After Sorrority accidnetally came into the streets dissappointing many who were expecting a "Good Debate", an idea of a debate came into her mind. So she decided to do what she loves to do best, let the world know what her idea was. Sorrority comes out of her family HQ into the streets and begins to speak

Hello every one, I want to first apologize for my unprepared speech last time. That's not something that I take lightly, but hey...we all make mistakes, and no one is perfect. But I came today wondering what people thought about a subject that came to mind. Why is it that alot of people are afraid to come into the streets and speak their mind? It is something that still stuns me today. Alot of people are afraid to come into the streets, have a good debate, and move on. Me personally have no problem with it. It just may be one of my characteristics, but I am a individual who is not afraid to speak her mind, but respectfully ofcourse. Are people afraid to come into the streets with a good debate because they are afraid or sounding stupid, or is it because they are afraid of getting killed if they don't agree with a person who is "High Ranked". I personally think it is because they are afraid of getting killed, what do you think?

Sorrority then steps back and waits to hear what everyone has to say

After playing back what she said in her mind, Sorrority wants to make something clear before anyone speaks. My apologies, when I said "because they are afraid or sounding stupid", I meant to say "because they are afraid of sounding stupid". Sorrority laughs at another one of her mistakes, which is another example of her not being perfect, and steps back to wait what people have to say

Your deductive reasoning leaves me at a loss for words.

Rourke purchases a few sentences from the local word store.

Much better.

Why is it that alot of people are afraid to come into the streets and speak their mind?

Are people afraid? Are there ghosts abound? Is the resurrected corpse of RourkeyRourke going to come back and torment the children and elderly mafiosos of the world?

Doubtful.

I'd like to believe that most people won't chime in on a street discussion simply because they don't feel like it. I don't think it's any sort of "fear" they possess at all. Maybe people feel a topic has been beaten over a head and don't wish to add useless words to continue the punishment. Maybe people don't quite understand the topic at hand and are waiting for more replies to clear up a few issues. Maybe people can't read! If you're going to base your entire argument around the assumption that mafiosos are afraid, I expect some sort of scientific research pointing out the fact that there is some sort of inherent fear coupled with the inability of individuals to speak their minds on topics.

Personally I abhor the "I'm going to speak up with a quick opinion and wait for the replies to roll in!" method of visiting the streets. It seems to me like a cheap way to boost the amount of people who come up and speak to you in the streets. That is MY reason for not approaching conversations.

Rourke returns to the word store and gives back a few sentences. He won't be needing more today.

I would imagine that I fall easily into the group of people your curious about. I rarely post and never debate. Your theory on it, (at least regarding to me) is partially correct because I am often tempted to try my hands at typing a witty retort in some exciting debate. I usually get what I want to say all typed up and spell checked before I get a second thought and just erase it. The fear of being known as an idiot often over comes my eagerness to join in.

The other reason is that I really enjoy reading other people's opinions about things instead of writing up my own. It's rather selfish of me to do so, but I don't like taking the time to write up something when I could be reading whats already there.

Sorrority, I have to say this is a bit of a touchy subject to some. I have to say to some that it is fear of  consequences of their statements. If you go against the wrong person at the wrong time it can and has shown to be fatal. Ideas and views shared by one might not be the same that is shared by other but in theory that should be ok. Sometimes this isn't the case. Which has proven to be a deterrence to keep some out of opinionated people away from here. Some might say this is a good thing to keep peace other might say it isn't because then it makes the streets quieter because people steer clear of debates.

Sorrority, look at recent events and you will see why people rarely speak their mind.

People do speak their minds sometimes but with the past couple months being rocky people are unwilling to compromise themselves or accidentally appear to do so.

In these times people are trying to get along as opposed to arguing too much in the streets all day as they are trying to get to higher levels and such-like. Not too long in the future we will see more people talking I think.

