Don't get it twisted.

I never disagreed, or even made comment on anything he said. Nor did I say anything about you, your crew, your city, or anything remotely similar. I understand you want to come to the aid of a young member, but you're just butting in really. And I've no idea what your hard on for Carol is all about, I see nothing wrong with how she was speaking. She spoke how she always speaks. It can come across a tad condescending, but I assure you, she has a good heart and always means well. Are you saying we should change who we are, and how we speak to people, simply because they do not share our language? 

Sorry, but I treat everyone I meet the same. Regardless of where they come from. Literacy and the spoken word are things I look for in a leader, always have. His father did not have those qualities, and that was all I was trying to say. 

To the Infant son of Bespoke (who?) who will apparently be shooting Carol with his baby sharts:

I personally guarantee you will never lay a finger on her.

Nobody had seen the aftermath. He had also read the account of his forefather Paddy. Paddy had written how he put his best effort for his Cl's. The first in paradise, and since Paddy was new to this city she was like a Mother to him, always fussing and coddling, to help Paddy get along. Then after she was retired, another came along , with the bling and the glizz, and yet he was not good enough either. Paddys wrong was trusting in a leader who had no remembrance from where he came from. This was the last entry in his diary! Nobody vowed to himself that the same mistake would not be made!

He flashes a grin towards her, sharp teeth glinting. "Some people get strange ideas into their head, ya know? Lemme know if you need any help with the graves; I got the feeling it'll take a while."

He picks up a shovel and holds it in a offering gesture to Carol. "Shame about what happened. Good people died. Don't know why people are still fighting about it now; it's all over and done with."

R2D2 approached the crowd, and upon hearing the last person voice their opinion she cleared her throat and coughed before saying, "In all honesty, Godmother Duplicity you acted based upon actual proof and you weighed your options, and chose what was beneficial to us all collectively. Seph was a great person, but leader I am not to sure if he was a good fit. God Rest his soul." R2D2's voice trailed off on the last words, she took a step back and crossed herself three times and left thinking that sometimes we have to make hard decisions that will benefit the majority rather than the minority.

I remember a time when you were called out on all sort of things from grammar to spelling, street cleaners were a lot harsher and the people. Those times have moved on.

I didn't realise I had to answer to the narrative of time here, I have a boss already, his name is Eredin. There might have been a time that your blood had to move on from harsh words out here Clay, my bloodline has never divulged from that path and still doesn't today. Times have not 'moved on', this world has just had a lot of powers that be that rarely spoke in the streets and never understood why we should be speaking out here (that's a whole other subject) so society has been molly-coddled into believing that we're supposed to shake hands, tip hats and pat each other on the back out here.

I'm tired of hearing 'things have changed now, you can't do it that way anymore'. Why not? Seriously, why the fuck not? Why am I expected to tow some sort of pre-programmed lines? I was chosen for this position because I can think outside the box, I'm not a mindless drone or sheep.

What has happened here is a young mobster from another land has come forward with passion to have his say on a topic his bloodline is obviously close to. Now instead of a quiet word, which is entirely understandable, it has descended into insult. It didnt sit right with me hence why I have said what I have said.

HE chose (after his father was supposedly a man of rank and honour) to come out here, speak incoherently and show himself up. I'm quite sure the next time he comes out here, he won't so hasty in flapping his gums around. He will learn from this. Now that it has been pointed out in the streets, I'm almost 100% sure he won't be so rash again because he either didn't like what was said to him or (as we can see is the case here) those who watch over him won't like what has been said to him. Regardless of the outcome out here in this speech, I can guarantee that either you (Clay) or your leader has had a quiet word in his ear telling him that if he wants help to speak out in the streets you're more than willing to help. Is that not better than just ignoring the fact that he spoke incoherently and no help being given to him? Most of us have seen this happen before and the member comes out again and does the same thing over and over because nobody thought to show those who guide them how poorly their member was speaking.

Now that I know you have seen this I'm even more confident he'll never do this again because I have some good friends over in Detroit whom I have made through being thoroughly impressed with how they operate and trust their guidance with this member. I do not trust leaving this guy to his own devices which you have already stated won't be the case anymore as you have offered help.

Not a fan of sweeping things under the rug just to be polite to someone, point it out and you're almost guaranteed it'll get fixed. Seems the case here, no?

