"It can't explain itself if someone has a legitimate question. What is never changing? If you don't have a specific thing that never changes, why say it at all?"

Here's the thing though - it doesn't appear to have much thought at ALL in it, it seems to be the first thing that popped into your head. Which is fine, but don't pretend that it adds much of anything. Because without context, it doesn't.

The statement is perfectly understandable by itself. But pretty much worthless if you can't add any kind of context to it. Which you haven't done. You've just left it hanging and drifting and not really meaning much of anything.

It's not a lack of understanding on our part, it's a lack of clarity of any kind of meaning on yours.

Then again, this is all speculation, and I dare not stay long enough to be called a cunt and attacked for what I've just said, as I get really sad when someone is mean to me, so I'll bid you an adieu. Just something to think about, perhaps.

"Are questions attacks now? When did this happen?"

When will you understand that you are not merely "just" asking questions?

How can we grow, if a few of us are taking the overly macho side of the mafia a bit, shall we say, too far? We all say we want to go back to the tough way of things, but the tough way of things aren't exactly welcoming to the newer blood, but who am I kidding, the newer blood most likely wouldn't have came out here anyways, but maybe the reason is because of fear, not just from the people in this conversation, but people in many conversations just like this one in the past.

 

Simple - we won't be able to grow. Because as soon as the streets get active again, here are the people that "know more" than us. They tell us how we are supposed to act, to think, to feel. And when we don't act like they want us to, then we're indirectly accused of not knowing that we are in the mafia, that we need to grow balls, and near insulting our intelligence in an attempt to get us to see it their way. And the sad thing is, if such people knew the history that you speak of, they wouldn't be acting like this. I know, because I have read my ancestor's journals well, and I know once upon a time people like the ones I am conversing with were on every street corner, insulting everyone from thug to Don, and nothing was done about it.

I was happy when I saw people in the streets again, and I wanted to be part of it, sure. But not like this.

Uhm, Blaise?

You're doing a pretty good job of telling us how we're supposed to think, act and feel. And you're doing a pretty good job of kicking off because we aren't doing it...

Fuck, you're even going so far as to throw out accusations of bullying because we don't.

I don't particularly want to pull out the word 'hypocrite', but you should probably stop being so sanctimonious before doing so becomes inevitable.

When will you understand that you are not merely "just" asking questions?

"Which words weren't just asking questions?"

Simple - we won't be able to grow. Because as soon as the streets get active again, here are the people that "know more" than us. They tell us how we are supposed to act, to think, to feel. And when we don't act like they want us to, then we're indirectly accused of not knowing that we are in the mafia, that we need to grow balls, and near insulting our intelligence in an attempt to get us to see it their way. And the sad thing is, if such people knew the history that you speak of, they wouldn't be acting like this. I know, because I have read my ancestor's journals well, and I know once upon a time people like the ones I am conversing with were on every street corner, insulting everyone from thug to Don, and nothing was done about it.

I was happy when I saw people in the streets again, and I wanted to be part of it, sure. But not like this.

"When have I claimed to know more? Outside of the mental bully thing which you applied to me. A simple man can come up with difficult questions for an intelligent man. I tell you to think, not how to think, because statements without thought contribute nothing. I do know the history of the streets, and I can tell you most bursts will be dead within 7 days of now because of how long its been since a major war. Your ancestors' journals aren't the only journals to check against, so go on your beliefs and I'll go on mine. You want something done for asking questions? You ask to kill a part of the streets that I like to call home in your effort to keep the streets alive. Hypocrisy, once again thy name is you."

"Each and everyone of my questions can be answered, will you comment avoiding answers once again? And just a hint there's one that's easy to point out the answer to based on my own recent comments. I must sleep but once I awaken I hope you will have found the question that's very easy to answer and have a response put out for discussion."

It's not an accusation if it's true. Or if you want to be technical, the "accusation" has merit if several people who don't know or associate with each other all come to the same conclusion. Also, I find it hilarious had Swamp just gone along with the program and let WWI use his interrogative style of promoting street activity on her, all would had came up roses. But because she didn't, and I said for him not to go after her like he did everyone else, I'm "kicking off", and we're "crying".

