Opening Note from the Editor

Welcome to Issue Six of The Logan Review! We might be a bit briefer this edition, due to the BLAM! current infestation of BLAM! turkeys in our office but BLAM! that situation will hopefully be sorted soon.

On a serious note, I'd like to offer my thanks to all the regular readers of The Logan Review- particularly those who support us with tips and those who speak up to publicly support us in the streets. I say it every issue because it's true: if no one read this, I wouldn't write it. So thanks for giving us a reason!

On a formatting note, we're going to try something new this time, based on a suggestion from Kerouac in our previous edition. If you believe that this current is easier on the eyes OR you like the old way better, please let us know.

Do you have a question for Kate? Mail her with the subject line "Ask Kate" and you could be in our next issue!

Do you have a business you'd like to be reviewed? Please mail KateLogan with "Business Review" in the subject line. Kate will visit your business, either alone or with a friend, and provide a write up in a future edition of The Logan Review

The Logan Review Spotlight of the Week: A Discussion We Believe Needs More Attention

Bonkers came to the street and asked what we here at The Logan Review consider some excellent questions: What are peoples' concerns right now? Do people believe we have a direction in our society and, if so, is it the right one?

These are thought provoking inquiries, but so far they've garnered only a couple of responses and we encourage all our readers to share their opinions. A recent crewleader meeting reaffirmed that people have the rights to share their perspective in the streets, even unpopular positions, as long as they express themselves in a respectful manner. 

Deces was the first to respond, offering her opinion that while we're seemingly living in a stable society, we're just not sure how long that will last. She then stated her eagerness to hear the ideas of other people on this subject, either publicly or privately. Later, she mentioned that "My only concern would be others who have concerns, but are afraid to speak on such".

Are people afraid to share their views on this topic? With only one other responder, that's a possible explanation.

Space-pole added his two cents, offering a reflection between the opposing forces in our community of habit and innovation, mentioning the favor system as something that many people might have believed in- or still do.

He concluded with what we consider some wise words: words that we hope to live up to.

...Those who do sit on top, this is your time a time that some of you have craved for a very long time. Do something with it, offer something different- it doesnt have to be a change like we have recently seen but just something that screams out - this is my time, this is what ill do. Get us talking about your decisions, even if we disagree. Even we kick and scream about it, try it. There is absolutely no shame in piggy backing off the ideas of those who have passed. 

 

Well said, Space-pole.

This discussion, though is barely begun! Head over and give your two cents HERE

Deces, BrotherHec move from the North Side of Chicago to Brooklyn

In a recent move, Whispering Shores and The Regime packed up their bags and made the move from Chicago to New York.

This correspondent, for one, is excited to see each of our six major cities occupied once again. We wish Deces, BrotherHec, and their organizations the best of luck as they embark on the next stage of their journey!

See Deces' announcement HERE

See BrotherHec's announcement HERE

The  VIP  Rundown, Review, and Reward (As of Nov 24 04:21)

Remember: Everyone on the rundown gets 100K- and so does their boss. Consider this our small way of rewarding this who contribute to our public discourse! Also note that "Weeks on the Rundown" refers to consecutive weeks!

Dropped Off: KingGeorgeWashington

Added On: HunterZolomon

#15: HighPitchEric 

City: Las Vegas ; Leader: FitzChivalry

(Last Week: #15; Weeks on the Rundown: 2)

#14: HunterZolomon

City: Detroit ; Leader KateLogan

(Last Week: N/A ; Weeks on the Rundown: 1)

#13: Thomas_OShannon 

City: Detroit ; Leader: KateLogan

(Last Week: #11. Weeks on the Rundown: 2)

#12: Angelo_Scaletta  

City: Philadelphia ; Leader: Woltrazz

(Last Week: #10. Weeks on the Rundown: 2)

#11: CamillaBalistreri 

City: Las Vegas ;  Leader: Slash

(Last Week: #14. Weeks on the Rundown:2)

