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what do you guys think about the mafia?
for a couple of reasons i respect (or respected) it in some ways.
the mafia formed in the u.s. as an outgrowth of the living conditions of immigrants (namely italian immigrants). because of the extreme levels of poverty certain people rose up as leaders and protectors of the poor (in the process they made themselves rich as well - not at the expense of the poor however)
the mafia fought against mussolini's fascists.
i also like how the mafia came to power by taking capitalism to the ultimate extreme - eliminate the competition (literally by killing it). in this respect, they took the system, and turned it on itself. soon one of the nation's biggest concerns was the mafia, which was just capitalism to the third power. sort of a poetic justice type of thing.
i won't go into how the mafia was so horrific because it is obvious
*sidenote: charlie chaplin said "murder is the logical extension of business"
\"One murder makes a villain...millions a hero. Numbers sanctify, my friend.\" -Charlie Chaplin
They have, and still do, command a great deal of respect among the Italian community here in NY... And yes they where a means to provide a better life for Itlalian imegrents here in the US...
However, many Italians also are insulted by the steriotype that they are all 'connected' somehow with organized crime.
Also don't forget how they have exploited organized labor, and used it to influence politics.
In Solidarity,
RC
Whoa, RedCeltic, are my eyes deceiving me? Does that say 660 posts. YOu are prolific my friend!!!
The Mafia - It always amuses me that Che and Fidel drove the mafia out of Cuba in the middle of the night. One deal the mafia haven't made good on!!! hahahahah
hmmm maybe I should quit for awhile and let someone catch up.
Nah...
In Solidarity,
RC
Nahhhh. LOL!
the modern day mafia (a la john gotti) seems to be nothing but a bunch of thugs. however, in the beginning they came out of a need to help each other. now, because of money, they just screw each other over.
i've always liked the mafia for some reason. it's nostalgic. i know they did a lot of terrible things but it grew out of greed for money which in turn grew out of their poor origins...
i've been watching "the godfather" movies :biggrin:
the last time i saw the godfather part II i didn't know what was going on because i knew nothing about the cuban revolution and cuban history. now that i understand so much more, i enjoy and understand the movie at a different level. it's interesting how so many people in the u.s. have seen this movie but never make the connection of how batista supported the mafia and how the u.s. supported him and therefore the mafia
\"One murder makes a villain...millions a hero. Numbers sanctify, my friend.\" -Charlie Chaplin
To pinpoint the mafia singly on the Italians is painting with a broad brush. Lest we forget that the Jewish and Irish mafias were pretty prolific in the era of "organized crime." However, the mafia was part in partial in the creation of America's ultra-capitalist centres of greed: Las Vegas and Reno; as well, there were also the rumoured links of an assanation plot by the Italian mob from New York against Fidel Castro; and to go to Red Celtic's exploitation point: does the name Jimmy Hoffa ring a bell to anyone?
<insert quote here>
very you forgot the chinese mafia.....:P
(i) fruity_psycho_gurl (i)
just because you\'re paranoid don\'t mean they\'re not after you-cobain
All that organised crime, monopoly and murder ... how romantic.
Many of my Italian friends LOVE any reference to 'La Familia' and any insinuation that they are connected to a dark shadowy underground - I suppose it's handy to convey the threat that you can have anyone whacked at any time.
It's like me daydreaming about how romantic the guerilla life in the Sierra Maestra must have been ... ah, mosquitoes the size of rats, eating my burro when food gets tight, stench, filth, murder, fearing for my life... a girl can dream.
It cannot but be supportive, socialist, communist or whatever you want to call it. Does nature, and the human species with it, have much time left to survive in the absence of such change? Very little time. Who will be the builders of that new world? The
come on chancho, lets head for the hills with nothing more than some field rations, AK's and some ammo, we can have us some fun, just the two of us
plus, can i just point out the statement that the mafia grew out of US immigrants is incorrect.
