In the short few days since she had taken her mothers place on these shores, Anna had been pondering an issue closely. She had heard a couple of other speakers touch on the issue, but it was her intention to go further and hopefully discuss it.

Still getting used to both the cold winter and her new home city of Detroit, Anna steps out of the HQ and hails a taxi, huddling into its warmth gratefully.

"Down to the main streets, please"

she mutters, looking out the windows and taking in the sights, hoping to better acquaint herself with her surroundings.

As the taxi pulls up outside a bank, she hops out, leaving the driver a pile of crumpled dollars. Ducking her head into the collar of her thick woolen coat, she tries to hide her face from the crueler gusts of wind, before admitting defeat and ducking into a cafe that she knew to be owned by the friend of a friend, and full of familiar faces similarly avoiding the bitter winds.

Ordering herself a warming cup of tea, she adds milk and a spoonful of sugar before walking towards the back corner of the room, setting the cup down on the table. One hand resting on the table, she clears her throat and begins to speak up.

"Ladies and gentlemen.

I've been in this world only a short time, it's been only a matter of days since my mother died. But I feel like I'm learning something of how this world works, and I'd like to bring it up as a point for discussion.

A word brought up here on a regular basis is "bloodline". Which bloodline a person is part of, which bloodlines a person is friends with, relationships that pass down from one member of a specific bloodline to another, the concept of certain bloodlines either getting preferential treatment because of who they descend from, or seeing certain bloodlines typically rise to power over and over. On the whole, the consensus appears to be that the work put in over time by a bloodline should be held in lower regard than the work that the individual themselves put in. There seems to be a lot of cries of "it's not fair" when bloodlines rise to prominent positions in our society based purely on their linage and the relationships they've gained along the way. It's almost gotten to the point where Godfathers have had to make excuses for authing newer names with strong bloodlines.

That doesn't seem right, really. Yes, a fairer way to deal with our society would surely be to focus solely on each individual, but that DOES discard a lot of the work done to build trust with people as a bloodline. I say that as we reach a time where we've probably had more wars in the last six weeks than we did in the six months from the May war to the start of this period. As individuals, on the whole I believe our lifespans are starting to head on the shorter side.

So is it all bad that we do have people judging who deserves what position on the basis of the bloodline? Is there a line to be drawn between respecting a bloodline and seeing people trade off their bloodline?

Personally, I would say that realistically, once you've been a part of this world for more than a few months and begun to form friendships which do last through generations, it does become somewhat difficult to make decisions based solely on the current work and reputation of the individual.

Trusting somebody on the basis of their bloodline rather than their current character is something that my ancestors have done (Cab_Tufting returned to these shores off a short break for the specific reason of being the right hand to my mother), and considering my position at the moment, obviously something that I've benefited from. And I'm sure there are people out there who genuinely can't respect that; I'd like to see the different opinions on this though. Is it a black and white issue, are there shades of grey? Is it an issue you're on the fence about?"

Interested to hear what kind of response her first 'proper' venture into public speaking will garner, Anna sits down, stirs her now slightly cooled tea and takes a sip.

Ronald listens to Anna. Her young age belies a wisdom that is readily apparent as she speaks.

I would say it doesn't matter if people respect it, or even if it's fair. It doesn't have to be fair. If a boss trusts the children of a deceased associate more than a seemingly dedicated but unknown bloodline - that's their call. It makes sense from the leader's perspective: if this individual was raised and taught by someone who clearly knew their shit they probably do too.

In a business such as ours, when one can meet an abrupt end at any given moment, it makes sense to plan in the long term. If I were to die today I would hope the work and loyalty I've put in would help give my offspring a better chance or at least a heads up. Success is generally a culmination of the work of generations. This is true in any business.

I can see it from the other side, of course. Everyone wants acknowledgement for their work. What people forget is that even if you never achieve your goals in your lifetime, as long as you are putting in the correct amount of effort you are making it easier for your children. Someday you will be one of those bloodlines that commands respect and special consideration.

Ronald nods towards Anna and quiets down. He's interested to hear from somebody from the other side of the argument.