#10: BobbyMunson

City: Los Angeles ; Leader: BobbyMunson

(Last Week: #10. Weeks on the Rundown: 2)

#9: Slash

City: Las Vegas ; Leader: Slash

(Last Week: #8. Weeks on the Rundown: 2)

#8: BunBun

City: Chicago ; Leader: StripheGotti

(Last Week: #12. Weeks on the Rundown: 2)

#7: LuciusSweet 

City: Las Vegas ; Leader: FitzChivalry

(Last Week: #3. Weeks on the Rundown: 2)

#6: alessandra 

City: Chicago ; Leader: StripheGotti

(Last Week: #7. Weeks on the Rundown: 2)

#5: BrotherHec

City: Chicago ; Leader: BrotherHec

(Last Week: #5. Weeks on the Rundown: 2)

#4: Space-pole  

City: Las Vegas ; Leader: Slash

(Last Week: #6 . Weeks on the Rundown: 2)
 

#3: FitzChivalry 

City: Las Vegas ; Leader: FitzChivalry

(Last Week: #2. Weeks on the Rundown: 2)

#2: KateLogan 

City: Detroit ; Leader: KateLogan

(Last Week: #1. Weeks on the Rundown: 2)

#1: Billie_Faegan  

City: Detroit ; Leader: KateLogan

(Last Week: #4. Weeks on the Rundown: 2)

Well, a new champion in the top spot. Keep my seat warm for me, Billie; I'll be back to get it soon!

Final Tally by City = 6: Las Vegas ; 4: Detroit ; 2: Chicago ; 1: New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia

Final Tally by Leader = 4: KateLogan ;  3: FitzChivalry, Slash,  ; 2: StripheGotti ; 1: BrotherHec, BobbyMunson, Woltrazz

Why Doesn't Your Boss Shoot You?

Certainly an attention grabbing topic, as Disorder posed the following:

"So... What do you bring to the table? What have you got that contributes to the health, business, humor and balance of your family? I'm not talking about cash, we all do that or we wouldn't be here. What else do you do to justify your place and make you an asset rather than a passenger?"

Responses included:

Kerouac: "I suppose he likes me enough to not take the extra notch"

Bonkers proposed that it requires a well rounded combination of qualities.

Zombie: "I'm a waste of a bullet most likely"

Falcon: "Maybe I'm alive based upon potential, something Don Logan sees that could be useful to her in the future. Or maybe I'm alive because she isn't a trigger happy murder." (Editor's Note: Yes and Yes.)

BrotherHec: "the Godmother of Northside (Editor's Note: now Brooklyn, the move hadn't happened yet) knows how much she can trust me and depend on me."

MikhailKomarov: "MavisBeacon knows he can count on me, knows where I've come from, my experience, and knows I'll always have his back no matter what."

Space-pole: "Personally, from a mechanics Point Of View,  i know that i bring a wealth of experience and my linage is very well versed in pretty much all ways of our life and i think that my boss knows that i can offer advice and expertise on pretty much everything that this world has to offer."

So why doesn't YOUR boss shoot YOU? Why not provide your answer HERE

Not a Long Recap: But an interesting new term?

Bender, speaking about the concept of bloodlining, contributed a distinction between being killed because of who your ancestor was, as opposed to being killed for repeating similar behaviors to your ancestor.

Bender summed up his argument thusly:

So I guess, what I'm getting at is. When Joe is disliked because they come out and publicly flip the bird at people of seniority, then get splattered about the place for also doing it in person, then the next of kin comes out and repeats the exercise, to the point where there is no discernible difference between the generations, and it repeats and all the while there's no variation, no signs of growth, no changes, no evolution.. just the same over and over again... how exactly, is this bloodlining as opposed to 'the first generation died for it, the subsequent generations didn't get a job because of it and if you repeat their mistakes you won't have a prosperous time either' ?

