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| A Presence | Started by: LuigiMario on Nov 08, '07 01:55 |
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A man with a Royal blue suit steps onto the sidewalk from a local coffee shop. A few people gather around as they notice he is handing out free coffee samples. After the crowd gathers a bit, he steps back and starts to speak. Ladies and Gentlemen, I come out here today to pose a question. It is on a topic that is often brought to our streets. A topic family heads are often tortured and called out for. Street Presence. What does it mean? That is my question. As it is, I will not ask the question without offering my opinion. Yes, I am full of myself and believe what I say is important, so please bare with me. Street Presence, in my opinion, is something that isn't quite "needed". It is a luxury to have the leaders walk among us, something that we will oft not see. Why should they mosey their way on these streets and walk among us, being the mere thugs and such we are? In my experience, my family leader is very active among our members. Busy organizing our jobs, and our privileges. She is more worried about her family than any one person on the outside. I strongly believe that the age old "leaders suck because they are mute" is bullshit, bullshit, bullshit. If you took a stop in our beautiful city of Philadelphia you would see that Three has opened a Bar there and invites everyone to have a drink, of coffee obviously, and shoot the shit for a while. While I know it may look like I'm sucking up to my boss, I'm merely speaking from the experience I am currently having. I dare not speak for the other families, and that's why I ask you. Again. Street Presence. What does it mean? The man ducks back inside the coffee shop and waves for another coffee. Then you see him exit out the back and continue down the street. |
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Upon hearing a familiar voice booming from a nearby street corner, VonGaunt turned from his set route, and strolled over to where LuigiMario was speaking. After hearing Mr. Mario's speech, Gaunt spoke up... Totally, 100% in agreement, my good man. Our leaders aren't here for our entertainment, they're here to lead...thus their title. Why should a leader be forced to take time away from their Family duties just to please a crowd, whose majority is usually serving a different Boss? My opinion is simple. Leaders should do what best benefits their Families and themselves. If that includes taking the time to make a statement on these here streets, fine. If not, that's up to them. Besides, why should a leader give a phlying phuck (edited for all the kiddies out there) what someone else thinks? We sometimes forget that they are the ones in charge, and thusly, it's not up to the rest of us to dictate to them what is and isn't "required" of them. The thin man smirks ever so slightly as he finishes speaking, looks around, then meanders over to the nearby bar. |
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| Reply by: VonGaunt at Nov 08, '07 02:14 | |
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I will never change my mind that street presence is an important quality for a leader. Lots of mafiosi want auth to run their own family. Maybe half of them are qualified to do so. Of those remaining, how do you determine who is most deserving? Chances are, they have all been loyal and hard working, and are all fairly intelligent. You have to make your final decision based on who is best for the future of this thing of ours. Since the streets are the lifeblood of our cities, the best person for the job is the person who pumps the most life into this place. In other words, the person most active in the streets. As I said in a separate rant, there are many more considerations that must be made, but all other things being equal, street presence is the determining factor. I think it's most important for the future leader to have this presence BEFORE achieving auth. Once they have a family to run, their presence can understandably be limited to making announcements that affect the nationwide crime syndicate. However, when the future leader is mute prior to receiving auth, it makes the average Joe Mafioso scratch his head and wonder just how in the hell this person got noticed over 20 other high rankers seeking an opportunity. |
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| Reply by: maxwell at Nov 08, '07 02:17 | |
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| Once again I must agree with Maxwell as he makes some good points. I finally have something to add this time, though. When I was first wandering these streets, an orphan and searching for a family, I had no idea where to turn. There were no leaders on the streets, the only opinions I had to go on were those of suck-ups and I didn't want to commit myself to a boss I couldn't count on until the very end. Limited street presence means limited publicity, which means newcomers won't know about them and will probably end up gunned down on the street... or miserable for the rest of their mafia lives. This can of course lead to rogues, and so on. In the end, street presence is a very important part of this thing of ours and should be rejected so carelessly. Were it not for Three's public speech, I would likely be homeless and dead as well. It was her public statement that drew my attention and gave me the courage to approach her and ask to be one of her family. | |
| Reply by: Luke_the_Reaper at Nov 08, '07 02:41 | |
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The man walks back to the street with a "To-Go" cup of coffee and listens to maxwell. Well, I will not disagree with your points maxwell. I also believe that before a person is a family leader, they need to have a street presence. But, again that's not really the question I was asking. It seems to me that everyone shouts for leaders to step out of their HQ and raise a shit storm, or talk politics with the local schmoe. The man leans against the Cafe and listens to the rest of the people. |
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| Reply by: LuigiMario at Nov 08, '07 02:46 | |
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I feel street presence is both overrated and underrated...overrated in the sense that there are more important aspects to being a leader which should take priority, but underrated in that those who don't have direct contact with said leader use the streets to gain an insight into how they work. Of course, there's different types of presence. Simply spouting off some crap every now and then or receiting some fancy story is pointless and does more harm tha n good, but coming out and making a valid point to a discussion, or letting the community aware of issues if you're a current leader is only a positive reflectio upon yourself. I'm a greay believer in street presence. I think it's essential for any leader however, and this is important, there are many other aspects which are more important and should take presidence above keeping your face in the spotlight. Actually leading your family, for example, and resolving all issues internally if they arise. |
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| Reply by: MrTrilacci at Nov 08, '07 15:07 | |
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Witchy kindly made a point to do with this matter when I was conversing with her recently. Based on what maxwell said about street presence often determining whether or not you get auth, it would logically follow that if someone were to quite literally make a comment at as many speeches as possible, then they would be the prime candidates to get auth if a choice was needed. Surely this is encouraging spam? Of course, this opens up new alleys. How do we define spam? Thoughtless comments at every speech? Or just making themselves seen at every single speech with any type of comment. Some people, with the knowledge that a street presence will get them auth, will do it primarily for that reason with no intention to carry on this huge street presence once they achieve auth. But I digress. Street presence is not commenting at every speech. Street presence is selectively choosing speeches, or making their own, and putting their own point of view across. They might therefore, make less comments and threads than another auth candidate, but would have more of a street presence I feel, because they have chosen where to put their point across and have done so effectively. |
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| Reply by: Carlo at Nov 08, '07 15:19 | |
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