BobTheAstronut sighs

There's no way I can put this to where it won't offend but I've never been one to hold my tongue back on this situation. If people put a little bit of class into taking bloodlines above all else maybe shit wouldn't be so bad in my eyes.

No 11-30 day old CLs, at least act like you're making them work for it.

No thug hands, come the hell on, I know they're your friends but can you at least bring a little honor to the position and wait for them to become made? It's only 11 days.

Sometimes being subtle is best for everything, don't be blatant with your coffee shop friendships and out of this world BFFs.

For the record though, I'm one of the people who believe the work YOU put in is all that matters in this world. I would hope nobody gives me something based off of a name, I wanna earn everything I get or don't get. I find it hard to support or stay with someone who doesn't value these thoughts as well.

Thank you guys for taking the time out at all to reply to this, your contributions are appreciated. I don't think you should be worried about offending people with what you've said to be honest, Bob. This thread called for discussion, you're bringing a perfectly valid opinion into that discussion.

For the sake of discussion, though, I hope you'll allow me to play the role of devil's advocate for a moment?

No thug hands, come the hell on, I know they're your friends but can you at least bring a little honor to the position and wait for them to become made? It's only 11 days.

Now, I'm in a situation where I'm a young right hand - and don't get me wrong, I do see where you are coming from, in one perspective. But do you view the rank of a made man as being more important to the honor of the position, than knowing that a person has truly earned the trust of their boss?

For the record though, I'm one of the people who believe the work YOU put in is all that matters in this world.

On the flip side of that, would you also state that the fuck ups or poor decisions that the individual puts in is all that matters, that specific acts shouldn't count as stains against the bloodline?

Turning now to Ronald, she smiles

I would say it doesn't matter if people respect it, or even if it's fair. It doesn't have to be fair. If a boss trusts the children of a deceased associate more than a seemingly dedicated but unknown bloodline - that's their call. It makes sense from the leader's perspective: if this individual was raised and taught by someone who clearly knew their shit they probably do too.

I have to admit that this is more in line with my own opinions - in the situation of having to choose a right hand after a spate of wars, there was no alternative to having a child of a deceased former associate who was still relatively young as my right hand. I do feel like in this situation, as a leader, you have to put crew stability first. I'm personally not a huge believer in changing an upper structure more than you particularly have to do so, because I think it clouds things within the crew and I think it risks leaving people unsure of the chain of command if done too frequently. They also then have to forge relationships with several different people and it all starts to get somewhat confusing - even if only temporarily.

Now, I'm in a situation where I'm a young right hand - and don't get me wrong, I do see where you are coming from, in one perspective. But do you view the rank of a made man as being more important to the honor of the position, than knowing that a person has truly earned the trust of their boss?

The point's supposed to be though, that they don't know you right off the boat. You have no trust in anything, you've earned nothing but the right to try and stay alive. That's just how I see it.

When you're asking a Made/Capo/Boss/Consig/Don to take orders from a thug (someone who has earned absolutely nothing)....that's for lack of better words...fucked up. Trust? Trust should come in rank. If you're a well established crew and can only count on one person to be your hand, you're a failure, I have no other words to describe it.

People talk about the chain of command? Move your LH up and set someone up at the position of LH to try and groom to become your right if shit should go south again. Nobody wants to because of feelings, boo fucking hoo, they died and their "children" are not their parents. You deserve nothing but a chance to prove yourself, not the keys to the city upon arrival. (not directed at you of course, it's a general statement)

On the flip side of that, would you also state that the fuck ups or poor decisions that the individual puts in is all that matters, that specific acts shouldn't count as stains against the bloodline?

The way I see it is, if you put in the work and meet or exceed expectations, why should you be fucked for your parents actions? You are not the same person. Also, if someone is able to rank up in your family without you having a feel of them....

I've always been a fan of this debate. I honestly don't have an opinion on the matter, as I am torn between the two major points. On one hand, judging someone on their actions and not the actions of their ancestors just seems right. But is that not what we work for; our children? Do we not build a legacy so that they may better themselves through your hard work? 

If we were not mobsters, I feel that we would certainly work hard for the benefit of our children all the same. But, at the same time, I would expect my child to work his ass off and just ride my coat-tails. So the simple answer to this is that we do BOTH. We use both as a measurement and a tool with which to judge a man or a woman.