 

Disorder added perhaps a key term to the way we speak about such issues when discussed the difference between bloodlining and what he called profiling, stating: 

There really is no need for any confusion on this topic. The act of bloodlining is the relentless killing of mobsters descended from one lineage. Without the slightest regard for current action, change of behavior or anything else. The action is nothing more than endless killing until the lineage disappears from our shores.

The confusion seems to come when people confuse this action with the pretty natural practice of lineage profiling. Sounds similar but is, in practical application, very different. For example, if your 16 predecessors all went rogue, it isn't entirely unreasonable to assume you may do the same. Indeed it would be foolish not to keep an eye on you because of it. However it doesn't mean you should be stopped from existing because of it, or denied the chance to live and change the history your line had left you. There is profiling without bloodlining.

Generally, most people applauded Disorder for this distinction.

The full discussion can be found HERE

Ask Kate

Dear Kate,

So the topic I wish to ask about is transparency. Transparency has been a topic where some might be completely on board with or they would keep their cards to their chest. 

 But (if we choose to be transparent) what do we try to achieve? Full transparency? Or informing them of some things and keeping other topics quiet? 

People do deserve to know some things, while they don't need to know some (other)  things. But I personally feel that it helps people in the long run, as it lets them know that you trust them, not just with information, but with everything that is going on. It also helps you, indirectly as if you are possibly doing something not quite right, somebody is more likely to point something out to you. Which would benefit you.

But that's it, thanks Kate!

Transparently Wondering

Transparently Wondering,

Great question- and your answer, in many ways, will mirror my own. But let's take a look at the issue.

First, total transparency is obviously impossible in our way of life. It may be impossible for ANY profession- but especially ours. Omerta, after all, is one of our core values. 

On the other extreme, it's obvious to me that having  people with zero knowledge of what's going on is almost as bad. People deserve to know what's going on in their own organizations, particularly if we're talking about fully initiated members of a family. 

I agree with you that being at least somewhat transparent helps people feel like they have more control, agency, and awareness- as opposed to crews who feel left in the dark and frustrated. You're also correct in saying that this is a great way to have others' improve on your own ideas, rather than hoarding them.

It seems to me like you need to find the balance point in the following two questions:

Does my organization need to know this to work most effectively? Would spreading this information put people at risk? 

Also, timing is certainly a factor as well. I don't think a goomba can reasonably expect a full explanation behind a war as bullets are flying- but they certainly should in the days following the conclusion of the conflict.

Great question!

Kate

King of the Ring Tournament

There have been three fights so far in Round 1 of this second iteration of the King of the Ring Tournament.

In Fight 1, Aislin faced off against yours truly, Kate Logan. In this hard fought Midwestern Matchup, your editor  won in an unanimous decision. Here's hoping it's the first of many victories!

In Fight 2, in another unanimous decision, BrotherHec defeated Chase_TheWolves to advance to the second round.

In Fight 3, in a third unanimous decision, Chong defeated Falcon. Controversially, Falcon then grabbed the mic and ranted against the judges before storming off. In this humble reporter's opinion, Falcon was perhaps too consumed with the heat of battle.

For some excellent commentary on these fights by FitzChivalry, please attend the event at the MGM Grand HERE

Upcoming fights, found in the same location, are:

Fight 4: CamillaBalistreri vs. Jezebel-

Fight 5: Slash vs. Stoner_Tony

Fight 6: Mike__Dilingrt vs. John_Scalise_Jr

Fight 7: Kurgan vs. EricaWilde

Fight 8: Torak vs. Oblivion

Street MVP of the Week

Note: The Street MVP of the week is someone who stood out as providing excellent questions, opinions, insights, and/or commentary since our previous edition. For posing an interesting discussion and adding the idea of "profiling" bloodlines to the common vocabulary of our society, our first Street MVP of the Week is...

Disorder 

Congratulations, Disorder! The Street MVP of the Week collects a cool 1 million dollars as their prize. 

See you all next week- and Happy Thanksgiving!

