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| If I were in charge. | Started by: Diamond_Jim on Jan 18, '09 11:22 |
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You hear a loud rumbling coming down the block and you look over to see a 32 Ford Delivery with an amazing blue flame job pulling up by the small park in the center of the block. A man steps out and removes a crate from the back of the van marked S O A P. He drags it over to the center of the park and steps up on it. Much to your surprise he produces a deck of cards and starts doing card tricks? A sizable crowd has gathered and Jim puts the cards back in his pocket. He looks around the assembled faces and locks eyes with each and every person, sizing them up before he begins to speak Friends, Romans, Countrymen - lend me your ears! I stand before you today a troubled man. I buried a good friend of mine yesterday. A man who was always full of ideas on how to improve life for others; yet he doesn't seem to have had much of an impact on the world despite his efforts. True enough, my friend started many interesting conversations; but at the end of the day the denouement was lacking and the answers remained remarkable only by their absence. Sure, everybody sang the same song. It's the leaders fault, only the leaders can change things yada yada yada bing bong. Well that simply isn't good enough. We've passed the buck long enough. It's time to take life in hand and make a difference! And yes you can. Each and every one of you is capable of implementing change each and every day. Even by the slightest of your actions. If everybody does one thing different today it will change the shape of tomorrow. Of that I have no doubt. I have heard people come here talking about the things they don't like and then throwing their hands up saying that it is the leaders that must bring about the change. Well, there is some validity to this. If they oppose the changes we propose we certainly won't get far. We must support our families and follow their lead whether we agree with the direction or not; however that does not mean that we can't voice our opinions. In point of fact I've found that most leaders and more than happy to hear positive, constructive input from their members. Most, if not all of them are genuinely doing their best to help make this thing of ours something that is palatable to us all. So I ask you my friends, If you were in charge, what would you do? With this DJ yields the floor (well, the park in this case), stepping down from the box to allow others to voice their opinions. He sits on a nearby bench a listens with interest... |
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Corleone ponders the soapbox speech given by DJ. If I was in charge, I would run a tight ship. I would demand only the best out of my family and with that comes respect. Respect, not only within the family, but towards the other families as well. The lack of respect for those who are "Made" has grown consistently and there is no course of action to put an end to it. My first act, if I were to lead, would be to bring back the recommendation system. If you are "Made" material, you need to prove it. With your actions and with the belief of those around you, only then will you be considered truly "Made". Pickpocketing has had a storied past for me. I would certainly encourage it, but only within the family OR if you have written approval from an outsider before you pickpocket. If someone comes knocking at my door, I need the proof to back you up and say, "Here's the truth. He/She had permission." If I don't have that, you are dead. No questions asked. Encouraging Street and HQ discussion is a good thing, but I do realize that some of us cannot possibly read and respond to every conversation going on. For important notes or discussions, I would take a pro-active stance in alerting family members. If you don't know what's going on, you cannot be blamed for your ignorance. If I take the initiative to tell you what is happening, you have no excuse to be oblivious to anything. Competitions, contests, raffles, etc. are things that I feel encourage activity and promote communication between family members. I would have weekly, monthly, and quite possibly daily "giveaways" to ensure that family members are coming to the HQ and checking on the news. If you provide incentives, you are generally more likely to get what you are asking. I think I have said enough to open the floor to another. Corleone steps off the soapbox and waits patiently for the next speaker. |
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| Reply by: Mr_Corleone at Jan 18, '09 12:03 | |
