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| A Clear Line | Started by: JohnnyAxe on Dec 06, '07 08:33 |
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Many of you think you know me very well. You've known my bloodline for generations, you've sipped coffee (sugar, no cream--thanks) with me in the coffee houses, you've fought alongside me in wars. Still, you find yourself surprised by some of the decisions I make. You see, when it comes down to business, I don't play favorites. I don't give a damn how well your grandfather and mine got along. I'm not going to overlook that you disobeyed a direct order and shot at another family or that you disrespected someone in the streets. If you fuck up, I will make certain that you're aware, and usually in the form of a bullet. I know the current crew leaders and their upper structure share this belief with me; it's one of the reasons I'm proud to be working alongside them. What I don't understand, though, is why you--the wrong-doer's next of kin--are so shocked by it. When a family friend of mine lets me know that he intends to go rogue and finds himself at the bottom of a river, it astounds me when his son tracks me down and gives me an earful. "My father didn't do anything wrong! Why the hell did you shoot him?" (I mean, I suppose it's possible that my friend didn't share his plans with his child, but I highly doubt that.) It is absurd to think that I would put my family into jeopardy because our bloodlines have been friends for generations. While the aforementioned scenario was falsified, it could apply to any number of instances with which I am met on a regular basis. The scenario we often hear is a high-ranked member of the hit squad shooting someone he shouldn't have, but someone in the family witnesses it and therefore no action is taken. Is this right? To a certain extent, I could argue that it is because a family ought to protect its own members. However, if this person is willing to put the family's name on the line and disrespect the family and its rules by acting wrecklessly, I wouldn't want this person around. Odds are that if you're able to get away with it once, you'll repeat the action again and again. These instances usually result in the victim's son joining a different family, which I have no problem with--certain traits are carried on through bloodlines and the family is often better off as a result. Sometimes, these children form vendettas against me or Badass Inc. and threaten to kill me or see the family I care so much for collapse. I'm able to ignore (or, when appropriate, act upon) personal insults and threats, but I often wonder about the mentality of these people. So, I ask you, what is the opposing argument? Why should I allow these people to remain living when they are clearly working against the family? Here's your chance to complain (respectfully, of course). Provide me with a logical answer or stop getting so goddamn upset that the people in power know not to blur the line. |
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| Your job is to preserve your own power and the longevity of your organization. Not to accommodate those who as you've said have no respect for such preservation. These individuals who threaten the order of things should be removed with great 'pre-digest' Yum yum eat em up. :) | |
| Reply by: Sal_Giaquinto at Dec 06, '07 08:44 | |
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In all honesty I don't think there is a logical opposite to what you have said. The need to take revenge for something is an emotional process so in most cases lacks logic. I believe that most threats are never carried out they are just there to make the other person feel better about themselves and to vent some frustrations. The scenarios you have provided and the way you would deal with them is what any self respecting leader would do anything else is just not logical and puts a position of power at risk. |
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| Reply by: RonJeremy at Dec 06, '07 09:02 | |
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I'm slightly confused reading this. From my understanding you are cautious about sons with vendettas, which in my opinion, is extremely wise. But what I am a little unsure about is whether this works both ways. You say that "I don't give a damn how well your grandfather and mine got along." and that you don't play favourites. Surely this is a slight contradiction if you are willing to judge people on thier bloodline's behaviour. Also does this mean you are likely to look favourably on people who's ancestors worked well with you. I personally have a habbit of making notes about good and bad bloodlines. From my experience, if you got on with a father you will get on with the son. |
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| Reply by: Louis at Dec 06, '07 09:03 | |
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Louis, I apologize if I was not as clear as I intended to be. What I meant was that in scenarios like the ones I provided, I will shoot a good friend of mine if it means protecting the family. You're absolutely right, though--characteristics are often passed down through bloodlines. Though I am willing to give each new generation a chance and a fresh start, it would be foolish not to take into consideration the actions of their ancestors. |
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| Reply by: JohnnyAxe at Dec 06, '07 09:23 | |
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Spot on Johnny, I 100% agree with you on that. Thanks for clearing it up. Although I inherited a lot of experience from my father I fear that I may be a little bit more dim witted ;) |
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| Reply by: Louis at Dec 06, '07 09:38 | |
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Johnny I agree with you that you must do whatever it takes to protect your family. I myself would have no problem disposing with anyone who is putting the rest of the family in danger. Using your example - if you had 50 members and you papered over the fact that one of them had broken the rules. you are letting down the other 49 people who are working hard to help the family succeed by letting something go by which could put the family at risk of war. Taking your point on vendettas. I remember a long long time ago. after my very first ancestor was killed. his son wanted revenge, so he started out living his life, working hard and gaining respect. Then he actually got to know more about the person who had killed his father and found out they was more to what had happened than he knew. It was at this time he realised that seeking vengence was futile. he had worked hard to gain respect and had he not come to his senses he may have thrown it all away. that is why I have been taught by my father and my fathers father that holding grudges will get you nowhere yes when there is a war the victims sons feel bitter but in my opinion, if you carry a grudge with you, then you will end up in exactly the same place as the person you wanted to avenge. |
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| Reply by: Moretay at Dec 06, '07 09:54 | |
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Mr Axe what you've touched on here is something that has been debated behind closed doors for many years now. It's been widely known in the past that certain elements within families have been allowed certain graces when it comes to family rules. Many have gotten away with more than they should because details have been kept behind closed doors. As you say though it can be hard to accept that a high ranker that has been trusted is quite happy to openly say to you that they plan to go rogue or try to use their position to get immunity for certain actions. What I would suggest to you is this, there are means at your disposal to deal with such people. Death is one means, demoting is another also you could take away the hitters most valued accessory their gun. Ultimately though it is your job to protect your family, not just from physical attack but also from having the reputation tarnished, all it can take is one person to ruin a well built up reputation. |
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| Reply by: Mumphrey_Gobert at Dec 06, '07 10:41 | |
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I've stated this several times, but it is important, so it bears repeating. As a family head, your responsibility is to the well-being of your family. Not to your friends, not to yourself, to your family. This is not a job for the faint of heart. You will have to shoot a friend, you will have to tell a friend that he isn't getting authed, you will have to tell a friend that he can't leave the family to be the LHM for his friend. When you sign up for the job, you had better be prepared to be unpopular, because you will always have to piss someone off. That's the way life works. |
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| Reply by: TylerDurden at Dec 06, '07 11:55 | |
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