant. After asking him several questions about the time and availability of various members of the community, he thanked his assistant and turned to Aidan and the group.

I feel most points have been covered very well here. I would have to agree with most of what has been said but Aidan, something you said stuck in my head and I had to make sure I was correct before responding. If you'll indulge...

"After all, the own city's head may be sleeping, but I don't think I've ever seen a time where all crew leaders and all their right hands were asleep at the same time."

Right now there are two cities with no leaders or hands awake. And, just over an hour ago that was four cities... And it was at this time of morning that the incident I believe Marston was referring to, occurred. So you see there is every reason for formal announcements. They can be extremely helpful in allaying concerns.

Given the fact your argument against these speeches being needed hinges on a point that is utterly inaccurate, I would have to add my weight to the argument that a proper and formal process should be more diligently observed. I'd also like to thank you Spider for opening this discussion. It is a subject that clearly needed addressing.

Your opinion is as valid as everyone else's but I meant to say that I never saw leaders from EVERY city absent at one point. If there was a rogue, surely those few leaders up and about would get in touch with people from every city.

"I really can't remember the last time somebody cried "Rogue" when a new Crew Leader was seen running along 62nd avenue."

When SmallBlackMan set up with nary a word, the question was asked many times. When Lancelot set up previously, with nary a word, the question was asked many times. It must be sad to have such a short memory, but I do hope you're able to cope in your life.

"I always thought that if there was a rogue SOME leader of SOME city would be around to let everyody know there was no announcement made."

Some leader? Of Some city? How about you simply prevent this type of thinking by announcing your new auth ahead of time, just to stave off any questions and seem proud of their new auth. In short, how about leaders... leading.

"So I am sorry that such paranoia runs through the head of so many and such important people that a speech of this magnitude was needed. I guess for those people a street speech anouncing a new auth would be... nice."

I'm sorry you feel that having a new auth in a city isn't worth the effort of showing them the respect of announcing them to the world. It must be a good feeling to that person to know that the city head isn't proud enough of them to actually let people know that they're being authed, and why.

"Street announcements of new crews are NOT needed. They may be greaty appreciated but we have survived just fine for a long while without them, proving they are not mandatory to ensure safety."

They are needed. I know of many people who are of the shoot first, ask questions later philosophy, and if we see someone new in bold, without any sort of announcement, well... who could fault them for shooting a rogue?

"Still, I'm sure it would also be good to see a few people who never bother commenting on anything else pop up to say "Congratulations, Sir/Madam" and go back to their usual silence."

Maybe the don't bother commenting on anything because there's nothing out there for them to comment on. Maybe by making new posters and showing their willingness to communicate with the community, leaders could encourage them to let their voices be heard. But hey, what do I know, right?

"When SmallBlackMan set up with nary a word, the question was asked many times. When Lancelot set up previously, with nary a word, the question was asked many times. It must be sad to have such a short memory, but I do hope you're able to cope in your life."

Oh, my! Don't you love the sweet smell of sarcasm this early in the day? I'm sure you can feel it too, right? Oh, sure you do!

Of course I figured somebody somewhere must have asked those questions. If only for the fact that Spider brings them as examples. I was trying to illustrate that around wherever I was at the time, we had enough information to know these people were not rogues.

But I'll hand it to you, at least you are out to criticize people from every city, including your own. That is coherence, if nothing else.


"Some leader? Of Some city? How about you simply prevent this type of thinking by announcing your new auth ahead of time, just to stave off any questions and seem proud of their new auth. In short, how about leaders... leading."

You seem to think that by not announcing things to the four winds a leader is not leading... Many things have been said about the late Roman. Many were bad, but also many were very good and HE was the one that started this newer fashion of announcing new auths only to the people in charge of other crews. So I guess that if it was good for (one of) the strongest bloodline this place has ever seen, I don't think it's such a bad idea after all. Of course, everything has its pros and cons and these certainly are the cons of this newer method.


"I'm sorry you feel that having a new auth in a city isn't worth the effort of showing them the respect of announcing them to the world. It must be a good feeling to that person to know that the city head isn't proud enough of them to actually let people know that they're being authed, and why."

