This one act has unfairly been put into place to entrap honest Americans. Government agencies can eavesdrop on conversations in the homes of Americans. Wiretap their phones and place of work, to try and uncover some act of illegality. This is all done because government officials believe that these decent and patriotic citizens of the United States are allegedly involved in 'corrupt' acts. What happend to 'innocent until proven guilty'? This is the reverse, presumed guilty, spied upon, and innocence vanishes. Gambling can be done in casinos with no prosecution but in the privacy of ones home, one can be tried and imprisoned. The only reason that law enforcement is aware of leisurely gambling is because the F.B.I resides in the phones and lamps.
Cosa Nostra existed to protect the rights of immigrants in a new land. They had lotteries for the immigrants to play to win extra money and some vendors left soup on the stove after hours to feed the hungry. These men were men of honor, who took care of their own people and that is still what occurs today. Joe Bonnano's father assisted new Americans to start anew in a foreign place. Now they are labeled as 'criminals', society never hears the other side of this American dream.
Couldn't you have saved this for tomorrow's Friday Funnies? I would be on the lookout for such hilarity. As it was, I spit coffee on some important papers on my desk.
It's time somebody finally stood up for killers for hire
Clearly the "Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations" act is worthless, or it would have been used to shut down Congress by now.
I apologize for ruining your papers with coffee. The goal of this entry was merely to show the other side of the story. One must admit that R.I.C.O does target Italian Americans unfairly. Liberals claim discrimination against African Americans when bills are passed that affect their lifestyle, why not here? Somebody must stand up for these men and defend their rights also. I appreciate your input, thank you.
The Boss
"One must admit that R.I.C.O does target Italian Americans unfairly."
No, one must not admit that.
Friends of Rod Blagojevich is watching nervously, as Citizens for Georgy Ryan says hello.
Another item worth mentioning, 'crimes' falling under R.I.C.O have much heavier sentences then child molestion and the possession of child porngraphy. Come on people, these people are hurting the youth of America and occasionally just receive a slap on the wrist and the labeling of a sex offender. Italian Americans, as a people, must carry the label of 'mobster'. Also no one is hurting the youth of America but rather following the great American principle of capitalism.
The Boss
However look at other cases in which R.I.C.O rears its head. The Pizza Connection and Five Family cases are targeting Italian Americans. I agree with the statement of good ole Rod and George though.
The Boss
Heh heh...yeah, this was a funny one. It's not like immigrant store owners were ever rushing out to buy "protection" - if it was so great, they would buy it willingly instead of having to be threatened. Of course it gets extra absurd when you consider that the only threat that they are being "protected" from is posed by their "protectors," you know, the "men of honor" who will torch their shops if they don't pay up. "Protection" is just the shine on the turd of extortion.
And I really got a good chuckle out of "they had lotteries for the immigrants to play to win extra money..." Yeah! Everyone wins free money! Mafia lotteries are just charitable endeavors organized by "men of honor" - why, they are regular philanthropists. Heck, between knee-cappings, they even find time to hand out turkeys during the holidays - look Tiny Tim, it's a Christmas miracle!
Not that it matters that much - Cosa Nostra is an anachronism anyway, and is fast going the way of Irish and Jewish organized crime: a few old geezers clinging to their "honor" and rambling on about the old days with some sub-Mensa younger guys hanging on, getting their butts kicked by the newer tougher immigrant gangs from places like Russia and Latin America, while trying to dodge long jail terms as yet another "man of honor" decides that omerta is a matter of intrepretation. At least they make for good TV and movies, even if they are straight out of central casting. (Does Joe Pesci even play non-mob roles at this point?)
D-Man,
I just like to cover all bases when only part of the story of Cosa Nostra is published. One must remember that sarcasm is a favorite tool of mine to use. However I still dispise R.I.C.O and its tarnishing of the Italian American name. Its all part of America, God Bless it. At least we can still speak freely about our views and thats the beauty of this country. Of course we can still speak freely until the liberals decide to muzzle us all because they simply disagree. Its all part of America, I respect your opinion and you respect mine.
The Boss
Yes, because it has historically been liberals who have suppressed speech. I love sarcasm, but you seem to be inadvertently sarcastic.
Just because nobody liked Air America doesn't mean that Rush, Hannity, and O'Reilly should be yanked off of the air. Fair air time is just ridiculous not because I don't want equality but rather liberarls are merely complaining because nobody agrees with them.
The Boss
Well, I could write you a long winded treatise about why good "liberals" would not be satisfied with a return to the Fairness Doctrine, but I was talking about "history" that goes back more than two years anyway.
And I've never met anyone who thinks that the doctrine actually calls for equality--merely multiple voices represented. Medium matters anyway--I mean different viewpoints dominate TV and radio from those that dominate cyberspace and inner city discourse. So if you think "no one agrees with liberals", you need to diversify your sampling.