Anders appears from the alley way with a cigarette in hand. Seeing Anna seated in the middle of people, Anders can't help but help speak his little mind.

'This is a great thought. 

I know for myself, that I have never actually let my bloodline determine anything. I've done the work to prove myself otherwise. And by no way my bloodline is of grave importance, I am not going to kid myself. I've been around since 2009 and just do what everyone else does. Do my part in the family and try and do better each time. 

So with that being said, I don't have much leader experience so my opinion is just another opinion from a limited perspective.'

With that, Anders disappears to the back of the crowd.

The point's supposed to be though, that they don't know you right off the boat. You have no trust in anything, you've earned nothing but the right to try and stay alive. That's just how I see it.

Does that really tie in though? Do you know none of and nothing of the children of your friends? Is it strictly realistic to imagine the entire population of our world arriving on a boat to join our world, rather than been born here, sometimes within our own cities?

When you're asking a Made/Capo/Boss/Consig/Don to take orders from a thug (someone who has earned absolutely nothing)....that's for lack of better words...fucked up. Trust? Trust should come in rank. If you're a well established crew and can only count on one person to be your hand, you're a failure, I have no other words to describe it.

But what about the UN-well established leaders? More often than not, it's a new leader who has young hands, a leader with a small crew or few members. Sure, if you've got a 35 person crew with 16 people at Made and above, and you can only find a thug for a hand... well, I still believe it's circumstantial, but then maybe is when you start thinking that asking those 16 to take orders from a thug is a little fucked up. But when you've been a leader for about 10 minutes and you bring in a thug as a hand to grow with the crew, is that actually so bad?

The way I see it is, if you put in the work and meet or exceed expectations, why should you be fucked for your parents actions? You are not the same person. Also, if someone is able to rank up in your family without you having a feel of them....

So, if somebody rogued at Wiseguy and shot another member of the crew, you wouldn't think badly of their son or daughter?

Anna turns to Link and smiles

Thanks for taking the time to listen and speak Link, I'm happy you've added your voice to things here and shown us the middle ground.

If we were not mobsters, I feel that we would certainly work hard for the benefit of our children all the same. But, at the same time, I would expect my child to work his ass off and just ride my coat-tails. So the simple answer to this is that we do BOTH. We use both as a measurement and a tool with which to judge a man or a woman.

I actually think this is possibly the most everyday way of looking at things - sure, your bloodlines may have known each other for a while, but if the latest member isn't putting the work or effort in that they should be, how can they really hold a spot? So sure, maybe in part we do add ancestors achievements to the mix when considering a mobster, because we know what the line is capable of, but I think that the current member has to put the world in too - even if they get things fresh of the boat, they won't keep them if they don't put in the amount of work they'd have to to earn it in the first place.

Finishing her drink, she turns now to Anders

Again, thank you for contributing here today Anders.

I know for myself, that I have never actually let my bloodline determine anything. I've done the work to prove myself otherwise. And by no way my bloodline is of grave importance, I am not going to kid myself. I've been around since 2009 and just do what everyone else does. Do my part in the family and try and do better each time. 

Leadership perspective aside, how do you feel bloodlines influence your choice of leaders? Have you ever been tempted to join a certain crew leader because of how you've seen them lead in the past, or would you join somebody purely based on their presentation to you as the individual in question when you're brand new to this thing of ours?

Dana stepped up looking at the new and old faces to her right and left. She tipped her wide brimmed hat back and pulled her trench coat tight around her as she began to speak, trying to choose her words well.

"This thing of ours has been around in one form or another for a good long time, I can look up and down these streets and see a few faces my ancestors could vaguely remember as they spoke of them but not as many as hoped. In a time past my bloodline had its rises to power and what some in these streets would call a 'descent run'. Now my family got tied up in the old country and was gone for a good long time. Do I expect anything for what they did with my recent coming to these shores? No, not a damned thing. Even if someone did remember that we tried to stay out of the politics and just do business respectable like and such. This thing of ours should be based on what someone does in their life time, but I won't say that bloodlines are meaningless because that never has been and probably never will be the case. Its my humble opinion though if some one comes in to port in say New York and works hard, they make friends they put in the footwork and their time they deserve the same shot to rise as the guy whose family has been here for 50 generations.