I guess that by now, you realized my arguments are not about lack of effort, right? But just in case I'll spell it out. It's about believing that one shouldn't stand in the middle of a corner to announce these things. This reminds me of a discussion, I believe brought forth by Poisonous Jelly about how silly it seems to stand on a soap box in the middle of the streets to "announce" things.


"Street announcements of new crews are NOT needed."
"They are needed. I know of many people who are of the shoot first, ask questions later philosophy, and if we see someone new in bold, without any sort of announcement, well... who could fault them for shooting a rogue?"

Very dangerous acquaintances you have there, pal. I think it's a VERY dangerous philosophy to "shoot first, ask questions later". One that brought the demise of many people who follow that line of thought. So I guess we'll agree to disagree. That people CAN figure out without going guns blazing if somebody is a rogue or not, while you think the ONLY way to announce a new crew is in the streets.


"Maybe theY don't bother commenting on anything because there's nothing out there for them to comment on. Maybe by making new posters and showing their willingness to communicate with the community, leaders could encourage them to let their voices be heard. But hey, what do I know, right?"

I have no idea what you actually know, but you sure made a good job to show what you think you know. But sure, I guess it could be good to bring back all those "Congratulations, Sir" people. I guess we all miss them.

"Oh, my! Don't you love the sweet smell of sarcasm this early in the day? I'm sure you can feel it too, right? Oh, sure you do!"

I understand sarcasm. Your problem is you're just not very good at it.

"Of course I figured somebody somewhere must have asked those questions. If only for the fact that Spider brings them as examples. I was trying to illustrate that around wherever I was at the time, we had enough information to know these people were not rogues."

Of course you had enough information, because you're part of the upper structure of a crew, THEY were so courteously notified while us peons simply go by what's said on the streets. I guess it's just my fault for being one of the hoi polloi and not be born with a silver spoon in my mouth.

"You seem to think that by not announcing things to the four winds a leader is not leading... Many things have been said about the late Roman. Many were bad, but also many were very good and HE was the one that started this newer fashion of announcing new auths only to the people in charge of other crews. So I guess that if it was good for (one of) the strongest bloodline this place has ever seen, I don't think it's such a bad idea after all."

Roman's dead, you know. You don't have to keep kissing up to him, it's okay. As my family line was one of the bigger critics of Roman around, even I can acknowledge good things that he did. This was not one of them. Sorry you'd rather idolize a dead leader than pay attention to the living population.

"I guess that by now, you realized my arguments are not about lack of effort, right? But just in case I'll spell it out. It's about believing that one shouldn't stand in the middle of a corner to announce these things."

So, you believe a leader shouldn't be forced to come mingle with us common folk when making big changes to their city? I guess that's one way to think. An arrogant, egalitarian, egotistical way to think, but a way to think.

"Very dangerous acquaintances you have there, pal. I think it's a VERY dangerous philosophy to "shoot first, ask questions later". One that brought the demise of many people who follow that line of thought. So I guess we'll agree to disagree. That people CAN figure out without going guns blazing if somebody is a rogue or not, while you think the ONLY way to announce a new crew is in the streets."

Oh we're smart enough to figure out if someone is a rogue or not. But without an announcement, well. If I had shot, for instance, SmallBlackMan before he was ever announced as a leader, and I claimed that I was fearing that there was a rogue about - even if that was a blatant lie - could you really blame me? In fact, to any shooters out there in this world, I encourage you to do just that the next time someone sets up without an announcement thread. Should be an interesting social experiment, to say the least.

"I have no idea what you actually know, but you sure made a good job to show what you think you know. But sure, I guess it could be good to bring back all those "Congratulations, Sir" people. I guess we all miss them."

It's sad that the Left Hand Man of a crew is encouraging people to be silent on the streets and not ever speak up. I, however, would encourage people to speak out - even if it's only a "congratulations, sir" message - because then you can take them and help guide them into people who will speak out more often on more various topics. I guess your ideal world is a desolate, silent place. Which is a shame.

This is in danger of becoming a little bit tedious. Pointlessly bitter. Sad but unsurprising. Anyway lets try to simplify this as its getting rather convoluted.

