*Grabs a crate and places it next to his favorite lamp post*

So, as I read through my cousins journals and have overheard conversations had in the streets or business districts I hear a lot of complaining or questioning. There are those who do not like the existing structure of power, complaining that we aren’t going anywhere and burying their heads in the sand “wishing” for a brighter day. There seems to be a lot of finger pointing and shit flinging, kind of like we are chimps in a cage.

*sips his flask before continuing*

My thoughts as menial as they are due to my status in our world, are as follows.

Yes we have a definite “Alliance” of power at the moment. No hiding that or sugar coating it. But let’s not be too critical of that. After all it happens that way often in our world, running in cycles. Eventually this cycle too will pass as all before it have. So what are you doing to prepare for that? What ideas are you sharing, plans cultivating that will make a change in this world? What are you doing, outside of bitching and moaning because you are naïve enough to constantly sit on the other side of the electric fence of power? What do you do with your day, outside of click buttons and fling shit like a caged chimp? Credits asked us what we care about, others have pushed back whining and screaming foul at every turn. Wade Wilson brought up a good point, we do care otherwise we would not be as dedicated to this thing of ours as we are. Coming back, rebuilding and tearing down, rinse repeat etc.

I guess in short one could say, shit or get off the pot buddy. Take advantage of the time you have to build towards something you want. Yes we have families to remain loyal too and crews to support etc. But that doesn’t mean you have to be a yes man, have opinions – come to the masses or your upper structure or friends in private with new thought processes or old ones not seen for a while. Talk to a select few and discuss your overall goals and as appropriate bring in those that can help you along the way. AND NO this does not mean hate monger and plan rogue ops to dethrone those around you. Instead stand tall and lead, you do not need keys to a HQ and a new Bold Suit to lead. Often times some of the greatest leaders aren’t even in Bold. They are the ones doing dirt with you in the streets, getting their hands and suites dirty side by side with you. No viable, well presented voice goes unheard, those that spark interest will watch you grow and want to help you make a change in our world.

*takes another sip from the flask*

However if you just sit around the coffee shops or in back alleys, flinging shit at the next  chimp and “planning the demise of so and so” you will never be taken seriously. And when your plan fails as it most likely will, you will cry foul and whine just to rinse and repeat. Personally, I have shared some ideas even at my young age with a few close people. There are things I see now that can be changed over time regardless of who holds the golden scepter of power.  Things like how we use certain criminal elements like Pick Pockets and Status Markers like Rank. Who knows, hopefully one day I will have enough power (which won’t take much) to start to incorporate some of these ideas. If I do not, then I will share them with those that do.

*looks at his piece of paper*

Oh I almost forgot, yes MissNiki I will share my playpen (But you have to stay on your own side) with you and of course I will hold our special toy – but I want the purple glittery one… 

Oh, I was strolling about the streets and came upon this topic.  Having read my great grandfather's journals, it was like deja vu.  He had strolled the streets and seen many a similar topic.  So, then I went through my great-great grandfather's journals and found more similar topics.  

It's as if people never stop complaining.  

I seem to remember reading about so much complaining that Whine and Cheese Clubs rose up all over the streets and were booming.  People wanted a place they could go to have some appetizers and get their complaints off their chest.  It seems as if that business is something that may still work today.  

The fact is Tommy is right.  People will always complain about something.  It really doesn't matter who's in power.   There will always be the group in power, and a group complaining about those in power.  Now there are probably many other groups.  And some of those groups do what you say and simply go about their business.  Many writing up their plans in the hopes that some day they may be in power.  But there will always be that group who just wants to expend their energy complaning.  It's what wakes them up every morning.  It's what allows them to make it through the day.

...don't take that from them.

Miss Niki listens intently to both Tommy and Money, and then clears her throat and begins to speak.

"Out here on the streets, it's much like the real world there's always going to be someone who wants to be on top. There will always be backstabbing, and someone wanting YOUR life, the things you have, the people in your life.. people there are people that spend a lifetime wishing, then, there are people that take what they want.  Now, I have had to start over, both here in the streets and IRL. It's not easy, it's not fun, but, with every restart, there's a new chance, to be have it better than the time before."

She looks around at the crowd beginning to form around knows there are intelligent, civil people here. People that can make a difference, if they would only work hard and get themselves in position to do something other than cry in the streets.

"If you aren't happy with your leadership, then do something about it.. become a leader and make the changes you want to make... Certainly griping about it in the streets isn't getting you anywhere."

With that last statement, she steps down grabs her things and leaves to do more crimes for her CL. She was getting stronger every day and it felt good.

I think it is easy to dismiss people and say they are whining.

We live in a world where your voice is the key. It is taken as a representation of our demeanour and how we feel/act towards people. The only way we can really express ourselves is through our words. Yes, I know everyone rolls out the "Rank up and do something about it" but sometimes you don't have to. You don't always have to have the biggest gun. I mean in extreme cases people have stirred enough shit that wars have hinged on the words they have spoken.

If you're a good enough speaker you can bring about change. You have to be well spoken and clear but you can do it. People have done it. Your character can shine through and people will use your words who have far more power than yourself. You just have to be good at what you do.

Whining and genuine debate can go hand in hand. Except the winner will write the history books and the loser will be discredited. But if you are strong enough in your beliefs and have more about you than "U KILLZ0RED me FoR Nu REASon" I see no reason why your bloodline should not offer counter arguments and debate what has happened. It shouldnt be seen as whining. It allows the public to make informed decisions about who actually leads them and what they're all about.