Ah Don T... while I do agree with you that this may have shown some weaknesses, but, as I've alluded to before, this is about the almighty dollar and when Vito denied, Sollozzo's pockets were hurt. He did not want that, so his M.O. was to do whatever he had to do, to get this... he didn't care who it was that had to go... all he knew was that at that instance, Vito had to go... then Sonny (if he disagreed)... then Mike (if he disagreed)... Fredo... Clemenza... etc. Sollozzo was quite ambitious, and also quite bright, I might add.

"From now on, nothing goes down unless I'm involved. No blackjack no dope deals, no nothing. A nickel bag gets sold in the park, I want in. You guys got fat while everybody starved on the street. Now it's my turn." (King of New York)