I wasn't the one who started this - just calling things as I see them.

You want to call me a hypocrite? Do you honestly think I care if you call me one or not when you just said that you were looking to be entertained?

All this talk of devaluing the sacred institution. So much hand-wringing and fretting over what is a very serious topic. However, I am not looking at New York when I say this, I am looking squarely at these Corrupt Agents over here.

I am embarrassed. Honestly, I am. Mortified, in fact. Ziva's grandmother, her namesake, was the Leader who gave me my first opportunity when I stepped off the boat to Marseille. It was her who took me into the fold and gave me my button. She was an inexperied leader, but she inspired faith in those around her; something that could plainly be seen in the staggering amount of experience that the bloodlines who followed her could boast of.

Our split was perhaps a little acrimonious; the initial plan of me returning to the Loop following my New York adventure was put to pasture when the bond Toberius and I developed meant I would stand as his RHM in the Northside. Even then, I never doubted my friendship with Ziva senior for a second. I never questioned that we remained loyal to one another - as did the loop and Northside at the time. Ziva died before her time and, when she did, I can honestly say it was my finest hour as a RHM to Toberius that I was able to step up to the plate and offer safety to my former Hubcap comrades in honour of a fallen leader.

I give the history lesson to remind you of the fact that what I say here is not borne out of frustration that you don't agree with the Godfathers; I have no problem with that as I told you as much when you first voiced your opposition to the Staten Island situation. No, what I say here is borne out of my disappointment to see an old friend fall so far and stoop so low.

Your behaviour, and the behaviour of your Left Hand Man, is an absolute fucking disgrace. You are embarrassing yourself and you are being embarrassed. There is a clear line between vocal opposition and disrespect; if you do not know where that line is, let me tell you with absolutely no uncertainty. You have crossed it.

The Godfathers, with both of these competitions, have played their hand. Following the the latest war, a deliberate decision was made that if we simply repopulated every single district with our own, we would end up with one homogenous mass all originally hailing from either the Suburbs or Northside (with the exception of WiggleButt!) and we decided this would be an awfully dull situation for the foreseeable future. So, we decided to open up 2 (that's 2 out of 10) districts with new options. It is not an easy path, but it is a possibility.

If you want to disagree with that decision, that is fine. Disagree with it and give some reasons, also fine. Disagree with it and leave it at that. Fine. Disagree with it and suggest a viable alternative. Fine. Disagree with it based on the very reasoning that we began the contests, that's fine.

This is how you started off. Nobody would have had any problems with this. The problems have arisen when we are now nearly two weeks down the line and you are still shouting like shrill children without offering anything new. You have directly questioned the decision making abilities of every Godfather alive without offering a single viable alternative. You have disrespected the position in general with brash confrontation and sarcastic indifference. You have, in my opinion, directly disrespected your own Boss as I know you've had a little chat - the contents of which you seem to be willfully ignoring if your continued petulance on the streets is anything to go by.

I've held my tongue hoping for you to stop being a fool for long enough now; no longer. I look at Staten Island and Brooklyn and, with a couple of unfortunate exceptions, I see Leaders doing nothing wrong. Some perhaps are not setting the world alight whilst some are impressing and, yes, surprising me. Let me clearer still; if there is anyone here guilty of devaluing leadership currently then it is you Ziva. Leaders should be, and are, held to a higher standard and currently your demeanor suits a civilian fresh off the boat far more than it does someone in a position of such eminence and standing.

It's not an accusation if it's true. Or if you want to be technical, the "accusation" has merit if several people who don't know or associate with each other all come to the same conclusion. Also, I find it hilarious had Swamp just gone along with the program and let WWI use his interrogative style of promoting street activity on her, all would had came up roses. But because she didn't, and I said for him not to go after her like he did everyone else, I'm "kicking off", and we're "crying".

I wasn't the one who started this - just calling things as I see them.

You want to call me a hypocrite? Do you honestly think I care if you call me one or not when you just said that you were looking to be entertained?