Which would you really rather serve under? Someone who comes in day after day, works hard, communicates well and looks after their family in all things or the Don who doesn't even make an appearance in the streets who got there because his dad was someone?"

"Bloodlines will always be remembered, once someone makes an impression its hard for people to forget. Lets say someone comes in and works hard, they get the same odds of survival as anyone else, fine, fair. Does the reverse also apply then though? If someone comes in and makes a major bad impression, should that not also follow them by the bloodline logic? Lets say MacTheKnife joins the streets of ours here, and he seems to be hardworking and honest. He talks to people and pays his taxes, then one day he goes off the bloody deep end and wacks his boss, his rhm, and his lhm, when his kid VinnyTheBlade hits these shores, does Vinny get a chance or is he in cement shoes?"

She paused for a moment tilting her hat back over her face a bit...

"All I'm saying, the one liner point of it is if you support the bloodlines arguement, how many people on these streets deserve a dirt nap for the screw ups of their family? If the logic is to be applied that bloodlines do matter, then please, let us see it applied both ways."

I hate the fact that we look for excuses to bring coffee shop relationships into this world, not only bring them but fucking live off them. Do people really earn CL from their parents work?  As I said, all I'm looking for is a little class in the favoritism.

But what about the UN-well established leaders? More often than not, it's a new leader who has young hands, a leader with a small crew or few members. Sure, if you've got a 35 person crew with 16 people at Made and above, and you can only find a thug for a hand... well, I still believe it's circumstantial, but then maybe is when you start thinking that asking those 16 to take orders from a thug is a little fucked up. But when you've been a leader for about 10 minutes and you bring in a thug as a hand to grow with the crew, is that actually so bad?

No, it's not. It's essentially ANY crews hand that has died. Their kin is instantly shoved back in the spot shitting on all those that actually had to work for something. If all you have is low ranking/no ranking members in your crew and it's fresh and new, I suppose there's no choice. I've always been sort of ok with new crews that have no ranking members in it to have "newer" hands. That is the only gray area as far as I see it.

So, if somebody rogued at Wiseguy and shot another member of the crew, you wouldn't think badly of their son or daughter?

My logic remains the same, they are not their parents. My bloodline has been in a position to do something about those that have wronged them enough times and have not acted based on the simple fact. Hell they're even in a decent amount of communication with most. 

Plenty of people who are constantly in power do cunty things, like shooting at people who are not even part of a war, killing people on protection lists, abusing their rank, backstabbing their cities/crews (like getting them wiped out by ratting on them) and stealth BG shooting. I believe their children have instantly came back into power, I assume the statement only applies to people who are not our friends?

Bloodlines are a nasty thing that unfortunately rule this world, more so then hard work and determination. I guess the old phrase born with a silver spoon in your mouth applies, although it's often gold around here.

Hi Dana, thanks for speaking up - it is nice to see different people contributing here.

Its my humble opinion though if some one comes in to port in say New York and works hard, they make friends they put in the footwork and their time they deserve the same shot to rise as the guy whose family has been here for 50 generations.

I really don't disagree with you here. It's not too long since my bloodline was new on these shores, and my first ancestor here was given her first chance by Godfather Phil_Steak, who she acted as a hand for for several months up til their eventual deaths last May. But holy fuck, she worked for it. I think a balance has to be found between listening to the complaints of new bloodlines that they aren't getting their chances, and the idea that more experienced bloodlines know better what is required of them, which makes these positions more accessible to them.

To a newer crew leader, in my bloodlines experience, the advice and knowledge of a more experienced crew leader can be invaluable. Leading is in itself a learning curve, and had my line not had the benefit of descendents of both the tiggy and Mikus bloodlines during our runs, I'm not sure we could've enjoyed two such fantastic groups. And both the tiggy and Mikus descendents were low ranked when they first took on hand roles.