Announcing an auth, by the head of the city, the auth themselves or both, has been a practice dating back countless generations. It has always served as a flawless method of introducing new families to the community as a whole. When this was observed by all it never failed. There was never any confusion and never any room for question or opinion.

In the examples we are looking at now, there is room for confusion. However slight you may perceive that to be, the room for doubt exists. Therefore, from a purely scientific point of view, the original approach to the subject is better for its lack of flaws. Say what you like about Roman, just because he didn't announce things publicly or make people announce themselves, doesn't mean it was the better way to go. I'm not detracting from that man's achievements or his impact on our world, I am just pointing out that the original system for announcing new families was less flawed. Period.

And the speeches themselves are not for the sole purpose of collecting congratulation. They should be the leader of the new family's opportunity to set his stall out to the mob community, to let everyone know their objectives and intentions, the role they may fulfil or promises they make. The same goes for the city head speech, if they care to make one.

And on a final note, the idea of spouting off intentions to the open public. Really, this has been explained many many times. These streets, the places that we speak, are exclusively populated by mobsters. There are no members of the general public here. The areas we converse in have been sectioned off by corrupt cops. Us mobsters are the only ones here. Therefore it is perfectly safe for us all to stand here and discuss general points and topics relating to mafioso activity.

Don't agree at all with a lot of what is being said.

Who in their right mind would announce that they are going to set up a headquarters for racketeering, robbings post offices, sellings drugs, etc, etc in full view of every gangster in this world and no doubt, half of the police!?

Sure, there may be people who panic think that a new rogue has setup, however... the way this is happening now is a test of a member's intelligence. If you step out of line and take down the "rogue" then you are an idiot. You ask questions, there will no doubt be someone hovering around (online) from the upper structure of your city at any given time that a new leader sets up, so you would go to them and ASK if said person has been authed to setup or not.

It creates more talk within family's, it puts relatively fresh faces into a position where they have to go up the chain of command to find information. Us little peons shouldn't find out who the new bosses are from someone standing on a soapbox in the streets, we should find out by word of mouth, because we are... after all just a minor part of one ENORMOUS food chain.

I think that possibly the Made members of a family should possibly be posted a short PRIVATE letter telling them what is afoot, but the rest of us don't need to know. You claim that communcation is lacking simply because it's not shouted from the rooftops every time someone gets a shiny bold suit, but I beg to differ... people talk to people they wouldn't normally talk to in an attempt to find out the legitimacy of the shiny ones.

If there is doubt in people's minds as to whether someone is authed or not simply... ASK QUESTIONS. Keep your gun in your pants you wack-happy people and go up the chain of command like you SHOULD do.

I'd just like to point out a couple quick things.

One, PJ's speech was to reduce the number of threads to one so that the people who only come to the streets for reasons we all know have to actually think to get their voice out there. It was to prevent people from getting credit for speaking by just saying congrats twice every time a new leader stepped up. Those comments don't prevent the streets from becoming desolate, they cause the streets to become stale and kill activity. There really is no need for more than one speech, and it doesn't speak for either side when it comes to the no speech at all argument. It actually asked that people be more creative in announcing it so that it didn't seem like the whole world would easily find out.

Next, I can't find the mail for SmallBlackMan setting up but if I remember correctly it had to do with some personal issues for a member of NY. Maybe they just didn't feel like airing that person's personal issues publicly. If someone is forced to set up because of another's personal issues, we should probably help all parties keep their personal affairs discrete. Asking questions privately avoids a lot of issues and generally gets quick and friendly results.

Finally, arguments like this cause some leaders to avoid the streets entirely. Many people have lost their lives over stupid arguments in the streets and honestly I don't blaim leaders for completely avoiding them when some people come out to cause nothing but drama and destruction. If you don't like the way a leader's doing something, maybe you should just mail both your leader and that leader politely about it rather than making it public, and I stress POLITELY. If you're convincing enough, the city heads might bring it up at their next meeting and get it formalized. In short, not making a leader look bad in public can save lives so just ask privately. I'm not saying avoid the streets, but things that could embarass a leader should be taken to your leader and handled privately.