I remember reading about it in hutchinsons encyclopedia, when i had been intending to look something else up, but it caught my eye, as so often happens :/
"Mafia. Originated in 15th century sicily and now operates chiefly there and in countries to which italians have emigrated.
It began as a society that avenged wrongs against Sicilian peasants by means of terror and vendetta. In 19th century sicily the mafia was employed by absentee landlords to manage their latafundia, and through intimidation it soon became the ruling group.bla bla obligatory reference to godfather bla bla"
so they have very noble, idealistic and leftist roots, but they soon developed into a corrupt self-serving pit of despicable scum as bad as bush and his ilk.
oops... your right cb... they brought it with them to the US...
In Solidarity,
RC
as a woman living in north america with italian heritage i'll respond to this.
first of all very is right. La Cosa Nostra is the italian mafia but there are many many many other mafias (in canada the quebec mafia was huge)
anyway. historicallyk, the government of italy was run pretty much the same as the mafia with very localized government. when many italians came to north america they simply continued with this way of life. the italians showed solidarity in a world that tried to break them apart. in that sense i am very proud of my italian ancestors for their efforts to stay together
having said that, it is a very glamourous lifestyle and therefore many people cling to it. I personally do not have any mafia connections and do not pretend to do so but many others do.
my grandmother is very irritated by the image of italians presented in shows such as the sopranos but she just laughs it off. everyone has to deal with stereotypes of some sort.
i guess what i'm trying to say is that the mafia, minus the killing and the beatings, is a very good idea. i'm hoping i'm making sense here but i might not be (i'm drugged up on meds)
I AM THE PERFECT ME!
Economic Left/Right: -7.25
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -8.15
granted the mafia has origins long before italians started immigrating to the u.s. however the mafia, as we know it in the u.s. arose out of the poverty forced on the italian immigrants.
\"One murder makes a villain...millions a hero. Numbers sanctify, my friend.\" -Charlie Chaplin
I`ve always seen the mafia connected with police and the high-capitalist goverments.
It doesnt matter what you say about them, the mafia is always gonna be (in my mind) the same as the ultimate corrupt capitalistic world...
Although i love al pacino's mafia movies!hehehe
hey, did you forget?
the opressed have the right and should use violence against the opressor.
ernestito, i gotta go with Mr. DeNiro
\"One murder makes a villain...millions a hero. Numbers sanctify, my friend.\" -Charlie Chaplin
What about our old mate Mr. Brando?
hey, did you forget?
the opressed have the right and should use violence against the opressor.
don't worry about it. i'm gonna make him an offer he don't refuse...
\"One murder makes a villain...millions a hero. Numbers sanctify, my friend.\" -Charlie Chaplin
Throw in some insect repellant and I'm thereQuote: from CommieBastard on 12:39 pm on Oct. 13, 2001
come on chancho, lets head for the hills with nothing more than some field rations, AK's and some ammo, we can have us some fun, just the two of us
Actually, I'm going to Cuba next July and one of my major plans is to follow the Revolutionary trail through the Sierra Maestra ... *dreaming of Che's footsteps*
It cannot but be supportive, socialist, communist or whatever you want to call it. Does nature, and the human species with it, have much time left to survive in the absence of such change? Very little time. Who will be the builders of that new world? The
Throw in some insect repellant and I'm thereQuote: from CommieBastard on 12:39 pm on Oct. 13, 2001
come on chancho, lets head for the hills with nothing more than some field rations, AK's and some ammo, we can have us some fun, just the two of us
Actually, I'm going to Cuba next July and one of my major plans is to follow the Revolutionary trail through the Sierra Maestra ... *dreaming of Che's footsteps*
It cannot but be supportive, socialist, communist or whatever you want to call it. Does nature, and the human species with it, have much time left to survive in the absence of such change? Very little time. Who will be the builders of that new world? The
sorry! geeeezzzz that shits me.
It cannot but be supportive, socialist, communist or whatever you want to call it. Does nature, and the human species with it, have much time left to survive in the absence of such change? Very little time. Who will be the builders of that new world? The
