Faceman strolls up to the platform in front ofhim preparing to give an opinion in the life of a mobster or anyone

A lot of people like to talk, and say alot of things, and tell people stories of what has happened recently in our streets, but these people are only ending their own lives, by simply saying one thing, it will spread like plague, and it will always come back to you, and not usually in a positive way.
Bluntly what goes around, always comes round, by talking you are making attention, attention gets you noticed, in the mafia getting noticed more often than not gets you killed.
This is why i believe it is better that most things that you personally witness happen or you hear about you should do your best to not repeat it to anyone.
I only say this because of personal experience, and all the 'rats' you hear about these days.

I guess the truth is in the mafia, information is valuable, but coming direct from a source, means there's a target for someone if they are the end of that information, you won't make that person happy and therefore that crew happy, worst case scenario is that you get killed then and there and that is the end of it, all because you uttered those words.

I will probably have someone tell me by me sharing this speech with you all i am contradicting every letter i speak, but try and find the last time i said something on the streets of our cities, it will be at least a month ago, because i dont want to be the one who ends up iin the dirt, this is survival of the fittest and we all got the same game to play.

Faceman waits around to see if anyone has any contributions to his speech

You are right. But you are also wrong. Allow me to elaborate..

In this Thing of Ours, the Streets are a place where many of us congregate to discuss matters of our world. If you don't risk your neck to make your way out here and share your thoughts with your fellow mafioso, chances are someone from another City will neither know you, or respect you.

Its my personal view that everyone in this thing of ours should feel welcome to give their thoughts on virtually whatever discussion is brought to our streets, without fear of what their words will cause. That is of course provided they approach the subject matter with respect and ensure that those they talk to are treated with the respect they deserve.

Of course there are limitations to what subjects should be discussed in the open, obviously anything thats of a sensitive nature such as being a witness to a murder is something you wouldn't discuss with anyone outside your family, but that goes without saying for most of us anyway.

I guess you are right, that if you want to get somewhere you are going to have to take this chance, but i just feel in my own opinion if you say one thing that someone higher up in the hierachy disagrees with they can ban you from the city and all this, and i suppose they should do if they disagree, but like i say, to me it just isn't worth it, within the confined walls of the crew HQ i agree because you can trust these people.
I suppose i am just a bit cautious with my words which i don't think is a problem, but there are other ways than what you say to get noticed and earn respect of your peers in the mafia 

Killua listens carefully at what is being discussed then decides to give his own opinion
Both of you sirs are right.We must be careful at what we say on these streets while on the other hand,being quite and not say anything at all could hinder your growth as a mombster.I think the key to this is to be able to master the art of choosing the right word.Some have already mastered this in such a way that they can disagree with the top brass and yet not lose respect while others gets fucked up no matter what they say.I guess the measuring stick that we need whet we speak on this streets is "respect".

While I do see your point Face, I disagree. In my opinion, its not the what you say, but how you say it.

what we must remember is Omerta. We are Cosa Nostra, and since our Sicillian days we are considered Men of Honour and Men of respect. Omerta is a code of silence and there is the mafia ten commandments.

1. No one can present himself directly to another of our friends. There must be a third person to do it.
2. Never look at the wives of friends.
3. Never be seen with cops.
4. Don't go to pubs and clubs.
5. Always being available for Cosa Nostra is a duty - even if your wife is about to give birth.
6. Appointments must absolutely be respected.
7. Wives must be treated with respect.
8. When asked for any information, the answer must be the truth.
9. Money cannot be appropriated if it belongs to others or to other families.
10. People who can't be part of Cosa Nostra: anyone who has a close relative in the police, anyone with a two-timing relative in the family, anyone who behaves badly and doesn't hold to moral values.

I quite like no.5 myself :)

It's good to speak your mind. If you want to be something in this world, you'd better show some coglioni! But always respect your fellow mafiosi.

And yes, some things are better left unsaid. Some information stays within the family, and is never discussed with ears that shouldn't be hearing what you have to say. We as a mafia don't like rats!

"...In my opinion, its not the what you say, but how you say it." - Sleazy-P-Martini

I don't agree with you here. If you're ratting your family out, it doesn't matter if you're singing, speaking english or freaking chinese... You're a rat, maybe a squealing chinese rat when your family is done with you, but still a rat.

There are all valid points being made here, but i think what these points confirm that there is a very fine line, and is up to human opinion whether you have crossed that line or not.

It goes without saying that anyone who oversteps the mark voicing opinion or information out here will get it in the neck, either verbally or physically should it jeopardise the security or stability of the family to which they are bound.

We have all witnessed the verbal onslaughts by individuals who have no ties with any family who hide behind the initial protection allowed for by the gods. To them there is nothing to lose, purely because they have nothing to lose. Quite happy to live in the past among the only friends they have, memories.

Anyone with attachment to a family however whether it be by association or otherwise has strict rules to abide by. I`d expect any leader worth their salt to ensure these rules are strictly adhered to at all times and willing and able crack the whip or enforce such rules at the drop of a hat.

Now there are rule breakers, we`ve all seen them. It happens, and depending on which line has been over stepped, the consequences can range from a slap to a bullet. Education of the young is of prime importance. The values and ethos of our way of life has to be firmly impressed on any fresh blood around here in order to safeguard security, financial stability and ultimately people’s lives. Knowing when and how to speak, who to speak with, and what to speak of are all early lessons which many of us have learned well.

There is another course of action that would prevent any embarrassing situations arising from improper verbal communication of course..............run it by your immediate superior beforehand.

Kurtz listens to Faceman talking and to what Slash had to respond with.

Face, you might think there is risk in speaking in the streets but the only real risk comes with a lack of planning before hand. If you run into most situations without thinking and just shoot your mouth off, likely as not you will get a hostile response from at least one party or another. That is never more true than here speaking among gun toting villains and ranking mafioso. However is a little thought is given to how a person goes about making their point, they can discuss almost anything.

As is so often said, its not what you say, its the way you say it. Granted there will always be some extreme exceptions. If you walk out here and start slating off an existing crew leader, you'll do well to survive being shot for pure disrespect. That aside, virtually all subjects of topical or theoretical discussion can be broached publicly. There are very few restrictions of the points are made respectfully and without needless attack or slander. You will find even the most fearsome members of our community, happy to enter into discussion.

Taking out a silver flask from his jacket pocket. Kurtz takes a nip and looks at a few raised eyebrows pointing at him. Glancing down at his watch he looks back at them.

What? Its gone two in the afternoon! Anyway... The point is simple. Don't be afraid, just don't be stupid. Think about what you are going to say before you speak. If you are in doubt, run your thoughts by a friend first before you present them.

I think you have summed up nicely stone what everyone is saying here today

As alwaays Kurtz I enjoy listening to you, i can agree with you, and it is why hindsight is a truly beautiful thing don't you think? think before you act is crucial in any situation when saying any word in our community, but me personally, i am not great with words, and i have learnt it is best for me to say less, but  iwill run it past some people next time, see what they think

Faceman steps down again