Preface: As you'll soon see, this speech has a slightly different tone. I'm here to engage a discussion, so if you have something to say don't just tip my post (though I do appreciate the tips), actually respond. It's good to get thoughts flowing through these streets, and I believe this is a topic which nearly everyone can speak their mind freely without endangering their city.

One of my favorite pass-times is heading down to the 4th Street Library in the Old City District of Philly and just... read. I'd read forever if I had no responsibilities elsewhere. In those transcripts lie the hearts and souls of the people who had the greatest impact on their time. Men and women of motivation, aspiration, and triumph fill those pages, and their journeys to greatness are brought to life in their words. In those words you could find a leader's qualities. And in those words, an up-and-coming mobster could decide whose vision he would fight for.

My last speech was a set of observations and theoretical interpretations. This speech is a challenge. Take a brief moment to assess the characteristics you would look for in a leader. What do you want your leader to strive for? What should be his priorities? His motivations? Once you have a decent list, look through the Streets for your leader's words, then sit down and have a chat with your leader. See how closely his words reflect his persona and how closely it aligns with your expectations of a great leader. If they align, then I congratulate you and your leader. You have found a great place to foster your own journey as a mobster, and I hope you'll share your story in a response. If not, I suggest you re-evaluate your employment with your boss and determine whether or not working in his service is a valid use of your time.

The purpose of this exercise is to invoke a level of accountability from the bottom up. If you are working hard for your boss (and I assume most of you do), he should at least be aware of your expectations and aspirations. No one from the top tier of the Mafia is going to say "you don't talk enough in the Streets" (as evidenced by the fact that... they haven't, despite the overall barrenness of our sacred site of discussion). And in my experience, many at the top actively prohibit or discourage speaking in the Streets. In my opinion, these individuals don't meet my criteria for a leader. And while I'm not the litmus test for auths these days, I'd like each crew to become the litmus test for its leader. If he isn't measuring up to your expectations, let him know. If they really are as interested in "making friends" as they say they are, I'm pretty sure they won't mind the chat.

In its current state, nothing stands out in our world. The only difference between HQs is the number of bodyguards outside it or the number of members inside it. The leaders, from what I've gathered, offer no legitimate element of uniqueness to their cities. Whether that's because individuality is repressed or it's simply a result of laziness, I don't know. That's up to you guys to determine of your own leader. If you don't even know what your leader stands for, maybe it's time he steps into the Streets and offer some engaging defense of his thoughts.Otherwise, every leader is simply adrift in a spectrum of monotony and mediocrity, and they offer you relatively nothing to contribute to your growth as an individual. If you want to succeed, you need a leader who can use your strengths and aptitudes to further a vision. Without a vision, leaders are just hollow characters for others to manipulate. 

If you are suggesting that I sit down with my boss and tell him what I expect from him, then you are dilusional...and I don't mean that in a disrespectful way. When we come to these shores, we are all the same, we work hard to prove our valor and one day it is rewarded by our Godfathers with a crew. The leader knows what he-she wants and who am I to tell he-she what I expect....it doesn't matter what I expect. THEY know what is planned for the city and what is needed from each and every one of us and what you suggest is so far fetched to me.

My bloodline have never been discouraged nor prohibited to speak in the streets and if that is a reality for yours, then I find it regretful but also rare, in my opinion.

Bottom line, we are here to serve, train and die for our cities. We trust our leaders to keep us safe as long as possible without us putting them in doubt.

And in my experience, many at the top actively prohibit or discourage speaking in the Streets.

In days gone by, I believe this statement to be tried and true. People where discouraged from speaking, or even whispering in dark alleys. That isnt the case today, we welcome all to share his or her thoughts and opinions. Carry yourself in a respectful manner and you will be listened to, and responded to in turn. Come out to the these very streets and act like a jackass, a pine box will surely be awaiting you.

Umbreon walks up and confusedly sniffs Alexander.

When one makes the decision on which crew to make a home with, you should already know what is expected of you, and what you expect of your leader. Otherwise, why join that crew?

I came to these shores after my father fell into a deep coma. I was immediately approached by both my father's former family, and members of other generations' families.  I knew the minute I stepped upon these shores what is expected of me, and what I expected of my soon-to-be family.  I politely declined my father's friends, and joined the man who I knew could do the things for my future that I expected.

My father spoke very well of his former boss in his journals, indeed he had a much stronger family, and was a great man to boot, but why join a family just because of their defense? Or their guns? One should join a family he or she absolutely knows they will thrive in, and they should have this knowledge before they ask for an invite.

I joined a ragtag group of slackers with one of those fuckin' Pokemon things as it's head, why? Because if I raged on my fathers former Boss the way I do mine? I'd have many more generations on these shores.

I believe you think everyone comes to these shores to live the way you do, which firstly, is a bit naive, and secondly, a bit egotistical. We are not all here to achieve the same goal. We're individuals, sure, we all participate in the same activities, but we do not go about them all the exact same way.

