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| The lowest common denominator. | Started by: ForkRourke on May 17, '09 19:24 |
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A chain is no stronger than its weakest link. No matter how strong someone or something is, it will always limited by its weakest attribute. This weakness is becoming a plague that is slowly taking hold in all reaches of our business. It is time that our dead weight pull up their skirts, grab their fucking testicles, and decide to be a man about enforcing the rules and becoming people of their word. The days of pussy footing around rules are over. The inability to enforce your own rules demonstrates that you are unfit to be a leader. There is no sugar coating in our business. Hundreds of people, regardless of rank or reputation have been slayed on the spot for breaking the rules. This is how it should be. People don't accidentally break the rules... they do it on purpose. They count on your stupidity, your lack of balls, your flat out cowardice towards reprimanding them. On one hand, we have leaders who enforce 100%, on the other, we have those that request just a gun be taken, or the proverbial slap on the wrist. This unbalance is a slap in the face towards those that run a tight ship. What does this all mean? This means that we all will lower our standards to match your own. The lowest common denominator will be the way we enforce rules. "You can kill that capo, we will only take your gun away, you'll have it back in 3.5 hours anyway tee-hee!" Lets see how shitty business will be when we *ALL* apply your weak double standards to our own members. Once this is in practice and things are lawless, do you know the best way to bring the standards back up? There are only two ways. The first being self improvement by those who are currently dragging down the standard, the latter being a complete purging by an outside intervention with extreme prejudice. The choice is yours. Some of our fellow businessmen speak without a filter. They tell it like it is, they speak to others without the bullshit. This is something I respect. Keeping a conversation straight to the point with out the sugar coated flowery half truth means you respect the other persons time. It means that you value them enough to not lie to their face. You should keep this in mind when you make statements. Every action that you bring to the streets, you are held accountable for. When you make public statements, it now involves the entire public into the business you are discussing. Remember this. When you come to the streets with half-truths, or flat out lies... remember that you are insulting your audience. If you have done nothing wrong - give full disclosure, or nothing at all. If you have done things that could lead to severe negative consequences - give full disclosure, or nothing at all. If you do bad things, don't come out and make a public speech, filled with bullshit then kick a little dirt over the turd and hope no one smells the stink. You brought it into the public to evaluate, and that is exactly what the public shall do. For those of you who tune out ranting old men like myself, I shall sum it up in very short easy to understand words. Don't bullshit people you shouldn't. Know your role in the grand scheme of the food chain. Don't let your standards slip - it drags us all down. |
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It is all about education my friend. Those off the boat on day one may make a mistake and get shot. Should their kin decide to take up this way of life they will have learnt something. Those with a history in this business all understand and all should accept and aknowledge the fact that there are going to be inexperienced men and women trying to make a living in these states, and that they may also mess up. What it means, it that we should not brush them off, lower our standards or start making life a living hell for those who have been given 30 grand and a gun yet are unsure where and when to point it. We should use patience and understanding to help our economy and business grow, new blood coming to these shores should not be given a half assed experience of what we are about, so when someone does step it up they are left with reason to complain. They should know from that start, that Rome wasn't built in a day, that you have to work and get wise as to our world before you can start relaxing into a role. But at the same time, we need to be understandning of not just their errors, but those who have attempted to teach them the ways and have been unfortunate enough to have not gotten through this time around. |
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| Reply by: Fisk_Capizzi at May 17, '09 20:59 | |
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tibeius sits quietly and listens to his friend ForkRourke speak while inhaling a large cloud of cigarette smoke and flicking his butt on the ground The simple truth, is that auths are not given around here for hard work and time put in. Leadership is granted by the current leaders based on friendship, and knowledge of the individual. Simply put, we'll continue to have idiots running the joint so long as we do nothing about it. What is a mere MM like I to do? Nothing... it's up to the current leadership to step it up a notch... tibeius pulls out a pack of smokes and lights another before stepping down and offering ForkRourke one |
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| Reply by: Tibeius at May 17, '09 21:44 | |