Visas hung up the phone she grabbed her car keys from the coffee table where she had left them queenie and Hayley had entered the dinning room by this stage a puzzled look on there faces.

"Whats up Boss?" Hayley asks, Visas looked towards Hayley a look that both knew something was up they both knew each other better then they knew themselves at times.

" Duplicity needs me i will take the red eye to Chicago just keep the family alert Don Seph taken a flight to the Bahamas leaving Vegas without a city head" queenie handed Visas a small tin of Earl Grey tea "Here dear take this with you Duplicity and yourself should sit down and have a cup of tea it will make things better trust me on this, to much coffee is used by you youngsters these days that is why everyone is so hyper like jacked up hamsters."

Visas smiled she had become fond of the old English woman they nick named queenie because she put on airs of Royalty.

"Thank you queenie i am sure GodMother Duplicity would enjoy a nice cup of tea"

A few hours later and a long Taxi ride Visas found herself reclining at the Sirens Call Head Quarters sipping an Earl Grey tea while it was not as good as a nice cup of Joe it was a welcome drink.

Visas ans Duplicity chatted for hours about the state of affairs in Vegas what would the retirement of Seph cause for future relations?

None of these answers could be answered Vegas had be plagued by issue after issue some stretching far back before Don Madara was removed information had made it to Chicago of a member from Vegas trying to drum up support with Orsik to attack Chicago.

That same member also tryed to drum up support from The_Hitchers Detroit and Philly to attack Chicago intil he was discovered and executed by Don Seph.

Now these issues seamed to follow Vegas along with the roller coaster of leaders. 

Now Duplicity's first order of business is to look out for her wonderful city of Chicago and her people mine is Detroit and my people with the amount of issues rising in Vegas we did not feel secure would Vegas without Seph support us we where not sure. Could we take that chance and hope it dont blow up in our faces? Sure we could but that would be an injustice to our own people if it exploded in our faces. Now i wont rubbish the leadership of Vegas many where my friends and watching them die was painful but at the end of the day i had to do what i felt was right for my city and her sister city Chicago.

RIP to all who fell that day/night may you all find peace.

StinkEye hears everyone out and absorbs all points of view then gives everyone that special StinkEye look and shakes her head from side to side as she snickers at some of the absurd comments and reasoning.

 "It also didn't help their case that Tizla started shooting. That is the simple reason why Los Angeles was removed with Las Vegas." 

-Duplicity

I see people can bastardize the truth to put themselves in a more positive light. It is fact that LA was told to stay out of it and they were not a part of what was going on. Kimble did tell Tizla that LA was not part of the takedown. It is also a fact that shortly after Kimble told Tizla he was lying about that and the plan was always to take LA out. Don't get me wrong, it makes sense if you are going to take one out you should take the other out also, but implying that LA brought that wrath upon themselves because they took action is just absurd and by absurd I mean a bold faced lie.

"He wasn't left with much to build on and he tried his best. Yet, it was a long road for Vegas. With a leader having to step down, then another. Some felt like Las Vegas was already a joke." -Duplicity

Canonizing Seph and debasing those around him seems to be a pattern. I recall this same action with a man named Hitcher. I don't stand here ignorant to their personal situations. I am well aware of the pain and suffering they were going through as they lead their cities. Inferring that he lead a group of intellectually challenged people seems a bit far fetched. A few rotten apples does not represent the whole group. I am even more aware of the fact that Seph did not tolerate even the slightest misstep from his underlings and handled every situation promptly and with the ultimate punishment. 

"Some felt like Las Vegas was already a joke". That brings to mind a very relative quote. Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth. When you are in a leadership role you don't let, "some," guide you. You take it all under consideration and then it's you that ultimately makes the decision. 

You mention a CA being shot. Does that really bother you? The reason I ask is because I've seen the CA's of the dead being gunned down in the street by your supporters. Was that an edict passed down from you? That is hardly a war tactic, as I see it, it's just pure maliciousness and contempt.

Next subject, Liquid. His frustration is understandable but we all have to answer to someone and we may not like the answers they give us for their actions but your loyalty and trust, although sometimes difficult, has to remain with your superior. 