Where did anyone say "Make sure, if it's personal reasons, to air those publicly so that we can all get a good laugh out of them"? If someone has personal reasons for stepping aside, by all means, keep that personal. It doesn't mean don't give an announce thread for the person who's stepping up, it just means you don't have to tell every single detail of why they're stepping up - something nobody's been asking for, by the way. "This is SmallBlackMan. We're authing him to join us here in New York. Please, welcome him warmly." is really enough, but I suppose even that much is asking too much, n'est-ce pas?

If a leader can't be bothered to get involved in discussions that are being brought to the streets... that says more, to me, about the kinds of leaders we have than the kinds of discussions we're having. I think you forget, this wasn't an attack on any one leader, this was commenting on the way things have been happening for a while now, and how it's depressing. If someone takes personal offense to it and vows to never come back to the streets, or shoot us for voicing our opinions... well... life's hard. Wear a helmet.

But bowing and scraping and sniveling towards leaders so that MAYBE if we're GRATEFUL enough they MAY bring it up to DISCUSS at their next meeting? To hell with that.

Spider first turned her attention to WillHayes.

Mr. Hayes, I don't think anyone would come out here and tell you you are carrying this to an absurd conclusion. With the lack of communication I wouldn't put it past a mobster to take advantage of this situation and set up his or her own shop without permission from their crew leader/city head. Just when you think someone has down the dirtiest deed, there is always another right behind them. I agree with you, announcements are good.

She smiles then turns to Adonna.

Adonna, I'm right there with you on the free booze. Sometimes after a hard day of robbing grandmas and running prostitution rings all a girl wants to do is get her buzz on. On a serious note, some of what you say over laps on what Mr. Hayes brought up as well, so I won't repeat myself, but with the lack of communication it seems we are just building an excellent breading ground for rogues or groups of people who would like to over throw the power. I agree full heartedly that an announcement, even if it's a poor announcement is better than no news.

Spider looked onto the next repliers.

Aoife, you bring up a great point. Along with the feeling of apathy comes the lack of motivation. If the crew leaders aren't out here what gives anyone the motivation to come out here? Leaders lead by example. If they aren't making a good or bad example what are people to do?

Marston, thank you for coming out to the streets and giving us your time and an insight to how this issue effects you directly. I agree with you on the subject of wartime. While a leader or a city head is doing everything in their power to save the city that homes themselves and the people they protect.

Aidan? Your impossibly stubborn outlook on life is pathetic. You've backed yourself into a corner, put yourself above everyone else and than blame everyone for being mean to you. I don't even need to reply to your dribble as Shepard did a fine job already.

Thank you Kurtz for bringing us full circle. If the original speech was too long for some to listen to they can open their ears to your reply.

TeQ, we both know that people like to shoot first, ask questions later. There are great ideas in this world every day, but those ideas usually fall terribly when put into action. Much like sub crews. There are few who want to look past themselves and work towards a common goal. So the population has to adjust to this and make things clear or all of us one day will see a new legit bold suit be gunned down after someone jumps to conclusions thinking they are a rogue. I hate to say this, but I'd actually like to see that happen so people realize and feel the effect of the lack of communication.

WhereWasI, my favorite POLITE mobster. You just bring the sunshine to my day every time I have to listen to the things you say. And I just couldn't skip over you because I have this long time, never ending grudge/crush on you! But. you must have skipped everyone else's reply and jumped right in, which I can't say is a bad thing because I'm excited to see so many responses, but your first point has already been addressed. Quoted from Shepard.

I, however, would encourage people to speak out - even if it's only a "congratulations, sir" message - because then you can take them and help guide them into people who will speak out more often on more various topics. I guess your ideal world is a desolate, silent place. Which is a shame.

Yes, we all see everyone come out and send their one lined congratulations off to the new crew leader in celebration on their special day and yes, that is spam. But if we put time and effort into those one liners and educate them on public appearance, I know, asking a lot here, but in the end if you get two out of the seven congratulators to understand that spam is annoying I believe you're winning at the end of the day.

So take out one of the speeches, I'd be happy with one instead of two. As Kurtz has already mentioned there is a problem with confusion. TeQ over here wants us to ask questions and your resolve is to shut up because anything besides a pick pocketing thread is causing drama and destruction. I never said I didn't like the way a specific leader was doing something and I'm pretty sure I addressed that this was a nationwide problem, not just one specific city or person.

