Corky stands at the side and listens to the conversation going on around her, she takes a long drag of her cigarette and finally speaks.

Compared to a lot of bloodlines around here, mine is relatively young.  In our short time on these shores, my blood has seen people sleep their way to the top, buy their way there, or just have their bloodline's history behind them to be handed the keys, solely on that.  We have seen new blood shine, and we have also seen new blood disappoint.

Myself, I am in a very similar boat to Mr. No over there.  This is my bloodline's first time being given the keys to our own HQ. Similar to No, it was out of necessity, since Paul_Klint was taking GodFather. However,  I would like to think that my hard work, loyalty, and public demeanor had just as much to do with my being given a chance just as much as anything else. 

Corky pauses for a moment, to light a cigarette and take a slow drag off it.

In some cases I do believe it is both deserving and necessary.

Drogan prepared another cigarette while listening to ManceRayder, as the one still dangling from His mouth was so short the smoke that curled from it up the side of His face made His eye water. He spit the butt onto the pile as He quickly lit another, allowing it to hang sleepily from His lips as He spoke.

First off let me just pick up this baseball bat and I'll start swinging it viciously at this horse that's lying dead right here...

It seems to Me that this "dead horse", as a couple people have called it, still has some meat on its bones, and with the added districts forcing Auth at times, spins this topic in a new direction.

They auth their friends because they know its the easiest choice to make and that in turn kind of shows that they are not good leaders. If someone can't actually put the most deserving person to the top then they don't deserve to be the one calling the shots.

As we have already covered a couple times, sometimes necessary and deserving do overlap nicely and someone gets a shot they may not otherwise have gotten, but come through with shining colors. I would not call this the norm though.

We have also seen a choice between choosing a trusted friend that is playing "meh whatever", and a hard worker that is balls to the wall, but either no real background to speak of, or just not well known by the Leaders in charge.

Streets need some fire in their bellies.

I am a firm believer in communication in the streets, as you may have noticed. 

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Drogan nods as He listens to BTSP and Arya answer, then turns toward Corky smiling.

In some cases I do believe it is both deserving and necessary.

Aye, it is always good to see when it is a combination, instead of one or the other, and thank you to everyone that has given a point of view or an opinion so far.

Also, since a street presence has been brought up, how important do you all think good street activity is to not only pre-auth, but after auth as well?

I didn't mean that what you had said here was anything to do with the involvement of me beating that dead horse. I meant that what I was saying, I have said so many times, it's starting to make my mouth dry.

Also I think the best points that I brought up were that of the city heads making some decisions. I don't actually know why they don't take control of the reigns any more. They just sit in their own territory and watch the paint dry over and over. - Rather than let any willy nilly get authed. Why don't they have a set standard any more? 

What happens now is Godfather of city 1 District B will walk into the council of the other city heads and go right MrWilly is being authed here and everyone hears and goes alright and I'm pretty sure that maybe Godfather of city 3 district A is like shit I don't like that guy, he doesn't deserve shit but what does he say?

I think anyone who is authed should be deserving of such an honor. In situations where someone needs to set up right away, to me that is a matter of timing. A person could have the chance to set up even though he or she didn't fully  show potential before, but that does not mean he or she couldn't have if enough time was permitted.

Regarding the pool of worthy auths dwindling...I think it's important to understand that even though there are more opportunities to get auth now compared to the old days, we are also working with smaller families and crews now.

If someone has as many as 10 IAs in a Don's HQ, the potential productivity is down 25%. That makes a huge impact on how things would flow with the rest of the family. Since most families have a CL, a RH, and a LH, there are only so many jobs to do in order to get things done. And do those jobs show that you know how to manage and interact with people, including dealing with conflict? Or is it mostly information processing? Without the proper guidance, I would think it would be harder for someone to be able to go to the next level in a way that others would be able to see it. But that's not to say that they don't have that potential.

