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Originally posted by Don Cardi:
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Originally posted by Remember Vito Andolini:
[b] Was Vitelli connected to the Mob? Why did Mike's bodyguards feel threatened by this man?
Regardless if Vitelli was connected or not, it did not matter. Vitelli and his daughter's honor was at stake here. Remember this was Sicily, the old country, and to have one's honor disrepected could result in the death of the person who has shown disrespect. If somone's honor is disrepected and nothing is done about it, then that person will live in shame for the rest of their lives. Appolina and her family's honor was saved because of Michael's indirect threat to Vitelli and because he married her.


Don Cardi cool [/b]
To expand on Don Cardi's answer, in Sicily, the omerta does not just apply to the mafiosos. It applies to every single citizen of Sicily. Mario Puzo described it best in the book. No matter if you witnessed the rape or murder of your own child, the omerta stands. You saw nothing. You heard nothing. So if Vitelli had Mike killed, no one would say anything. Lucky for Mike, though, he was a Corleone.

"Growing up my dad was like 'You have a great last name, Galifianakis. Galifianakis...begins with a gal...and ends with a kiss...' I'm like that's great dad, can we get it changed to 'Galifianafuck' please?" -- Zach Galifianakis