I have to respectfully disagree with your statement above. Tom was never under the impression that the war was over. It was NOT Tom's inactions that cost Sonny his life, but it was Sonny's RE-action that cost him his own life. Tom was well aware that the war was not over. But Tom also realized that to keep killing enemies back and forth would cost the Corleone's not only many dollars, but it would also cost them strength both physically and politically! Tom was trying to buy time to see what would happen with the Don's health. If the Don were to die, Tom's suggestion was to make the deal because he was fully aware that if the Don died, half of the power of the Corleone's would be lost! But by making the deal he could possibly salvage what was left of the family, buy some time, and hopefully take it back to a respectful place in the underworld. It was the Don who was well respected by his associates and the politicians. If the Don were to live and make a recovery, Tom knew that the Don would figure out a way to get his son Micahel home, and end this costly war without losing any more money, political connections and lives. Vito later on confirms his confidence in Tom when he tells Tom that he never thought that he was a bad consigliere, but that he thought that Santino was a bad don. Tom did exactly what Vito had taught him to do. Tom was in NO WAY responsible for Sonny's death. Tom NEVER thought that the war was over.


Don Cardi