We have been labelled as many different things. "The Mob" by the authorities, "The American Mafia" by the newspapers. "Gentlemen and Ladies of Honour" by those in the business, and of course "Criminal Scum" by those who ended up on our wrong side and lived to tell the tale, though such encounters are indeed, very rare. Despite all of these names, and attestations however, they all fall flat when it comes to describing what we truly are.

Can every associate be considered a criminal while knocking off the local bank or store, when these very establishments steal from the populace on a daily basis? Does every Made Man and their Capos who handed down the orders deserve to be labelled as murderers for carrying out what was asked of them perfectly, and disposing of a traitor in the process, while the world stands ready to commit organized murder at a single sign from the Fascist powers of Europe?

Does every Crew Leader and Godfather deserve to be labelled as racketeers when they employ thousands across the country and revitalize the economy during these hard times? Life, thankfully is not binary at all. You see, the Mafia is not a criminal organization. It is a nation, within other, more corrupt nations around the world, and we are all citizens of this state. We have no elections here. We do not pay bureaucrats and the media bribes to gain positions of power we do not deserve. We do not put the interests of the individual above the interests of the pack here.

We, give every man and woman, what they deserve, and they in turn, contribute according to their ability. Ours, is a nation that upholds the purity and freedom of the group, as well as glorifying the achievements of the individual simultaneously, for the when the capable are rewarded, and the unworthy weeded out, everyone benefits. Ours is the true land of the free, and the home of the brave. It was with sheer faith in this proven system that I continued to toil, and my efforts bore fruit, as my faith was vindicated.

I got the tap on my shoulder last night, as I was overseeing the shipment of cocaine into Vegas. "It is time." Don BCP told me, while handing me the ceremonial garrote and asking me to follow him. Like so many before me, I finally walked in through the forbidden door. Like so many before me, I felt my heart beat faster in excitement as the last signs of life ebbed away from the chosen victim, under the death throttle I had him in. Like so many before me, I made my bones at last. And for those who will follow, I shall strive to set an example of the modern mobster. Civilized in manner and deed, efficient and subtle in business, ruthless and fanatically loyal at heart.