"If it's true point out which words make it true. No one said she had to respond to my 'interrogating style' of asking simple questions, but all of this could've been avoided by her answering a simple question, admitting she had no answer, or just walking away. You've been asked to show which words of mine cross the line, but once again you make a claim without providing a shred of evidence."

"You judge me for judging. Hypocrisy is the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform. You're a hypocrite by definition of judging me to be 'interrogating' for asking questions and judging the content of her comments."

WhereWasI sighs and turns to Cantona, forces a smile on his face and says,

"Good to see you're capable of speaking Godfather. Any chance you'd like to go after my words and actions publicly? Or am I simply going to be left to my own devices to figure out why you will speak to others but you won't answer my questions yet again?"

"Maybe they haven't offered anything new maybe they have... I wouldn't know. That being said I have approached multiple Godfathers in private. I have offered to forward my ideas. You and the Council aren't looking for answers you're looking for obedience in the face of acts and commands of stupidity and lethargy. Why should we sit idly by as you commit acts that devalue the term Crew Leader? Why should we sit idly by when we think you're destroying the mob itself? The results to your competition... What results? You're a week in and someone already felt the need to interfere with your competition. More importantly, why shouldn't I laugh in the face of anyone who tries to tell me I haven't bolstered the streets enough to have earned the right to have at least some of my questions answered by our 'leaders'? The scary part for many of you is... I WANT AN ANSWER TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS. All I want is proof ANYONE in the council can think enough to answer the question. I'm not being sarcastic, I haven't seen more than one try to logically respond to my questions and criticisms. These questions have answers, and call me whatever you want so long as you answer some questions and accept what I call the responsibility of leading."

Ziva rolls her eyes.

For the love of God, Cantona. FEDERAL AGENTS. FEDERAL!

Ziva kicks a door down for good measure.

My decision not to grace you with a reply is a deliberate one, WhereWasI. At the time you claimed that the Council had no basis or precedent for the Staten Island, you actually went as far as to quote word for word where I reeled off all the events that created precedent and admit you hadn't actually listened to what I'd said. That was the moment in which I made the deliberate decision not to both entertaining your rambling any further; it was pretty clear I would have a more satisfying time banging my head against a brick wall.

Yes, I'm well aware you have spoken to other Godfathers regarding your ideas. Now, I'm not one for idle assumption, perhaps there's a totally different explanation for this and if there is I'm sorry, but the fact you used to wear a slanty suit and you no longer do suggests to me that perhaps your opinions are taken as seriously by others as they are by me.

"Yes Knockaert, because not answering questions after making a decision is doing the position justice. I choose to question because I don't like the direction they're taking us, I choose to criticize because they're so reluctant to answer legitimate questions and calling them out seems to be the only way to get a response if you aren't nodding your head and agreeing with this bunch. I'm sure the cause of my actions was clear to a certain number but I won't blindly assume some percent like someone talking out of his ass. I also love that you bring up the fact people like me would be shot dead... because I'd greatly welcome one of you putting a bullet in me for asking a question. That's just screaming 'I have no answer... my only means of response is by force'."

"Oh good to see you Cantona, so you aren't deaf in one ear after all... who'd of thunk? There are many reasons to deliberately avoid someone, you can claim whatever reason you wish but I and many others will judge you for the fact you deliberately chose to avoid my questions if they were so easy to answer as you clam. My quotes pointed to premises of yours I claimed to be false and asserted Why I believed them to be false. I had listened, I disagreed with your logic and choice of premises. If you want to counter my logic you can bring up which parts you believe to be false and point them out. If there's any reason you'd prefer to bang your head against a wall it's made from your own false assumptions on my questions or your inability to answer said questions... and you're still yet to prove you can have a logical discussion and keep pace with me on a subject of the sort."

"As for you hearing of my ideas there are one of two options upon the ideas I'm speaking of. The first is you're simply assuming the wrong ideas, because mine are for a new way to keep the streets active and thriving, not competition related. If you have seen them, that's twice as disappointing for the two of your council who have seen it because discussing my ideas without my presence will likely lead to misinterpretations and they should know to include me in explaining such a thought by now."