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* Joining the crowd early Tequin had been suprised by the card tricks, and even more suprised when the man began a speech. Listening carefully Tequin nodded and applauded the conclusion, taking a deep breath and brushing his jacket clean he stepped forward and cleared his throat* " Very entertaining speech Jim, and one that I am sure will create much interesting dicussion. Well then, what would I do if I was put in charge?" * Looks toward the sky and pushes back his hair thinking* " Well firstly I suppose it makes sense to address the much discussed lack of respect for made men, or how little the rank now means. Maybe if something was put in place similar to that in Philly, making pickpocketing a non-punishable offence. However make sure that people realise while associates to a family are fair game, made men are not to be touched, the punishment being death. Now maybe this seems a bit harsh, but in order to give the rank the much needed respect then perhaps needs a drastic move" * Pauses and clears his throat* " Personally I would also take care of the buisness district by appointing a member to recieve any requests to start a business, and deny or approve them. By keeping this list it would be clear who owns what, and wether it is infact merely cluttering up the buisness district by remaining empty and neglected" * Raises his hand* " I am sorry if infact some of these changes have already been put in place, I am merely stating what I would do if given the chance to be in charge" |
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| Reply by: Tequin at Jan 18, '09 12:10 | |
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If were in charge, I'd probably piss off a few people, but not the wrong people to be pissed or nor the too many. This Thing of Ours isn't an easy thing to swallow, nor should it be. Sure, some people get clipped and money is made, but that happens with the gangs too. La Cosa Nostra, Our Thing... it's defined by it's rules, it's tradition. That is what curves us from the rest of the swine. That is what I'd push and demand, that's what I do today. At present, given my post I have to be unbias. Were I in the hotseat, I'd be more demanding and willing to chop off hands and heads need it be. Our rules, they come first. |
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| Reply by: Sal_Giaquinto at Jan 18, '09 13:25 | |
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| If I were in charge I'd auth Sal_Giaquinto. | |
| Reply by: Mirage at Jan 18, '09 13:43 | |
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First, I'd like to point out the arrogance of someone telling what they would do if they were in charge. I'm a believer in that if you see something that needs improving, needs change, then you do it yourself. Words are a start, as your friend tried to do, Jim. But words only get you so far. And to ask others what they would do if they were in charge is just asking people to display their fantasies of La Costra Nostra. Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda. If, and, but. You want to see change, you do it yourself. All you people about to jump down my throat for bashing this post, calm yourselves. Take some pills and call me in the morning. I appreciate this man's attempt to stir up some discussion. I'm just not sure it's appropriate. So, in an attempt to steer this bull onto the right course, I'd like to ask anyone who feels they could do better to tell us what they are doing about it. Or, if they perhaps have the solution, but are incapable of implementing it, to tell us then what they need. I don't want some of you to confuse this. This isn't a "Leader A needs to die." or "We just need a big war and new leaders". That is ignorance. New leaders and the death of leaders will cause change, yes. But it could make things worse. It's a 50-50 shot. Instead, let's work with what we have and build upon it. It's harder, yes. I know a lot of you are too lazy to work harder other than having thousands of jail busts and robbing little old ladies so many times in a day you lose count. But if you truly want improvement, that's what it is going to take |
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| Reply by: HarveyDent at Jan 18, '09 13:54 | |
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Harvey, you're talking about an entirely different subject. The entire point of this discussion is what they would do if they were in charge. A scenario - nothing more. Arrogance has nothing to do with this discussion. |
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| Reply by: Vicodin at Jan 18, '09 14:28 | |
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lights a cigarette If I were in charge, things would be very different from what they are now. I'd bring back how it used to be. It wouldn't be about trying to keep peace. it would be about running a business, and doing what is necessary to keep a business going. Respect would be force fed into everyone, and any disrespect would be dealt with harshly. There would be no killing of my own family member who takes out some young buck making money on my streets and taking his/her time to find a family. Rank is important, but your words is above all. This may seem harsh, but we have to realize, we're the mafia. |
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| Reply by: BlackVampire at Jan 18, '09 14:44 | |
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| If I were in charge I'd also auth BlackVampire. | |
| Reply by: Mirage at Jan 18, '09 14:47 | |
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Then thank God you're not in charge. Black Vampire, I have one qualm about what you said.