Continuing on the subject of Liquid I find it impressive that he, as well as, others come here from another land and learn our language. Isn't that what makes this land of opportunity great? Anyone that feels superior because English is their first language just shows how truly inferior they are. These are street speeches. Are they not? Are some suggesting that any member of our society that is intelligent enough and motivated to learn our language should be criticized and ridiculed? I hope there is some sensitivity training within everyone's HQ walls. I've met many on the streets that actually apologized to me for their use of the English language because it is not their first language. I've never once said, "You really shouldn't speak in the streets like that." I find it deplorable that anyone would feel justified ridiculing someone for a few grammar mistakes, and astonishing that they don't find it rather impressive that a person is learning a second language. Reach out, offer help to those that feel uncomfortable asking for it or are unaware of their mistakes.

Your first spoken language really has no place in this place. -CarolPeletier

Am I missing your point CarolPeletier? The man explains his accent in the streets comes from the motherland and you say it has no place in this place? How so? When he came over on the boat was he supposed to magically become Americanized? You choose to demean him further by offering him a cookie? I'm guessing your cookies have poor taste just as your comments do.

But it makes you look less like an idiot. -Ronin

Dear Ronin, I've heard about your street speeches. They are very impressive, the idiot comment is beneath you and I hope you reconsider your choice of words in the future.

I have not been disrespectful to my knowledge. I think I've been more than respectful. I could have flat out called him a blathering idiot spewing nonsensical bullshit about matters he obviously was oblivious to if the thought it was all flowers and butterflies. I could have told him to stay indoors until his hopefully temporary case of insanity diminished to an acceptable. I could have told him to get the fuck off the Streets and back to those nasty little coffee shops that go by the name "G1" and "G2". -CarolPeletier

Saying what you could have said, is saying it and it's rude and really not the subject at hand.

There were good souls that lied in Las Vegas. There were good souls that lied in New York, Detroit, Philadelphia, and so on. May they rest in peace." -Duplicity

I saw some bitterness over those that died that weren't actively part of the war. First of all, no one truly knows how many cities are involved in an attack while it's going on and I'm sure the upper structure of the non participating cities knew about the war and your silence as two cities were being taken down means you supported it. No one is immune to death during a war, just as the son's and daughter's of the dead that were attacked need to let go of the past, so should you.

We can't choose our leaders actions and we can't control our peers or subordinates. Live the best and longest you can and die loudly, fight the good fight as they're digging your grave and after you take that last breath, rest in peace... that's what we all deserve and that's what our children deserve. 

StinkEye pours her freshly brewed espresso into her demitasse cup and tops it off with some sambuca and thinks to herself... Why are so many baking and eating cookies when stuffing a cannoli is much more satisfying.

missniki watches and listens to all the arguments. She wasn't in town the night everything went down, so she really doesn't know what happened, who fired first, or even why they fired. She doesn't have an opinion, because everything at this point this point is hearsay, and there are a lot of hurt feelings for the lives lost. missniki lost a family member, Iris, and her heart breaks at the seemingly senseless loss. But we need to move past this, and get back to the business that brought us all here.

"Rest in Peace to all who died" 

missniki heads out to do a truckheist. 

And here we see exactly what Kevin and I have been harping.

StinkEye just gave a coherent, intelligent reply to this speech, addressing multiple points and speaking clearly.

I have journals of her line, not even six months ago, where she could barely sting two sentences together. Not quite like Liquid, but she also struggled. And she was ridiculed, and mocked. 

Obviously, since then, she has made an effort to improve upon that fact. Color me impressed. She has changed my overall perception and opinion of her.

As I stated, the way you portray yourself out here will always be judged. If you are judged poorly, you or those around you will make an effort to change that. People may judge how I've acted in this speech and assume that I just like being a dick. Which isn't entirely untrue. But don't underestimate the effect my words will have.

Clay, it is not my responsibility to change or improve Liquid's persona or language. That is his own, and by extent, yours as his superior. Were he my member, I would indeed take him under my wing. Alas, he is not, and the best way that I have found, over my years, to bump someone onto the right path, is to publicly humiliate them. It worked eons ago on my bloodline, along with countless others. People don't like being made fun of, and will make an effort to fix it.

That said, I would now like to apologize to Liquid. I may have come off a tad too harsh. But I do not regret or take back my words. It was not my intention to demean or belittle you. 

I can understand why people are defending Liquid and his use of English, however I feel it is misguided. Please remember that this is 1930something and we are speaking in the Streets, not anywhere else. Do you think the mob spent a lot of time on sensitivity training to ensure they didn't hurt people's feelings or their conversations came across as politically correct? Absolutely not and it is ridiculous to suggest they would, or should. 