Hello Again Miss Spider, glad to see you haven't changed and you still can't see through your sunglasses. Are you certain my bloodline's old enough for you to actually respond to? Isn't that degrading yourself or something?

"WhereWasI, my favorite POLITE mobster. You just bring the sunshine to my day every time I have to listen to the things you say. And I just couldn't skip over you because I have this long time, never ending grudge/crush on you! But. you must have skipped everyone else's reply and jumped right in, which I can't say is a bad thing because I'm excited to see so many responses, but your first point has already been addressed. Quoted from Shepard.

I, however, would encourage people to speak out - even if it's only a "congratulations, sir" message - because then you can take them and help guide them into people who will speak out more often on more various topics. I guess your ideal world is a desolate, silent place. Which is a shame."

I did read through it and I just don't care for the main subject. I did notice Adrian mention PJ's speech and I incorrectly assumed he was speaking of a speech that went after the need for two speeches to announce an auth. His use of the speech he spoke of was correct and I'm sorry for that Adrian but the majority of my response wasn't meant for your conversations.

That comment was also partly to counter that exact quote you pointed out. Spamming doesn't teach people to become better speakers, it destroys their creativity. Why put an effort in the streets when you can get the same effect saying "Congratz" twice every time someone gets authed? You may have called all of my comments "fluffy" at an earlier point in time, but those humorous bits are to help some feel a sense of normality and send a calming effect. Humor really is the best way to diffuse situations of built up anger or frustration which leads to those people you're so scared of, in my (and everyone else who sends me mails after most of my jokes) opinion.

"Yes, we all see everyone come out and send their one lined congratulations off to the new crew leader in celebration on their special day and yes, that is spam. But if we put time and effort into those one liners and educate them on public appearance, I know, asking a lot here, but in the end if you get two out of the seven congratulators to understand that spam is annoying I believe you're winning at the end of the day."

What are you doing to help those spammer understand what they're saying is spam? I've offered to help anyone from any city with editing or revising street comments and speeches. Not sure why you chose to pick at that part, but I'd actually like to hear that you are doing something.

"So take out one of the speeches, I'd be happy with one instead of two. As Kurtz has already mentioned there is a problem with confusion. TeQ over here wants us to ask questions and your resolve is to shut up because anything besides a pick pocketing thread is causing drama and destruction. I never said I didn't like the way a specific leader was doing something and I'm pretty sure I addressed that this was a nationwide problem, not just one specific city or person."

TeQ asked you to just go up the chain of command. I never replied to your actual topic but that's my belief too. The information was received by the people that needed to know, so go ask them before assuming rogue. The reason most people from other cities didn't even come out here is because this speech is unnecessary and disrespectful to the leaders who did set up without giving a speech. You can pretend you didn't have any one in mind but two CLs recently did this and that was your inspiration and what your message implied due to the recency. As for asking you not to speak in the streets, again I must say you don't pay attention to the streets at all. There are plenty of things you can talk about without trying to embarrass people, it just takes some of that effort you claim other people don't put in.

You'll have to forgive me, WhereWasI, I couldn't make it through all the sanctimony in your post. Is this the part where we're all supposed to genuflect at your feet, or does that come later?

It is not OUR CL's responsibility to tell us if someone sets up in, for instance, NO. It is that city's head's responsibility. Otherwise, well, accidents happen everyday. If a legitimate crewleader gets shot because nobody knows he's not a rogue... people die every day. Why should they be any different?

Not sure where you all got the impression I'm full of myself when your objective is to tell another CL how he has to present information on how he sets up, but I think it's hilarious so please keep making those comments.

Our members understand CLs don't have to announce their setting up and simply ask us if they are concerned because they trust we're responsibly looking out for them, not sure why that's so hard for you guys. Also, I don't know why you are all so quick to jump to the Rogue assumption, but I can almost guarantee that if you take an unauthed shot at a CL from another city your ass will be following the authed "Rogue" in the obituaries. People die every day is a stupid motto for shooting people, and a cop out for being way too trigger happy. That expression is meant to encourage people to live while they're alive, or not be crippled by someone else's death.