No, it's not. It's essentially ANY crews hand that has died. Their kin is instantly shoved back in the spot shitting on all those that actually had to work for something. If all you have is low ranking/no ranking members in your crew and it's fresh and new, I suppose there's no choice. I've always been sort of ok with new crews that have no ranking members in it to have "newer" hands. That is the only gray area as far as I see it.

But, why fix something that isn't broken? Had my mother lived through that last war and had Cab_Tufting's son reached these shores, damn straight he'd have been back in her right hand spot in a heartbeat. Because she trusted Cab with more than her own life; she trusted him with the life of her crew also. Are we suggesting Cab was so negligent towards his son that he wouldn't impress upon him the importance of that trust? You and I both know that it is not just coffee shop relationships that make the world go around. We've both been here long enough to know that.

Bloodlines are a nasty thing that unfortunately rule this world, more so then hard work and determination. I guess the old phrase born with a silver spoon in your mouth applies, although it's often gold around here.

They do rule this world to a fair extent, I believe. When a son or daughter of a deceased member of our world appears, they tend to join a friend of the deceased parent. I think many of us are guilty of this. But I think that sometimes, hard work and determination and bloodlines are viewed as mutually exclusive things. 

I know lines where every member I have seen has been incredibly hard working and determined - and seen them in power or in prominent positions on several occasions. Possibly, a part of that is that their bloodline has a reputation for capability in these positions, and therefore they are seen as a safe option in both regards. I don't think that that is entirely a bad thing. Hard work that has carried on on a consistent basis throughout the generations of a bloodline is something to take notice of, I believe.

Leadership perspective aside, how do you feel bloodlines influence your choice of leaders? Have you ever been tempted to join a certain crew leader because of how you've seen them lead in the past, or would you join somebody purely based on their presentation to you as the individual in question when you're brand new to this thing of ours?

I have chosen some leaders based on a certain bloodline, yes. And others I have just joined because they presented themselves in a way I thought I could respect and wanted to be apart of. Depending on the time I've taken between breaks, I will most likely pick a leader based on presentation. I've done both over the years.  

Nepotism plays a role in any industry. When a CEO steps down it is often their children who take over. If they are unsuitable for the position the company either fails or they find someone to replace them.

Anna has made an excellent point: a well-known bloodline and hard work are not mutually exclusive. Quite the contrary, the whole reason a bloodline becomes prominent in the first place is a consistent show of some extraordinary talent. Sure some degree of social connection also goes into the decision but a bloodline finds themselves in power again and again it's because they've proven their family line produces results.

I understand that some want to only be judged for the here and now but legacy is absolutely a factor in some decisions. While individuals certainly have unique qualities and strategies it seems short sighted to not consider the bloodline a person comes from and how that might influence their behavior.

But, why fix something that isn't broken? Had my mother lived through that last war and had Cab_Tufting's son reached these shores, damn straight he'd have been back in her right hand spot in a heartbeat. Because she trusted Cab with more than her own life; she trusted him with the life of her crew also. Are we suggesting Cab was so negligent towards his son that he wouldn't impress upon him the importance of that trust? You and I both know that it is not just coffee shop relationships that make the world go around. We've both been here long enough to know that.

It's as broken as it can be, especially the logic behind it all. Most the people who "only work with people they trust" get shot in the fucking face by them. Where's the logic? You choose people you trust because you're afraid of death and often times they're the cause of it. It's a cop out for passing over those who have actually worked and in fact...it's a LACK of leadership.

Explain to me this, in your parents crew, if tufting had died would she have had anyone else she trusted to perform the RH jobs? If yes, would she have put anyone else in that position other than Tufting? I'd find it hard to believe if you told me she wouldn't. Would she put a thug in a hand position while she had members who busted their ass and could easily do the job? Coffee shop relationships rule this world.

I just can't lay my trust into anyone who's afraid of everything.  If people can't build a crew they can trust to perform different functions then maybe they need to tell their coffee shop buddies that and decline their next auth. It's a sad state of affairs, people who abuse it, love it and the people who want nothing to do with it, hate it. I don't put much time into coffee shops for this reason.

Explain to me this, in your parents crew, if tufting had died would she have had anyone else she trusted to perform the RH jobs? If yes, would she have put anyone else in that position other than Tufting? I'd find it hard to believe if you told me she wouldn't. Would she put a thug in a hand position while she had members who busted their ass and could easily do the job? Coffee shop relationships rule this world.