This is why I believe having a decent street presence can help a person. Combined with the work that these potentials do at their home districts, it makes a stronger case for the person to be authed, or even for rank promotions. Some people believe that since street presence isn't required for auth, why do it at all? Leaders are supposed to inspire others, and since none of us know for sure who the future Godfathers and Godmothers will be, why not make the extra effort?

Mance, I remember reading of a time where if an established leader did not like a newly authed leader, said leader would go to war with them, and then state their reasons why the newer leader had to go. But when you think about it, in those times there were fewer opportunities to get established, so every leader was scrutinized. Was the leader IA, or a mute? Did the members show respect, or did they cause problems with members in other families? Anything and everything was used as a reason to show that the leader was unfit. Now, there are so many leaders within a city and even in districts that the Godfathers have their work cut out for them. I don't think it's feasible for a GF in one city to make a huge ruckus about who gets authed in another city that has a GF, especially if the dislike is for personal reasons.

Think about it - if you were a GF, and you wanted to auth someone you thought was worthy, how would you take it if a GF from another city tells you, "I don't like the person you are authing"?

This is why I believe having a decent street presence can help a person. Combined with the work that these potentials do at their home districts, it makes a stronger case for the person to be authed, or even for rank promotions. Some people believe that since street presence isn't required for auth, why do it at all? Leaders are supposed to inspire others, and since none of us know for sure who the future Godfathers and Godmothers will be, why not make the extra effort?

Couldn't have said it any better than that.

Street presence was something that was expected of a leader at one time, I believe people should still aspire to have a street presence before they take on a leadership role. I accept that its no longer the status quo, but like Blaise said, does that mean people shouldn't bother? I don't think so. I think it would make this world a better place if more people stopped to give their thoughts on topics that concern our way of life.

Even more so in fact now that we can actually show a little more appreciation for comments that we agree with. I've had a number of people contact my accountant and pass on their thanks in a monetary fashion. If that isn't an added incentive to get out here and speak your mind then I don't know what else people could want.

I do agree with you there Blaise, I think I worded that wrong but with it came an ounce of truth. What I meant when I said "like" was that there was no potential in that new auth or that they were undeserving. If I was a Godfather of another city and authing someone they wouldn't be getting authed without having proved themselves inside and out.

I'm just a firm believer that anyone who receives auth should be well spoken in the streets.

Mance, when you say they wouldn't get auth without proving themselves inside and out, do you mean inside and outside of your city?  There are just so many possible meanings for what you are saying.  

Street presence was something that was expected of a leader at one time, I believe people should still aspire to have a street presence before they take on a leadership role.

That is a great point, but people find it hard to come to the streets when a decent percentage of every speech or topic that comes to these streets is ignored.  It is hard for some people, especially if they are new to these shores to be bold enough to come out and stand in front of everyone and speak, knowing they may just be ignored, along with every else they see getting ignored.  

Yeah Goten!

I believe that a person working under me should show me that the have the capabilities to lead by showing good nature and firm beliefs and that they are capable of presenting themselves outside of my city with other people.

Look at me talking like I'm Godfather! Well I am a king.

The debate and discussion was going well, Drogan thought, but with the corner getting a bit crowded He decided to move them to a nearby park. He called some people and had a couple large tents set up to serve refreshments, and a couple girls to make rounds and keep everyone's glasses full. Notes had been taken and were available for anyone just joining them, so they could catch up to where the conversation had led.

Several good points had been brought up already, and Drogan was just getting started. After looking over the last bit of notes, He turned to comment on the last couple that had spoken, after lighting another cigarette, of course. After everyone was settled in and had a bit of refreshment, Drogan turned to ManceRayder once again.

I didn't mean that what you had said here was anything to do with the involvement of me beating that dead horse. I meant that what I was saying, I have said so many times, it's starting to make my mouth dry.

He chuckled a bit, His warm smile showing He knew exactly what Mance meant.

Aye, I understand, but some things are worth repeating, and I am happy with the way this discussion has gone so far. I took no offense to your comment

Also I think the best points that I brought up were that of the city heads making some decisions. I don't actually know why they don't take control of the reigns any more. They just sit in their own territory and watch the paint dry over and over.