Yes indeed times have changed i played this game a year and alil more then a half ago granted only for a week but looking in the streets and hearing the minds of people yell what they fell now i walk these streets and its so quite jus a dull roar now and then and a few up storms but when is that class 7 hurricane of debates to come agin=] its always fun

I agree. I think it's a bit sad to, because I'm sure alot of people have alot of things to say, and the fear of being killed gets in the way. People have actually came up and spoke to me saying, I am a little bit afraid to go into the streets. I always reply back, as long as you stay respective, what is there to be afraid of? Do you guys agree?

No, Sorrority. I have to disagree. It's not enough just to be respectable and well spoken. If you flat out disagree with somebody who outranks you and it looks like you are questioning his/her authority, in this world it can very well mean a bullet in your head.

And I don't think that's a bad thing. They are *crime* bosses, they have not reached that rank by popular vote. They killed and crimed their way there. Why should they care what we think?

Well, maybe they could care what we think, but they have earned the right not to have their authority questioned.

So CrazyNine, you are basically saying that we should all agree with one person because they "Out rank" us? If that was the case, there would never be any debates, and lately I have been hearing alot of people talking about there aren't really alot of good debates out here. How do you expect a good debate if everyone is to afraid to speak?

"So CrazyNine, you are basically saying that we should all agree with one person because they "Out rank" us?"

Actually I do not think he meant that at all.  What he is saying is that some people that have rank over you, you might want to watch how you "debate" with them.  Just because you think you have the right to an opinion doesn't mean that you should be telling someone in the upper ranks that they are wrong about this or that, it may lead to your death.

Come on, this supposed to be the mafia, the cosa nostra or the organized crime or whatever you want to name it. If you piss off someone above your rank you cannot expect to get away with your life just because we want good debates.

Of course you don't have to agree with everything the high ranks or the leaders say or want to establish. Of course you can go against them or throw in your "two cents" but never ever expect to stay alive even if you're respectful. That we have debates about certain things is just because those with power allow it. If they set in a new rule or a tax they only allow that we're discussing this. It's just accepted it's not a right you have.

So back to my original question...Most of you think that people do not debate or even talk in the streets is because they are afraid to get killed, correct?

I figure there are 2 options to choose from;

The first: We allow every man and his dog to debate, we completely ignore the rank system and what it means and the respect your rank should earn. It keeps people entertained but there is lots and lots of bitching and whining to be expected.

The second: We don't allow the debates, we accept that you must respect those who hold a higher rank than yourself, we impose the way of true mafiosi, we don't get as much bitching and whining.

"Hanibal, with all due respect, you're missing the other option:" Michael mumbled as he took a long breath, knowing this was gonna be a decnet monologue.

"3. We can develop overall discussion on the forums, while still handling things with a touch of civility and grace. We can handle things politely, and in an honest, amicable, and somewhat open manner."

"It's not bad of me to question my bosses, and ask them some questions. It's also not bad for me to weigh in on  issues, if I can keep it civil and act like a grown-up. I shouldn't be whacked for asking intelligent, reasonable, and well-mannered questions in the streets. Now if I'm a moron, that's another story. If I went to the LA business district, walk into a place Premier currently was, told him his policy was BS, and then told him to suck it long and suck it hard, my head would be on a pike. That's, because "Respect" doesn't mean blind faith. It doesn't mean unyielding agreement with every policy, and continual silence on political matters."

"To me, "Respect" is the ability to walk up to someone, look them square in the eye, and tell them wht you think tactfully and appropriately, even when you know it's not what they wnat to hear. So far, I'm happy to say my definition of respect has been accepted by my superiors. I don't kiss anybody's rear end," he then took a dandelion out of his pocket and blew it, watching the seeds fly accross the street. "And I'm honest. But I've got the respect and the decency to realize that you don't get to the top by being an imbecile, unlike in real politics. You have to actually earn respect here. That's the nature of the beast." Michael then shrugs and wanders off.