Ricky walks through the celebration turned debate, heading past the crowd straight to his boss Soprano. Followed by Cory and Trevor, who he promptly ordered to hand Soprano his gifts, throwing in a "Smoke's s'go" as he held his han out. Cory walked over to where Soprano stood, handing him a box of fresh Cubans and a trash bag full of weed Ricky had grown. He gave Soprano a congratulations and held his hand up for a high five, which Soprano left hanging. Ricky walked over and shook Soprano's hand.

Congratulations Mr. Soprano, Harris definitely picked the right man for the job. I know you'll do the Suburbs proud and look forward to working alonside you. I'd like to also thank you for giving me a shot at your right hand, it's an honor and priviledge to stand next to you. Now... Let's get stoned and drunk.

Ricky takes a pull off of his cigarette, exhaling smoke through the mouthpiece of his cardboard box. As he turns to start the party, he suddenly spots them.

SQQQUUUIIIRRRREEELLLLLLLS!!!!

Ricky quickly pulls out his gun from his waistband, taking aim at the trees before squeezing off his entire clip. Tree branches fall as the pack of squirrels begin running down the trunk for their lives.

Duly noted boss and thanks for clearing up that bit of information.

tips hat

I might be a bit late, but oh well.

The first thing I'd like to say, is that Countdown, you are NOT one of the people who absolutely NEEDS to know about every auth another city makes. You simply aren't one of these people. The amount of times you've said you might've shot Soprano, because you absolutely no doubt have to know about every auth before it's made, is fucking hilarious. If you're that quick to jump the gun, then I feel slightly sorry for you to be honest.

Yes, you wanted to protect your city, and stop lives being lost. I one hundred percent agree with you, wherever bloodshed can be stopped, it should be. Let's think about it hypothetically; You see Soprano go bold, your alarm bells ring as, being someone who has to be in the know, you don't know about the auth, so you shoot Soprano, and kill him. Me, as a Godfather who has just seen his newest auth be shot down, approach your own Godfather about the situation. You're then killed, and your city has to pay a rather large sum in compensation. That's one way to look at it.

Another way; You see Soprano go bold, your alarm bells ring as, once again, being someone who has to know everything to do with auths, you do not know about it. However, you mail your Godfather (which I appreciate you've already said, he wasn't online) to get no response. You then look for another member of your upper structure, (who, conveniently, are also no where to be seen. I don't remember ever seeing a time when any city has all their structured members offline, but ok, let's go with that.) they're not there, fuck. You mail Godfather Harris, being the Godfather online, and apart of Chicago, and the matter is resolved, and everything is fine.

You will argue that there is another scenario, that sees Soprano shoot somebody, indeed being a rogue. I am telling you, this is one hundred percent never going to happen, ever. I almost take offence to the fact that you think Chicago would place someone who would rogue, as one of their Godfather's Left Hand Men. It's not going to happen.

I also tend to pick up on the fact you said again and again, that you just mailed a member of Chicago. Why a member? Are they likely to have anymore information than you? Or is the Godfather, already mentioned, likely to know what is going on, who is definitely online? I know who'd I pick to go to for information.

I think I need to stress this again though. You are not a priority to know about our auths. I think that's enough times now.

A mail was sent to the upper structures, so every single city in the game, knows about the auth. Yes, maybe it took a little longer than normal to have a thread up, but it was put up.

Going back to what Katniss and DeadlySin have said, I have seen every city make an auth without an auth thread before hand. Maybe the one from Philadelphia was a mistake, and was rectified. What is to say that's not what happened here? Would you have been as understanding as you are now, if a member of Chicago had shot that Philadelphia auth, seeing as there was no auth thread? I doubt it.

Mistakes happen, time and time again. The only way people learn and grow is from these mistakes. There are better ways to voice the fact that somebody has made a mistake, than coming into the streets and basically slating our city, calling us a shambles. It's disrespectful and unnecessary. I'm all for free speech, and letting you have a damn good debate wherever you please, about whatever subject you see fit to talk about. You don't have to be so fucking disrespectful about it though. This is not all aimed at you Countdown though, the same goes for Satanta. While I appreciate you both looking out for your city and what not. If you could do so without patronising the fuck out of my Right Hand, I'd appreciate it a whole lot more. Thanks.