She frowned as she flipped through the pages. Once she got to the end she scowled and started back again from the beginning. "What is this?" She said when she got to the end yet again, "wonderful as always, but I feel like there's something missing. Something important." She folded up the paper and thought about hitting Kate with it, but instead pointed at herself, "Me! There is nary a mention of ME in it!" she told her friend. "I swear, sometimes its like you just don't appreciate me and my desire to see my name in lights, or in this case print, everywhere I go." she sniffled like she was going to cry. "Some friend you are." she added before pouting her lower lip. 

Kate I like the new format! Easier on the eye, as always another brilliant read, we have been fans here since the first edition and will continue to but several copies for the HQ each time it is published. You dedication to this is very admirable.

tries to balance 10 copies as she clicks clacks on her heels back to the HQ...

Thomas thumbed through the different pages, "Nae sure how I feel about this format lass, I could go eit'er way. Great work on it, though. Wonderful read as always. Appreciate yer dedication ta yer craft."

He grinned and tucked the paper under his arm before heading off to get some work done.

Fitz had been informed he had featured in the paper again this week so as any self obsessed prick would do, he made his way to the streets to get himself a copy. Upon reading through the rag he finally got to the important part. The VIP Rundown. Unfortunately, Fitz had noticed he had slipped up a place and grumbled aloud about it.

Recently he had challenged Kate to the number one spot but found that neither had managed to get there and instead both had been beaten to this by a broad called Billie. Fitz would have to up his game for the next issue!

Collecting a copy with her morning coffee, Tammy was fresh from the gym. She sat at a cafe on the Las Vegas strip and browsed the most recent edition of The Logan Review. It was beginning to turn into a publication she looked forward to throughout her week, it was a symbol of stability and calm that was most welcome on her lap.

BCP sits down and reads over the paper. Was always nice seeing it each week BCP admits to himself. Sipping his irish coffee he reads it over and sits it down. Thinking maybe some things were left out, as a whole the paper covered a broad spectra of topics as Kate always did. Overall he was happy with his morning read and downs the rest of his coffee before getting up and heading out into the world to dodge the cops and shit taken care of as usual.

Artus had seen BCP around the HQ reading a newspaper, but because he was sober he didn't want to share anything leaving Artus annoyed. Not wanting to have a trip out to collect a newspaper, he has no choice as no one else has a copy. Surely BCP should be punished for not sharing, especially with his own crewleader, for now Artus would just make a note about it that he wouldn't forget next time his right hand man asked for something.

Luckily enough, KateLogan was still around giving out her newspaper. Artus always had the previous editions from other people in the HQ, but this week it only seemed to be BCP. He buys a newspaper and heads back to the HQ, walking past BCP and accidentally kicking him on the way in.

Amazing write yet again Ms. Logan. How you find the time to do this is truly inspirational, if you keep writing them, people will keep reading them.

And I do like the new format, easier to read.

After indulging himself with his daily morning glass of whiskey, or two, or many, he made his way to the local street corner to grab a copy of the newest paper. He found himself immensely impressed in the new format, as he flipped through the pages incredibly satisfied with how easy it was to read. Upon reaching the page detailing the King of the Ring Tournament, he remembered that he needs to train more for his upcoming bout against Torak. Tipping his hat in appreciation to KateLogan, he rushed off to the local gym to continue his training.

Veronia picks up a copy of the newspaper and skims over the placement with her morning shot of whiskey and cup of coffee.

I have to say that i enjoy how its broken up.. its a bit less Crowded but  i think broken line segments gets the same thing across and looks more like a uniform slide of paper. But will agree formatting and breaking up in posts or single reading section i do not mind either way.

Although the paper even with it split up.. still seemed a bit short.. long in subjects but short on other miscellaneous things like joke of the day!~ 

 

Overall, Very great paper! Please keep up the fantastic work Ms. Logan! Definitely looking towards the next Issue already!

Sincerely  a weekly reader         - Veronia

A note is sent out to the regular readers:

"The editorial staff has decided to keep our new format, since so many people approved of it. Thank you for your continued support!"