 Whether they have everything delegated and running smooth as butter or not is hard to say if they are not in the public eye. People will think the worst if they do not "see" anything happening. It is called Public Relations for a reason, and I would love to see more than the occasional Auth speech, which even those, happening once in a lifetime, some have been pretty lack-luster.

I don't like that guy, he doesn't deserve shit but what does he say?

In this thing of ours, it takes a pair to stand up for what you believe in. I have a feeling some weigh what they have invested, against what they could loose, and shut their mouth for self preservation. That could change, with one person.

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Drogan grabbed a drink off the nearby table and took a sip, followed by a couple short puffs from His smoke before turning to Blaise.

And do those jobs show that you know how to manage and interact with people, including dealing with conflict? Or is it mostly information processing? Without the proper guidance, I would think it would be harder for someone to be able to go to the next level in a way that others would be able to see it.

I have seen situations where RHM's have taken initiative before when the CL literally sat back and took it easy. Then I have seen others that with even hours of guidance couldn't get it. As there are different guidelines in every HQ as per the CL wishes it to run, some are well oiled machine, while others are ghosttowns. I have seen a ton of apathy, but I am hoping that will change if some of the Leaders decide it is finally time to shake things up a bit.

Leaders are supposed to inspire others, and since none of us know for sure who the future Godfathers and Godmothers will be, why not make the extra effort?

I cannot agree more. How many times have we seen someone new authed that barely anyone knows because they haven't wanted to put themselves out into the street. Can it be done? Sure. Should Leaders hang back quietly? I don't thing so. It gives the illusion that they don't care, or cannot be bothered. Cruise control. No matter how good a leader they are, I believe they should be trying to connect, and show some personality in the street.

Think about it - if you were a GF, and you wanted to auth someone you thought was worthy, how would you take it if a GF from another city tells you, "I don't like the person you are authing"?

Used to have wars to take people out that you didn't think were doing a good job. Still do from what I see, but now it comes down to friendships as well. Would you be willing to lose a friend to do what was right for your Crew? Bet everyone has to think about that one.

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After another quick drink and another couple drags, Drogan turns to Alabama.

Street presence was something that was expected of a leader at one time, I believe people should still aspire to have a street presence before they take on a leadership role. I accept that its no longer the status quo, but like Blaise said, does that mean people shouldn't bother? I don't think so. I think it would make this world a better place if more people stopped to give their thoughts on topics that concern our way of life.

I'm starting to feel like a few of us are on the same page here. Again, I agree, and have stated the same, although maybe not quite as elegantly as the lovely Alabama.

Drogan smiled and winked as He finished His drink.

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Drogan grabbed another drink while He crushed yet another cigarette into an ashtray someone conveniently left on the table beside Him. They must think I smoke a lot.....pffft. He then turned to Goten.

That is a great point, but people find it hard to come to the streets when a decent percentage of every speech or topic that comes to these streets is ignored.  It is hard for some people, especially if they are new to these shores to be bold enough to come out and stand in front of everyone and speak, knowing they may just be ignored, along with every else they see getting ignored.  

There are many reasons a Street Speech could be ignored, and some of them are innocent, or bad timing. Come to the streets with your ideas when they are milling with people, and you are less likely to be ignored. As for not speaking from fear of being ignored, that is another thing entirely, and it is up to the ones that frequent the streets to encourage those that shy from it.

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He turned finally to Mance once more.

Look at me talking like I'm Godfather! Well I am a king.

The main thing is we are all not only talking, but discussing important issues, which anyone right down to the Thug should feel like they can do. You do not need to be a GodFather to have an opinion.

Drogan takes another sip of His drink, then takes a quick breather before lighting yet another cigarette.

Aye drogan, you also should let other cities influence a decision on who you auth.  Yes, politically someone who is liked admired an respected by all would be great.  There is also the chances that you see things in your potential auths that no one else has to offer, and no one else has seen yet.