I find it hard to think Liquid wouldn't be ridiculed for saying things like "he took out my 2 RHMs why?I dont know,he kill them and send me mail,I m sorry I had to kill them", where everyone else is well spoken. For the record, the reverse is also likely to have been true, wherein if everyone spoke with heavily accented words, then my eloquent prose would likely be scoffed at too, but, that isn't the world we live in. 

I personally didn't see where Seph was being (unnecessarily) glorified. It was implied that some people saw Las Vegas as a bit of a joke while Seph was leading it. If a leader had to step down it was at least partly the fault of Seph, for he authorized that leader and later made him step down. While a few rotten apples don't represent everyone, if a large part of the apples is rotten I'm gonna call the whole bunch spoiled. 

It is true that most things, if not everything, comes down to your perspective and your opinion. In this case Duplicity and her companions felt that Vegas had to go due to multiple errors and the retirement of Seph and with these considerations in mind they removed Vegas. I didn't see where Duplicity said she was guided by the ''some'' saying that Las Vegas was a joke? I thought she merely mentioned that some people had a negative view on matters in Las Vegas.

One Corrupt Agent being shot isn't the worst thing that can happen, but it is a rather annoying thing. If it happens multiple times and other issues (like rogue shots) arise from within a particular city, it might just be easier to remove that city. 

Continuing on the subject of Liquid I find it impressive that he, as well as, others come here from another land and learn our language. Isn't that what makes this land of opportunity great? Anyone that feels superior because English is their first language just shows how truly inferior they are. These are street speeches. Are they not? Are some suggesting that any member of our society that is intelligent enough and motivated to learn our language should be criticized and ridiculed? I hope there is some sensitivity training within everyone's HQ walls. I've met many on the streets that actually apologized to me for their use of the English language because it is not their first language. I've never once said, "You really shouldn't speak in the streets like that." I find it deplorable that anyone would feel justified ridiculing someone for a few grammar mistakes, and astonishing that they don't find it rather impressive that a person is learning a second language. Reach out, offer help to those that feel uncomfortable asking for it or are unaware of their mistakes.

I wouldn't necessarily call it impressive. I would rather label it a necessity. If you want to truly be a part of this world you would do well being able to communicate with relative ease in reasonable English. Especially if you find yourself being in a position of power, i.e being a leader. No offense to the guy, but I think I would have some misunderstandings concerning language if I was in Liquid's crew. 

I also have no interest whatsoever in your ''sensitivity training''. If you want me to look over your speeches (best not, I'm rubbish) I will gladly do so. If you want me to help you with your English skills, I will help you out. No problem. 

I think saying something like ''You shouldn't really speak in the streets like that.'' isn't malicious or harmful. I actually think it would have a positive effect. I feel it is an encouragement a person to continue to learn and improve their language skills until they can be confident enough they won't be bashed on the streets. Communication in this world is very important, and we shouldn't apologize for occasionally bashing those who are less proficient at it or just plainly suck at it. 

If you don't have a thick skin and can't bite back, don't go to the streets. Please.

*shakes his head* 

After settling in and reading my Cousin (Tommy_Slippers) journals, LV and by extension LA has had many a public scuff up in organization and to be honest public presence surrounding those issues. It can be of no surprise that action was taken when the last string that tied was severed (Seph retiring). You reap what you sow, even your own relatives have come out trying to blame everything on how Seph ran the region. That in it self proves your lack of leadership, leaders do not push off blame and whine. They take ownership and stand regardless of the outcome. 

As to Los Angeles and even Paradise, they were NOT part of the initial discussion. I can tell you from my cousins journals, Angelo is the single cause of the change in direction. When Angelo moved to LA and killed my cousin it was an immediate switch in atmosphere and level of patience. Now do I blame him, no as he had to know he was on the executioners radar sort of speak. 

Coming down finally on the subject of presence, patience and street speaking. Why the hell should people be afraid to speak their mind, or use the streets as a means to color the picture as they see it. A great, great ancestor of mine use to say "I would rather die standing than live kneeling" ... Not all of our family have lived that mantra consistently as  far as overall presence. But we have never feared to share our opinion or view of something. Not everyone is eloquent or capable of "English Grammar" at a collegiate level. Shit, I don't always use the right spelling and punctuation. But this begs to ask a different question, why don't you have (as a family) a mentor to help these ESL transplants with their speaking? Do you not give a shit, care or want to help ? Instead of coming out here and defending their nonsensical rant's, help them learn how to deliver their message. Who knows, it may help them in other worlds as well. 