"I stepped down from my position of my own volition. I will turn the question back to you, does the fact I'm currently not wearing a slanted suit change the validity of my points? Why ask it at all if not to try to remind me of something you assumed happened that never did? I would like to know why if my assumption is wrong. The correct answer to 'does it change the validity of my points?' is no, but I can't wait to hear why you think that's relevant in a logical discussion if you truly do think it changes the validity of my points."

"And while I have you here, would you mind defining 'unnecessary bloodshed' for us? It would be a shame if I didn't seize this opportunity to see you define or give a detailed description of the terms that fit that wording you've so heavily avoided even attempting to define with specifics."

And while I have you here, would you mind defining 'unnecessary bloodshed' for us?

Naturally, any bloodshed perpetrated by a regular mobster would be considered the act of a rogue and would be swiftly dealt with. Of course, you're asking about blood spilled by a Leader, no?

Well, the ambiguity is deliberate. The Godfathers trust the leaders and each other to be able to gauge a situation on their own, without needing a strict and obvious set of guidelines and ticklists for every situation. In fact; to provide such would be a rather patronising thing to do - and I'm sure you'd agree that if there is one thing this group of Godfathers can surely not be accused of, it is devaluing leadership

Upon finishing speaking, Cantona inserts a large forefinger into his ear and begins to twist it around a little.

"Ambiguity in a contract is meant to hurt the party that defined the contract. My guess is that despite your words, the reason not stated for choosing ambiguity isn't the difficulty of making a strict set guidelines, but to leave wiggle room for killing as many of them as possible at a moment's notice and giving the district to someone who now has the members to run a district."

"Oh, and I shall accuse the whole Godfather Council of devaluing leadership in our community again, as I already have in the past. No one is above criticism and challenge, in fact the higher you go in the food chain the more I believe you deserve to be criticized and challenged. This competition's inception came from the lack of determination needed to tell the Gods we don't have the numbers to maintain this many districts, or if we do have the numbers it came from passing the buck to the people because none of you wanted to make a decision that could stick to you. You yourself admit you didn't see the community to be large enough to expand, others might have a different reason, but this isn't decisively leading... this is passing the blame and the decisions onto others."

"I'm willing to compromise with all of you at the top and share my ideas of how to grow the community and revive the streets because I believe as a group you're struggling to come up with ideas; but I won't do so without an apology for being ignored, and proper reparations for any time spent developing said ideas. You will all have to make a choice over whether or not to accept my offer, and ignoring me won't suffice. A decisive action will be required one way or the other."

"That's a bold slander of my bloodline. That coward never actually contributed anything to our community or had a point other than to stir things up, so any with any knowledge of his work can see a clear difference. You take potshots without answering counterpoints, who's truly closer to Kuklinski? You or me? The man who challenges people with a point, or the man who pokes at names with attacks rather than trying to counter another's logic?"

Leaders make rules that serve as a guideline to how their members should conduct themselves. However, at times the rules simply cannot be a catch-all for every possible circumstance. In other words, there are shades of gray when it comes to making decisions about punishment. In those instances, it is up to the leader and his/her council to reach a decision on the fate of that member.

If family rules cannot be used as a catch-all to resolve every issue,  making a checklist of do's and don'ts when it comes to leadership itself would be futile. That would require the Godfather Council to think of every conceivable scenario that could possibly take place, and then state a consequence. What happens if they would try, and someone found a loophole that caused mayhem? Would the GF council not take measures to rectify this? And if they did, would they be heckled for not being able to predict the future?

This would also stifle personal growth in the new leaders, because when crew leaders have to ask permission or consult a checklist on what they can and cannot do with their members (or the protection of said members) before they can act, how is that true leadership?

I doubt any of the Staten Island leaders are fearful that one day the GF Council will rear their ugly heads and kill everyone except one leader. That's being paranoid. There is no room for having irrational fears in our Mafia - that sort of thinking can get you killed.