To address the most significant matter first; The Crackerjack Coalition and its associated syndicates will be taking a seat at the Honoured Society table. I will admit, as others have done, that my initial (and greatest) concern is that we are valuing the life of Gangsters over Button Men. The argument that Mades know the rules; and should be held to a higher standard is a valid one, but something that I personally feel should be governed by each CL; rather than by a set in stone preordained concept.

However, if we are all on the same footing - singing from the same hymn sheet, it simplifies things significantly. No family/city/organisation is disadvantaged. That being said, I would suggest some sort of review of this at some stage to ensure it is indeed leading to less cases of dead gangsters, whilst simultaneously not affecting the status of made guys.

There are a few other matters I wish to bring up; I'd have preferred to do this in the private domain but as so many of my peers have addressed this publically, I think it would be churlish of me not to consider the general consensus!

To begin with, whilst some of the Council were over in Washington, I was in Chicago collecting envelopes and Iota was on the lam after shooting dead the vendor at Coney Island Hotdog Stand. Neither of us knew about this. I don't want to rehash what's already been said so much as reiterate the concerns of those who've spoken before me. I appreciate that this is not as signifcant as the main reason for the society. I also appreciate that it was not overly important/efficient to speak to every Godfather and garner their opinions beforehand. However, it must also be conceded that a courtesy mail informing of events would not have beyond the realms of possibility. 'Our thing' has survived 5 years at least without The Honoured Society; I think an additional wait of, say, a week, would not have been to much to ask.

Nevertheless, what's done is done; and if I were the type to dwell too long over spilt milk then I would be MedicoreJew. However I wish to publically echo my words in private and request that for all future far reaching decisions that affect us all; a private notification ahead of public announcement should be the modus operandi.

Again, this is a matter I've brought up in private but on the basis this has been essentially a publically debated-  I'll say it again here.On the basis that not every crew is part of a larger organisation, I disagree with the concept that: "taking the vows on behalf of the entire city". Certainly, as we only have one crew in Chicago (directly affiliated with ourselves) it is not an issue currently; but in the future I would hate to see diversity, development and independence stymied by this. Really though, that can be a bridge crossed when it's come to - for now, I just wanted to state my opinion!

And lastly, believe me I know this inconsequential, but can we stop referring to these guys as children? The only reason the media kicks up a fuss is because someone who looks unaffiliated with the mob is getting iced gangland style; they don't see what we see: the purse snatchings, the drug mule lifestyle - these gangsters are every bit as guilty as us, the papers and the G just don't realise it and we have to plan accordingly.

Oh, and what's a oompa loompa? Is this some kinda fucked up Christian terminology ol' Superjew isn't familiar with?!