This can be taken several different ways. I take it to mean you will force everyone to respect you. Or, everyone will be forced to respect everyone else. Respect is like an opinion, it's yours to keep and modify as you see fit. And like an opinion, respect is also like an asshole. They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes and colors. Respect is not meant to be shoved into people's faces. It's built and grows with everyone's actions and words. As I've said before, it is earned. |
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| Reply by: HarveyDent at Jan 18, '09 14:53 | |
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Hey, she was at least half right with her intent. Sal smiles. I think ultimately what it comes down to is; mademan are not discriminated from associates. This isn't something that one person can change on their own, as our thing is a society, it's something the commission, should they be inclined address. Too often, the ceremonies of past are neglected, the respect, the status of untouchable... all neglected. |
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| Reply by: Sal_Giaquinto at Jan 18, '09 15:04 | |
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Most people mistaken the respect issue for feelings and action. I can feel no respect for someone, but still talk respectful to them. I might be mistaken, but I think that's what BlackVampire meant. People should show more respect. Oh and by the way,
I might be someday. |
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| Reply by: Mirage at Jan 18, '09 15:04 | |
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Thank You for defining arrogance, Mirage. Not much else can be expected, though, so it's okay. I assume you assume my words were an insult. Sal, you're right. It's a large community that, as you stated, can not be altered by one man or one woman alone. And everyone knows the more people involved, the sloppier it gets. I believe only in Hollywood can one man make a change that makes everyone live happily ever after. This isn't Hollywood. This is the mafia. |
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| Reply by: HarveyDent at Jan 18, '09 15:08 | |
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No, I didn't take your words as an insult. I thought it was funny, but since you brought it up you must've meant it as an insult. What I see as a clear insult is your accusation of arrogance and adding, "Not much can be expected." That's the kind of disrespect that shouldn't be tolerated on these streets. You don't know me and you don't know about the work I do so I advise you to not judge me. |
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| Reply by: Mirage at Jan 18, '09 15:14 | |
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| It's Our Thing, Hollywood calls us mafia. We're neither. | |
| Reply by: Sal_Giaquinto at Jan 18, '09 15:14 | |
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Harvey I did not mean that I would demand people to respect me. what I meant was that I will demand people treat those who deserve respect, with respect. You see nowa days people are dragging others names through the mud, calling them out in front of the entire world, and nothing is done about it. I would not demand that you personally respect the person, but to at least show respect to them. Unless of course they have shown disrespect you, then it should be taken care of with their family heads. |
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| Reply by: BlackVampire at Jan 18, '09 17:00 | |
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walks on to the street, wondering what all the commotion is about tipping his hat to dj for inviting him here he clears his throat We live in a simple world where people need to be rewarded for their actions, or sometimes knocked down a peg for inaction. I work a simple way with words of encouragement for now to some or advice when needed to others even if a simple few words. My mailbox and door have always been open and this is the easiest start for anything, yes you will find some spam in there but we all get bored from time to time or want to chill out for a change. Personally i would never want to be a leader, and i know that may sound shocking to some, as half the time is not worth the abuse the position gets, but would simply follow the same path i do now. Help those who i can, improve people if possible and encourage them to see they have the potential or can unlock it to be much more. The truth is, creating activity on the street, giving people rank and the respect they deserve(if deserved). This is a slow process that has to come from multiple sources whether the childs upbringing or the adults family. I believe a lot of respect for the made man rank has been lost, yes it would be nice to get it back, but how many made men do we all really know to respect? is not like we all go to the same bars and sit chatting and ignoring the associate ranks beneath us! or would we expect it to be. Everything starts with one step though.. he tips his hat before the crowd gets rowdy and escapes |
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| Reply by: BetterOffDead at Jan 18, '09 18:43 | |
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If I were in charge, I'd put Mirage in charge. ...Oh wait... Marietta puts Mirage in charge of the Riot while she takes a nap. |
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| Reply by: Marietta at Jan 18, '09 22:45 | |
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Jim gets up from the bench excitely and runs off to find Sal, after all, now that Mirage is in charge... Whoohoo! |
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| Reply by: Diamond_Jim at Jan 19, '09 00:10 | |
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If I were in charge Id eat pasta all day. Oh yes I'd also auth IamRevan to the cities of his choice. |
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| Reply by: Kerby at Jan 19, '09 00:56 | |
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