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It is all well and good to point fingers and make jabs at current leaders, but what reason is there behind those supposedly "competent" at the position not actually having it? Our future is that which we make ourselves, those in positions of power are not there because their names came out of a hat, they were chosen, chosen by people who themselves were selected and so on. |
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| Reply by: Fisk_Capizzi at May 17, '09 21:47 | |
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I could not agree more with your metaphorical chain. Too often fresh blood to this world is swept under the rug with slim intentions on helping them to self improve. They are often seen as a nuisance and waste of time. Do they know right off the bat how things work around here? No. Will handing them the mafia bible and sending them on their way lead them down the right path? Yes, but often enough, it takes more. They are here and ready to be molded by the first to get their hands on them. Rather than brushing off this nuisance we need to face the elephant in the living room. Time and effort will get them up to par with wiser mafioso. Not just time and effort by the individual but as well as the time and effort put forth by their newly found crew leader and higher ranked members of the family. It's a crew effort. You want to be better? Help better those around you, those that you work with day in and day out. |
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| Reply by: DorkRourke at May 17, '09 21:48 | |
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Tibeius, I disagree with you one hundred percent. Now tell me, why would someone give auth to someone just because they are friends? By giving them auth, you are taking on responsibility and giving your word that you put in thought to your choice knowing that if the individual screws up it will reflect upon yourself. Has the thought that maybe they were friends to begin with because of the hard work the individual has done and shown crossed your mind? I am not saying that everyone that receives such an honor does a grade A job. They were given their shot. They earned that shot through hard work and dedication within their family and city. Would some have been better off just working with and bettering the family that had started with? Possibly. Do we know how someone will hold themselves once receiving a bold suit? Absolutely not. That is a new form of power given, a new sense of success they have never felt. Only time will tell how they will perform. |
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| Reply by: DorkRourke at May 17, '09 21:54 | |
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It is amazing to see how many each day fall victim to being slaughtered while they sleep, after having not found themselves shelter. What if every one of those who has died in this day alone had taken up a family, had guidence and training into our ways and most of all, been shown some respect and made known to them that they could be of value to this way of life. The personalities and potential that is being wasted is amazing. |
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| Reply by: Fisk_Capizzi at May 17, '09 21:55 | |
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It is not our job to run to the aid of those fresh off the boat. Giving them the chance to make the effort for survival is a good deciding factor in whether they are appropriate for your family. Mailing them and giving them an invite gives them a bad impression from the start, making them think this world is just an easy walk through like, like everything will be handed to them. |
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| Reply by: DorkRourke at May 17, '09 21:58 | |
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How would they know better? To step off the boat and have no friendly face waiting to greet them, offer assistance or even make it clear what will happen within a couple of days of their arrival, is not much to ask, but will make all the difference. To say it is not our job may be true, but is it wise to stand by and do nothing? |
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| Reply by: Fisk_Capizzi at May 17, '09 22:01 | |
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I was actually intrigued and impressed by this speech. I agree that we are only as good as our weakest link. That's always been the case. That's also why some of us actually do try to put in the time with those new to these shores to try to educate them as to how to live this life properly, as those before me did with me. And it's not only those of us who are leaders who have to put in the work, but everybody from top down. So don't think you escape responsibility because you are ONLY a Made Man or Wise Guy, or whatever. (So, I agree with Dork too) I'm really here to take issue with what Tibeius said. Apparently, not only does he think I'm an idiot, but he thinks I'm here because of friendship with somebody. And he thinks I don't work hard to boot. Ouch, man, ouch. That hurts. Brick flips the cigarette out of the Made Man's mouth and steps on the butt. Shouldn't do that. Smoking is bad for your health. Of course, disrespecting every boss in these seven cities probably isn't that great for your health either. But what is a mere made man to do other than shoot off his mouth? I'll tell you this - I am here because I work hard and because of the time I've put in. You don't think so? I don't care. But don't come out here and disrespect me. It pisses me off. |
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| Reply by: Brick_Pollitt at May 17, '09 22:03 | |
