here has been a lot of talk about the lack of speeches taking place on these Streets that are of interest. Once again, I'd like to put forward an idea that lacks any real coherence or sense but could, in some ways, strengthen and enable these cities. Of course reasons not to adopt this methodology are legion, but leaving that aside and thinking outside the box is key to engagement and attaining positive outcomes.

The Streets are, at the moment, quite lively. This of course renders the remainder of this thread somewhat unnecessary but, like an exhibition of explorers going back up a mountain, there are always reasons to revisit.

My idea is this. In the heat of the moment is the opposite of with the benefit of hindsight. So it is not time to return to some of the more interesting conversations that have taken place on these Streets and looking at them with fresh eyes, clear heads and wearing new shoes?�= I think that there is certainly at least a theoretical reason for doing just that.

Let me develop the point. But before I do, I have to declare my impartiality. I have no axe to grind nor an agenda to pursue. I seek instead to populate these Streets to bursting point.

Conversations of yesteryear are important. Those that don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

So I ask you � leave the conversations in the past, or revisit, revise, adapt, adopt and improve? If so, why? If not, why not?

People are more interested in making money in the gambling houses, or hanging out with their friends at some local speak easy. They're not interested in coming out to the street corners, puffing away on cigars while standing on milk crates to make sure their points are heard. Debating requires a bit of work and thought, and most people just don't want to partake in such things.

Being said, bring on the carcasses of dead horses. I'm sure someone will get a kick out of stomping on the remaining bones.

I'm glad you came out here with this idea.  It's an interesting thought.  I wanted to take a couple minutes to respond because you took the time to present an idea to the public, and I'm part of the public.  

First - I don't think the streets are as active as you think they are right now.  I think Ragnarok is right.   Most people aren't very interested in coming out here to the street corners and standing on crates to make their points.  Such speeches seem to be from an era long gone.  But I hope that era is not forgotten, and I do hope that era will return.  I did like that era.  Err, from what I read...

That being said - I don't know that it's necessary to seek out old street speeches, and have them re-read out here.  There's simply no need.  Most of those speeches will be rehashed and repeated over and over again on these very streets.  History does repeat itself.  The same issues continue to pop up, and so people continue to address those issues on these streets.  

Topics that have been repeated recently or relatively recently:  Omerta, Leaders, Respect, Loyalty, Etc.  

So, just wait a bit.  If you're looking for an old speech, don't worry.  Someone will deliver a new speech on that very topic soon.  Maybe it'll be me.  

WillHayes...  You look familiar, I think your grandfather was some two bit chump who operated outta Philly, did whatever he was told by a more intelligent leader.

I mean, we're gangsters. Eloquence isn't necessarily a trait that's required to be a mafioso, eh?

NewspaperTaxis  i don't think WillHayes was that Godfather your talking about

sorry Grandfather my bad NewspaperTaxis

No, Pale, I'm sure my grandfather was not, as none of my ancestors spent much time in Philadelphia.  But the rest is pretty accurate.  My grandfather was a two bit chump.  And he did always follow more intelligent leaders.  But I liked that about him.  He did seek out intelligent leaders to follow.  He was lazy too.  But he was fun!  

She stepped and immediately closed her eyes as she felt the squish of something unpleasant beneath her shoes. Surely not, she thought but as she peeked down, she confirmed what she dreaded. Shit. Apparently being slung in the streets again. Her nose scrunched in distaste. She cursed inwardly and continued along just in time to hear an animated scrapper verbally assault her own Will Hayes, newspaper in hand. With a grin, she watched as Will let the man have his words while disinterestedly picking lint off his bold lapel, and retaliated with calm wit.

"Ooh," she said with a look of concern on her face, adopted after her years serving as a combat nurse in Italy. "Oh dear. I'm afraid you'll need to get your eyes checked, pally, as I believe at best, you're not seeing clearly and at worst, you've gone a bit north of whacked."

"Mr. Hayes here, and most of his kin, prefers the gin mills down in Detroit and Chicago. The dames there are fairly class as well. But that's neither here nor there. Ironically, we've got an interesting little bit about streets being dead, and then as soon as discussion starts to take place, the topic's discarded and out come the insults, which frankly aren't that clever and poorly directed."

She saunters up to NewspaperTaxis, and pulls the poufed handkerchief out of his suit pocket. She smiles and winks as she demurely bends her knees and cleans the remaining amount of drivel from her shoes.

"I think your talents might better lie in giving worn out and regurgitated streetside speeches ABOUT worn out and regurgitated streetside speeches than working for the U.S. Census, don't you?"

Her shoes now clean, she folds the dirtied handkerchief and places back in NewspaperTaxi's from where she'd retrieved it. Via sidles up next to Mr. Hayes and shakes her head sadly, both of them looking at the poor lad. 

"And while you're there having your eyes checked, you might see to that little burn there."