If his son hadn't returned, then yes, she would've had other people to put in that position - although not by the time she died. If his son had returned, this goes back to what I said earlier. Why fix what isn't broken? Cab and my mother enjoyed a good working relationship. We worked well together. I have no reason to assume that that would not continue with his son. I don't doubt their ability to do a good job, but I do doubt the idea that within the space of the 11 days it would take for Cab's son to become Made, that they could replicate the kind of relationship that Cab had established with both her and the crew. It would, in my opinion, be a whole lot smoother and simpler to just bring Cab's son back into the role. After all, Cab had put the same work in that my mother did to establish that crew. In the business world, the work of the father is frequently passed down and becomes the work of the son. I don't see the huge harm in viewing the idea of the hand spot passing down the same way.

If his son hadn't returned, then yes, she would've had other people to put in that position - although not by the time she died. If his son had returned, this goes back to what I said earlier. Why fix what isn't broken? Cab and my mother enjoyed a good working relationship. We worked well together. I have no reason to assume that that would not continue with his son. I don't doubt their ability to do a good job, but I do doubt the idea that within the space of the 11 days it would take for Cab's son to become Made, that they could replicate the kind of relationship that Cab had established with both her and the crew. It would, in my opinion, be a whole lot smoother and simpler to just bring Cab's son back into the role. After all, Cab had put the same work in that my mother did to establish that crew. In the business world, the work of the father is frequently passed down and becomes the work of the son. I don't see the huge harm in viewing the idea of the hand spot passing down the same way.

That to me is a failure in leadership, as I said before as well, I couldn't stay with someone that had that type of mentality. She would have slapped everyone in the face that was in her crew, shit on their hard work and just made an ass out of them for thinking their work makes any difference. Who wants to work for anyone but themselves when they know it really doesn't matter?

I can't continue any further because there's nothing left to debate. I believe we should work for what we get and you believe your parents already did the work. We have a set difference in what's right and what's wrong and it appears that will not be changed.

To be honest, I'm quite annoyed by what you just said. I expected it though, fully well.

That to me is a failure in leadership, as I said before as well, I couldn't stay with someone that had that type of mentality. She would have slapped everyone in the face that was in her crew, shit on their hard work and just made an ass out of them for thinking their work makes any difference. Who wants to work for anyone but themselves when they know it really doesn't matter?

I can't continue any further because there's nothing left to debate. I believe we should work for what we get and you believe your parents already did the work. We have a set difference in what's right and what's wrong and it appears that will not be changed.

To be honest, I'm quite annoyed by what you just said. I expected it though, fully well.

Anna shrugs.

I'd rather you be "quite annoyed" than say a load of crap for the sake of saying it.

I do NOT believe my mother would've slapped everyone in the face that was in her crew, shit on their hard work OR made an ass out of them by doing that. Because I think it would've been what was best for her crew. Because that was how the crew was established, because that was how it worked, because, to step out of character for a moment, bearing in mind that it was the same person, and that this person was someone who worked well with my mother and balanced her own personality out well, why in the name of fuck would she not want to continue that? Why the fuck would she give up on something that worked and made this thing of ours enjoyable? If there was somebody else in the crew who she thought would do a better job than Cab_Tufting's son, she sure as hell would've put them in that position.

I do not believe that my parents have done my work for me. If I thought that, why the fuck would I be out here trying to make a name for myself as a speaker in my own right? Don't act so high and mighty.

One of the reasons my mother was given for your father leaving her crew was that your father desired to shoot the man who'd shot his own father previously - although, in fairness, your father didn't actually bother to say that to her for himself, he got somebody else to do that.

I would hate to be a boss, consig., or don and have the son/daughter of a former leader come into the family that I have been loyal to and take over a vacated hand spot. But it happens all the time. And honestly, it is a tad disrespectful to those that put in lots of work and got no reward.

My bloodline has been that person. And yes, it's frustrating as hell. But I'd personally rather have my position earned by myself than have it earned because the first choice wasn't available. 

