As of late, I've given much thought to the more recent changes in this Thing of Ours and what I've heard concerning it. As such, I'd like to pose a question to the more established bloodlines.

You must excuse my brief run through of what's occurred to me, for the sake of clarity.

There has been a change in how things are run, one both my father and grandfather noticed when the arrived here to try their luck at a different breed of business.

From the establishment of multiple city-wide taxes, the expanding role that the Made of Families are brought into, and changes in how our business is done. These changes seem to be the first steps towards reflecting a more Sicilian way of doing things. A reminder of home you could say.

Don Butt_Ox will argue that there is still a large gulf between how things are run back home and how things have been set up here. However a shift I still see. Whether that gulf will ever be bridged is another thing of it's own.

Do you believe that this is occurring and if so, is it a good thing for the Eight Crime Cities?

I'm not sure how you are able to read my mind about what I would argue, but anyhow, I agree that there is somewhat of a more Sicilian aspect to our business in recent times. This is a good thing. Our history books tell us that there were several eras where our families operated more like social clubs than mafia families. A mafia family should have a purpose of some sort, whether it be to make money, deal in protection, deal in enforcement, or deal in trafficking. Sitting around and looking pretty in a bright suit is pointless.

The "large gulf" that you suggest I would notice is not so much a difference in how things should be done, but a lack of understanding of HOW they are done in Sicily. I see a few things being done which appear like an attempt to run things as they are ran in Sicily, but it is obvious that the function is not entirely understood by those attempting it. One prime example is the thing I've been ranting about lately - the characterization of Bosses as Captains. Words have meanings, so if you are going to call someone a Captain, they should operate like a Captain. Otherwise call them what they are -  a fucking Boss -  and then we can all be happy and go have a beer somewhere.

I guess you weren't too far off in reading my mind. Well done.