This is not all aimed at me? You have a very funny way of showing that considering almost your entire post was directed towards me. It seems your entire post was intended to put me in my place to be honest.

I spoke to your RH personally Mr. Garcini and she never mentioned anything about feeling patronised, quite the opposite actually, she was enthralled that light had been shone on the subect. I'll happily forward you the mail if you so wish.

Sure, you don't HAVE to tell me about every auth, you don't have to tell anyone. But mistakes have happened in the past and will no doubt happen in the future. If it's your choice to not ensure that everyone knows about your city's next auth then sobeit.

To be honest, I think you're focusing too much on the fact that it was me that felt this way. If a first-timer to our shores was in the position I was in last night, without the experience I have of knowing Cpt-Harris and Soprano on a personal level a first-timer could've EASILY decided to take that shot believing he/she was protecting his city.

If you're going to slate me, then slate me... I'm a big boy and I can handle it. Please don't pussy-foot around it by saying at the end of your speech "this is not all aimed at you Countdown", it just does not wash with me.

Starting to sound like a broken record a bit here folks..

This is a mans party..not a place for soapboxes and lectures.

I didn't mention anything about how my Right Hand feels about this, I am commenting on what I have seen, and how I feel about it.

The post may have come off as directed completely at you, and to be honest, MOST of it was, but not ALL of it. Satanta is just as in the wrong as you were.

Please, don't try to twist my words to make yourself look better. It's pathetic. "If it's your choice to not ensure that everyone knows about your city's next auth then sobeit." Please show me where I have said, that I shouldn't be telling everybody, or won't be telling everybody about future auths. Go look for it, and come back to me.

I was referring to the fact that you thought yourself to be a priority to know about these things, and you aren't. Satanta, the same goes for you. You aren't priorities in the order that I give information to.

I'm focusing on the fact that you have come to the streets, to insult our city. Not about anybody else thinking whatever they think. YOU (meant plurally) are the people that threw the insults, so YOU are the people that I focused the attention that you so crave on.

If I wanted to slate you, I would do, I'm not afraid of whatever you may think I'm afraid of, if I believed you were a fucking prick, I'd tell you, right to your face. I'm not a person to 'pussy-foot' around things, and make sure that I come off in a good light, it's just not my way.

I ended my post with "this is not all aimed at you Countdown", because I wanted to ensure that it was seen as not just a personal attack on you, but a post about anybody who is trying to put our city down, or throwing insults at us.

Well if you think someone in my position doesn't deserve to know about auths, then I think I'm right in assuming you feel the same way about the general population considering we are supposed to think more of people who are Made Man or above (I've seen you use the old chestnut of button men warranting at least some respect before). I wasn't twisting your words... more assuming the obvious.

You're right, I'm not a priority, thats why not ONCE did I say I should have received a private mail about it. The ones without priority should be given the information like the rest of the masses... via the street.

I'm failing to see where I am insulting your city? Could you pull out a quote please because myself and a few others from my city are wondering where you have got that from? Not ONCE have I directly insulted you, Cpt-Harris, your RH, Soprano or your city. The closest I have come? I pointed out that the way this particular subject was done was a SHAMBLES. People can do things that are a shambles without actually being it themselves. We all have our moments. I think you're just angry that someone pointed out a flaw in what happened last night and you're taking it as a personal attack on you and/or your city members.

I've conversed with all the people mentioned here... Katniss, Soprano and Cpt-Harris and not ONE of them mentioned that I was throwing insults at them. They were just disappointed that I brought up the point here instead of making my own poster... to which I sent $1 million to both Soprano and Cpt-Harris for that grievance.

Again, please point out where I insulted anyone? Because I am baffled by this quite abhorrent INSULT.

I believe Old Tony was right when he said this could be sorted out somewhere else.

A party in the middle of the street may not be the best place to air a debate on the auth knowledge subject.

Sammy sighs.