When it comes to to being authed I believe that you should have to put a hefty amount of work and effort in. That meaning you should have to work for it, it shouldn’t be based off of what your bloodline has accomplished. The way I see it, that then gives more people the chance at the position. It also gives people a reason to work harder. I mean let’s face it, why should I work my ass off if I know Joe Schmoe over here is going to be promised a position at the top just because he comes from a well respected bloodline? Where are the opportunities for the true newcomers?

Now when it comes to the position of being a right hand, I think it should be more flexible. If a low ranking individual is more qualified than your people above Made Man go for it. A right hand should be someone you know you can fully trust considering we’ve seen how a right hand can bring about the death of a crew leader. I find it rather important to have someone you can fully trust in the position. However, this is where it becomes kind of important to build relationships. If you’ve been working on building relationships within your crew from the beginning of your career it’ll be far easier to appoint a right hand who isn’t fresh to these shores just because you’re bloodlines go way back. So while I do believe this spot should be more flexible, I also believe if you’re going about things right you shouldn’t have to rely on old relationships your bloodline has built.

Now when it comes to the position of left hand, I feel like it should be more open to anyone than the right hand, but reserved more or less for people who have worked hard. Use it as a sort of testing grounds to see who might work in the position of right hand or even to test who deserves a chance at being a crew leader.

Truth be told, I really do believe upper structure positions should go to those who have really worked hard. It shouldn’t be based on what bloodline you’re from, it should be based on you and what you’ve done. However, sometimes it’s not always easy to pick from the people available and you’re forced to pick someone based on your old ties with them. It’s just something that people should try to avoid, but I understand sometimes it can’t be.

Oh and on the note of people coming back and reclaiming their parents position as rh/lh I view that differently, I don't know why but I do. That's something that has never bothered me. I mean, yes it would be nice to replace them with new people, but I can understand not wanting to mess up something great just because you're rh/lh went and got himself shot by a CA or Durden or whatever else may happen.

Anna shrugs.

I'd rather you be "quite annoyed" than say a load of crap for the sake of saying it.

I do NOT believe my mother would've slapped everyone in the face that was in her crew, shit on their hard work OR made an ass out of them by doing that. Because I think it would've been what was best for her crew. Because that was how the crew was established, because that was how it worked, because, to step out of character for a moment, bearing in mind that it was the same person, and that this person was someone who worked well with my mother and balanced her own personality out well, why in the name of fuck would she not want to continue that? Why the fuck would she give up on something that worked and made this thing of ours enjoyable? If there was somebody else in the crew who she thought would do a better job than Cab_Tufting's son, she sure as hell would've put them in that position.

I'm sure you would, I can at least respect that much.

You see, that's where we differ Anna, that's where we differ. You stick to what you know and I'll stick to what I believe, those paths crossed with my father and your mother. I'm sorry but.....A hand spot is earned not fucking PASSED DOWN. There's no high and fucking mighty here, it's right and fucking wrong (from your point of view and mine). I believe in earning what you have, from what you're telling me, you believe knowing someone is enough for a power position. That's your whole argument!

Maybe my bloodline is just different. First time stumbling upon CL they had two new bloodlines as RH and LH, second time they had one "established" (A joint decision between my relatives and the GF) and two new bloodlines rotating around at LH. All was done with the sense of helping people learn. My bloodline has always been a firm believer in giving chances and they practiced what they preached.

One of the reasons my mother was given for your father leaving her crew was that your father desired to shoot the man who'd shot his own father previously - although, in fairness, your father didn't actually bother to say that to her for himself, he got somebody else to do that.

I can cut it short and sweet for you, I'll die for what I believe in.

I guess I can elaborate too, she was given a story that would ensure my father was taken out in a quick matter. My father left because your mother put a thug as the LH (I should make it clear that I wanted nothing to do with the position, I'm sure you knew that though)  in a fairly established crew, plain and simple. There were some other reasons but my father was in the streets debating this same thing hours before it happened, it was the final straw.

This bloodline has never taken a rogue shot and it's not my style either.

My father was finishing up some important things before he met his end and didn't have time to debate. He had someone, your mother knew on a personal level, go with a reason that might not have hurt as bad as the truth. Coffee shops aside, the respect was gone.