The “life” isn’t a definitive thing.
Just like real life the “life” changes.
The mob’s #1 skill has always been its ability to adapt.
Comparing today’s American mobsters to those who were active in the 30s, 50s, 70s even 80s is ridiculous. Especially on this forum. We’re not on Reddit. We should know better.
Back in the day those “super cool tough movie-like Vito Corleone mobsters” many so openly love around the internet didn’t have to deal with the laws, technology and society that today’s American LCN face.
The ONE mistake the mob made was not realizing this sooner. Had they kept their guns in their holsters and insulate themselves they’d be in a better shape. Where’s Casso? Where’s Gravano? Where’s Basciano? Where are all those street guys now?
The American LCN realized roughly a generation ago that they’d all end up serving multiple life sentences if they continued acting like nothing ever changes.
The Bonannos got hit savagely because higher ups were directly involved in murders and didn’t buffer. The Colombos are a fraction of who they once were because of the war they had in the 90s: most of the rats that came out of that family were due to it. They’re never going to recover. Super smart and cool and tough, uh? Philly almost went the same way and it was solely thanks to a level-minded, low key and business-centered administration that they managed to survive. And yet they are hit constantly and one of their young key guy (Nicodemo) is behind bars until he’ll be middle age. There’s plenty of other examples: the Crea & Co. getting life, “street guy” Arrillotta single-handedly wiping out the Springfield crew due to the murders he was connected to…
These LaForte guys (if it turns out their scam was indeed connected) are doing the right thing by getting involved in white collar stuff, no violence, etc and use their bloodline connections to get ahead.
Even the term “street guy” is too vague. Just because someone isn’t a leg-breaking goon doesn’t mean he isn’t “respected” on the streets. This isn’t some low brow steer gang, money and the ability to earn lots of if with little ruckus gets you more respect than anything. And if pushes come to shoves they’ll always have
plenty of “street guys” still involved that can be tasked to intimidate / hurt / stalk someone.
Indictments constantly prove that there’s a quite balanced presence of both type of “guys” within LCN today. Some get ahead when they’re proven not to be too crazy and others don’t because they’re just leg breakers and goons. Simple as that.
This is the smartest approach: why risking the money makers on lousy street stuff when you can simply send your hounds when needed and keep the good earners protected. Does an Amazon branch manager drive a delivery truck? I don’t think so.
Not everyone gets ahead. In life as well as in that “life”.
As for the whole “Godfather” comparison: 1) it’s fiction 2) it’s outdated and 3) I don’t want to repeat myself but if Vito Corleone was real and alive today he’d be like Bellomo or Cefalù and he would keep the hot heads and the trigger happy guys at a mile’s distance and favor a more businessman-like approach. More Tom Hagen than Sonny.
This is anything but weak. It’s smart.
Much of what you just wrote is very correct. The life, just like in real life, morphs as the years go on. That life will never ever be the same as it was. They'll never be as strong, or have the all-pervasive influence the mob once did over society in general. Its a much different world today. And those who still wanna be a part of that life, that world, need to adapt, for better or worse, accordingly.
Good post LuanKuci