Right, I didn't say you had insulted a member of Chicago, myself, Katniss, Harris, Soprano, or anybody else. I said you had insulted our city, by calling the way it went about it's business, a shambles. Does that clear it up for you, and the conutless other people in your city, that you feel you just have to mention, to try to add some strength to your argument? Please let me know, I care so much.

If you feel I've insulted you, then good. I've insulted you, in a way to defend our city from your own insults. Don't like it? Practise what you preach, and try not to be so damn disrespectful while you do it.

Thank you.

I am not trying to impress you or anybody when I said other people from my city were unsure as to where the insults were. Not quite sure why you picked that out personally. Still not seeing any actual evidence of said insults or disrespect and you quite clearly dont want to give any, if any exist at all. So I'll draw a line under this topic until the next person comes in with a personal attack on myself.

*shrugs*

Pot. Kettle. Black. Sir.

Thank you for gracing us with your views.

Are you just blind then? I just gave you the evidence.

"I said you had insulted our city, by calling the way it went about it's business, a shambles."

Anyway, are we back to the patronising remarks? I do love a good patronising remark from somebody who has no place to make them. Thank you for making this personal against me, truly, thank you. Yes, I made it personal against you, because you deserved it. You insult my city, I insult you, in whatever way I can. You can call me hypocritical all you like, I don't give two fucks what you think about me, your opinion means literally nothing to me.

People wonder why the streets die out and become life-less. Well, here is your answer folks. People like this, have to come into celebratory speeches and role plays, and turn them into argumentative debates, whilst trying to get a dig in at people wherever they can.

So thank you .

I'm not sure that I'd agree that describing a specific situation as a shambles is a verbal attack on an entire city, but that is a subjective matter and you are obviously free and fully entitled to take a comment any way you wish and react to it how you see fit Godfather Garcini.

As those comments were also aimed at me, may I ask where I threw insults at the good city of Chicago?

I'm not aware that I have and having thought over what I have said I still don't feel that I have. I actually stand over every word I have said to date completely, whether others may agree or disagree is again a subjective matter for them to decide. I did throw in a few sarcastic comments to the delightful Ms. Katniss, but in all good fun to lighten the tension and in retort to her own sarcasm (which was also taken as a bit of fun).

As for the comments relating to where this debate took place, I will agree that it was and is less than ideal. However, this is where the debate started and as a result this is where I chose to comment. In the same way that Godfather DeadlySin and you yourself, Godfather Garcini, felt the need to comment here. I certainly didn't wish to derail the celebrations, but as the matter at hand had and has the potential to impact (or even risk) the lives of everyone involved in this thing of ours I still feel that the topic of the discussion takes far more importance than the location of it.

No insult was intended and I'd hope that the comments made are taken in the manner intended, to help better this thing of ours for all involved. That includes the fine people of Chicago, who no ill will was or is felt towards.

Moving away from the he said she said side of this, and seeing as this discussion has already captured the attention of so many, can I ask an honest question?

Is there anyone who genuinely feels that no auth speech prior to a new auth is the right move?

All I see is it adding risks, doubts and in time will eventually lead to the loss of life. Whether that's due to an eager shooter downing a new auth moments before a speech is made or a rogue being given the opportunity to do significant damage. If there are people who do believe this, may I ask for a moment of their time to discuss the matter? I'd love to understand the reasoning behind it and have an opportunity to give my own thoughts and perhaps change their minds.

Satanta, I apologise if you thought I was referring to you being insulting. The patronising comment was more aimed at you. I am aware of the various places my words could be misconstrued, I did not mean to accuse yourself of insulting, only patronising.

In response to your question, I think that an auth speech before a new auth is the right move. It definitely removes all possible room for error on a situation and prevents anything from happening that otherwise would.

My initial response was not to the fact that the system couldn't, and most likely should be changed, it was more to the fact that Harris hadn't actually done anything particularly wrong. As Katniss said, this has happened in other cities, yet we have be singled out for it. I didn't feel this was fair. Whereas people may not have seen the other occurrences, some would argue that making a post without actually knowing the full story about something is just as much a shambles.

I meant no disrespect towards any city. The Godfathers of the other cities know I hold them in a very high regard, as has been proven with the capacity that I have worked with them individually in the past. My comments were only to individuals and their actions, not the cities they represent.