Censorship in the streets? Not since my bloodline has been around. The streets are quiet because life is quiet. The streets are not the only place for conversation, in fact, these days it seems it's only a place to make one's self look a bit slow. Yourself not included, I quite enjoyed your speech, hence my reply.

You say nothing stands out in this world, I noticed the last few days 2 new crews popped up in Chicago and New York, and I hear rumors of more of those dastardly souls hitting our other two fair cities as well.

I look at each and every one of our current Godfathers, CL's, and hands differently. They all have different quirks and buttons. With so many diverse personalities in our world, I'm not sure a day goes by where it is monotonous. Nor do I believe any true soldier in this thing of ours is anywhere near mediocre. But, I suppose that's my opinion. To each their own.

I couldn't even name each and every one of the current Godfathers, CL's and hands without looking that information up. They may all have different quirks and buttons, but with a few notable exceptions, most of them are anonymous nobodies whose legacy won't even take up a paragraph in the history books and none of us will know about them. 

Umbreon wonders if there was a time when Ganked5 could name all the hands? She can name all current godfathers and CLs but not hands.

If you are suggesting that I sit down with my boss and tell him what I expect from him, then you are dilusional...and I don't mean that in a disrespectful way.

Why?

He's not suggesting that you make demands on your leader or start dictating what they should or shouldn't do, he's suggesting that you talk to your leader. If you're not already aware of what their aims or aspirations are for the future, then engage with them and see if you're on the same page.

There's no disrespect involved in that, any leader worth their salt would respect you for taking the time to try and learn these things and should cherish the opportunity to speak to their family about them. If anything, it should be an eye opener to the leader that they've not made the hopes and aims of the family clear enough to those members that have sworn their lives to it and they need to step up their game in the future.

Yes, you respect the rank of those above you. Yes, you respect the position of those that are above you in a family structure. However, that doesn't mean you turn into a thoughtless zombie who isn't keen to learn, to ask questions (that's very different from questioning orders), to ensure your goals match those of your leader and who actually discusses things with your leader so that they can earn your unquestioned respect (someone earning your real respect is very different to you giving rank and position respect) and you can also earn theirs.

When we come to these shores, we are all the same, we work hard to prove our valor and one day it is rewarded by our Godfathers with a crew.

That's not why I'm here, so I wouldn't say "we are all the same" at all.

I'm here for one reason, my family. If I was ordered by my leader to set up a captain crew or by my Godfather to set up a family, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Without question. However, if they asked me if I wanted to set up? I'd be perfectly honest with them and say no, I'd much prefer to keep serving the family I have sworn my life to and spending my days with the brothers and sisters I have within this family.

My goal isn't to earn a bold suit, it's to serve the bold suit(s) that I have sworn my life to serve. 

My bloodline have never been discouraged nor prohibited to speak in the streets and if that is a reality for yours, then I find it regretful but also rare, in my opinion.

I think it's quite clear that Artorem isn't discouraged from speaking, that pretty much goes without saying given in the last few days he is the most vocal person on these streets. I don't always agree with what he says, I'm just as opinionated as he is and our opinions have and will continue to agree on some things and disagree hugely on others, but I will respect anyone greatly who has the balls to voice their opinions. Sometimes they may not do it in the correct manner, be that Artorem, myself or anyone else, but that's where the guidance of others and of leadership comes into play. If a serious line is crossed, a punishment will be given. If a minor one is crossed, guidance will be given. If no line is crossed, praise and respect will be given. That's the way our world works.

Sadly, not everyone feels the way you do. A huge number of people are afraid to speak on our streets. They have openly said this both in public street discussions and in public coffee rooms. It's a fact, not an opinion. Some of that fear isn't justified and is simply people not wanting to open themselves up to the public spotlight for fear of making a slip or a stutter when speaking, but much of it is due to censorship handed down from above. Both cases are common in our world today, which has had a horrid impact in the quantity and quality of street discussions we have witnessed in the recent past.

Bottom line, we are here to serve, train and die for our cities. We trust our leaders to keep us safe as long as possible without us putting them in doubt.

Totally agree.

However, there is nothing that Artorem has said that is in conflict with this statement. The only way it potentially could conflict is if you've chosen a family or a city that, once you actually engage them in discussion, you find that you don't actually respect them and no longer wish to serve them. I'd hope that in every single case that this wouldn't happen, but I honestly don't know if that would happen.

I imagine that the reason for this speech is that following extensive discussion with members from each of our cities Artorem is probably confident that it wouldn't happen. Far be it for me to put words in his mouth though, I'm sure he'll be happy to address that side of it himself in time. 

"If you are suggesting that I sit down with my boss and tell him what I expect from him, then you are [delusional] ..and I don't mean that in a disrespectful way. When we come to these shores, we are all the same, we work hard to prove our valor and one day it is rewarded by our Godfathers with a crew." -Fish

Perhaps I am delusional. But I had this talk with my leader before I made this speech, and while there were some minor differences in our views, I'm still wholly interested in working for him, and I assume he's still interested in protecting me. To be entirely honest, this phrase really reflects a sentiment that I find terrifying and destructive. We're not all the same. We really aren't. You think your boss is interested in having 49 identical monkeys fill his HQ? I sure as hell hope not. Bosses used to be able to accentuate the differences in people, not belittle them. The only thing you "prove" by working mindlessly for a leader who doesn't know the difference between you and your fellow members is that some Crewleaders aren't fit for their job.