*Takes a sip of his cousins flask (its the only thing the cheap bastard left me)*

I concur, Clay.

Let us all move on.

I have journals of her line, not even six months ago, where she could barely sting two sentences together. Not quite like Liquid, but she also struggled. And she was ridiculed, and mocked. 

Obviously, since then, she has made an effort to improve upon that fact. Color me impressed. She has changed my overall perception and opinion of her. -Ronin

I think your confusing my lineage with someone else. I have never had difficulties expressing myself correctly through speech or the written word, but thank you for the left-handed compliment.

I personally didn't see where Seph was being (unnecessarily) glorified. It was implied that some people saw Las Vegas as a bit of a joke while Seph was leading it. If a leader had to step down it was at least partly the fault of Seph, for he authorized that leader and later made him step down. While a few rotten apples don't represent everyone, if a large part of the apples is rotten I'm gonna call the whole bunch spoiled. -Salazar

I take issue with the contradictory statements that have been said on the subject of Seph, not that he was unnecessarily glorified.

It was no secret that Seph believed in doing things his way and giving people a chance, if after giving them a chance they proved incapable or negligent he resolved the issue. How is that perceived as a joke? Wouldn't it be a joke if he did nothing as opposed to taking swift action?

I would hardly say a large part of the apples were rotten, but there were calculated risks that Seph took and when some of those risks did not work out he handled it. He then came out onto the streets and explained his actions which is something he did not need to do.

One Corrupt Agent being shot isn't the worst thing that can happen, but it is a rather annoying thing. If it happens multiple times and other issues (like rogue shots) arise from within a particular city, it might just be easier to remove that city. -Salazar

My point was after a city is removed you don't, for shits and giggles, kill off the corrupt agents that are from those cities. Those agents are there to continue to make money for the surviving family members and it is malicious to kill them.

I can understand why people are defending Liquid and his use of English, however I feel it is misguided. Please remember that this is 1930something and we are speaking in the Streets, not anywhere else. Do you think the mob spent a lot of time on sensitivity training to ensure they didn't hurt people's feelings or their conversations came across as politically correct? Absolutely not and it is ridiculous to suggest they would, or should. -Credits

When my great grandfather came to this country he was a young man. He only spoke Italian. His first job in this country was as a driver for a mafia boss in Chicago. He learned some English over time but it was always considered broken English. As he worked his way through the ranks no one disrespected him over the way he spoke. Most spoke Italian amongst themselves so others would be unaware of what they were talking about. It was completely normal and you were inferior if you didn't speak the language of the motherland. That is a true story and no, I don't think the mob spent time on sensitivity training. I think if someone had the balls to ridicule a made man for their language skills they would have been an outsider and would have been given a nice beat down for disrespect.

Perhaps I am wrong? Your suit mimics that of the late SteamPunk. I was assuming you were from her line.

I would characterize multiple step-downs (and deaths) of multiple leaders, the poor choices for hands (who also found death) as a bit of a joke, yes. He took  ''calculated'' risks, yes, but when it became obvious that these risks weren't paying off, why did he continue taking these risks? And if he didn't go onto the streets and try to explain his actions he would be ridiculed further and even more people would call Las Vegas a ''bit of a joke''. 

I guess I agree with you on that bit, to me that would be a ''dirty tactic'' but if complete annihilation is their goal, they have achieved it. 

An interesting point you raise about the issue of disrespecting the language skills of a Made Man, but it's almost a requirement that a Made Man has acceptable language/communication skills anyhow.

If your great grandfather came to these shores now, only speaking Italian, how far do you think he would progress being unable to communicate with anyone? I think we all know that the reality is, he wouldn't get anywhere as nobody could understand him. A sad indictment of our loss of heritage perhaps, but the truth nevertheless. 

Applying this back to the point then, our society has changed and (as I said in the bit you didn't quote) eloquent sentences and well spoken mobsters are in the ascendancy. Speaking like a peasant straight off the boat makes you seem like, well...a peasant straight off the boat. That isn't what people are looking for in a Don these days; times have changed.

(OOC I respect the hell out of anyone who can speak multiple languages; it is at least one more than I can. IC they sound like a bumpkin whatever the reason for it.)