No need for the apology Godfather, it was my misinterpretation of your comment that lead to the mistake. My bad.

I'll be the first to say that I certainly didn't wish to single out either Godfather Harris or Chicago for this. I have nothing but respect for the man in question and am sure his new leader will do a terrific job for the district and the city.

I'm honest enough to say I'd have gone to great lengths on this matter, I think it's obvious it's something I feel passionately about, regardless of which city was concerned. If some don't believe me on that, fair enough, but those that know me will. It's the general principal and long term implications I care for, not the specifics of a single occurrence.

Having seen a variety of views on the matter as a result of this discussion, I think it's safe to say the majority are in agreement on the situation. I hope to have a chat with Mr. Down, I still don't believe he can actually Count, and Ms. Katniss if she isn't too busy washing her hair, I also have doubts whether she has enough hair to be washing it every time I call but that's another matter, and ultimately put something in front of our Godfathers in a formal manner that means a common agreement can be made in the future, by all cities, to avoid this type of confusion or risk in the future.

I do this reluctantly, in so much as it will continue this line of debate in this particular area, but this is something pertinent that I must point out.

I can confirm that a member going bold before their auth speech has happened and it has happened recently. How do I know this? It was my first auth as Godmother of Black Bottom. I waited until now to mention this as I wanted to be absolutely sure - but yes. I am very sure. In our case, the street speech went out after my member assumed his bold suit.

Furthermore, we received no complaints about it.

I just wanted to correct that fact.

Thank you for the pertinent information Godmother. I don't feel it will change or continue the debate any though, it just shows that a similar occurrence was missed by Countdown, myself and others who feel passionately about the same topic.

I'm happy to admit if I had spotted it, I would have had the seem feelings towards it as I have to any auth made in that manner. And would have been vocal about it to the same extent, despite the highest regards I hold you in (as I do with Godfather Harris).

I don't think anyone is debating it has never happened in the past. I'm perfectly happy to admit that it has and other Godfathers have already confirmed it. The issue is simply that some were missed or else those with a strong view on it weren't present to see it. From here, the question is what do we do going forward.

Worrying about what happened in the past is of no benefit to anyone. We have strong leaders that shape and control our worlds. If they want to change the way something has come to be, they can and I'm sure they will (and by they, I obviously do include you). If we ever reach a stage where leaders are happy to use a "well everyone else does it" and think that's a good enough reason for something to be done, we approach a race to the bottom and our world becomes nothing more than a bunch of lowest common denominators. I'm glad to believe that this won't happen with our leaders though and that anything they feel needs improvement or tweaking will be tackled head on and with the determination we've come to expect from them.

Soprano, I'm so jealous, my bold thread got 10 replies. How do you do it? (kidding lol)

Congrats all the same! I wish you all the best of luck.

Vince Noir
The Velvet Onion

Of course, Satanta. I did not intend my input as a further reflection on the past, but more so as a clarification on a matter where my city had been mentioned and indeed where I was responsible for the auth in question, much as Godfather Sin clarified that of Philly.

Even if my actions at that time are perceived by some to be incorrect or flawed, I would still rather have the truth of the matter known than hide behind ambiguity :)

*Subtly making his way through the crowd and walks up to Soprano*


Sir, congratulations on your recent promotion. Before taking my current position I worked with you in PACA and I now look forward to working beside you as you join us with your own family here in the Suburbs. I wish you the very best.


*Shakes Soprano's hand*


*Slyly makes his way to Deadpool*


Another man I have had the opportunity of working with and along side of now for a bit of time. Congratulations on UnderBoss, I am sure you will do a great job, sir.


*Shakes Deadpool's hand*


To the success and growth of the Suburbs and our fine city of Chicago!


*Salute*

I do love the irony here. Folk complain about the lateness of the auth annoucement, yet this has become the most popular auth announcement in many years.

Anyway, moving on from that, congratulations Soprano. I don't know you, have never spoken to you even, but thanks to all these kind fellows I doubt i'll forget you for quite some time regardless of what you do next in this life.