"The fact is, the streets are scary. And that is the truth, people are afraid to talk in the streets because they [don't] know how they will react if someone disagree's and succeed into making them [uncomfortable]. And maybe end up in a [body bag], i have seen this before." -The_Gent

I think the fear that people have of the Streets started years ago and has been perpetuated by the current set of leaders. If you have something to say and you say it respectfully, I fail to see why you should be afraid. Those discussions (if the leaders actually engage in them) allow you to see the subtle differences between leaders. The gauntlet of the Streets chiseled and formed the minds of leaders and their members. But that process is extinct, so long as people are too afraid to talk.

"The people I hear about in the history books aren't always the most outspoken or well spoken. However, some of them are. The streets a just another element in this world of ours. Do our best speakers usually get credit where credit is due? Yes, for the most part. No matter the topic or how outcast it might seem to people, if he is well spoken then he will be heard. Not always agreed with, but he will be at least be noticed and in the back of people minds they will say, 'this guy isn't an idiot'. Many people can be remembered for their accuracy with a gun also, or maybe they are a liked person. Maybe some of them have a bloodline that go back generations. Maybe they are a better teacher then a speaker and are remembered that way. I believe we all know who taught us this world of ours and those won't leave our memories. I have nothing but gratitude for the lovely woman who taught my sons how to get about in this country, and I know that I am not the only one she has put her time to the side for to help also. "

Zero takes a hit from his cigarette thinking about how to say what he wanted to next.

"I do agree that the members do need to talk with the CL, hands, or a well known associate of the family if they really want to get a genuine view of what the family will be like and if they think it suits them best. I am a believer that if the family member isn't happy where they are at, then by all means I would not be upset with their kin not joining me back. (OOC: I don't know how else to to say this. This is a game, and everyone should be happy where they are. Why play if you are enjoying it?) Getting an over summary and a chat with the boss is never a bad thing. That way you get an idea of what it is like there and might be able to choose better from the many in bold of our country.

I am going to mimic a few people here. I don't think leaders have a problem with the speech, they might have a problem with the manner it is in or the topic at some times. Avoiding trouble with other cities is something that all of try to do, that is a fact. If you ruffle up everyone feathers then you simple are pleasing the other cities or CLs. This is a very vague also, because it can come to to one sentence said on the streets. Just one. This might offend someone or have someone think they don't want to take a chance on a member like that one. Usually if the speaker is trying to give the streets his words of wisdom, he does it in a responsible manner and knows the line of which they can and cannot cross."

He realized that his cigarette had burned all the way down while he was talking so he threw it to the side.

"Once the members have someone they like to work with then that is all that matters in my opinion. The member has to be just as happy with the CL as the CL is happy with them. They owe it to each other to return that trust and respect. Should one member, whether they be amazing or not, put the others of a family in unwanted and maybe foreseeable trouble? Certainly not, and it isn't worth the risk of the family much less the hundreds in the city. I suppose it is up to the CL to see how people take the speaker and whether his speech is appropriate.

I know some might agree with me on this and some people might not. I do feel that someone from a stronger city can speak more openly then a city who doesn't live up that standard. You usually don't see newer crews or cities having members in the streets speaking on subjects that would put them in the light, sometimes you do however! Although someone that has been through the wars and justified his loyalty to his CL will most likely get more lead way when he is speaking. Or they could be with a city/crew leader that is very powerful, and the people know it. Will his speech be taken like some of the others? I would think not. People might not agree with the speech but the man and his CL are in a position where they can say literally whatever they want and nothing can be done about it. These are just a few of the different situations I have seen in my time here and in another mirror world like this one. Some of it might be fear. Some of it might be respect and some might just be smart. That however, depends on the individual."

"Having a crew leader meet our expectations is a radical idea for me. I see myself as a tool to be used and utilized for the needs and wants of the family... What I look for in a crew leader, is a man (or woman) who can successfully utilize my talents as well as be grateful for my continued service to the family."
-Jack

I don't understand. Is it radical because you haven't had a leader meet your expectations? You don't have expectations, but you expect your leader to successfully utilize your talents. Is that not an expectation? Either way, that's what I'm talking about. I expect my leader to be cunning and efficient. Once I'm sworn into his service, I'm not going to "hold him" to these expectations, but it's important to keep an objective view of your leader. If you can help improve your leader or your crew, I think your leader would be interested in hearing it. Even if he/she disagrees, it's still worth the discussion.

The way I see it, my role as an associate is to be the best I can be in service to the family.  I shouldn't have expectations besides recognition and an opportunity to prove myself.  My leader gave me a roof, and protection.  For that, I'll lay down my life for them, no matter their qualities.