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Yes it is wise. Survival of the fittest. There are many ways for a new gangster to learn the jist on survival. When my bloodline first started here, they were not grabbed by the hand and walked through daisys to a crew. They searched the shores, asked questions, and learned what they needed to do to stay alive. |
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| Reply by: DorkRourke at May 17, '09 22:04 | |
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Well not all arrive with the same motivation as yourself, signore Rourke, unfortunately. As the 'fittest' grow stronger, becoming tightly knit within those who are also of the same breed, who would want to challenge such a force? To step off the boat and see nothing but the soles of Consigliere's, Don's and Godfathers shoes is not the most warm welcome to our business. I'm not saying these people should be shaking hands as the docks fill up, but I would pay much more attention to a man who welcomes others with intention of taking them under a wing, than those who decide it is time to concentrate simply on the here and now, rather than the future. |
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| Reply by: Fisk_Capizzi at May 17, '09 22:11 | |
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Listen, even a young man who is raised in the streets can see the difference in how a Godfather is treated vs a wise guy. He shouldn't have to had his hand held on the way to the grocery store and the bank and he pulls heists. he should have to beg for pat on the head for approval. If you aren't being talked to, assume you're doing a good job. Keep your god damned mouth shut when someone who outranks you says something you don't like and for God's sake, put some thought into your actions and words. We were all new to these shores once, and I am sure many of us can thank at least person who had a hand in guiding us to do better, work harder and gain respect for those around us. I can personally thank Pepper, Brick_Pollitt, Adrian and Marietta for being patient and having a hand in my learning. But I will also say that I addressed them as respectfully as possible, knowing what my place in this world really is. That they all graced me with their wisdom is a gift I cherish, not something I take for granted. Getting on your knees is a good thing to do from time to time. Feeling fear knot in the pit of your stomach is a chance that can bring you closer to knowing how very very close you were to being killed for your careless words or actions. Vowing to respect those who outrank you and to be aware of your place in this thing of ours is what will make you a stronger link. If you REALLY need someone to drag you from point a to point z, then this life is most likely not one you will be living long. |
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| Reply by: Pickles at May 17, '09 23:48 | |
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My friend, again it is assumed that new people to these shores should arrive knowing what to do, who to contact, what not to say. Just because it is easy for us and our family lines to get on with business because we know it and are comfortable with it, does not mean the rest should just fall in line behind us. I would never expect to find someone worth knowing and worth reccomending for work within the organisation I support, without a little effort. |
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| Reply by: Fisk_Capizzi at May 18, '09 05:48 | |
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I listened to your speech sir and it was very interesting, but one thing confuses me. Excuse my rudeness...but as far as I can tell in this speech you say about half truths and bullshit...but the only people who know who this speech is about are those in the inner circles and stuff. For us lower rankers this speech is almost a half truth because we only know half the story....the speech itself, but not what influenced it! I know about omerta and I dont mean to question your motives Don Rourke but it does seem strange! |
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| Reply by: SpeedyGonzales at May 18, '09 11:12 | |
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Across the street a burly man is sitting on a doorstep dragging the last life from a cigarette. He listens attentively to what the Don is saying and shuffles closer to drown out the noise of the passing traffic. As the Don walks off into the distance his words remain in Ferdia's mind. You know, I could be wrong on this but I think that the issues here go well beyond newcomers to our shores and I also feel that the responsibility of any chain is not just on the stronger links but on the weaker ones also. In so saying, yes its up to EACH and every one of us to say it like it is, and be straight. I have found sometimes listening to some street speakers that the stench of bullshit lying in the aftermath of their speeches is enough to kill a strong horse. Should it be like this? Yes sure, we are all thieves and murderers but we do live by a code and there is honour among thieves. I respect what the Don said. Its not easy to lie to a liar, or kid a kidder and if you come onto the streets and bullshit the people they WILL see right through your lies. This has been proven many times. Will the Dons words make a difference? Who knows. Like was said earlier, that responsibility lays in the words and deeds of every man and woman in this thing of ours. |
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| Reply by: Ferdia at May 18, '09 22:48 | |
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